Want to learn more about how PBA Beauty Week and the new PBA Symposium grew into the industry event of 2009? Here are some insights into the event from some of the people who helped make it possible, the volunteer members you elected to the PBA Leadership Councils and the Chair of the PBA Board of Directors:
Q. What is most exciting about the new all-industry format at PBA Symposium?
A. We are universally working toward the long term goal of having a more cohesive structure within the overall beauty industry. PBA Symposium is the ideal format to bring people together face to face to discuss ideas on a personal level, changing mindsets and resulting in the realization that everyone has a vested stake in our industry's success.
Q. What are you most interested in learning from the Business of Beauty: Maximize Your Profitability research study that will be released at PBA Symposium 2009?
A. Having hard numbers to support findings about consumer trends and where the industry is heading. The distribution channel along with consumer tastes and habits are constantly changing. As a business leader, I am always interested in how I can make my business better to meet the needs of consumers.
"I know the economy weighs heavily on the minds of many…these are great events to help people stay motivated and learn from not only top professionals in the industry, but also peers who are facing many of the same challenges." – Lee Rizzuto Jr.
President, PBA Salon/Spa Leadership Council
Owner, Noire Et Blanc
Cleveland, OH
Q. What is PBA's goal in moving the new PBA Symposium to join Cosmoprof North America and the North American Hairstyling Awards in July in Vegas?
A. We are all part of PBA and it's obvious that we should all come together for one event instead of many separate events. It just made sense to bring PBA Symposium to Vegas to join Cosmoprof North America. Cosmoprof is such a well-established and well-oiled machine, something everyone in the industry is already familiar with, and of course NAHA is there as well. It was just a good fit.
Q. What would you say to fellow salon / spa members who are thinking about attending the new PBA Symposium next July, but haven't made up their mind?
A. I was talking to two salon owners who have been to PBA Symposium in the past, but weren't sure about this year. I just had to tell them about the new PBA Symposium! The great business information available this year, how the whole industry will be together and how salon and spa owners will have the ear of manufacturers and distributors. They were shocked to hear about everything that will be offered at this one event. It's exciting to let other salon and spa owners know about this wonderful opportunity.
"It's so nice to get valuable business information and talk to like-minded people…it really brings your business to the next level and allows you to help other owners get there, too." – Necole Cumberlander
President, Distributor/Store Leadership Council
President, Salon Services & Supplies, Inc.
Renton, WA
Q. What are you most looking forward to at PBA Symposium in 2009?
A. The shared theme of inclusion and knowledge being extended to all segments at one site! It will give us purposeful dialogue in a common language, not the best promotion or the most unique incentive, but the most strategic alignment to reach PBA's BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) established in 2005, "To be universally recognized as the catalyst for driving consumer loyalty, member success, and the advancement of the professional salon industry."
Q. What are you most interested in learning from PBA's landmark study, Business of Beauty: Maximize Your Profitability?
A. The "One Thing" I am most excited about are the insights of the consumer. As an industry, we have been so creative in developing services and products we believe the consumer will love. Before, we could only judge reactions by their lack of purchases. This landmark study is an opportunity that has not existed in the beauty industry before.
"We face a different and unique future in distribution…we need to better understand how and where we can enhance our value for both the manufacturer and the salon." – Sydney Berry
President, Manufacturer/Rep Leadership Council
President, Nioxin
Lithia Springs, GA
Q. What is PBA's goal in moving the new PBA Symposium to join Cosmoprof North America and the North American Hairstyling awards in July in Las Vegas?
A. To take advantage of two amazing industry events that already attract manufacturers, distributors and salon owners from around the world, Cosmoprof North America and the North American Hairstyling Awards, and to give PBA Symposium a permanent home.
Everyone loves Vegas and moving PBA Symposium there not only creates a permanent home for the event, it presents an opportunity for the industry to come together under the umbrella of a long awaited PBA Beauty Week. This gathering of the entire industry will not only provide opportunities to do business, but also opportunities to connect as an industry through education and networking.
Q. What do you think PBA Symposium moving to Vegas and becoming an all-industry education event will mean for the future of PBA and the professional beauty industry?
A. My hope is that the different membership sections of PBA – manufacturer, distributor and salon / spa – will start to work together as a whole in more areas like government affairs, research and public relations because we can do so much more when we stand together.
"Our industry has a lot of speculation about why retail does or doesn't work. As a manufacturer, I look forward to learning about...retail in the salon environment." – Brian Graham