Held September 9, 10, 11, 2008 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, HBA boasted 16,207 participants, including 4,700 new registrants from all over the world.  As the leading industry product development event, HBA Global Expo annually attracts top decision makers in all three categories—marketing, packaging and R&D—and from all levels of distribution—prestige, mass market and direct selling.

Additional participant statistics and highlights include:

• Qualified and motivated audience–more than 30% of HBA’s participants plan to spend $500,000 or more on products or services over the next twelve months.
  
• Leading international educational provider–over a 100% increase in conference delegates from Europe.
  
• Brand power–increase in brand and product management executives.
  
• Cream of the crop–top buying teams from major companies and retailers including L’Oreal, Unilever, Procter & Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive, Shiseido, Avon, Estee Lauder, Coty, Johnson & Johnson, Beiersdorf, Sephora, Boots, Wal-Mart, and Target.
  
• World-wide sourcing forum–25% of HBA exhibitors were new this year, with sold-out  Technical and Naturals Pavilions and international representation from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Poland, Tahiti, Turkey, United Kingdom and more. 
  
• Valuable resource for entrepreneurs–HBA also attracts independent and emerging brand innovators year after year including Bare Escentuals, Benefit Cosmetics, Betty Beauty, Blossom, Cargo Cosmetics, NuSkin, Physicians Formula and Tarte.

“As a new company, I really enjoyed HBA.  I met with lots of companies and networked with people that will be able to provide the services I need.  I attended the conference program and learned from industry experts.  Next year, I will plan to attend even more lectures.  It is an exciting time for me and HBA is a tremendous resource,” said Jill Washington, CEO/Inventor, Jilli Products Inc.
Despite a tough economic climate, exhibitors at HBA also were pleased to see those in attendance were ready to do business.  “HBA attracts a qualified audience who  have a clear strategy in mind for products and services. This is our second year here and we're seeing familiar faces as well as new ones. We're meeting the right people,” said Debra Darby, Bioplastics by Telles.

  “We’ve been coming here for 5 years.  This is one of the best!  Last year, we had 100 leads total—we had 100 in one day alone this year!’ added Marquerita Devine, Express Tubes, Inc.
 A destination point on the show floor was the Innovating Trends presentation hosted by Mintel.  During the 3 days, HBA participants were able to sample and taste the lastest beneficial beauty products from all over the world.  In addition, Mintel provided consulting services and the latest research on consumer behavior and product category trends.

"HBA 2008 was such a huge success for Mintel. We had great marketing exposure which resulted in lots of traffic and quality leads. It was a pleasure working with HBA and we look forward to next year!" commented Jennifer Chamberlin, US Marketing Director, Mintel International.

Another new feature was the VIP Lounge that provided elite services to top management circles of beauty and personal care companies.   The first-time business lounge was frequented by buying teams from Bare Escentuals, Estee Lauder, Limited Brands, Avon, Shiseido, Elizabeth Arden, Intelligent Beauty, Procter & Gamble, L'Oreal, Neostrata, Fashion Fairs Cosmetics and more.
 Other highlights of HBA included the well-attended Keynote Presentation by skin care authority, Dr. Nicholas Perricone on the connection between anti-aging and inflammation as well as the return of Fragrance Business Conference with a kick-off presentation by Camille MacDonald of Bath & Body Works.  An enhanced New Product Showcase area featuring new products from 3C, Alcan Packaging Beauty, Alpha Packaging, Brad-Pak, C2D, Jomo, Lady Burd, Labsphere, Nestle, PL Thomas, Rexam, Silab, SwabPlus TECNOCOSMESI S.P.A., World Wide Packaging, and Yesod Perfume attracted visitors throughout the event.

During the Annual HBA Industry Awards Dinner, leading industry executives such as Catherine Walsh, of Coty Prestige, David Prague of L’Oreal and Dr. Robert Pierce of Colgate-Palmolive were honored at the Marriott Marquis in front of a large audience of beauty and personal care executives and suppliers.  For a complete list of honorees and winners, including the International Package Design Awards (IPDA), go to http://www.hbaexpo.com/special_industry.htm

“This year’s HBA was brimming with activity for the B2B beauty marketplace.  With new product announcements, fresh content, expert speakers and advice, innovating trends as well as samplings and tasting of new beauty foods, it was truly a one stop destination for anyone’s product development needs,” said Jill Birkett, Event Director, HBA Global Expo.  “We were also pleased to have attracted more executives with brand management responsibilities, and more than 4,700 registrants were first time HBA participants, giving exhibitors unparalleled access to key decision makers and influencers."

Coming up next for HBA is the March 2-3, 2009 conference entitled “The X-Ceuticals Synergy: From Formulation to Novel Packaging Solutions,” at the New York Hilton Hotel.  The 17th Annual HBA Global Expo & Conference will take place September 15-17, 2009 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, NY.
For exhibiting and sponsorship information call Nadine Schwartz at 212-600-3363 or nschwartz@hbaexpo.com.  For all other inquiries visit www.hbaexpo.com or call 212-600-3033.

About HBA Global Expo 
HBA Global Expo, produced by CMP Information (CMPi), is the most important product development event and educational conference in the industry for the beauty, health and well-being industries. Showcasing everything from formula to finish, HBA attracts beauty and personal care professionals from all over the world. Both the exhibition and educational conference focuses on three key areas of business: Marketing, Technical and Naturals.  In 2009, HBA will present a midyear conference:  The X-Ceutical Synergy;  From Formulation to Novel Packaging Solutions, March 2-3 in New York.  The 17th Annual HBA Global Expo & Conference will take place September 15-17, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York.  The Annual HBA Industry Awards Dinner will take place Tuesday, September 15th in New York.  For more information on the HBA events go to www.hbaexpo.com.