The Personal Care and Homecare Ingredients (PCHi) 2011 concluded on a strong note this year, with a record attendance of 4,765 visitors and 243 exhibiting companies, of which, 71 percent have already re-booked for next year’s event. The three-day event, organized by Reed Sinopharm Exhibitions (RSE), was held for the first time in Shenzhen at the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Centre Feb. 22 to 24, 2011. Of the 4,765 visitors at PCHi 2011, 4,196 visitors (88 percent) came from within China, and the remaining 569 (12 percent) visited from 33 other countries.
Post show, inside cosmeceuticals was able to talk shop with Kunping Hu, managing director of Reed Sinopharm Exhibitions, and Mike Hay, president of Ringier Trade Media Ltd., about this year’s first annual China Personal Care & Cosmetic Innovation Awards, hosted at PCHi.
Q: How were the China Personal Care & Cosmetic Innovation Awards (CPCIA) started?
Hu: At the start of 2010, RSE proposed to set up a series of industry award activities for the personal care and cosmetics industry to give recognition to companies with outstanding innovative products. Thus, a partnership was established with Ringier Trade Media because it had successfully organized the Ringier Technology Innovation Awards in key industries such as food & beverage, packaging, plastics, metalworking and coatings.
CPCIA is a new venture for both RSE and Ringier. It took shape after a period of intensive preparation, with the two companies working closely together. The industry’s most authoritative associations were also involved in the process.
Hay: The Ringier Technology Innovation Awards were first presented in China in 2006. Based on the success of past awards, we decided to launch the CPCIA in conjunction with PCHi. This is the first year we are awarding companies within the personal care & cosmetics industry. In spite of its rapid growth, the sector faces some issues such as quality control, efficacy (whether product claims are truly honest), health effects, etc. We hope that recognizing and rewarding innovation with these awards will have a positive effect on the industry as a whole.
Q. How was the panel of judges selected?
Hay: The selection was based on their background and reputation in the industry. The judges were chosen from among experts from industry associations, research institutions, universities and colleges. Another criterion was also that they are neutral in their judging. The CPCIA prides itself on this simple, but important principle.
Q. What process does the panel go through to select its winners, i.e., what makes a winning product?
Hu and Hay: Entries were submitted by manufacturers and suppliers using the online form that was promoted via PCHi’s website and e-newsletters, Happi China and the Ringier website. Entries for each innovation award category were short listed by the panel of judges. The public also voted for the winners via the official website. The winners were selected by the panel based on serious review and evaluation.
Q. It’s very exciting that PCHi 2011 will host this award ceremony. What do you hope to gain by partnering up with PCHi?
Hay: As one of the top-level tradeshows in China’s personal care and cosmetics industry, PCHi has successfully attracted exhibitors and visitors from all over the world. We hope to promote the Awards using the show as a marketing channel, and have more of its exhibitors participate as well. Partnering up with PCHi also gives the Awards and the winners another avenue for publicity.