Hundreds of the professional salon industry’s most influential and inspirational people, including our own Mary Rector-Gable, gathered in Barcelona, Spain, June 3-6, 2006 for three days of incredible seminars, panels, educational forums, dinners and exclusive celebrations culminating in a ceremony to honor nearly 80 of the world’s leading salons with presentation of the coveted Salon Entrepreneur of the Year™ and Entrepreneurial Excellence awards.

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The program kicked off with the fantastic Grand Opening Ceremonies at the Barcelona Olympic Stadium, followed the next morning by the 2006 Global Salon Business Forum held at the stunning Palau de la Musica.  Here some of business’ most influential leaders shared their experience and expertise on topics including strategy, globalization, brand and lifestyle marketing, creativity, inspiration and entrepreneurship.

Guest speakers included:

• Dr. Alfred E Osborne, Jr., Senior Associate Dean of the UCLA Anderson School of Management
  
• Xavier Sala-i-Martin Professor of Economics at Colombia University
  
• Dr. Julián Villanueva, Head of Marketing for IESE Business School
  
• Fatima Whitaker, President of Whitaker International
  
• Lluís Llongueras, President of Llongueras International
  
• Vidal Sassoon, Entrepreneur and industry mogul and
  
• Dr. J.P. Pawliw-Fry, President and Co-Founder of the Institute for Heath & Human Potential.

Two innovative and individually unique documentaries were also premiered during the Business Forum, including “Hair Heroes” produced by Michael Gordon and “I’m NOT Just A Hairdresser” produced by Vivienne Mackinder.

Dr. Alfred E. Osborne, Jr., hosted the first-ever Presidential Panel, a unique forum where attendees had the opportunity to meet the executive leaders of the Chairman’s Circle Sponsor Companies. During the panel, each had the opportunity to share their vision for the future of the professional salon industry.
 
Speakers of The Presidential Panel included: (in alphabetical order)

• Carlos Colomer, The Colomer Group
  
• David Racugglia, American Crew
  
• Frederic Espinoza, L´Oréal Professionnel Products
  
• John Paul DeJoria, John Paul Mitchell Systems
  
• John Woloshyn, Redken 5th Avenue, NYC
  
• Rob Aubin, Shortcuts Salon & Spa Software
  
• Roberto Pissimiglia, Estetica International

Finally, the Global Salon Business Awards Ceremony itself took place on June 6, 2006, at the Hilton Diagonal Mar where nearly 700 of the industry’s top players gathered to celebrate the achievements of their peers.  The banquet was sponsored by L´Oréal Professionnel Products and the event hosted by Hollywood TV Personality and Entrepreneur Leeza Gibbons. During this extraordinary evening, leading entrepreneurial salon owners from 21 countries were recognized and honored for their entrepreneurial achievements as the coveted Salon Entrepreneur of the Year™ and Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards were presented. Lluis Llongueras received a special recognition award for his accomplishments and contributions to the global salon industry.

And last but not least, to a standing ovation, the inaugural “Vidal Sassoon Lifetime Entrepreneurial Achievement Award,” was presented to one of the professional industry’s most influential and entrepreneurial people: Industry icon and entrepreneurial genius Vidal Sassoon received an award which will be presented in his honor to other entrepreneurial industry leaders in subsequent years.

Top level sponsors of this celebrated 2006 program included Founding Sponsors: L´Oréal Professionnel Products, Matrix and Redken 5th Avenue NYC, plus new 2006 Chairman’s Circle Sponsors: American Crew, Estetica International, John Paul Mitchell Systems, Kérastase Paris, Revlon Professional by The Colomer Group and Shortcuts Software.  In addition, general sponsors include Wella plus Aveda, TIGI and Takara Belmont.

For more information please log on to: www.bestfoundation.com.