The best in the beauty industry showed up to have FUNN and help the community of salon professionals Flourish, Unite, Network and Navigate three full days of in-person education and energizing experiences at America’s Beauty Show, April 9-11, 2022, Rosemont, IL.
Thousands of licensed professionals attended the industry-leading event. Exhibit space for ABS 2022 was SOLD-OUT. Stylists, salon owners, estheticians, nail technicians, barbers and students eager to explore the ABS 2022 show floor, stages, classrooms and FUNN that the venue offered. Festivities kicked off Saturday with an opening ceremony ribbon-cutting with the Cosmetologists Chicago Board of Directors, producers of ABS, gorgeous ABS models, and an excited crowd of attendees as they danced onto the show floor.
Once inside, attendees discovered a FUNN beauty world, including a new way to recharge between education, events, and shopping at the new FUNN Street Market, which provided games, product giveaways, food stations, photo inspiration and more.
“Our industry is fueled by love and FUNN,” said Frank Fulco, CEO of America’s Beauty Show. “We appreciate the passion of our community and are always inspired by the beauty pros and brands who show up to connect, support each other, and have FUNN together.”
Save the date: Plan for even more FUNN next year, as America’s Beauty Show returns April 15-17, 2023, to celebrate a century of bringing the salon industry together. Stay tuned! For now, relive these ABS 2022 highlights:
The Runway@ABS was the heart of the action, with attendees flocking to see high-caliber hair and fashion presentations, with leading experts breaking down the latest trends and how-tos in cutting, color, curl, styling, extensions and more. Presenting artists included: Lin Phan (@bescene) for K18; The Ulta Beauty Pro Team (@ultabeauty); Presley Poe (@presleypoe); Ammon Carver (@ammoncarver and @cali.curl) for Cali-Curl; Larisa Love (@larisadoll); Chrystofer Benson (@cbensonhair); Damien Carney (@damiencarneypro) and Greta Coston (@gretacoston) for CLICS; and Greg Gilmore (@greg_gilmore), Shelby Connell (@shelby_connell), and Kevin Hughes (@hairbyeleven) for Moroccanoil.
Big brands and salon-favorite products and education fueled the FUNN and energy: Olaplex, Redken, Matrix, Biolage, Mizani, Pulp Riot, Moroccanoil, L3vel3, Keratin Complex, Wahl Professional, Andis, Farouk, AMIKA, Cali-Curl, Helen of Troy, Brazilian Professionals, K18, and many more were on site to deliver a vibrant education and shopping experience.
The ALL-NEW Salon Innovation Stage at ABS featured dynamic panel presentations and innovative speakers in an energetic educational theater.
Saturday was Salon Innovation Panel Day, and included:
- “The Pigmented Panel,” a discussion on how to work through some of the frustrations artists of color face in the beauty industry, hosted by Jalia Pettis.
- “Game Changers,” featured celebrity stylists and salon leaders Ted Gibson and Jason Backe, as well as salon business leader and Huddle Time podcast host Ronit Enos, and strong industry voices Sam Villa, Candy Shaw, Carolyn Aronson, Dr. Leon Alexander, Jen and Matt Martinelli and Will Simpson, and was moderated by Frank Fulco, CEO of America’s Beauty Show.
- “An Hour with Industry Legends” featured a conversation with Eric Fisher and Oscar Bond, presented by Hattori Hanzo.
Salon Innovation continued with:
- “Mane Inspiration” presented by Natalie Ruzgis (@natalieruzgis) and Jesse Marriott (@hairbyjesseray) on behalf of Hotheads.
- “The Salon of the Future” by Ted Gibson and Jason Backe.
- “The 10 Commandments of Balayage” by Candy Shaw.
- Individual classes by Ashlee Norman, Steve Walderman for Haircuttery, and Ronit Enos, among others.
- Student Team Competition Awards presented by Beauty Cast Network, which also offered a Student Power Hour of education as well as a Career Showcase all three days.
The Barber Stage @ABS was also a big part of the FUNN: Barbers, stylists and students appreciated cutting-edge education all three days, with presentations from AROD (@arod23pr), Carlos Estrella (@los_cut_it) and Yahia Jaber (@mrofficial) with L3vel3; Katrice Thompkins (@katricethompkins_), John Mosley (@popular_nobody), Kenny Duncan (@kduncangrooming), and Danny Amorim (@successaddict) with Andis. Another highlight? The “Copy the Cut Challenge” barber competition.
Talk about FUNN value! CEU classes are always a hit and were included with the ABS 2022 ticket price. Licensed professionals learn and earn the hours they need to keep their license current when attendingAmerica’s Beauty Show. CEU class topics included with the ticket price were hair color, cutting/styling,barbering, business, nails, extensions, make-up, and esthetics. Additionally, required classes on sexualassault and domestic violence were offered.
Shop and Save: The SalonCentric Value Center was back bigger than ever. Plus, the NEW Hair Extension& Lash Value Center by Beauty Industry Group offered close-out prices on hair extension and lash brands pros love.
ABS After Hours—FUNN and Purpose: Beauty people like to come together for a good time, to celebrate talent and to do good, too. Saturday night offered the annual CC Presidents Party, with awards and honors, including the Jerry Gordon Salon Business Award, given to Jeff South; and the FredA. Piattoni for Industry Service, given to John Amico. The Associated Hair Professionals hosted the 2022 Influencers of the Year party followed the CC Presidents Party. Sunday’s highlight was the 10th annual Beauty Changes Live Experience and Next GenRunway Show, raising funds for industry scholarships and mentorships. Both celebrations happened at Joe’s Live in the Rosemont Entertainment District, a FUNN venue conveniently close to the ABS show floor and hotels.
America’s Beauty Show 2022 co-located with the International Esthetics Cosmetics and Spa Conference (IECSC), which featured skincare, spa and makeup exhibits on a dynamic and interactive show floor.
FUNN home: The Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL is the home to America’sBeauty Show. It is a convenient location for local and out of town attendees and features world-class restaurants and shopping. To further enhance the experience, America’s Beauty Show partnered with a variety of Rosemont hotels, offering attendees affordable overnight roomrates and shuttles to maketheexperience stress free.
Save the dates! The 100th Celebration of America’s Beauty Show will be hosted April 15-17, 2023 in Rosemont, IL!