Bright Lights. Brighter Futures.
2026 AACS Annual Conference Recap | Las Vegas, October 22-24
What an incredible few days in Las Vegas! The 2026 AACS Annual Conference brought together nearly 400 beauty, barber, and wellness education leaders and industry professionals from across the country for three days of learning, collaboration, celebration, and connection.
From thought-provoking sessions and important industry updates to meaningful conversations and unforgettable celebrations, this year's conference reminded us what makes the AACS community so special.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this year's event a success! Here's a look back at some of the highlights. |
|
A Note From the AACS Executive Director
I want to start by thanking everyone who attended our Annual Conference. Your engagement, passion, and energy are what make the conference truly special, and I consider myself fortunate to have experienced it firsthand in Las Vegas.
As we navigate through uncertain and unprecedented waters, your positivity and drive to shape a better future for our schools and the students they serve is inspiring and motivates me and the team at AACS to work hard on your behalf every day.
My hope is that you not only engaged in learning throughout the conference – both from our speakers and your peers – but that you also had fun. Yes, fun! I feel Annual Conference should always be a time for us to celebrate our hard work for our schools and students, and to enjoy the company of our peers. My informal observation, especially as folks left our mini golf event at Swingers, is that fun was had.
Thanks again for your participation at Annual Conference, and for all you do throughout the year for AACS and the broader beauty, barber, and wellness community. And don’t forget to save the dates of October 13-16, 2027, for next year’s Annual Conference at the Omni Ft. Lauderdale!
Sincerely, John D. Russell, JD Executive Director, AACS |
|
✨ Conference Highlights: Learning, Leading & Looking Ahead
This year's conference was packed with opportunities to gain fresh perspectives, tackle shared challenges, and prepare for what's next in career education.
Attendees explored timely topics across five education tracks, heard important legislative and regulatory updates, and gained practical strategies to take back to their schools.
A few memorable highlights included: - Forward with Purpose: Keynote speaker Carol Woodard inspired attendees to reconnect with their purpose, energize their teams, and lead with intention.
- Advocacy & Industry Updates: Leaders gained valuable insights into the legislative and regulatory developments impacting beauty, barber, and wellness education.
- New State Legislative Intelligence Portal: Attendees received a special preview of the newest AACS resource for tracking state legislation and staying informed.
- Connections & Collaboration: From networking opportunities to engaging breakout sessions, attendees exchanged ideas and strengthened relationships.
- Teeing Up Brighter Futures: Our signature evening event at Swingers Las Vegas brought everyone together for a memorable night of friendly competition, laughter, and fun!
|
|
👏 Welcoming Our Newly Installed AACS Board Members
AACS celebrated an exciting new chapter in leadership during the Annual Business Meeting at the 2026 Annual Conference, officially installing our newly elected Board of Directors members!
Please join us in congratulating Patrick Bene (Bene's Career Academy), Alcott Czubek (Pivot Point), Gregory de Haydu (Christine Valmy), and Stacey Peters (Crave Beauty Academy).
We also proudly welcomed Stacy Wells (L'esprit Academy) as our new Board Chair and extend our heartfelt appreciation to outgoing Chair Garrett Shuler (Kenneth Shuler Schools of Cosmetology) for his dedicated leadership and service to AACS.
We're grateful to these industry leaders for their commitment to advancing beauty, barber, and wellness education, and we look forward to the vision and leadership they'll bring to AACS in the years ahead! |
|
🏆 Celebrating Excellence: 2026 Golden School Awards Winners
We are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2026 Golden School Awards!
- Advocacy: Paul Mitchell The School Esani
- Marketing Innovation: Aveda Fredric's Institute Cincinnati
- Placement: Alexander Paul Institute of Hair Design
- Facilities: Phagans School of Hair Design
- School Culture: Penrose Academy
- Student Salon & Spa: Douglas J Institute
- Legacy Alumni: Paul Mitchell The School Esani
- Community Involvement: Paul Mitchell The School Pasadena
- Small School of the Year: The Art of Beauty Academy
- School of the Year: Nurtur Aveda Institute Chapel Hill
Congratulations to all our winners and finalists! Your dedication to your students, teams, and communities is what makes our industry extraordinary. |
|
🌟 Honoring the 2026 N.F. Cimaglia Award Recipient
Join us in congratulatating Penny Burns as the recipient of the 2026 N.F. Cimaglia Award, one of the most prestigious honors in beauty education.
Presented by AACS and Milady, the annual N.F. Cimaglia award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary, sustained contributions to the advancement of beauty, barber, and wellness education at a national level. |
|
⭐ Celebrating Outstanding Leadership & Service!
AACS is proud to recognize three individuals whose dedication, leadership, and service make a meaningful difference for AACS and our industry!
Congratulations to our 2026 AACS Volunteers of the Year, Brenda Scharman of Cameo College of Essential Beauty and Frank Trieu of Evergreen Beauty College! Their generous contributions of time, expertise, and passion help strengthen our industry and the schools AACS serves.
We also celebrated Alcott Czubek of Pivot Point as our 2026 AACS Director of the Year, recognizing his outstanding commitment, leadership, and service on the AACS Board of Directors and the AACS membership.
Please join us in congratulating these deserving honorees and thanking them for all they do to advance beauty, barber, and wellness education! |
|
❤️ Thank You to Our Sponsors & Exhibitors!
An event like Annual Conference wouldn't be possible without the generous support of our incredible sponsors, exhibitors, and industry partners!
Your commitment to AACS and the schools we serve helps make valuable education, networking, and professional development opportunities possible.
Thank you for investing in our industry and helping us build brighter futures together! |
|
🌴 Save the Date! AACS Annual Conference 2027 Heads to Fort Lauderdale
October 13–16, 2027 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida
We're trading the bright lights of Las Vegas for the sunshine of South Florida! ☀️ Mark your calendars for the 2027 AACS Annual Conference, taking place October 13-16 at the brand-new Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel!
Save the date for another unforgettable event filled with fresh ideas, valuable industry insights, meaningful connections, and opportunities to move your school and our industry forward. |
|
|
