In the year since its launch, Spa & Resort Expo and Conference in New York and the co-located Medical Spa Expo have grown so steadily that show organizers, Reed Exhibitions, have created two å‘line extensionså’ in the Los Angeles and Miami markets.
The new Los Angeles events: Spa and Resort Expo LA and Medical Spa Expo LA will take place on February 15-16, 2004 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles and Spa and Resort Expo Miami and Medical Spa Expo Miami will take place on Sept. 13-14, 2004 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Consider these year-on-year event growth facts: the NY events have become one of the country’s fastest-growing regional trade shows with a 56 percent growth in floor space; more than double the number of companies participating in the NY event from 110 to 250; and a burgeoning day spa and medical spa industry that shows no sign of slowing its pattern of rapid growth with a cumulative two-year increase of 143 percent in the number of resort/hotel spas. The growth for medical spas in the U.S. was also 143 percent between 1997 and 2002.
Los Angeles and Miami represent the top U.S. spa markets further augmented by high concentrations of physicians, dermatologists, and plastic surgeons that represent primary attendee targets for the Medical Spa Expo. California has 16,090 medical spa-related personnel and has the highest concentration of plastic surgeons and dermatologists in the U.S.
According to Greg Topalian, Vice President and Show Director of the Spa & Resort Expo and Conference, “The greater Los Angeles area and Miami are two of the leading spa markets in the country.  By partnering with established spa associations and applying the same customer formula in New York, we believe that we’ll be able to bring success for sponsors, exhibitors and buyers in these new markets.”
“Our Spa & Resort Expos and Conferences will bring out the strengths of our New York show by working with leading professionals and regional associations to present the latest in spa products, equipment and techniques, and a robust conference program, including vital sessions that provide business-oriented solutions for spa owners and managers,” he continued. 
“By bringing a vibrant spa show directly to these markets and combining participation from some of the leading product and service providers in the business, we are certain this high quality event will appeal to every spa professional in Florida and Southern California.”
He further explained that both events would incorporate the medical spa show within the Spa & Resort Expo and Conference enabling attendees to cover the two primary areas of concentration of the spa industry at one comprehensive event.
Hannelore R. Leavy, Executive Director of the Day Spa Association and The International Medical Spa Association said, “This is a good idea, we do need an exclusive spa show on a regular basis on the west coast. People are cautious about traveling now and with the economy nowadays, bringing the show to their doorsteps will make it very appealing and very convenient for the growing spa markets.  Miami is a wonderful choice as well, because it will not only attract the booming business down south, but also reach out to the Central and South American markets, including the Caribbean.  All of them are great business opportunities for the U.S. spa industry to tap into.”
Exhibition organizers note that customer feedback played an important role in the decision to roll out the shows in California and Florida.  “We would not have proceeded this aggressively without enthusiastic support from the industry,” concluded Topalian.  One such customer is Dee DeLuca-Mattos, Vice President of Avance, who noted: “This is a wonderful move. Based on the overwhelming positive responses and reviews of the shows in New York, I’m sure these regional events will be a success as well.”
Still more support was provided by Melinda Minton, Executive Director of the Spa Association (SPAA), who stated: “The move to the California and Florida markets is a brilliant move towards serving a broader audience.  Undoubtedly an expanded Spa & Resort Expo and Conference will be very well received in those markets. 
The current shows offer unmatched education and a show floor full of industry leaders that are always on the cutting edge of new product formulations, equipment development and spa business strategy. I`m looking forward to even more of the same. Bravo!” 
For more information about the L.A. and Miami events, click on www.spaandresortexpo.com. 
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