Building for recovery

The eighth edition of Cosmoprof Asia was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on November 12-14, 2004. Exhibitors from all over the world gathered for a look at new products and market trends in beauty and health products and equipment. Following the success of the spa concept in 2002, the "well-being" phenomenon continues to be one of the major highlights in this year's show. Trade buyers also had the chance to visit the second edition of the co-located Natural Health Fair, featuring a wide range of health food and beverages, dietary supplements, alternative and Asian traditional medicine. International presence Cosmoprof Asia 2003 was selected by the US Department of Commerce as the only trade focus exhibition in Hong Kong to be featured in the AsiaNow Programme, a programme designed to encourage a high level of buyers' attendance. The show attracted 653 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions, including 15 national and group pavilions from Europe, UK, US, Australia, Israel, mainland China, Taiwan, south-east and North Asia. There were 19,569 visitors from Hong Kong and 15,096 international visitors from 75 countries and regions. The National Agency for Export Development from Indonesia had a national pavilion. The number of exhibitors dropped by 15% comparing to 2002. "SARS was the main reason for the decline," said Rebecca Mak, assistant marketing communications manager of CMP Asia, the organiser of Cosmoprof Asia. "Exhibitors took longer to confirm their bookings. But we picked up fast at the end." said Mak. This year, the exhibition offered exhibitors and trade buyers an opportunity to learn about the results of a year-long research conducted by 50 researchers in 40 cities around the world, namely the "Cosmetic Observatory - Beauty and Health Retail". The research was presented at two seminars to explore the field of retailing, which integrates the framework of lifestyles with modes of consumption, both new and traditional. Gold Beauty from Hong Kong started exhibiting at Cosmoprof Asia seven years ago. Director Louis Lau thinks the show has room for improvement. He said: "The number of exhibitors dropped even though visitors increased compared with last year. The business we got from the exhibition dropped as well. But, to be fair, the market is not very good for Hong Kong as a whole this year." Lau thinks the organiser should keep pace with market trends. "If Cosmoprof Asia does not improve, I think it will be phased out in five years. It is not very responsive to the market. The Chinese market is developing fast. I don't understand why the organiser still gives preferential treatment to Western companies and places their booths more prominently." Lau's company exhibits in four exhibitions each year in mainland China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Hong Kong. "There will be an exhibition held at the new Guangzhou international exhibition centre in March and another big one coming up in the last quarter of the year. If Hong Kong does not improve, it will be replaced by mainland China. Market mix Dream Beauty Promotion's director of sales and marketing Man Chan appreciates the mix of European and Asian companies, but thinks there should be a better arrangement of booths. "Some Asian exhibitors were mixed with European ones. It would be better if the organiser grouped the mainland exhibitors for the sake of visitors' convenience. It is influenced by the difference between the branding and pricing of Chinese and European products." The next Cosmoprof Asia will take place on November 10-12, 2004 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.