2016 Hair Expo: glitz, glamour and gold
There is a buzz around the changing tide of the hair industry. The chatter is all about technology and changes in the industry. Hair Expo Melbourne was the perfect setting to revel in the anticipation!
Location, location, location
Reed Exhibitions has really upped its game from the last few years with the challenge of a new location. A reset in Melbourne was a good boost. People traveled from all over not just for the Hair Expo, but for a chance to enjoy the great food and shopping Melbourne had to offer.
Hair Expo 2016 did not disappoint, with a fresh new look and some new exhibitions. Although still smaller than previous years (after 22 years of Expos I do feel qualified to comment), it definitely has leveled up from the last few years.
Chur the lads
Barbering has enjoyed an increased presence and following. It’s fresh and professional. It’s exciting to see the wicked skills these young men are bringing to both their grooming and their stage presence.
I love an unexpected surprise when a plumber-turned barber presents on stage at an international event!
Kiwi flies the nest
Congratulations to Kelly Manu, named Apprentice of the Year at the Hair Expo awards! You have done your team and us Kiwis proud. The first New Zealander to take out this award – she is one to watch. Kelly also presented for the AHC/Youthworx as the Hair Expo apprentice finalist, only to take out the award as winner, later the same day.
We shouldn’t be surprised; Kelly actively pursues excellence and puts herself out there. As they say, you have to be in to win. Backed by the talented and inspirational Mana Dave at Blaze in Auckland, it’s a great win for the Kiwis – go Kelly!
Top Salon Summit
I attended Top Salon Summit in its first year back in 2010. The event blew my mind as it brought the top minds of the salon world together to network, learn and tackle the issues facing the industry. This year had its highlights, with networking and connecting with familiar faces top of the list, of course.
Anthony Laye, speaking on the art of influence, kept the crowd laughing out loud. Although he was a skilled entertainer, his underlying message was a good reminder of the position of influence we are in as business owners and hairdressers. We all have the ability to tune in to it and use it for good.
Gerard Scarpaci spoke of his journey from stylist to salon owner to entrepreneur. His brainchild HairBrained, the network for hairdressers who put the craft first, aims to connect and share with those who are like-minded.
I felt inspired not only by the ‘doing good’ activities of Sustainable Salons but also the phenomenal work of Paul and Ewelina. They are truly buzzing around the industry, doing cool things! This year, they won the Industry Business Performance of the Year Award, and well deserved. I met them back in 2013 and they have had so much growth since then. It’s wonderful to see such a great idea – good for the environment and good for businesses – getting traction in the hair community.
Having taken my salon ‘green’ back in 2010, I know it’s a conscious decision. Going green can be difficult to follow through on! These guys have taken away the pain for salon owners who might be wary of making that commitment.
It’s now easy to contribute back to the earth, engaging your team and clients in the process.
Hair today…hair tomorrow?
The fizz around the hair-tech revolution was unavoidable. I found myself amidst many conversations about who or what was going to be the Uber of the hair industry. I suspect there are many little projects on the boil in back rooms or garages.
The changing social landscape is having its effect on businesses. It’s not just young stylists who are different: consumer behavior and expectation has already changed. It’s putting pressure on the current salon business model.
It’s not the young generation who are getting it wrong – they are the ones who get it. If you don’t adapt, you’ll be swallowed up whole.
The film takes us on a raw and in-depth journey. It asks hard questions and follows the unexpected answers.
Be prepared to reset your perspective.
That’s one of the joys of Hair Expo every year, for me. It’s a chance to renew my connection with my industry, a chance to see where it’s going, and a chance to reset my perspective on everything I thought I knew. I had a blast again this year, and can’t wait for the next one. See you there!
