Was Redken Symposium 2017 the best EVER? Ask some of the people that have been attending for years and the answer is YES!

The 2-day seminar, held at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, attracted almost 8,000 salon pros, representing 24 countries. There was a grand opening (and it was GRAND), parties, concerts, networking, new techniques, equipment, freshly launched tools and most importantly EDUCATION. There were 27 classes on color, cut, style, finishing, social media, business – everything anyone and everyone needs to be successful and inspired in the salon world.

There were hundreds of highlights. Redken’s Education Artistic Directors, Sam Villa, Chris Baran and Kris Sorbie, each taught a class at Symposium. In his “All Tied Up” class, Villa provided attendees with an easy approach to learning how to achieve the latest trends in braids, knots and twists. Kris Sorbie’s “Photographic Mind” class, which she co-hosted with Richard Kavanagh and Jenny Karlsson, gave stylists an inside look on what happens on set at an editorial photo shoot. Lastly, Chris Baran’s “Creative Thoughts: Behind the Scenes” class broke down the creative process from conceptual to reality when achieving an award winning look. Ruth Roche and Wendy Belanger of Pureology were there to teach the latest on trend and color care and Gino Trunzo and top nail artists from Essie were available to demonstrate their latest service “Essie Premium Salon Insider Program” as well as their latest shades and techniques.

Attendees also had the opportunity to stop by classes taught by Redken Ambassadors. Redken Celebrity Colorist,Tracey Cunningham, gave tips and answered questions to aspiring colorists on how to help clients achieve their favorite celebrity looks while Redken Ambassadors Rodney Cutler and David Stankoprovided attendees with useful tips on how to interpret abstract, avant garde fashion trends and colors seen on the runway for the salon.

One of the favorite destinations for everyone was The Redken Symposium Gallerie, which was five times larger than last Symposium. 25 vendors including Sam Villa hair styling tools, NYX cosmetics, Tear Sheet, Kasho Sheers, Live Best Pro, Millard Kwon Design, Marketing Nutz and Pivot Point International were there to demonstrate and sell their latest offerings. In between classes, guests had the opportunity to experience several various activations that were being showcased throughout the space. Redken Gallerie Pods were set up to provide one-on-one information on the brand’s newest product offerings including No Blow Dry, City Beats, and pH-Bonder; share the latest haircolor trends; and teach Redken’s Haircolor Mantra.

Inside The Gallerie, guests were encouraged to immerse themselves in all things digital at the Redken Loves Digital Tower where they could experience the City-Beats themed LED light show and help select the next City Beats shade! On the second floor, stylists had the opportunity to discover the tools needed to become a social media superstar-from the Redken-themed GIF booth to the product review table and flatlay station. The Gallerie also had an area called The Redken Exchange Experience, which provided attendees a taste of what they can experience while attending a class at Redken Exchange, the brand’s NYC-based education facility on Fifth Avenue. 

Digital technology and communications was an important emphasis at this Symposium and included panel discussions and classes, including MODERN’s “Get Regrammed” class where Editor in Chief Alison Alhamed and Beauty and Fashion Director Maggie Mulhern shared their 10 tips on getting regrammed by @modernsalon. The class was SOLD OUT weeks before the event, even though it was an early class and the morning after the big “bash” and party featuring Joe Jonas and DNCE. 

Sheri Doss, VP Education, Redken Worldwide, summed up the experience for everyone: “Redken Symposium 2017 is unlike any other event we’ve created. It’s bigger and better in every way. From the wide array of classes offered, providing hairdressers the tools and resources needed to take their skills to the next level. We are so humble and proud at what we’ve been able to achieve this Symposium.”

The classes, the networking and the entire experience provided attendees with the knowledge, inspiration and business acumen needed to truly achieve the Redken mantra to “learn better, earn better, and live better.”