Inspiration Destination

More than 5,000 salon owners, stylists and business partners came together for Matrix Destination, a three-dayprofessional educational event held at the MGM Grand in fabulous Las Vegas, which I was fortunate enough to attend.

Brett Vinovich
Brett Vinovich

In her welcome address, Francesca Raminella, vice president and general manager of Matrix U.S., remarked, "You've come from around the globe to connect with the Matrix community, create a new vision for your futures and dare to take your skills and your businesses to the next level. This gathering demonstrates our commitment to your success and your artistry, and we are so excited to join you on your journey called Matrix Destination." And with that, things kicked into high gear.

The event offered a roster of classes taught by industry visionaries like Nicholas French (who just happened to create our incredibly beautiful June cover and inside feature), Gina Khan, Joe Santy, Thia Spearing and Dr. Lewis Lesoncy, as well as rising stars such as Paul Falltrick, Ammon Carver, Rachel Glenn and Cori Randall. The well-rounded course lineup featured a mix of artistry, inspiration and business-building classes, including Client 360, Red Carpet to Reality and Your Inner Creativity.

Matrix artistic designers showed off their technical skills at an opening night fashion show
Matrix artistic designers showed off their technical skills at an opening night fashion show

According to Martin Dale, Matrix vice president of education,"As the country's number one professional brand, Matrix has an obligation to lead in education. Destination showed our stylists that the brand they have chosen to partner with is with them all the way."

To support the importance of community inclusion, simultaneous translation in Mandarin, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese was provided for the 700 international attendees from 38 countries, including New Zealand, Brazil and South Africa.Class breaks found stylists shopping (their second favorite thing in life) at Shop Matrix, where entire lines of Matrix products sold out on the first day. Matrix also facilitated some life-long "connections" as two stylist weddings took place onsite. While attendees went to Vegas for the best in education, they left with a complete experience sure to stay with them for a lifetime. I can assure you that what happened in Vegas did not stay in Vegas! For additional information or to locate a Matrix Salon, please call 800.6.MATRIX or visit www.matrix.com.

—Brett Vinovich, publisher
American Salon