THE EVENT:

America's Beauty Show. THE VENUE: Chicago's McCormick Place.

WHY ATTENDEES GO: ABS is the annual hot spot for salon professionals from around the country to flock for top hairdressing talent, the latest fashion, new products, special seminars and a full agenda of conferences, workshops and manufacturer classrooms.

SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT: The summit featured a lineup of speakers, each with a special perspective on how salon and spa owners can hone their businesses to maximize profits while nurturing staff, clients and the planet. Who could say it better than Horst Rechelbacher, salon industry pioneer, founder of Aveda and Intelligent Nutrients and noted environmentalist who gave the summit's closing presentation? "My goal for you is simple and pointed: to focus on increasing the continuous quality of service and products, and eliminate waste to benefit consumers, your team and the environment," he said. The event was moderated by hairdresser and health-and-wellness leader Mary Beth Janssen and speakers included interior designer Clodagh, stress reduction expert Max Simon, Aveda Institute owner Frederic Holzberger, Executive Director of LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) Ted Ning and salon owners Tamara Wells, Kate Leydon, Tifffany Cannon and Gary Howse.

ABS FASHION: Three fashion and styling extravaganzas highlighted ABS 2009. Surrealism Hair Art Collection 2009 featured hair styles and runway fashion from two of the industry's powerhouse presenters: LOGICS artists Gina Khan and Chrystofer Benson. In an exclusive engagement, Anthony Mascolo and the TIGI International Creative Team presented Image in Motion, a stage presentation of high fashion and style with the signature Mascolo/TIGI brand of showmanship. Wella and Sebastian Professional brought its FutureVision '09 to ABS with the talents of Nick Arrojo, Christopher and Sonya Dove, Nick Berardi, the Sassoon Team and the Fearless Sebastian Stylist Design Team.

Star Gazing
The 9th Annual Stars Hair and Fashion Photo Makeover Contest has become a tradition at ABS. The competition, sponsored by Cosmetologists Chicago and America's Beauty Network, gives working stylists the opportunity to submit before and after photos of a model or client.
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THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE: For the cost of admission to ABS, attendees received priceless live education and catwalk fashion on THE ABS RUNWAY. This year's performers included Irene Meikle for Mizani; Kim Vo for Kim Vo Haircare; Orlando Pita for T3; Kim Kimble and Neeko for Sessions Beauty; Angus Mitchell for the Angus M Team; Robert Cromeans, Stephanie Kocielski and the ARCS Team for JPMS; Danny Lapointe and Anita Gutierrez for Clairol Professional; Robin Sween, Michael Crispel and Edwin Johnston for KMS California; and Deborah Gavin, John Simpson and Dimitrios Tsioumas for Goldwell. Special conferences and workshops included the International Nail Technician's association conference, which featured new nail products and fashions presented by Jan Arnold of CND along with Jamie Schrabeck and Nancy King Heupel; African American Hair 2009, a forum on multi-cultural hair with China McNeal and Mezei Jefferson; Cosmetologos Latinos, a program of hands-on classes taught in Spanish by leading Latino stylists, and much more.

THE NEWS BUZZ: ABS is owned and produced by the salon professionals of Cosmetologists Chicago who announced the formation of a new organization, America's Beauty Network. The Network comprises Cosmetologists Chicago (a Chicago-based organization with national reach) along with the International Nail Technicians Association, Cosmetologos Latinos and the American Association for Esthetics. To join visit americasbeautynetwork.com or call 312-321-6809. CC President Luz Segovia and ABS CEO Paul Dykstra announced ABS will join with the Global Salon Business Awards in 2010 as part of the prestigious business awards' new regional format. This year, ABS hosted an official GSB Forum with speakers including Neil Ducoff, Peter Mahoney and Philip Pelusi, all providing business-building tips for salons and spas. Details of the ABS and GSBA partnership will soon be available at americasbeautyshow.com.

THE LAST WORD: "We're proud to be recognized by this prestigious program and its leadership as the natural location for the GSBA to continue. This is another indication of the ongoing importance of ABS to the salon industry, our members and all salon professionals," said Dykstra.

Photography by Robert Kusel and Dan Rest for 2009 America's Beauty Show.

Finished models take center stage at African American Hair 2009.

Edwardian dandies styled by American Crew.

Exquisite color and style from the incomparable Luis Alvarez of Aquage.

That's entertainment at the Farouk Systems exhibit.

Horst Rechelbacher addresses the SalonSpa Sustainability Summit.

From the Surrealism HairArt Collection by Logics' Gina Khan and Chrystofer Benson.

Short and summery style from Mizani's Irene Meikle.

Glorious color from Goldwell .

Pumped students show their enthusiasm at the ABS Student Conference.

Anthony Mascolo finishes to perfection at  TIGI's Image in Motion presentation.

A rock star look from TIGI's Rockaholic collection.

From left: Paula Kent Meehan, founder of the Global Salon Business Awards; ABS CEO Paul Dykstra; CC President Luz Segovia; and Jerry Gordon of America's Beauty Network.

Danny Lapointe and Anita Gutierrez discuss color trends at the Clairol Professional exhibit.