From 11th – 13th September 2016, The Marriott Hotel in Surfers Paradise hosted the 14th ASPYA Conference. In line with the theme of the conference, ‘Refresh, Explore, Inspire’, an exciting line-up of motivational speakers shared both secrets to success and tips to enrich and improve health and wellbeing.
The first day of the conference saw Dan Gregory, the founder and CEO of research and training organization The Impossible InstituteTM and a regular on ABC TV the Gruen Transfer, share personal anecdotes and industry insights that were both encouraging and achievable. Entrepreneur, business owner, broadcaster, company director, journalist and mentor Gemma Tognini followed suit, sharing her success story. From being told she would never make it in TV news, Gemma now owns her her own corporate PR agency and has won multiple highly coveted industry awards. Gemma was both inspiring and realistic in her approach, encouraging salons to take the next steps to elevate exposure, expand and grow.
The 2016 De Lorenzo ASPYA Gala Dinner was held on Monday 12th September with attendees representing De Lorenzo salons from around Australia. The ‘Dancing with the Stars’ theme was embraced with dancers from the show gracing the stage, performing glitzy and glamorous routines that wowed the crowd.
Co-directors Chris, Anthony and Vinnie de Lorenzo had the pleasure of announcing the winners of the 2016 Gold Coast ASPYA Conference Awards, recognising excellence in the hair industry. Loyalty Awards acknowledged salons who have worked with De Lorenzo for five and ten years, whilst the sought-after De Lorenzo ASPYA Salon of the Year Award that praises commitment to the industry was awarded to Hoopla Salon in Victoria.
On day two of the conference, inspirational speakers Charles Marcus and Mark Bunn shared their emotional journeys with attendees. Charles started his career with the world famous Vidal Sassoon organisation as a hair stylist and platform artist, later owning several highly successful hair salons. For over 25 years Charles lived with a severe stuttering disability, suffering much ridicule, rejection and prejudice. Charles now speaks publicly, facing his fears head-on and proving that you can both evolve and embrace new challenges. The final speaker was Mark Bunn; a mind, body, health and wellbeing expert, who shared his expertise on how to enjoy higher energy, less stress, greater life balance and more fulfilling work success.
The 2016 ASPYA conference ‘Refreshed, Explored and Inspired’ on every level, leaving attendees with the tools to enhance and improve both their own lives and their businesses. ASPYA members will eagerly await the 2017 conference, to be held in Bali.
DE LORENZO 2016 ASPYA FINALISTS & WINNERS
MARKETING EXCELLENCE 2016 WINNER Capelli Hair & Beauty Studio
GREEN AWARD 2016 WINNER La Unica Salon
BOUTIQUE SALON OF THE YEAR FINALISTS A Cut Above Hairstylist M Salon Underwraps Hair Studio
WINNER M Salon
SALON OF THE YEAR FINALISTS Capelli Hair & Beauty Studio Gorgeous Hair at Gorokan Hoopla Salon Infinity Hair Design La Unica Salon
THIRD PLACE Infinity Hair Design
SECOND PLACE La Unica Salon
WINNER Hoopla Salon
DE LORENZO 2016 ASPYA LOYALTY AWARDS
Five Years: Chisholm Hairworks, Floreyhair Design, IKON Hairdressing, KOOGAAS, Park Hair, Skizza’s Hair Design, TG’s Hair and Body, TG’s Hair Studio, Underwraps Hair Studio
Ten Years: Ablaze Hair Artistry, Fernando’s Hair, Fuze Hair & Beauty, Hornsby Heights Hairdressing, M Salon, Talk About Hair & Beauty, Vibe Hair Lounge, Wicked Hair
Hall of Fame: Hair @ Hillary’s, Pierina’s Hair Concept, Sculptures Hair Design
– TJ