By Jenny Burns, for the Australian Hairdressing Council

Over the iconic hair weekend in June the ahc once again hosted 3 major events, Industry Day, Leadership Summit and Schmoozefest at the Sheraton Grand Sydney, Hyde Park.

Industry

DAY 2026

First cab off the rank on Friday 27th June was Industry Day. The Australian Hairdressing Council welcomed over 150 passionate education leaders, salon owners, RTOs, trainers and industry professionals to be included in a full-day event delivered powerful insights, energetic discussion, and focused dialogue on one of the industry’s most critical issues: education and training. Attendees spanned public and private RTOs, TAFEs, salon businesses, and independent educators, bringing the education ecosystem together in one collaborative space.

A future-focused welcome

MC Richard Kavanagh and AHC CEO Fiona Beamish opened the day by reflecting on the importance of community, connection, and shared leadership in driving progress. Fiona then introduced Anthony Gray from the AHC Education & Training Committee, who outlined the Committee’s goals and achievements, particularly its long-standing advocacy for the now-underway Training Package Review. He emphasised the collaboration and persistence behind this milestone and the need for continued educator and salon input.

Listening to apprentices, understanding the numbers

Next, Liz Maher of Taylorweir shared findings from the AHC Apprentice Survey, offering candid insight into apprentices’ challenges, motivations, and engagement. Peter Gilchrist from Apprenticeship Support Australia followed, presenting national completion data in hairdressing and barbering and highlighting industry-wide retention and attraction trends.

Government insight: Practical support for employers

Keynote speaker Sandee Harris, from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, delivered “Scissors and Strategy: Building Your Future Workforce”, emphasising the value of diversity and outlining practical government support for salons – from wage subsidies to flexible employment options.

Salons doing apprenticeships differently

The panel “Salons Doing Apprenticeships Differently – and Making It Work” featured Sharlene Lee (Circles of Hair), Justin Pace (Co & Pace), and Sheridan Rose Shaw (MAMAWEST), who shared how their customised training models have improved productivity, culture, and retention.

Training Package Reform: A once-ina-decade opportunity

A large part of the day focused on the Training Package Review, led by Service & Creative Skills Australia (SaCSA). CEO Natalie Turmine explained the review process and how industry can get involved. Interactive workshops with Aaron Hines and Katrina Higham followed, inviting feedback and discussion on the qualifications under review.

Changing lives through hair

In a powerful live interview, AHC CEO Fiona Beamish spoke with Gary Strachan (Deadly Hair Dude) and Krystal White (Hair Aid) about their work delivering education and purpose to remote and disadvantaged communities, showing the transformative power of hairdressing.

Looking ahead: The future of education

In the afternoon, Sharon Blain shared her vision for the future of education and her upcoming event Hair the Movement – a three-day experience featuring leading global educators. The final session, “Independent Educators Bridging the Gap”, featured Anthony Gray (MIG Training), Kylie Dwyer (Elite Hair Education, Snipt, Elite Scissors), and Paul Pardini (TAFE QLD), discussing collaboration between salons, RTOs, and educators to improve outcomes and align expectations.

A day to remember

With glowing feedback and unwavering energy, AHC Industry Day 2025 was hailed as the most impactful yet. It united voices, inspired action, and set the stage for a new chapter in education.

As one guest put it, “It felt like the whole industry was in the room – and for the first time in a long time, we were all speaking the same language.”

Ahc Leadership Summit 2026

Next up on Saturday 28 June, the venue buzzed with energy as more than 250 salon professionals, educators, brand leaders, and business owners gathered for one of the most impactful events in Australian hairdressing – the 2025 AHC Leadership Summit.

The event combined innovation, insight, and inspiration, creating space for big-picture discussions about the industry’s future and delivering practical ideas salon owners could implement immediately.

Kicking off at 2:00pm, guests enjoyed a delicious lunch and a warm welcome once again from MC Richard Kavanagh, who set the tone with his trademark energy and charisma. What followed was an afternoon of toptier speakers, breakthrough insights, and passionate professionals eager to connect and grow.

The State of the Industry report

First on stage was AHC CEO Fiona Beamish, who presented the latest State of the Industry Report, featuring key benchmarking stats, salon trends, and data from the AHC’s recent Apprenticeship Survey. Her insights gave salon owners valuable context and a solid reference for planning ahead.

Fiona also shared updates from Service & Creative Skills Australia (SaCSA), the new Jobs and Skills Council responsible for overhauling the Hairdressing and Barbering Training Package — the first major update in more than a decade. While SaCSA CEO Natalie Turmine had delivered the full presentation at the previous day’s Industry Day, she kindly provided her materials for Fiona to present on her behalf.

These long-overdue changes represent a vital shift toward modernising qualifications and better aligning training with real-world salon needs, prompting valuable reflection on workforce development.

Smart strategy and business tools

Sandee Harris from the Department of Education and Workplace Relations followed with a session packed with tools, resources, and employer incentives to help salons build sustainable teams. Her talk resonated strongly in a room where recruitment and staff retention are pressing priorities.

Then, respected economist Stephen Walters delivered a clear-eyed economic forecast of Australia’s small business landscape, offering practical advice for navigating rising costs, wage pressures, and shifting consumer behaviours.

Future-proofing through demographics and data

Keynote speaker Mark McCrindle, global social researcher and demographer, captivated the room with his trademark mix of data, humour, and foresight. He unpacked the big trends reshaping business – from generational change and tech to evolving consumer values – and offered practical advice on engaging younger generations in the workplace. His session left guests inspired and armed with strategies to lead across generations.

Power Panel delivers gold

The afternoon wrapped with a Power Panel featuring leading salon voices:

● Helen Owens – Tigerlamb, Brisbane

● Rocco Petrucci – Zucci Hairdressing, Melbourne

● Kristian Tognini – Tognini’s and liloffthetop

● Faith Williams – Blondee Salon, Gold Coast

● Bianca Panozzo – CEO, Salon Express & Barber Express, WA

The panellists offered honest insights into leadership, team culture, innovation, and client loyalty. Bianca’s pioneering professional product vending machine was a standout talking point. Their real stories captured the spirit of the day — inspiring, practical, and full of opportunity.

AHC Chair Luca De Lorenzo then closed the session with a heartfelt thank you to former AHC Chair Clint Piper and long-serving Board Member Anthony Gray, both retiring after more than a decade of service. The room erupted in applause as their immense contribution was acknowledged.

Schmoozefest

After a packed afternoon, guests headed downstairs for Schmoozefest – the AHC’s legendary networking party. With drinks flowing, gourmet canapés, and laughter filling the room, it was a vibrant end to a big day of learning and leadership. The energy reflected what the industry values most: connection, community, and shared celebration.