Candy Shaw teaches a balayage class during Millennium's The Experience 2015.
Candy Shaw teaches a balayage class during Millennium's The Experience 2015.
Models presented by CHI.
Models presented by CHI.
CHI student winners present on stage. Congrats to Cheyenne Pope and Adriana Parra!
CHI student winners present on stage. Congrats to Cheyenne Pope and Adriana Parra!
Nick Arrojo takes a photo of his model after class.
Nick Arrojo takes a photo of his model after class.
Nick Arrojo wraps up his class and grabs a photo with his models and Chris Chan, Millennium's Creative Director.
Nick Arrojo wraps up his class and grabs a photo with his models and Chris Chan, Millennium's Creative Director.
John Harms and Bob Maconi present during The Millennium Experience 2015: Join The Movement
John Harms and Bob Maconi present during The Millennium Experience 2015: Join The Movement
J Christian and Micah Harms after an exciting Bull Ride.
J Christian and Micah Harms after an exciting Bull Ride.
Jamison Shaw, Adrienne Knapp, Nick Arrojo, Candy Shaw and Fred Codner
Jamison Shaw, Adrienne Knapp, Nick Arrojo, Candy Shaw and Fred Codner
The Millennium education team, from left: Paul LeoGrande, John Harms, Irena Mena, Ian Dite (directly behind her), Matt Gamba, Brittany Machi, Andy Clarke, Bart Halaczkiewicz, Matt Scudder and Bob Maconi.
The Millennium education team, from left: Paul LeoGrande, John Harms, Irena Mena, Ian Dite (directly behind her), Matt Gamba, Brittany Machi, Andy Clarke, Bart Halaczkiewicz, Matt Scudder and Bob Maconi.
Mark Bustos offered an emotional presentation on his haircutting for the homeless campaign #BeAwesomeTo Somebody
Mark Bustos offered an emotional presentation on his haircutting for the homeless campaign #BeAwesomeTo Somebody
Irena Mena leads round table discussions during The Millennium Experience 2015.
Irena Mena leads round table discussions during The Millennium Experience 2015.
The Millennium Mall
The Millennium Mall
Brainiacs help at The Millennium Tech Bar
Brainiacs help at The Millennium Tech Bar
Farouk's Patrick Kalle signs the poster for student show team winners Cheyenne Pope and Adriana Parra.
Farouk's Patrick Kalle signs the poster for student show team winners Cheyenne Pope and Adriana Parra.
Guest speaker and Paralympian Josh Sundquist with, from left, Les Munoz, Chris Chan and MODERN Beauty and Fashion Director Maggie Mulhern.
Guest speaker and Paralympian Josh Sundquist with, from left, Les Munoz, Chris Chan and MODERN Beauty and Fashion Director Maggie Mulhern.
A highlight: The Owners Forum
A highlight: The Owners Forum
THE FUN SPOT: The JW Marriott in Scottsadale, Arizona, at sunset.
THE FUN SPOT: The JW Marriott in Scottsadale, Arizona, at sunset.
Brittany Harms and Sean Rogers perform during the general session.
Brittany Harms and Sean Rogers perform during the general session.
Poster celebrating Farouk Systems Student Show Team winners Cheyenne Pope and Adriana Parra, signed by Patrick Kalle.
Poster celebrating Farouk Systems Student Show Team winners Cheyenne Pope and Adriana Parra, signed by Patrick Kalle.
Michael Gregg surrounded by colleagues Jennifer Alexander, Salon Co-ordinator and Megan Kloo, a level 2 stylist.
Michael Gregg surrounded by colleagues Jennifer Alexander, Salon Co-ordinator and Megan Kloo, a level 2 stylist.
1/24
 
View all
Candy Shaw teaches a balayage class during Millennium's The Experience 2015.
1/24
 
Slider
Candy Shaw teaches a balayage class during Millennium's The Experience 2015.
Models presented by CHI.
2/24
 
Slider
Models presented by CHI.
CHI student winners present on stage. Congrats to Cheyenne Pope and Adriana Parra!
3/24
 
Slider
CHI student winners present on stage. Congrats to Cheyenne Pope and Adriana Parra!
Nick Arrojo takes a photo of his model after class.
4/24
 
Slider
Nick Arrojo takes a photo of his model after class.
Nick Arrojo wraps up his class and grabs a photo with his models and Chris Chan, Millennium's Creative Director.
5/24
 
Slider
Nick Arrojo wraps up his class and grabs a photo with his models and Chris Chan, Millennium's Creative Director.
John Harms and Bob Maconi present during The Millennium Experience 2015: Join The Movement
6/24
 
Slider
John Harms and Bob Maconi present during The Millennium Experience 2015: Join The Movement
7/24
 
Slider
J Christian and Micah Harms after an exciting Bull Ride.
8/24
 
Slider
J Christian and Micah Harms after an exciting Bull Ride.
Jamison Shaw, Adrienne Knapp, Nick Arrojo, Candy Shaw and Fred Codner
9/24
 
Slider
Jamison Shaw, Adrienne Knapp, Nick Arrojo, Candy Shaw and Fred Codner
The Millennium education team, from left: Paul LeoGrande, John Harms, Irena Mena, Ian Dite (directly behind her), Matt Gamba, Brittany Machi, Andy Clarke, Bart Halaczkiewicz, Matt Scudder and Bob Maconi.
10/24
 
Slider
The Millennium education team, from left: Paul LeoGrande, John Harms, Irena Mena, Ian Dite (directly behind her), Matt Gamba, Brittany Machi, Andy Clarke, Bart Halaczkiewicz, Matt Scudder and Bob Maconi.
11/24
 
Slider
12/24
 
Slider
Mark Bustos offered an emotional presentation on his haircutting for the homeless campaign #BeAwesomeTo Somebody
13/24
 
Slider
Mark Bustos offered an emotional presentation on his haircutting for the homeless campaign #BeAwesomeTo Somebody
Irena Mena leads round table discussions during The Millennium Experience 2015.
14/24
 
Slider
Irena Mena leads round table discussions during The Millennium Experience 2015.
The Millennium Mall
15/24
 
Slider
The Millennium Mall
Brainiacs help at The Millennium Tech Bar
16/24
 
Slider
Brainiacs help at The Millennium Tech Bar
Farouk's Patrick Kalle signs the poster for student show team winners Cheyenne Pope and Adriana Parra.
17/24
 
Slider
Farouk's Patrick Kalle signs the poster for student show team winners Cheyenne Pope and Adriana Parra.
Guest speaker and Paralympian Josh Sundquist with, from left, Les Munoz, Chris Chan and MODERN Beauty and Fashion Director Maggie Mulhern.
18/24
 
Slider
Guest speaker and Paralympian Josh Sundquist with, from left, Les Munoz, Chris Chan and MODERN Beauty and Fashion Director Maggie Mulhern.
A highlight: The Owners Forum
19/24
 
Slider
A highlight: The Owners Forum
20/24
 
Slider
THE FUN SPOT: The JW Marriott in Scottsadale, Arizona, at sunset.
21/24
 
Slider
THE FUN SPOT: The JW Marriott in Scottsadale, Arizona, at sunset.
Brittany Harms and Sean Rogers perform during the general session.
22/24
 
Slider
Brittany Harms and Sean Rogers perform during the general session.
Poster celebrating Farouk Systems Student Show Team winners Cheyenne Pope and Adriana Parra, signed by Patrick Kalle.
23/24
 
Slider
Poster celebrating Farouk Systems Student Show Team winners Cheyenne Pope and Adriana Parra, signed by Patrick Kalle.
Michael Gregg surrounded by colleagues Jennifer Alexander, Salon Co-ordinator and Megan Kloo, a level 2 stylist.
24/24
 
Slider
Michael Gregg surrounded by colleagues Jennifer Alexander, Salon Co-ordinator and Megan Kloo, a level 2 stylist.

THE EVENT: The Millennium Experience 2015: Join The Movement. Scottsdale, Arizona.

THE DETAILS: 400 salon and spa owners, managers and professionals came to the JW Marriott in Scottsdale, Arizona, for 3 days of education, inspiration, enlightenment and fun. On the business and marketing side, classes included “Nine Ways To Grow A Rock Star Team,” “Marketing Strategies That Work,” “Taking Your Business To The Next Level," “How Do I Get Them To Do That,” "Reporting To The Front Desk,"  "Tips To Building Your Brand On YouTube" and "First Impressions - Lasting Results." There were several artistic education classes, including “Blonding” with Kim Vo, “The Art And Craft of the Fashionable Razor Cut” with Nick Arrojo, “Balayage Baby” featuring Candy Shaw and “How To Brow” with Brenda Gallagher.  Attendess rotated through 90 minute classes learning how to improve their businesses and elevate the craft. “Brainiacs” were on site to help everyone hone their Millennium and Meevo skills at the "tech bar" and a mall was set up for shopping, offering the latest and greatest from the sponsors, including CHI, Your Name Cosmetics and Intuit Demandforce.

HIGHLIGHTS: This event is a hidden gem and one of the finest educational events offered in the industry. Among the highlights was the kick off with "Slam Poetry," an inspirational speech delivered by poets in a "rap meets poetry" presenation.  This was followed by an incredible show by Patrick Kalle, Artistic Director, Farouk Systems who presented and made over models on stage. Attendees were treated to a  “Wild West Party” and offered the opportunity to ride a mechanical bull and experience some of the fun the west has to offer. One of the highlights included a performance by Brittany Harms and Sean Rogers who presented during the General Session.

INSPIRATION: There were MANY moments of inspiration, but two are most memorable:

-Mark Bustos, a top stylist in NYC, shared the background of his program to help homeless people by offering free cuts on Sundays. Bustos invites all salon professionals to follow (@MarkBustos), tag #BeAwesomeToSomebody and participate May 1, 2016 by opening your salon doors and offering free cuts to the homeless.

-Joshua Sundquist, a Paralympian, shared his story of losing his leg at age 9 and how that situation has taught him to never give up. His 45 minute speech was one of the most inspiring and moving of the entire weekend.

THE LAST WORD: “Joining the movement is about building trust,” says Millennium founder John Harms. “It’s not about being content. We are here to learn, to grow, to be inspired, to connect with the beauty industry's best and to be part of something great. We should never stop learning.” The Millennium Experience 2015 was a great place to do just that.

For an overview from a salon owners point of view, check out this interview with Michael Gregg, owner of Heaven The Salon Experience, Winchester, Virginia:

 

 

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, Click here.