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Dozens of delegates attended the Professional Beauty Conference & Mini Expo held on 25 October at Johannesburg’s Bryanston Country Club.
This is only the second physical event that Professional Beauty has been able to host since the COVID lockdown was first implemented in late March 2020.
In addition to top conference speakers such as Kerry Viljoen, Charne le Roux, Diana van Sittert, Lesego Masekela, Justin Hawes, Marisa Dimitriadis, Sally Harvey and Jenny Asherton-Smith, the event also played host to 19 table top exhibitors from the beauty, nails and aesthetics sectors.
Says Phil Woods, commercial director of Professional Beauty South Africa: “We were absolutely delighted to host this conference and mini-expo, as events are the lifeblood of our company. The feedback from both delegates and exhibitors was really positive and the Professional Beauty team is now working full steam ahead on its flagship Johannesburg event at Gallagher Convention Centre on 27 and 28 March next year.”
As for feedback from delegates, Mary Fani of @MaryGold Glam Studio, commented: “The conference was very exciting and professional. I came across a lot of informative people and businesses in the industry and I am very happy to have attended an initiative such as this.”
Kundai Maradze of Infinity Wellness Spa added: “Professional Beauty events are always packed with insights and educational information. A conference like this grows both your personality and your business. I wouldn’t miss a Professional Beauty event for the world. The experience is amazing!”
Elmari Gouws found that there is always something new to learn. “A host of like-minded individuals in the industry, coming together to grow!”
Mardelyn Gouws loved meeting new suppliers at the mini-expo. “It was great getting to know their products.”
Lorraine Baleyi described the event as a ‘great experience’. She continued: “I got to learn more about the beauty industry and how to go about things when starting up in the industry, or wanting to grow your current business. The table top stands were very interesting and covered most of the wants and needs in the industry.”
Said Sthandwa Mbonarzi: “This was a very innovative workshop with really educational information that brings back positive energy and drive to my business. I wouldn’t mind attending this kind of workshop every two months.”
Winner of the Professional Beauty R1,000 lucky draw, Confidence Maziyokwenyu, said: “Apart from winning the prize money, as well as a free social media consultation with Sally Harvey, I learnt a lot at the conference. Meeting and mingling with people who have been in the industry for a long time and sharing their business journeys was the best experience. It was my first ever Professional Beauty event and I bet it won’t be my last one.”
Table top expo
Exhibitors at the conference included: Indulgence Spa Products; Lime Light; Gina at Work; Hitech Group; Dandelion Distribution; Gemco Distributors/Eyenvy; Bio Sculpture; Leonelda Products; Astra Health Systems; Stretch Innovation (Pty) Ltd; Radiant Healthcare; Access Consciousness; My Abby Range; BTL Medical; The Spa Consultants; Best Lasers; Trendity; Booksy; and Cosmoprof Foundation.
Miranda Isaakidis of Indulgence Spa Products commented: “The show was brilliant and it was so lovely to connect with the industry and the quality people who came to our stand. Furthermore, it was motivating to see that the industry still exists, plus we’ve met new people as well.”
The BTL Medical stand attracted a fair deal of interest. Said Loren Harris: “There was definitely an air of happiness at the event with lots of people around and networking with each other. It’s was a good show with a happy vibe and I must say it’s been lovely to see everyone again after so long.”
Allyson Viljoen of Bio Sculputre admitted that she didn’t come to the expo with big expectations because of COVID. “However, we have experienced really positive visits from clientele and had quality conversations.”
Gary Price of Astra Health Systems added: “The interest is definitely there in our machines and I’ve noticed a big focus on body sculpting, with anti-ageing after that.”
Andrew Best of Best Lasers reported that his stand had generated a good amount of interest, with most visitors interested in skin rejuvenation, body contouring and hair removal.
In amongst the new leads that came Milk Solutions way were delegates from outside Johannesburg, namely Mossel Bay, Ladysmith and Cape Town. “At a smaller venue like this you can get into deeper conversations with people,” noted Karen Ellithorne. (Report by Stacey Platt and Joanna Sterkowicz.)