The industry’s highly anticipated bi-annual Redken Symposium welcomed leading educators, stylists and colorists from around the world at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas. Attracting nearly 8,000 beauty professionals ranging from novices to A-list celebrity colorists, the two-day education event dazzled attendees while providing them with everything related to the multi-billion dollar haircare industry, from understanding how to master color and style techniques, interpreting fashion runway trends for clients at the salon, to learning how to become a successful business owner. Guests also had the opportunity to receive sneak peeks and experience the brand’s upcoming product launches, technologies and innovations that Redken has to offer.
This year’s Symposium provided registrants with 27 different classes to choose from, ranging from color, design, finishing, total look, social media and business development. Redken’s Education Artistic Directors, Sam Villa, Chris Baran and Kris Sorbie, each taught a class at Symposium. In “All Tied Up”, Sam provided attendees with an easy approach to learning how to achieve the latest trends in braids, knots and twists while behind the chair with clients. Kris Sorbie’s “Photographic Mind” class, which she co-hosted with Richard Kavanagh and Jenny Karlsson, gave stylists an inside look on what happens on set at an editorial photo shoot. Lastly, Chris Baran’s “Creative Thoughts: Behind the Scenes” class broke down the creative process from conceptual to reality when achieving an award winning look. Attendees also had the opportunity to attend classes taught by Redken Ambassadors. Redken Celebrity Colorist, Tracey Cunningham, gave tips and answered questions to aspiring colorists on how to help clients achieve their favorite celebrity looks while Redken Ambassadors Rodney Cutler and David Stanko, provided attendees with useful tips on how to interpret abstract, avant garde fashion trends and colors seen on the runway for the salon. Together, this comprehensive list of classes provided attendees with the knowledge, inspiration and business acumen needed to “learn better, earn better, and live better”, ultimately strengthening one’s skillset and driving salon growth.
“Redken Symposium 2017 is unlike any other event we’ve created. It’s bigger and better in every way. From the wide array of classes offered, providing hairdressers the tools and resources needed to take their skills to the next level, to the Redken Gallerie, allowing guests to shop all their favorite Redken products and other leading professional vendors, all under one roof, becoming a one-stop destination for all your education and salon needs,” say Sheri Doss, VP Education, Redken Worldwide. “When you’re here, and you see all the different pieces that make Redken so special come together, from its custom based approach to education to its ground-breaking products, it becomes evident that Redken is truly at the forefront, setting the industry standards for innovation and technology. We are so humble and proud at what we’ve been able to achieve this Symposium.”
The Redken Symposium Gallerie, which was five times larger than last Symposium, welcomed 25 vendors including Sam Villa hair styling tools, NYX cosmetics, Essie, Tear Sheet, Kasho Sheers, Live Best Pro, Millard Kwon Design, Marketing Nutz and Pivot Point International. In between classes, guests had the opportunity to experience several various activations that were being showcased throughout the space. Redken Gallerie Pods were set up to provide one-on-one information on the brand’s newest product offerings including No Blow Dry, City Beats, and pH-Bonder; share the latest haircolor trends; and teach Redken’s Haircolor Mantra. The Gallerie also had an area called The Redken Exchange Experience, which provided attendees a taste of what they can experience while attending a class at Redken Exchange, the brand’s renowned NYC-based education facility.
This year’s emphasis on digital technology and communications was seen throughout the two-day event, from the panel discussions and classes held to the onsite activations that allowed guests to seamlessly capture and share their Redken Symposium experience to their entire digital network with a few simple swipes and clicks. Inside the Gallerie, guests were encouraged to immerse themselves in all things digital at the Redken Loves Digital Tower where they could experience the City-Beats themed LED light show and help select the next City Beats shade! On the second floor, stylists had the opportunity to discover the tools needed to become a social media superstar-from the Redken-themed GIF booth to the product review table and flatlay station.
Another digital initiative launched at Symposium was the new Redken Salon Success Kit, a one-stop destination for all digital and education resources salon owners need in order to modernize their in-salon experience and online presence for their website and social channels as well as learning how to effectively manage the financial and retail side of their business. The comprehensive kit directs users to the most up-to-date, free digital and printable collateral from Redken—all readily available in one convenient place, the Redken Asset Library on Box.com. Redken also provides tips on how to effectively use these materials while also offering in-depth education on how to strategize and execute social content. Lastly, the kit gives salon owners helpful tips on how to maximize the in-salon digital experience through Redken Digital TV. In addition to these exciting digital opportunities, the Salon Success Kit provides users with access to essential business management tools including calculators, education on retail, and links to additional business resources
The Redken Symposium 2017 app, available for download on Google Play for Androids and in the Apple Store or iOS operating systems, helped make the experience even easier for guests by bringing the entire event at their fingertips, delivering up-to-date program information, user-specific customized content and the opportunity to digitally interact with the brand. Guests could build their own class schedule, tailored to specific interests, receive real-time information about classes and special events, bios and fun facts for class facilitators, ask facilitator questions directly within the app, and receive career path guidance and business resource information. Attendees could even tag their Instagram photos with #RedkenSymposium2017 to see them streamed live on the app!
For more information on Redken Symposium, visit RedkenPro.com.
About Redken: For over 50 years Redken’s foundation has been based on extensive scientific knowledge and the belief in, and support of, the expertise of salon professionals. Redken provides salon professionals with innovative products, inspiring education and exclusive salon programs to be as successful and profitable as possible. Located in New York, Redken is also at the forefront of trends and has created a strong relationship with the fashion industry. As a result, Redken has become a leader in backstage beauty, creating the runway looks for the industry’s most prestigious designers. A unique mix of fashion, innovation and inspiration, Redken provides salon professionals and consumers the ultimate professional edge. For more information, visit RedkenPro.com, like Redken on Facebook or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and Periscope @Redken5thAve.