Wow. Just got back from an absolutely amazing event in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Empire Education Group just held its 2010 Future Professionals Expo. It was simply, simply, simply amazing. The two day event for students and educators featured an impressive competition and exhibit floor and included an invitation to spend the evening at Hershey Park which opened exclusively for Empire students.

Empire’s 2010 Future Professionals Expo Empire’s 2010 Future Professionals Expo 
 Students at hershey
Shot of the showfloor

Industry icons were everywhere. Geno Stampora offered a motivating speech, Brig Van Osten met with many of the students, Jan Arnold of CND judged and Joe Santy, salon owner, author and V.P. of Education for Dennis Bernard, Inc. was there to interview aspiring salon professionals.

According to those in attendance, one of the highlights of the event was a presentation by Nick Arrojo and his team as he cut on stage teaching the latest in trend and razor cutting. The presentation of his "Masters of Beauty" program added additional inspiration to the students realizing that the education doesn't stop with earning a license. He capped his presentation with a special comment: "The future of the cosmetology industry is in this room."

 Empire’s 2010 Future Professionals Expo 
 Nick Arrojo's demonstrations
 

Frank Schoeneman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Empire Education Group, said that this, the 39th year of Empire student competitions, was the largest in its history. The 96 schools in 20 states boasts more than 15,000 currently enrolled  students…a number constantly in flux as students graduate and others enroll.  Almost 600 students entered the competition and more than 2000 attended the expo.

To make it to the national competition, students had to win or be selected from their schools. While many awards were offered, the winners of the floor competition were:

Long Hair Evening: Lindsay Krug from Hanover, PA
Female Trend Cut and Style with Color: Milagros Rodriques of NE Philadelphia, PA
Artistic Braid Design: Crystal Grate of Pottsville, PA
Nail Art Display: Tiffany Manning from Gwinnette, GA
Men's Cut, Color and Style Storyboard: Bobbie Jo Lorenzetti from Lehigh Valley, PA
Make-Up Artistry Storyboard: Bao Thao from Milwaukee, WI

A special award was offered to Educator of the Year: Michaele Schaeffer from Exton, PA.


 
 
 National Educator of the year, Michaele Schaeffer from Exton, PA. 


Related:
Empire's Nail Art Display
Empire's 2010 Future Professionals Expo
Empire's 2010 Future Professionals Expo (video interview with Frank S.)

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