Do your New Year's resolutions include expanding yourself professionally? Getting more name recognition? Making a splash in the industry? There are few ways better to do that than to enter the North American Hairstyling Awards. As a nominee or winner, you'd be in some exclusive, distinguished company. And the deadline is fast approaching, so hop to it! Here are all the details and the dates to remember.

Deadline for entries: February 8, 2010
Finalists announced: May 1, 2010
Awards ceremony: July 18, 2010 (In Las Vegas, during PBA Beauty Week.)

You must be a licensed salon professional to enter, except in the Student Stylist category. For that cateogry, you must be enrolled in cosmetology school or performing required hours in a salon as of the entry due date.

You can enter in one of 12 categories, including a brand new one this year, the Salon MBA (Master of Business.) The categories are:
- Master Stylist
- Hairstylist of the Year
- Salon Team
- Editorial Stylist
- Student Stylist
- Make-up
- Avant Garde
- Contemporary Classic
- Fashion Forward
- Haircolor
- Salon Design
- Texture
- Salon MBA

For the Salon MBA category, entrants must generate at least $300,000 annually, have at least three licensed professional staff on payroll, be involved in day-to-day operations, and have been in business for at least three years. You can also enter online only for this category.

For all other entries, you can enter by mail or online. Go to www.probeauty.org/naha/enter/ for the details. Remember, the deadline is February 8, 2010.

As a special New Year's treat, next week we'll also be offering you tips and tricks for entering! Plus, as a founding sponsor of NAHA, Modern Salon will be bringing you additional NAHA stories and interviews with past winners over the coming months. So keep your eyes open and get inspired!