Redken's 2007 global symposium

As the team has held the fort back at HJ HQ, I have been on a whirlwind trip to the USA with Redken. And what better place than Las Vegas for it to host its bi-annual Global Symposium? Set within the Mandalay Bay hotel resort and casino, there were more than 10,000 hairdressers from around the globe – almost 100 of us flying the flag for British hairdressing. It really was the perfect platform for guests to enjoy the Redken artistic and business exchange from UK names that included our very own Chris Moody from Moody Hair, Lee Stafford from Lee Stafford salons and Amanda Dicker from The Chapel. We enjoyed three days of inspirational seminars in Las Vegas that looked at topics including how to grow your business, motivate and maximise your team’s potential, guard your brand and make more profit (with a little bit of partying thrown in there too) before a jolly little jaunt over to Los Angeles for the UK leg of the tour (and a bit of partying too), where we enjoyed motivational talks on the history of the Redken brand and a fabulous insight into customer care from Jack Mitchell - author of Hug Your Customer.Not only did I get a fantastic insight into the history and culture of the Redken brand, but I made some fabulous friends, too. I feel very lucky to be part of an industry that is so exciting and innovative and that constantly pushes the boundaries of creativity. Were you on the trip? What did you think? Let me know – it will be good to keep in touch now we’re home from Hollywood! Em xx