THE EVENT: Matrix Destination, Orlando, Florida.

DETAILS : More than 2500 salon professionals attended the 4-day conference held at the Loew’s Resort - just minutes from Universal Orlando.

FERGIE INSPIRATION: Fergie (yes – THE Fergie) kicked off Matrix Destination, offering a keynote address about inspiration and her gratitude to the salon professional.  “As an artist I find inspiration in all aspects of my life: my successes, my struggles, my family and my friends," Fergie said on stage. "You watch a sunset, or kids make us laugh, in an instant, you find that idea of brilliance and we're artists again, aware of our calling.” Fergie had a special message for beauty professionals: “My hairstylists have always had my back. They have been there for me through my struggles and my successes. It's an honor to be here with so many hairstylists, who are also fellow artists."

THE FERGIE CONTEST: Fergie announced the #FergieXMatrix social media vivid hair color photo contest, tied into the upcoming SOCOLOR Cult color launch. Hairstylists are invited to submit their most creative vivid hair color designs and Fergie revealed she will help choose 10 winners, who will be flown to her New York City concert. Two grand prize winners will assist a Matrix Artist to do Fergie's hair at the concert, and eight additional winners will style the hair of her dancers. 

HIGHLIGHTS: Tabatha Coffey offered an early morning boost to those artists looking to grow their businesses to the next level with tips on better serving the client. “As a human-touch industry all about connection, we can’t be outsourced,” Coffey says. “When you take elements of having a strong consultation, backed up by great education, products and techniques, it makes stylists so much stronger; it makes you unstoppable.” Coffey followed up as part of a panel called “’Socializing’ Your Business.”  Representatives from Allure, Glamour and Dow Jones shared how small businesses leverage social media to connect with clients.

WORKSHOPS AND EDUCATION: There was non-stop education and inspiration at Matrix Destination. Color, cut, style, business, a show floor made this a festival for hairdressers looking to learn and grow. There were powerful mainstage presentations, 6 hands-on classes, multiple breakout sessions and elective smaller workshops, all led by the top Matrix artists. During two days of rotating sessions, guests explored the Color Compass with Leah Sterk, Lasha Keller and Lenny Strand; went Beyond Color Boundaries with Chrystofer Benson, Nick Stenson and Stevie English; Blurred International Lines with Jamie Stevens, Mila Belova and Stevie English; shaped the Modern Man with Jamie Stevens, Tara Koenig and Todd Kane; busted out new cutting techniques in Beyond Measure with Daniel Roldan, Dilek Onur-Taylor and Paul Falltrick and dived into the world of social media in #TELLYOURSTORY with Kiera Doyle, Constance Robbins and George Papanikolas. Many attendees stayed on for an optional third day, for additional hands-on electives, including Viva Matrix En Español, led by Martin Salinas, Pati Rodriguez and Robert Santana.

THE LAST WORD: “A strong community not only unites and inspires our creative passions, it elevates them,” says Matrix Vice President of Education Martin Dale. “Matrix takes pride in empowering hairdressers with best-in-class education. We know that together we learn, grown, share, create, connect, elevate and inspire to build a brighter future.”