The eagerly anticipated 2026 Pro.Connect Business Forum officially took over Melbourne’s 1 Hotel from August 31st – September 1st, bringing salon owners, stylists, educators and some of professional hair’s brightest business minds together for two days of education, inspiration and industry togetherness.
The main subject on the agenda? Navigating the future of salon business.
Designed around the realities of the modern salon, this year’s Pro.Connect Business Forum stepped away from the traditional one-size-fits-all conference format, giving attendees the opportunity to tailor their experience across business education, technical learning, creativity and connection.
From premium services and profitability to branding, leadership, culture and content, the conversations focused on what it takes to build a salon business that can not only keep up with a changing industry, but thrive within it.
The biggest reveal of the Pro.Connect Business Forum was undoubtedly the announcement of ColorWOW joining the L’Oréal Professional Product portfolio through an immersive activation that saw all attendees get their hands on hero ColorWOW products.
On the business side, Circle of Hair co-founders Sharlene Lee and Jessica Del Borrello brought their trademark combination of commercial know-how and salon experience to the stage, exploring smarter strategies around revenue, premium services and creating value for both clients and businesses.
“The point we really wanted to drive home was to encourage salon owners to take a really good look at their numbers and KPI’s on a regular basis instead of just once a month or whenever they feel like it,” shares Sharlene. “If you want a really profitable salon, you need to look at these numbers daily.
“For smaller salons or independent stylists, we would always recommend starting small,” continues Jess Del Morrello. “If you’re just starting out and are wanting to implement some KPIs for yourself – just start small, maybe with a shorter timeframe and don’t take too much money from your cashflow.”
Haus of Vakai’s Kaine and Ayden Vakai spoke through the importance of the art of consultation, and the client salon journey.
“We broke down the importance of perfecting the client experience, and the fifteen minute consultation,” explains Ayden Vakai. “I took the audience through the business side, and shared some really cool statistics around client return and how to improve it in your salons.”
Kaine continues, “I dived into it from a hairdresser’s perspective behind the chair, making the client’s experience amazing whilst also elevating the salon’s experience – the stylist, the team, the brand! – because without your team, you wouldn’t be able to provide this whole experience.”
Entrepreneur and Henne founder Nadia Bartel sat down with David Mannah, who turned the conversation towards brand building, authenticity and community, while business, branding and media expert Matt Purcell unpacked the power of identity, storytelling and creating a brand that cuts through.
Meanwhile, the creative side of Pro.Connect was just as strong.
Pink La Blonde and Kirby Lago brought luxury colour and healthy hair into focus, sharing their approach to effortless grow-out, premium colour and the kind of modern artistry that doesn’t just perform in the salon, but on social media too.
Redken Artist Kaine Vakai also took to the stage with his take on lived-in blonding, grey blending and salon efficiency, proving that speed and premium results don’t have to exist at opposite ends of the spectrum.
But beyond the education itself, Pro.Connect was about bringing people together with not one but two epic parties across the Forum. The Opening Night Welcome Party ushered attendees into the exciting World of L’Oréal, allowing guests to explore the L’Oréal brand portfolio through immersive experiences and plenty of giveaways.
The Pro.Connect After Dark event saw Old Money glamour take over night two, with an epic event taking over three stories of The Waterside Hotel. From the ColorWOW dancefloor takeover through to tarot readings over martinis, it was an unforgettable way to end a massive day of talking business.
With salon professionals, business leaders, creatives and educators all under one roof, the Forum created space for the conversations around where the industry is heading next.
As for the top takeaways for salon owners? For Bixie’s Sheree Knobel, it was all about embracing AI as a salon owner. “AI is coming in fast and if you don’t keep up with it as a business owner, you will be left behind,” she said. “Embrace it, learn it, implement it and use it!
“If it doesn’t interest you, outsource someone to do it for you. We have already been using AI at Bixie, but I’m really excited to dive deeper into the new tools available and share with my managers.”
“My other top takeaway was just going back to the customer and team experience,” Sheree continued. “What you think it looks like in your salon could be so different to what your clients & team see it as, so I’m excited to do some surveys and questions around that and give it an updated 2027 overhaul.”
The 2026 Pro.Connect Business Forum was proof that the future of professional hair isn’t just about great hair. It’s about building great businesses, uplifting great people and actioning the ideas that will take the industry forward.
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