An enticing program of new and returning features combined with an impressive exhibitor line-up has underscored what promises to be the largest and most all-encompassing edition yet for the region's foremost beauty products and wellbeing exhibition in Dubai. Beautyworld Middle East 2019 is set to welcome more than 1,750 exhibitors from 62 countries when doors open on April 15-17 April at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. With 27 country pavilions, six product groups, and a packed program of special features, the 24th edition of the annual showcase will again present an unrivalled platform of business networking and inspirational ideas for an expected audience of 35,000-plus trade buyers and beauty professionals. Headlining the act of new highlights in 2019 is Front Row, a three-day program of live makeup, hair, and nail demonstrations delivered by the region's premier beauty artists, influencers, and creative talents. Here, interactive talks will be interspersed with bold, theatrical runway shows presenting the latest trends in the regional and global beauty market. Ready to Beauty is another new feature this year, a dedicated showcase of hand-picked brands from across the globe that answer the needs and wants of a multicultural Middle East and African audience. From established brands with an existing international footprint to start-up niche labels eager to test new waters, Ready to Beauty will put the spotlight on the latest trends and shades of beauty unique to the darker consumer. Beautyworld Middle East's organiser Messe Frankfurt Middle East also confirmed all the regular popular features will be back in 2019, including the 4th edition of Quintessence, an exclusive showcase of niche perfumes. Battle of the Barbers, a live three-day competition organised by the British Barbers' Association (BBA) in partnership with Beautyworld Middle East, will also return for its 4th year, where the UAE's finest male grooming technicians will battle it out for two coveted titles: the UAE's Best Barber and UAE's Best Shave. The Fragrance Station and Nail It! By OPI – a nail art competition – are other retuning features, along with a series of informative workshops and seminars covering topics such as understanding different product regulations in various Gulf markets, and women entrepreneurship in the beauty business. That's in addition to rich and diverse product launches and innovations from established beauty names, challenger brands, and niche players alike, all of whom are aiming to increase their share in a Middle East and African (MEA) beauty and personal care market that, according to analysts Euromonitor International (EMI), was worth $32.4 billion in 2018. Elaine O'Connell, Beautyworld Middle East's Show Director, said exhibition space is already close to being fully booked, with final plans well underway to deliver the most comprehensive value-added edition in 24 years: "Every passing year has been an evolutionary milestone for Beautyworld Middle East, and 2019 will be no different, with Front Row being a prime example of how we're constantly looking to innovate and offer something new. "Front Row as a name has been chosen as a nod to the fashion industry, and we're busy working alongside select industry professionals to bring together a three-day inspirational program covering all things Beauty. "Exhibitors are preparing their latest offerings that are shaping the future of not only the MEA beauty and personal care market, but far beyond," added O'Connell. "Beautyworld Middle East has been successful in creating an effective platform for international players to network, interact and engage with influential decision makers and buyers from across the world, which is one of the chief factors underpinning the show's growth over the years." Beautyworld Middle East covers the six product groups of Hair, Nails, and Salon Suppliers; Cosmetics and Skincare; Personal Care and Hygiene; Machinery, Packaging, Raw Materials, and Contract Manufacturing; Fragrance Compounds and Finished Fragrances; and Natural and Organic. The dedicated showpiece has enjoyed strong growth over the last four years, with both exhibitor and visitor numbers increasing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of six percent between 2014 and 2018. That trend will likely continue in 2019 and beyond, in line with a MEA market that itself is on track for solid growth over the next four years; according to EMI, the retail value of the MEA market for beauty and personal care (comprising fragrances, haircare, skincare, color cosmetics, and men's grooming) will be worth $34.9 billion in 2019, and on to $43.4 billion in 2022, at a CAGR of 7.5 percent. In the UAE, consumers spent $2.1 billion in 2018 on items such as fragrances ($610 million), color cosmetics ($297 million), skincare ($306 million) men's grooming ($298 million), haircare ($323 million), and bath and shower products ($167 million). Exhibitors will have plenty of opportunity to grab their slice of the market across a 60,000sqm expanse at the Dubai venue, as has been the case for more than two decades at Beautyworld Middle East. Its effectiveness as a business platform was demonstrated in 2018 by the experience of Brazilian participants, who saw a combined US$3.4 million in deals during the event according to figures released by the Brazilian Association of the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Industry (ABIHPEC). More than 40 Brazilian companies were part of the Brazilian Pavilion hosted by ABIHPEC and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency. Known for hair cosmetics, Brazilian companies established some 1,500 business contacts during the show last year, with these potentially leading to some$19 million worth of subsequent contracts. The Brazilian Pavilion will return to Beautyworld Middle East 2019, along with 26 others from Argentina, Bahrain, China, Japan, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Korea, Morocco, Peru, Pakistan, Spain, Singapore, Jordan, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UK, the USA, Russia, and for the first time in 2019, Belgium, Romania and Lithuania. Beautyworld Middle East is ideal for global players to launch their latest products and network with thousands of retailers, distributors, wholesalers, beauty professionals, importers and exporters from throughout the wider region and beyond. — SG
