So, another successfully completed show for in-cosmetics. Despite a little early nervousness about the location among organisers and exhibitors, in the end visitors flocked to Amsterdam from 15-17 April. Here’s what some of this year’s exhibitors told SPC:
The Netherlands may not be a huge centre for cosmetics manufacture but in-cosmetics Amsterdam attracted visitors from all over the world – 90 countries to be exact. Of 5200 unique visitors, a massive 88% were international, which is very unusual in show terms. Also surprising was the fact that 41% were first time visitors. Visitor numbers were up in particular from Germany, the UK, Eastern Europe and Asia, particularly China, India, Thailand and Malaysia. Exhibitors also reported seeing a lot of visitors from the Middle East and South Africa.
“We can now really call it a truly global event,” commented exhibition manager, Lucy Gillam. “The challenge going forward is to take these visitors with us as well as attract a local crowd in Germany next year.”
“This is our first appearance here as an exhibitor and we’re very impressed with the level of business we’re doing. Now we’re here we see that we have to be at this show - there’s no-one else from our core business here.”
Orgasynth Group - Antonia Trevisan, responsible for marketing
“It’s funny, the first year we get to the front of the show and everybody’s shifted to the back. We haven’t seen the big companies. It’s been more small companies and from countries like Poland rather than Germany.”
Amcol HBS - Ro Oteri, director of sales & marketing
“We have had a very busy show and there
has been a lot of interest in natural and organic ingredients. I think companies are really opening their eyes to organics and this area is sure to grow.”
Beraca - Cassiano Braccialli, marketing
“The only real difference to previous events
is that customers seem to come in and out for the day.”
Ciba - Michael Wilkop, business head UV protection & actives business line home & personal care
“It’s been a busy show for us and we’ve had a lot of interest generally. This model works for us. It’s an important show and we wait to launch here. We also use the time to do distributor training.”
Ciba - Colleen Rocafort, business head, polymer systems home & personal care business line plastic additives segment
“The show has gone really well - we were busy as soon as the doors opened and it’s not stopped. There has been a very good standard of visitor and we have seen all our customers.”
Croda - Sarah Millns, marketing & communications coordinator
“We’ve had a lot of compliments on our
booth design and a lot of good meetings with customers. There’s also a lot to do in the city.”
Dow Amerchol - Jennifer Sigsworth, business communications specialist
“In-cosmetics has been so busy
for us this year - it is a really important show for us. Last year when we counted the conversation sheets from the three days we had about 150. This year on the first day alone we counted 80. The interest in our products has been incredible.”
Dr Straetmans - Susanne Janichen, marketing
“It’s a great show for the industry in general as it’s so focused and it’s been great for us as we’ve had a lot of visitors and a lot of interest in what we’re doing. We have a good feeling.”
Eastman - James McCaulley, global market development manager personal care
“I think the shows not in the main countries are the best and there’s more unity here than usual. I’m enjoying it much more than France and people from countries like South Africa and regions like Eastern Europe are here in force. We’ve seen a lot of manufacturers and we’re getting to speak with
the formulators.”
Industrial Quimica Lasem -
James McIver, area manager
“Innovation is what everyone is talking about at a show like this
so that’s great for us.”
Innospec - Philip Matena,
vp & general manager
“We are very happy with the show. It was particularly busy over the first two days and we have seen a large number of international visitors. The hall always seems to be busy.”
Rahn - Daniela Guldimann, head of marketing
“It’s been a very good show. There have been fewer people but that was expected and the quality has been very high.”
Soliance - Laurent Sousselier, business director
“It’s been a very interesting show and we’ve had some very good customer meetings. The level of traffic has been constantly busy until Thursday afternoon.”
Symrise - Michael Schuricht, regional business manager
“We are having the best exhibition we have ever had - the tables on our booth have been packed and we have had some great meetings.”
Univar - Matthew Ottaway, European industry manager, personal care
“It’s been absolutely packed - fortunately we have a hospitality suite. Of course we’re Dutch and we’re 230 years old so we’re doing a little bit extra, with tulip displays on the stand and at the front of the show. After all, we’re in tulip country.”
Jan Dekker - Agnes Meeuwsse, corporate communication
The city of Munich will host in-cosmetics from 21-23 April 2009. Then in 2010 the show returns to Paris where it will be celebrating its 20th anniversary.
We’ll be reporting in full on all the innovations from the show, the marketing and technical conferences and other features in the June issue of SPC and at www.cosmeticsbusiness.com
