The three-day Beautyworld Middle East and Wellness and Spas Middle East exhibitions which concluded in Dubai on Tuesday received overhelming response from a record crowd which visited almost 700 exhibitors from 45 countries.

The majority of exhibitors at the two shows were completely engaged during the three days of the trade fair, with most visitors having to wait patiently for their turn to be attended to by staff members of the exhibition stands.

Andrea Werner, senior show manager of Beautyworld Middle East said, “Even amid an economic downturn, we are not at all surprised by the huge turnout, as we have always said that the beauty and wellness industries in this region still present several unlocked business opportunities, and are still expanding in the Middle East.”

The Walk of Beauty fashion show organized by ‘Madi International’ added colour and glamour to the show as well.

The Walk of Beauty was a gathering of the most talented professional hairdressers and make-up artists from the region performing live on stage in an interactive and exciting environment.

All through the 23000 sqms of the exhibition space, business activities were seen at large, Werner pointed out.

To the trade visitors, the fascination and attraction of the twin shows were factors that were largely independent of the economic downturn – an exclusive preview to the latest in the burgeoning beauty and spas industries, and to take advantage of the massive business opportunities presented.

The Nivea coach was a highlight at the Beautyworld Middle East. For the first time the Nivea Skin Science Express was at the exhibition to offer a sample of treatments, which can also be found at the new Nivea Haus Dubai which is located in the Dubai Mall.

Alessandro International, JOZ Group and SO.CAP Hair Extensions, were just few of the key exhibitors at the 14th edition of the Beauty-world Middle East, who were inundated throughout the three days with constant product enquiries and some very promising business leads.

“We received good feedbacks at this exhibition and were pleasantly surprised by the positive results generated. The quality of the attendees who visited our stand was extremely high,” said Nazih Hamad, managing director of ‘Nazih Group.’

“Our products are available in the Mena markets which we supply from our factories based in the UAE, Lebanon and Italy,” she added.

Norma Nasr, from Finex Spa Solutions, who exhibited spa furniture and equipment, was pleased with the turnout and the enquiries they received during the trade fair.

“We unlocked trade leads from Saudi Arabia, Tunis and from local companies in Dubai, Fujairah and Abu Dhabi,” Nasr stated.

'Wellness and Spas Middle East offered us a good opportunity to meet the right people, potential contractors and real players in the market,” she said.

Finex Spa Solutions promoted a weight reduction machine called ‘Hy-poxi.’ Hypoxi is an innovative concept that targets specific spots in the body for fat reduction.

Results of treatment with this machine are visible within three weeks, the fat and cellulite does not return as the machine works on blood circulation and metabolism.”

Michele Moro, area manager (Middle East and India) of ‘Technogym’ was also very satisfied at the number of good quality visitors that came to their stand at the Wellness and Spas Middle East exhibition.

“The show is better than last year in terms of business leads and the quality of visitors. Overall it has been a very successful exhibition for us.”

“We introduced a new concept of creating functional training corners in spas at the show. You need movement and exer-cise and not just creams to achieve complete wellness. The newly launched Kinesis machine for physical exercise is for use in spas,” added Moro.

“It is in these gloomy times that people feel the need of keep themsel