Highlights: The Official Newsletter of AACS

June 26, 2026

Don't Miss CEA 2026 in Anaheim!

The 2026 CEA Conference is almost here! Join beauty, barber, and wellness educators July 18-20 in Anaheim, CA:

• Earn up to 20 CEUs
• New strategies to engage students and elevate your classroom
• Keynote speaker Winn Claybaugh
• 15 breakout sessions from education experts
• Methodology courses from L’Oréal, Milady, and Pivot Point
• Two national awards ceremonies
• Disney-inspired evening event
• Robust exhibit hall, product preview theater, demos, and more!

Spark Brand Recognition at CEA 2026

Get the spotlight your company deserves with a sponsorship at CEA! With options starting at just $250, there is an investment to meet your budget.

Be the brand CEA attendees see at the opening reception, the evening event (including a VIP branded firepit lounge!), on their coffee cups, water bottles, or luncheon napkins. Claim your sponsorship now to fuel your visibility with hundreds of industry educators.

AACS Holds New Advanced Education Workshop

Earlier this month, AACS joined NACCAS in Tysons Corner, VA to meet new school owners, and host our Quarterly Partner Event featuring AACS Premier Partners! In addition, we launched the new Advanced Education Workshop, where educators from the area came to learn from our partners and earn 6 CEUs. Attendees got the chance to explore the exhibit hall, and network while getting valuable professional development. Stay tuned for details on the next workshop, to be held in Las Vegas in September!

PMTS Arlington & Dallas Earn National Recognition

Paul Mitchell The School Arlington and Paul Mitchell The School Dallas continue to earn recognition for excellence in beauty and barber education. Arlington was recently named Best Barber School in Texas by Clutch at the Barbers Choice Awards and voted Best Beauty School in Arlington for 2026, while Dallas achieved national recognition as the #3 Cosmetology School in the United States. These honors reflect the dedication of their educators, leaders, and support teams who are committed to preparing future professionals for successful careers through exceptional education, mentorship, and industry-leading training.

Join Us in Welcoming Our Newest Members!

Amina's Beauty College

CERT Institute of Cosmetology

Pantheon Student Solutions (Partner Member)

The Salon Professional Academy - Fort Wayne

Creative Hair School of Cosmetology

Stars Campus Solutions (Partner Member)

Collins Manufacturing (Partner Member)

Southeastern Health and Wellness Institute

Blessed Hands Barber Academy

WorldClass Academy of Beauty

PMD Beauty (Partner Member)

The Salon Professional Academy - Harrisonburg

Agape Institute of Esthiology

DiGrigoli School of Cosmetology & Esthetics

Bioelements (Partner Member)

Cloyds Beauty School

Summit Barber Academy

Miss a Webinar?

Remember you can access the recordings of all past webinars in the Info Hub! Simply login to the Info Hub, click "Resources" on the lefthand menu, and search for the webinar recording.

The Value of Student Kits at the Point of Admissions

Presented by Bio-Therapeutic

Wednesday, July 1 at 1:00 pm ET

The time when a student comes to tour a school or attend an open house is one filled with possibility and excitement. Make the most out of your student kit by learning how to harness its power to bring focus and value to your student program right at the point of admissions.

Smarter, Personalized

Exam Prep 
Presented by Pivot Point International

Wednesday, July 8 at 1:00 pm ET

Learn how adaptive technology can personalize state board preparation for exam readiness. This session explores how personalized practice and actionable insights support targeted instruction, improve student engagement, and help schools drive stronger, more consistent outcomes while making better use of instructional time.