Shining the spotlight on emerging brands, the latest innovations and future trends, Beyond Beauty 2012 boasts 475 exhibitors, 50 emerging brands and 80 conferences.
"The event has nothing to do with what it was 10 years ago. It is changing constantly, in tune with our time. And we are nowhere near finished!” said Bondi.
Introduction of BB trends conference cycle
Bondi explained that for the 'first time this year', Beyond Beauty decided to ‘professionalise’ the conference programme with the introduction of the BB Trends cycle. This translates as 23 paid-for conferences “relating to what's coming next, providing an analysis of the future and food for thought”.
These conferences have featured speakers from the likes of Albéa and Firmenich, whose presentations - on eco-design in cosmetics packaging and rethinking the perfume industry respectively - attracted a good turnout. According to Bondi, the BB trends conferences concept will be repeated at future events.
Integration of natural beauty summit
The Natural Beauty Summit, previously a stand-alone event, was integrated into Beyond Beauty for 2012, with 20 conferences focused on natural and organic woven into the overall conference programme.
Explaining the reasoning behind this decision, Bondi said that natural beauty is now very much part of the wider beauty industry and is no longer a niche segment warranting its own event.
Focus on interaction
The Beyond Beauty Lab, which focuses on the beauty industry of tomorrow and has a particular focus on sugar in 2012, was expanded to allow visitors easy access to products in an interactive format, according to Bondi.
SpaMeeting, the spa part of the event, also focused on increased interaction, with Bondi explaining that this is no longer just an exhibition space but also provides networking opportunities in order to offer added value to both exhibitors and buyers.
The number of exhibitors at Beyond Beauty in 2012 is almost the same as in 2011 according to Bondi. He also expects visitor numbers to be similar to last year’s figure, when 22,300 people passed through the doors.
For 2013, Beyond Beauty is to move to a new hall at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre. This will see the show spread across just one floor, compared to two at present.