The Independent Cosmetics Manufacturers and Distributors (ICMAD) has announced its three esteemed beauty business leaders for its 11th annual Cosmetic Innovators of the year Awards. The event will honor innovation and creativity in beauty product manufacturing and distribution July 13 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, during Cosmoprof North America. The speakers that will cap off the award ceremonies with their industry insights and expertise are Harlan Kirschner of The Kirschner Group; Beth Minardi of Minardi Color; and George W. Schaeffer of Aloxxi International.
Kirschner launched The Kirschner Group with a few small lines servicing the West Coast in 1984. The manufacturer's rep firm is considered one of the most successful rep groups in the industry, offering complete global coverage to manufacturers with more than 100 sales and educational personnel. Kirschner is on the board of the Professional Beauty Association, and is the 2014 City of Hope honoree.
Celebrity hair colorist Minardi has dedicated her career to elevating salon hair color to an art form. As an internationally acclaimed colorist, educator and product consultant, she is recognized as one of the world's leading experts in all phases of hair color and beauty. In 2010, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the North American Hairstyling Awards. In 2011, she was honored with the Professional Beauty Association's Icon Award.
Schaeffer has built a career on challenging traditional thinking and promising to return personal service to the beauty industry. In a short time, he has elevated Aloxxi International within the professional haircare industry and globally to the consumer with landmark innovations. As the founder of OPI, a world leader in professional nail care, Schaeffer built a worldwide brand through his acute business sense, color acumen and passion, and commitment to the industry.
"This premium slate of speakers represents a wealth of expertise and brings a high level of prestige appropriate to the occasion," said ICMAD CEO Pam Busiek. "Their participation will be the perfect complement to an event designed to honor innovation in the beauty and personal-care space, making the CITY Awards the industry's must-attend event."
The CITY Awards were created by ICMAD in 1994 and are considered a gold-standard award for breakthrough beauty products. Representing the best in cutting-edge products, beautiful design and brilliant marketing, a CITY Award launches finalists and winners to wider acclaim. CITY Award winners will be selected from among three finalists in each of 14 categories, and awarded at the July 13 event.
[Image courtesy of ICMAD]
