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ISSE Long Beach Day 1

Each January we take our students to the International Salon and Spa Expo in sunny Long Beach, California because it gives them valuable insight into the professional beauty industry.

The 2013 International Salon and Spa Expo Long Beach (ISSE Long Beach) continues to be the West Coast’s largest and most influential total beauty event. An energetic crowd of nearly 40,000 beauty professionals from around the world attended the show, produced by the Professional Beauty Association (PBA). PBA’s ISSE concept has evolved beyond the traditional “hair show” in the past years to be the industry’s most complete beauty event relating to hair, nails, cosmetics, esthetics, wellness, massage and advanced education.

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Saturday at the show provides an afternoon filled with browsing the booths and networking opportunity.

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The ISSE show provides over 300 manufacturers with in- booth demonstrations and National guest artists for students to talk to and ask questions.   We often describe the tradeshow experience as “kids in a candy store” to students.  It is a paradise for the professional beauty industry.

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As the show closed, the students began exploring the city and checked out what Long Beach had to offer in the way of nightlife.

“ I would highly suggest this trip.  I feel it was very important to attend during school because I was able to build stronger relationships with my classmates.  It opened my eyes to more aspects of the industry that I would love to get into.. Also, we got so much FREE swag!!” – Federico Student

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Several of the students expressed interest in meeting a few of the celebrity  hairdressers they look up to and watch in educational videos.   We arranged an impromptu meet and greet with JoshXO, Douglas McCoy and The Teals.

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The girls got to spend 2 hours of quality time with these highly influential hairstyling icons.

Sitting next to celebrity stylists that I look up to was surreal.  I watch their youtube videos, read their blogs and admire their incredible work.   This whole experience was so much better than I could have ever imagined! – Jenna F.

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My favorite part of the trip was meeting The Teals and them inviting me to assist during their class the next day.  Not only did I get free hands on education but I got to hang out with this really cool and well known family of hairdressers.  The entire experience was overwhelming and amazing! -Ashley M.

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Our students definitely started the ISSE Beauty weekend off the right way by networking and attending tons of education.  Stay tuned ISSE Day 2 & 3!