Premium Beauty News: When the number 3 on the list of global organizers of trade shows buys the number 2, the information does not go unnoticed!
David Bondi - It could go unnoticed, because it won’t change anything to the future of the different events organized by Informa and Bologna Fiere in Asia, as each of them have their autonomy and life of their own.
Of course, exhibitors and visitors will both benefit from certain geographical synergies existing within the portfolio. Because this deal clearly reinforces our mutual presence in Asia. Don’t forget that Informa now weighs around GBP 1.4 billion in exhibitions only and that its net margin exceeds 30%. This group is mainly specialized in the production of academic publications, business intelligence, knowledge& networks and exhibitions with 500 b to b events taking place in the world. Our JV with our Italian partner, Bologna Fiere, allows us to expand our influence all over Asia with specialized trade shows dedicated to the Beauty sector in China, Thailand, Japan, India with the launch this year of Cosmoprof India, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, etc.
Premium Beauty News - Informa is the owner of the huge China Beauty Expo trade show. Will this new partnership have an impact on Cosmoprof Asia in Hong Kong?
David Bondi - In fact, these two events have little in common except of course of focusing on the beauty sector. Because the first one, China Beauty Expo, is very national-focused, on the world’s fastest growing beauty market, while Cosmoprof Asia is very international. We welcome 5% of foreign visitors in Shanghai, while they account for 72 % in Hong Kong. China Beauty Expo is a super-platform to conquer the domestic Chinese market, Cosmoprof Asia in Hong Kong is the place where brands and suppliers have the opportunity to approach and concentrate on the entire Asian distribution and beyond. Both events are also very strong in the supply chain with Cosmetech in Shanghai and Cosmopack Asia in Hong Kong.
In terms of floor space, differences are significant since Cosmoprof Asia in Hong Kong totals 113,000 m2 and China Beauty Expo in Shanghai 240,000 m2! Yet there is a common point to both events, the growth of the number of exhibitors, between 8% and 10% each year.
Premium Beauty News - Your partnership with Bologna Fiere also includes India, where a Cosmoprof event was held for the first time in Mumbai. What was the outcome?
David Bondi - And this first edition of Cosmoprof India was a real success, with all the credit going to the teams of Bologna Fiere and to the former UBM Group.
Designed as a preview of a larger-scale launch next year, this two-day event hosted 107 exhibiting companies - Indian and international - from 15 countries and was visited by 3,898 professionals from the beauty sector, including importers, exporters, distributors and owners of beauty salons and spas, retailers, manufacturers of packaging and finished products, contract manufacturers and equipment manufacturers.
Premium Beauty News - What are your other projects for the future?
David Bondi - Of course, we have other projects in the pipeline! And not just in Asia.
