In an effort to continually provide education, best practices, peer networking and business support for beauty professionals and salon/spa leaders, the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) is hosting four, one-day Regional Forums, formerly known as the Regional Salon Summits, across the U.S. The first event takes place in March in Alexandria, VA.

 Each session during the day-long forums will be led by highly qualified and respected industry leaders and consultants. Discussion topics range from marketing and stylist development to business management and government affairs and are designed to assist salon owners and beauty professionals to elevate their business, careers, and our industry as a whole with practical information they can readily apply.

 Networking with other salon professionals will also take place to allow attendees to learn from one another and discuss common interests and business strategies. The PBA Regional Forums are open to all, regardless of PBA membership.

 PBA Regional Forums will be held:

• Monday, March 3, 2014 - Alexandria, VA

• Monday, May 19, 2014 - Joliet, IL

• Monday, July 14, 2014 - Las Vegas, NV (as part of PBA Beauty Week at Cosmoprof North America)

• Monday, September 22, 2014 - Boston, MA

Featured core sessions:

 Trend Interpretive Business Solutions | Speakers: DJ Riggs & Berry Bachen, MAINENTRANCE Artists Creative Directors

Learn strategies to follow trends and create added value and incorporate them into your business. Get a summary of key elements of the current season (essential knowledge for any fashion or beauty professional) and proven techniques for translating trend knowledge into client consultation tools. Keep your team ahead of the trends to build your reputation as an industry leader and stimulate client interaction and creative growth.

 Designing Hair with Color for NAHA | Speaker: Palma N'Sheluvzit, NAHA 2011 Avant Garde Finalist

In this thought-provoking and motivational session, discover what is it that drives you and your passion; the steps to create a collection for NAHA; how to conduct a photo shoot; design, color, and hair concepts for a NAHA collection; how competition concepts can relate to you every day; the advantages of social media; and proven techniques to market yourself.

 Body Language: Confidential | Speaker: Traci Brown, Certified Master Practitioner of Neuro Linguistics, Hypnosis and Huna

In this fun, interactive and informative talk, learn how to read body language and use specific verbal language to immediately create powerful relationships; accelerate your networking; interview powerfully; increase sales; elegantly persuade others; appropriately respond to hidden messages to ensure you're sending the right message; and respond to hidden clues to close a sale at the price you want.

 How to be an Eco-Friendly Salon and Stylist | Speaker: Tamara Jercha, Founder of the National Association of Eco-Friendly Salons & Spas

Most salon and spa professionals care about the environment, but their passion is in the creative process of perfecting the craft. Conducting business in an eco-friendly manner becomes something which rests on your to-do list. In this session, we will bust the myth that an eco-friendly salon and spa is an oxymoron; provide greater understanding of the word "sustainability"; remove the sense of information overload that paralyzes salon professionals into inaction because they don't know where to start; and provide a clear road map for implementing sustainability initiatives.

 Legislative Update | Speakers: PBA Government Affairs Team

PBA is dedicated to keeping members informed on the laws and regulations governing the industry. Learn about current issues and state and federal legislation, including deregulation, FICA Tax Fairness Legislation, state legislation, and the PBA State Captain Program.

 Price for PBA members is $119; non-PBA member price is $159. Price includes lunch. For more details, including locations of each the session, hotel information, and to register, visit probeauty.org/forums.