GRC Beach Bash featuring the Texas Hold'em Tournament

6:00 pm – 6:30 pm will be an intro to Texas Hold'em for novice players, tournament begins at 6:30 pm sharp. Dinner served at approximately 8:00 pm

Opening & Operating a Successful School

This session is a general overview of the best business practices of a successful school. It is designed for new school owners and those who wish to take a fresh look at operating a school. We'll cover admissions, education, administration and guest services. Speaker: John Halal, Honors Beauty College - Panelists: Letha Barnes, Milady and Penny Burns, New Wave Hair Academy

Innovations in Education – How to Keep Your Students Coming Back – Updates on Advanced Education

The Professional Beauty Industry has evolved and as Beauty Schools we must evolve as well. Your school has a wonderful opportunity to enhance your curriculum and course offerings to ensure your students' success. This session will focus on adding additional revenue to your business through offering elective education to your current students, and ideas on how to set up a successful advanced academy for your alumni. The session is designed to provide you with an overview of a wide range of courses that schools are offering today along with connections to the school managers and owners who are successfully implementing these programs. Moderator: Lynelle Lynch, The Academy of Beauty and Spa – Panelists: Christine Gordon, Graham Webb Int'l Academy of Hair; Sara Pirok, Pivot Point and KC Miller, Southwest Institute of Natural Aesthetics

Role Playing with the Admissions Doctor

Bring your admissions challenges. In this session you will role play with the Admissions Doctor using phone and interview scripts. Bring with you actual scenarios from your day to day interactions and you will have the opportunity to role play and learn. This is an audience participation workshop. Speaker Milton Pierce – Panelists: Sue Derosier, Rob Roy Academy and Patrick O'Hara - COBA.

Washington Update: Activities on Capitol Hill that Impact Your Day to Day Operations

The Government Relations Committee has invited top level staff from the House and Senate Education Committees to be part of a panel discussion covering the changes enacted in budget reconciliation legislation, the Senate's Higher Education Amendments of 2007 (S. 1642) and the new HEA Reauthorization. Speaker: Tom Netting, Jefferson Government Relations – Panelists: Christine Gordon, Graham Webb Int'l Academy of Hair; Anthony Fragomeni, Northern Westchester School Of Hairdressing and Washington DC staffers

Lunch with presentation by Angie Shuler hosted by Regis

Are you professionally OCD challenged? Do you have problems with Organization, Communication and Delegation? Do you still have very important things left on your "To Do" list day after day? Do monkeys and pirates use your time, preventing you from accomplishing your daily goals? Learn effective quick tips that can change your daily routine and make your communication more effective and less stressful. Prioritize your tasks and accomplish them every day!

Location, Location, Location: Building or Remodeling Your School

If you're building a new school or remodeling an existing one, this class is for you. We'll cover site location, space allocation, mechanicals and the benefits of leasing and owning. You will see real examples of three different schools. Speaker: John Halal, Honors Beauty College - Panelists: Don Yearwood, Carousel Beauty College and Jill Kohler, Kohler Academy

Finding New Income in Your Student Salon

In this workshop David and his school panel will be exploring the potential of increasing salon appointments by utilizing a student salon manager to enhance hands-on education while increasing your student salon income. This workshop will also include information provided by a Kansas State University MBA team that conducted extensive marketing research into increasing a school's income potential related to salon services. The school panel will share ideas that include how to develop and execute a marketing plan to meet your salon income goals. The workshop will provide open discussion and sharing of success stories. Speaker: David Yocum, American Academy of Cosmetology. Panelists: Jennifer Martin, Kohler Academy; Kristie Davis, Phagans' Cosmetology Colleges; and Marvin Rushing, VICI the Aveda Institute

Internet Marketing Update - Trends for 2009

The internet has become the primary source for cosmetology school leads and enrollments. Attend this class if you would like to learn more about how online marketing should work – including new trends for 2009. We will review the essentials for marketing your own website, search engine optimization (SEO) and pay per click advertising (PPC). And, we will discuss how to combine your own online advertising with cost per lead marketing to get the most out of the web – including protection of your school name and brand. We will also cover the current trends online, including blogs, flash video, podcasts, and myspace. Speakers: Webster Jorgensen, PlattForm Advertising & Mike McHugh, PlattForm Advertising

To be – or Not to be...Accredited

This workshop explores accrediting agency options when seeking an accrediting agency that is the best fit for your school. The workshop goes beyond the normal application process. Three accrediting agency leaders will share tips on how to best prepare for accreditation and expectations of the accreditation onsite team members and commissioners. Topics will also include the benefits of accreditation to the school, students, graduates, local communities, and employers. Also, a nationally known accreditation specialist will share basics of becoming accredited and how to avoid pitfalls. This workshop is designed for non-accredited schools making the decision to become a nationally accredited institution. Moderator: Joanne Rose-Johnson, Educational Advisors Inc. - Presenters: Dr. Paul Bott, Chairman, Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT); Phillip Stewart, Chairman, National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS) and Gary Puckett, Executive Director/President, Council on Occupational Education (COE)

General Operations, Accreditation & Funding

This class provides an overview of licensing, accreditation, Title IV funding and alternative funding. Speaker: John Halal, Honors Beauty College - Panelist: Letha Barnes, Milady

EVENTing Your Business

Need to "event" or "re-event" your business? Competition is fierce. Learn how successful school owners across the country use "events" as a source for business growth. Grand Openings, Anniversaries, Charity Events, Competitions and more – all generate $$$$$ and draw awareness to you. What have you all been waiting for? Learn how one event can bring in 300K. Speaker: Jim Yates, Nuts and Bolts - Panelists: Brenda Scharman, Cameo College of Essential Beauty; Larissa Zubac, JD, Douglas J Aveda Institutes; Dana Morton, EvelineCharles Academy; Kim McIver, EvelineCharles Academy and Karen Dieckman, Phagans' Newport Academy of Cosmetology

Salon / Spa Panel – Building Your Relationships with Salons and Spas for Increased Enrollment

Outcomes, outcomes, outcomes... With all of the regulatory oversight we get bombarded with everyday it's easy to forget why we're in business in the first place. Getting your students placed is the easy part... Getting them placed in the right salon takes a lot more effort. Maximizing Salon Relationships is an obligation we all have. Take the time to do it right and the rewards will follow. We've all heard the cliché referrals are our best source of enrollment... Well, it's true!!! Explore ways of doing this with some of the best and brightest in our field.... You, your students and the salons in your area will be thankful you did. Moderator: Mez Varol, International Academy – Panelists: NeCole Cumberlander, Ohio Academy; RoseAnn Perea, Regis Corp.; Kim Schottler, Great Clips; and Manuel Benevich, Gary Manuel Aveda Institute

Entrepreneurship by George Schaeffer of OPI

George Schaeffer built OPI Products Inc., through an acute business sense and an extraordinary commitment to the Professional Beauty Industry and its needs. He has also built the American Dream. OPI began its journey in 1981 in a tiny two-room office. Today, OPI products are enjoyed in over 100 countries, and its corporate headquarters encompass 17 buildings on over seven acres of land in Hollywood, California. In addition to providing beautiful nails for millions of consumers, OPI offers a tremendous business opportunity for salon professionals and distributors. George Schaeffer, OPI President and CEO, will present his remarkable and inspiring story as an immigrant who built the American dream, and a successful professional nail care company. He will also touch on the importance of the beauty profession in uncertain economic times, how schools can increase revenue through nail technology education, and the expectations of today's salon consumers. He will conclude the session with an open question and answer forum.

ListServe LIVE

What is listserve live? Whether you are an "old timer" or "just entering" the school industry the AACS listserve is an immediate source of information for all AACS members. Learn what other schools policies are on dress code, tips or no tips allowed, my day as a student in this school verses that school – hear from school owners that own multiple campuses, others that have no desire to own more than one, accredited and non-accredited, Title IV Funding and non-Title IV, and many more topics, here is where we "agree to disagree". See how the listserve can help you on a daily basis. Facilitator: Brenda Scharman, Cameo College of Essential Beauty - Panelists: Adam Brown, Tennessee School of Beauty ; Charles Riser, The Temple: A Paul Mitchell Partner School; Anthony Civitano, Long Island Beauty Schools and Tony Fragomeni, Northern Westchester School Of Hairdressing

Global Opportunities in a Shrinking Economy: It's a Small World After All...

Walt Disney has been singing this tune for decades... Unfortunately it's taken some of us awhile to catch on. Usually signs of a recession mean good things for school owners. For reasons unbeknownst to some of us, things aren't shaping up quite that way this time. So, what can you do to set yourself apart from all that competition??? Think Globally!!! The value of the US dollar fluctuates constantly based on events taking place in the world economy. If you have the desire to move beyond your own backyard you can use this to your advantage. Many of us like to travel and so it shouldn't come as any surprise that so, too, do your students. Most of us know someone that has gone away to college. So, why should it be any different when it comes to our own schools??? Learn how to develop a study abroad program and open your eyes to a world of new opportunities. Take advantage of the weak US dollar in Europe and enroll students from abroad. Find out from the experts what it takes to get INS approval. Give your students more than just a state license. Give them the recognition they deserve and offer them certification that's recognized in many countries around the world. ITEC and CIDESCO are just a few we'll be talking about. The panelists in this session have a broad range of experiences that will address the aforementioned topics and more. Come prepared with your questions and walk away with a bigger and brighter perspective of this ever smaller world we live in. Moderator Robert Passage - Panelists: Cindi Becher, LaJames International; Mez Varol, International Academy; Judy Rambert, Pivot Point International and Diana Schmidtke, author and celebrity stylist

How to Increase Admission Rates by 20% without Spending a Dime

In this session, Shane Sparks and Gregg Meiklejohn, co-founders of Enrollment Resources, will share strategies on how to increase enrollment without spending on expensive advertising or more staff. They will show how many schools are 'leaking money' due to poor handling of leads, misspent media money and poor admissions systems. They will share industry best practices so participants can compare their schools to industry top performers. Speakers: Gregg Meiklejohn & Shane Sparks, Enrollment Resources

Regulations, Reauthorization and Beyond

Sally Samuels will discuss the details of the recent and pending changes. The panel will discuss the impact on your schools, 90/10, loan access, cohort default rates and how to handle the new requirements from an institutional perspective. The panel consists of three highly professional individuals, that while taking care of their prospective school obligations, have at the same time been actively involved with last minute trips to Washington, late night and weekend GRC phone calls, providing timely language for Congress and in some cases involved in negotiating rulemaking. Speaker: Sally Samuels, FAME – Panelists: Christine Gordon, Graham Webb International Academy of Hair; Tony Fragomeni, Northern Westchester School of Hairdressing and Ray Testa, Empire Education Group

Lunch with presentation by C. Jeanine Fulton hosted by Supercuts

Branding: Preparing for the Future - "A brand is more than a logo, title, look or slogan. A brand is everything that makes a company great, unique, fresh, credible and likeable." Prep your future branding efforts and discover the power of your organization's most hidden asset.

Creating Your School Culture

Defined as a shared, learned, symbolic system of values, beliefs and attitudes that shape and influence perception and behavior, Culture comes in many shapes, sizes and attitudes. Join four top school owners from Seattle, Cleveland, Wichita and Scottsdale as they comment, challenge and discuss the concept of owners and key staff ‘owning' their own educational culture and how to shift, reinvent or build a new one in your school. Moderator: Jill Kohler, Kohler Academy – Panelists: Manuel Benevich, Gary Manuel Aveda Institute; Tammy Marinis, Ohio Academy of Beauty and Laurie Ford, Eric Fisher Academy

Innovations in Extracurricular Activities & Community Events to Engage your Students

Volunteerism and supporting one's community are important to the success and growth of individuals as well as their school or business. AACS has adopted the CUT IT OUT! charity to engage all schools in the fight against domestic abuse. This session will outline successful activities and heartfelt stories that will inspire you to engage your team and your school in the program. There are 3 levels of participation that require only your time to participate in. In addition, the session will highlight other extraordinary charitable activities that schools participate in from the Pivot Point Cares for Kids™ charity to The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). Since 1997, Pivot Point, its affiliated schools and AACS schools across the nation have raised close to $800,000 for this worthwhile organization through a variety of fundraising activities. We will also discuss the relationship AACS has developed with the Girl Scouts and how your school can get involved in creative special events and promotions for Girl Scout troops in your area. Moderator: Lynelle Lynch, The Academy of Beauty and Spa – Panelists: Corrine Passage, Pivot Point International; Dianne Mooney, CUT IT OUT! and Melissa Hickman, Hickman & Associates

Internet Lead Conversion (Not Tracking)

This session has put together five of your peers with the most outstanding conversion rates of internet leads. Each person will share with you their formula for converting internet leads for outstanding enrollment success. Following the presentations the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions of the presenters to ensure the maximum flow of information. Moderator: Debbie Dunn, Lancaster School of Cosmetology - Panelists: Anthony Civitano, Long Island Beauty Schools; Kenna Martin - Wareham, Cameo College of Essential Beauty; LaCinda Headings, Xenon International Academy; and Robert Rosenberg, Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy

Change Management: Stay Ahead of the Curve

In an ever evolving world, it is essential that school owners and administrators have the skills to effectively lead change to ensure success. Learn how to be proactive rather than reactive. Manage change through people and process, leadership development, and staff retention designs. Develop the flexibility and tangible vision in your organization necessary to achieve your business goals on or ahead of plan. Facilitator: Sherry Rappaport, Milady – Panelists: John Halal, Honors Beauty College; Jeff Downward, Echelon Edge Academy of Hair, Skin & Nails and Joe Nash, Vogue School of Beauty Culture

Creating Systems/Coaching for Improved Performance and Accountability

Are you looking for ways to improve your business? Are you looking for ways to make sure your business stays successful in this industry? Are you looking for ways to make your job easier? Are you looking for ways to work on your business and not in your business? SYSTEMS! SYSTEMS! SYSTEMS! Having systems in place will allow you to work "IN" your business instead of "ON" your business, which will in turn make your job easier, which will help you improve your business, which will ensure you stay successful in this industry for years to come. Come and see what our panel has to say about Systems that will help you get started in this difficult task. Moderator: Gina Kinion, Elaine Steven Beauty College - Panelists: Gary Yasuda, Milan Institute; Brenda Scharman, Cameo College of Essential Beauty; Debbie Dunn, Lancaster School of Cosmetology; and Robert Hall, Nuts and Bolts Training

Innovations: School Technology: Integrated, Connected, Online

Today, cosmetology education requires not only up-to-date curriculum, dynamic instruction and supportive administration, but also technology to collect, analyze and act upon the information produced at every department and throughout the lifetime education of your students. Join us for this session to learn what cutting edge tools are available, what other schools are doing to leverage their information, and what technology can mean to your school, your students, and your bottom line. Moderator: Ted Therriault, Guest Vision - Panelists: Julia Brown, FAME; Amber Donado, Cameo College of Essential Beauty; Lisha Barnes, Milady and Stewart Arnheim, Brio Academy of Cosmetology

The Needs and Wants of the Millennial Generation

There are very distinct differences between Generation X and the Millenial’s. Generation X is one of the smallest generations in our nation’s history, while the Millennial Generation is the largest in history. They study differently, they shop differently, and their value systems are different. This presentation will discuss the differences between the two groups and how these differences impact starts, retention, and graduation. Speakers: Gregory Jones, Sunstate Academy and JP Smith, Celsius Marketing and BRS Consulting

Understanding & Improving Your Financials

Financial responsibility is a critical factor in maintaining a financial profile that demonstrates profitability and meets the required elements of the US Department of Education's requirements. This session will address the existing and emerging issues surrounding financial responsibility, including the treatment of debt, irrevocable letters of credit, the consequences and limitations of the "zone alternative" and the impact of financial responsibility compliance for institutions undergoing changes of ownership. It will also discuss recent actions by the DOE regarding various compliance issues and how pending amendments to the Higher Education Act might affect regulatory actions in the future. Moderator: Sally Samuels, FAME - Speakers: Rick Thomas, Salmon Sims Thomas; Joe Knutte, Knutte & Associates PC; Barry Glasser, Barry Glasser & Company and Jared Sanders, Pace & Company

Lunch with presenter Calvin Stovall hosted by Great Clips

Calvin Stovall is President and CEO, dynamic speaker, leadership coach and trainer for The Professional Advantage, Inc. Mr. Stovall understands the importance of consistently delivering exceptional customer service and how it can drive an organization’s performance and positively impact the bottom line. With the increasingly changing consumer demands and expectations in today’s marketplace, it’s critical that all employees within an organization embrace a customer-centric approach to the way they interact with their key customers and clients, internally as well as externally. He truly understands the importance of building lasting relationships, and having real passion when working in the "people" business. Calvin’s objective is to make sure everyone leaves his presentations understanding that fanatically relentless customer service starts with "YOU!"

AACS Code of Conduct in Recruiting

Learn from the experts how to recruit the best talent for Instructors, Admissions and Financial Aid. Hear innovative ways to identify, interview and target the right individual that will support your culture and meet your schools goals. In addition, the AACS Board has developed a Code of Conduct for best practices in recruiting. Learn ways to grow your team from within and market the professional career in education to your students that can become your future team. Panelists: Albert Hasse, Empire Education Group; Milton Pierce, The Admission Doctor; and Sally Samuels, FAME

Trends in the Beauty Industry from the Perspective of Industry Leaders

Join leaders in the professional beauty as they discuss the direction and outlook of the industry from the insight of the manufacturers, distributors, salon owners and regulators. They will share their perspective on what opportunities are available to new graduates, as well as what skills the industry is looking for from new graduates. Moderator: Jim Cox, AACS – Panelists: Kirby Morris, NIC; Bruce Selan, PBA; Gordon Logan, International Salon & Spa Beauty Network; NeCole Cumberlander, PBA and Mark Goodman, NCA

Teamwork - It takes an Entire Team to Enroll and Retain

Come and see our panel of 6 experienced school employees that have been successful in working in schools that know what it takes to work together as a team. Our 6 panelists will explain how important it is for EVERYONE to work together for the good of the school from the beginning to the end. We will answer any questions about enrolling and keeping future graduates and how impossible this would be without everyone working together every single day while the students are in school, as well as working together with the students after graduation. Moderator: Nickie Jones, Patsy & Rob's Academy of Beauty - Panelists: Michelle Adolph, American Academy of Cosmetology; Justin Olson, Cameo College of Essential Beauty; Amber Donado, Cameo College of Essential Beauty and Kara Lashmet, Pivot Point International Academy

Lessons from the Legal and Regulatory Trenches

Another year has proven, yet again, that even paranoids have enemies. Join AACS General Counsel Keith Zakarin and Ed Cramp, who bring you bleeding edge current and laughing through the tears on all the legal and regulatory challenges that have broken over the last year. Keep your mousetrap smarter than the mice with timely and critical topics, including: instructor and administrative overtime changes at the federal and state levels, avoiding an unexpected financial haircut in purchase and sale of schools, new federal audit standards that turn routine journal adjustments into destructive findings, arbitration provisions judicially validated, and new state 'consumer protection' laws run amok. Speakers: Keith Zakarin & Ed Cramp, Duane Morris, LLP

Family Business Succession: Building a Process to Avoid a Crisis

Family businesses abound in our industry and we are thrilled to bring you this very special in-depth workshop faciliated by Dr. Steve McClure, principal of the Family Business Consulting Group in Altanta, GA. Founders, spouses, next generation members and key non-family executives will all leave with a clearer understanding of the special competitive advantages family businesses have and ways to leverage those special attributes to create a family firm that is sustainable for multiple generations to come. Some of the questions this interactive and lively session will target include How to prepare the next generation for ownership and management of the company; What are meaningful roles for the senior generation if not CEO; Why the sibling stage of ownership is one of the most difficult and what are the steps to prevent normal and predictable derailers; How should spouses / in-laws be engaged in the family’s enterprise; Does sharing ownership with family not working in the business really make good business sense; and What are the pros and cons to having a tax driven estate plan. Speaker: Dr. Steve McClure, Family Business Consulting Group

Roundtable Workshop: Putting the Best Ideas to Work!

You’ve just spent three jam-packed days in educational classes to improve the overall operation of your schools. What is the next step? You have two options. You can go back to your schools and fall into the same old way of operating them or you can attend this session and be part of a proactive brainstorming session designed to assist you in putting all your great new knowledge into action. Come and network with fellow school owners and administrators to develop a step-by-step action plan that will launch your school(s) into a new level or performance. Facilitator: Letha Barnes, Milady Career Institute