A pioneer in the organic and natural products industry, Horst Rechelbacher, founder of Aveda and Intelligent Nutrients, will offer unique insights on a growing $8 billion market in his keynote address at the HBA Global Expo.

“We are delighted to have Horst Rechelbacher deliver the opening Keynote Address at HBA,” said Jill Birkett, event director, HBA Global Expo. “A man with strong convictions and beliefs, and undisputed success in developing thriving beauty companies and truly living an organic lifestyle, Horst’s keynote will be inspiring and much talked about at HBA.”

As an active environmentalist, innovative business leader, author, artist, and organic farmer, Mr. Rechelbacher practices what he preaches. Of Austrian descent, he began a three-year apprenticeship in the beauty and salon industry at age 14. In 1965, he started his own salons and product line called “Horst,” and later in 1978, he founded Aveda Corporation, a global plant-based cosmetic company. Nearly two decades later, he sold Aveda to Estee Lauder and remained a consultant until March 2003. Afterward, Mr. Rechelbacher focused on his new product paradigm, Intelligent Nutrients, a health and beauty product company, utilizing 100% food-based and organic certified ingredients.

Since the mid 1960s, Mr. Rechelbacher has dedicated himself to analyzing the chemical constitution of plants, and pioneered flower and plant-based flavor-aroma-therapy, functional foods, and nutraceuticals to enhance personal health and well-being. In his continuing study of plant-based medicine, he collaborates with noted physicians, chemists and pharmacologists, as well as with experts and traditional healers throughout the world.

Mr. Rechelbacher is scheduled to deliver his address on Tuesday, September 15 at 9 a.m. in the Special Events Hall of the Javits Center in New York. Immediately following his speech, Lisa Price, founder of Carol’s Daughter, will speak and present HBA’s first “Positively Beautiful” award. HBA Global Expo is the leading product development event for the personal care, fragrance, well-being and cosmetic industries.

In addition to the Keynote Presentations, HBA will feature an educational program addressing a wide range of marketing, product development, business strategy and trend forecasting topics. Programming and event highlights include the Green Business, X-Ceuticals, Trends, Private Label and CoPack Conference Tracks as well as the comprehensive HBA Marketing and Technical program. There will also be three workshops on Medical Sourcing; Anti-Aging & Stem Cells; and BioActives Influence on Skin Function & Appearance.

Complementing the educational agenda is an exhibit floor showcasing a full spectrum of products and services, including: private label, contract manufacturing, prestige and mass market packaging components, delivery systems, design houses, raw material and ingredient suppliers—including natural and organic, analytical and testing devices, biotechnology processes, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals and nutricosmetics.

The HBA New Products Innovation and Innovating Trends Showcase by Mintel will highlight this year’s hottest announcements and products and the Beauty Innovations Theater will offer a full program of concise, ready-to-implement solutions.