Salon Smart 2011
Park Plaza Riverbank hotel, London
Creative HEAD’s fifth annual Salon Smart event, sponsored by Goldwell and KMS California, served up two very memorable days of brilliant business networking. Here’s a snapshot of all the action…
Pardon the name-dropping, but…
…From uplifting welcomes by Creative HEAD publisher Catherine Handcock and UK managing director of Goldwell and KMS California Nick Wood to thought-provoking sessions by business expert Cory Couts and a passion- and energy-filled half-hour with Lisa Shepherd, there was so much to learn and take away. Delegates picked up figure-happy pearls of wisdom from Ken West, clever ways to harness web technology from Emma Freeman and Laura Hinton – the brains behind Headmasters’ award-winning website, and listened to our very own Most Wanted HAIR ICON OF 2010, Angelo Seminara, in his most frank interview yet. All this plus a riveting Think Tank session, solving real business issues from the floor.
“Simply an amazing two days! Tim Hartley and
Lisa Shepherd were inspirational and mind blowing”
Jonathan Soons, artistic director,
Headmasters Mayfair
New products, fresh innovation, smart ideas
Salon Smart offered great opportunities for delegates to get ahead of the game. In two workshop sessions, The Chapel’s Amanda Dicker gave delegates a spanking new insight into the art of communication, while social media experts eight&four delivered great new ways to “get social media literate”. At a buzzing (and tasty) Working Lunch, our headline sponsors Goldwell and KMS California, together with inspirational business brands Millennium Software, Keratin Complex, Albert Ewan Design, SaveEnergy-Now, HSBC, Digital Perm and WAM, shared exciting new products and services with an ideas-hungry crowd.
“The interactive workshops were very informative, and the Working
Lunch was a great opportunity to share ideas with other salon owners,
and carry on discussing points raised in the presentations.”
Victor Pajak, owner, Headquarters Hair Salon,
Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey
Non-stop networking
After a great first session and before a full programme on the Monday, Sunday evening brought together our Salon Smart delegates at a glamorous champagne reception, which took place in the Park Plaza Riverbank’s Thames Suite – overlooking the River Thames and boasting beautiful views of the Houses of Parliament. Then it was downstairs to the Ballroom for a sumptuous dinner, giving delegates hours of opportunity to network with fellow salon owners, hone future plans and make new friends.
“I haven’t been to anything like this before, but Salon Smart was brilliant
– so well organised, and so inspiring. I’ll definitely come again!”
Tracey Parry, co-partner, Marzipan,
Truro, Cornwall
The Hartley effect
It was all eyes on stage as hairdressing hero Tim Hartley presented a sensational after-dinner live show, with delegates getting a unique opportunity to see him work up close – and boy, did we enjoy it! Producing three contemporary looks, sharing his knowledge and fascinating experiences as he snipped, and patiently taking all manner of questions from a fired-up and awe-inspired audience, this was 60 minutes of pure, unadulterated hairdressing heaven.
“Salon Smart has been extremely helpful to me during the
last two years spent developing my business. My message to
anybody thinking about going is this: how would you feel
if one of your competitors attends and you don’t?
Think about it!”
Paul Cook, director and hair designer,
Hair Concepts, Banbury, Oxen
