Back by popular demand, the Beauty & Barber Conference 2012 will be October 6 to 8 at the Memphis Airport Hotel and Conference Center, 2240 Democrat Rd., Memphis, Tennessee 38134. This renowned conference caters to the beauty and barbering profession with the goal of providing quality advanced training in all areas of cosmetology and barbering.
“We want to reestablish standards and uphold them for future professionals,” organizer Destiny Cox said. “We want to make salons and barbershops aware of business fundamentals, and train them in operations so they can build longevity and wealth in their industry, families and communities.”
It all kicks off with a General Assembly on October 6, including an industry panel discussion answering questions from the audience about the state of the industry. The panel will discuss stats, numbers, board regulations, clients and any other topics pertinent to the industry that pop up.
The Beauty & Barber Conference 2012 has the unique challenge of combining the beauty and barber sides of the industry for this conference.
“Beauty and barbering are like peanut butter and jelly,” Cox said. “There is a mutual respect between the two and we have classes that cater to both professions, such as coloring, cutting and business. This industry is growing and individuals are seeking more. They are getting out of their norm and extending their service list to be more well-rounded stylists and barbers.”
This is not your standard hair show, though. This is a unique educational conference focused on building up each current and future professional who attends. The Beauty & Barber Conference features classes in haircutting, hair extensions, natural hair, hair coloring, skincare and makeup. It will also feature a Barber Boot Camp led by international barber Lee Bladz and his team of experienced educators, featuring extensive classes on barber business, barber trends, marketing and branding barbershops and competition training by some of the best in the business.
The conference will also host a Business Boot Camp, sponsored by StyleNet and Bizlink, and led by beauty industry giants Tish Sutton and E. Hosea Hicks. The Business Boot Camp will educate shop owners on how to run effective businesses, how to best market and brand themselves, how to build clientele, how to hire and manage employees, how to handle taxes, and so much more.
Also, the Beauty & Barber Conference will feature a Barber Battle, in which barbering students can compete to win scholarships and prizes. The categories are “Barbering Traditional: Professional, Clean Cuts with No Designs or Sprays,” and “Barbering Artistic: Creative Barbering with Designs and Sprays.” The winner in each category will be awarded $250 in cash and prizes, and will join an elite team of students and new professionals who will be mentored for a full year through advanced training seminars and webinars.
“This is an opportunity for us to give back to deserving students,” Cox said. “It gives students a step in the right direction. Many times they have no career direction when they graduate from school, but this conference will instill the great culture of this great industry they will become a part of.”
There’s a professional-level Barber Battle too. The Master’s Barber Battle is an evening event, with a grand prize of $1,000, winner-takes-all. All Barber Battles will be professionally judged and scored to determine the winners.
“It’s new and fresh, it’s well-rounded, and it caters to the total barber,” Cox said. “As an educator with more than 13 years of experience, this conference was well-structured to provide the elements sometimes missed at hair shows – pure education. Barbers should choose this conference because it is not just a show. We are purely focused on education, providing the barber with the tools they need to be successful with their own businesses, whether they own their own, rent a booth, or work on commission.”
Attendees of the 2012 Beauty & Barber Conference can expect to get quality advanced education and network with like-minded professionals from all over the country.
“This truly is a movement bringing business and barbering together,” Cox told Barber-Schools.org. “They can expect to gain knowledge within the industry to take them higher in their careers.”
Student tickets are $20 advance or $40 at the door, professionals are $50 advance or $75 at the door, and VIP All-Inclusive passes are $125 and include all seminars, workshops, Business Boot Camp, Barber Boot Camp, admission to the Barber Battle and the VIP lounge with refreshments.
“I want them to walk away saying, ‘Wow, I needed this. I feel better about my career. I’m ready to move forward,’” Cox said. “I want them to feel good about themselves, their careers and their businesses. I want them to want more!”
For registration, tickets and entry into the Barber Battles, visit beautyandbarberconference.com or call Destiny Cox and Aaron Wilkins at (901) 378-4940.
Here are some photos from the 2011 Beauty & Barber Conference!
