6 minute read
BarberConnect UK 2022
Where: BarberConnect. A trade event held annually over two days at the International Trade Centre in Telford UK. Telford is about 50 kilometres from Birmingham. The tickets and seminars for attendees are free.
Who: The Australian ANDIS Global Education Team.
Anthony Staltari / Shella Thornton / Jordan Tabakman / Tori Gill
Barbershop gets 10 min with Andis Global Educator and AHIA Men’s Hair Specialist 2021 ANTHONY STALTARI and ANDIS Global Educator SHELLA THORNTON.
HOW EXCITING WAS IT TO BE BACK IN THE SADDLE ON STAGE EDUCATING AFTER 2 YEARS?
Anthony: It had been so long since I had travelled or done any education or stage work, so when I got this opportunity, I jumped at the chance. My luggage didn’t arrive with my tools, but thanks to others giving me their tools it worked out. I was a bit nervous at first, but once the day arrived, I got up there alongside the Aussie Team and everything went well. It was just an amazing experience, and I was so fortunate to meet so many other Barbers that share the same passion for the industry. Shella: I was so excited when I got the email from Andis to come to Telford and attend BarberConnect. It was my first event in the UK but my second trip to there. I love educating and to be back onstage with the Andis family was an experience that I will never forget. It was great to see an event that just showcased the Barbering Industry as we don’t have one here in Australia as yet. I think everyone had the same excitement as it was in the air.
THIS IS NOT YOUR FIRST TIME OVERSEAS AS INTERNATIONAL EDUCATORS?
Anthony: I’ve had the opportunity to travel overseas before. In June 2019, Andis sent me to China, I did two days education and then some stage work at the Asian Hair Festival. I also was lucky enough to travel to New Zealand to do some education in Auckland, Wellington & Christchurch. Shella: This is my second time educating overseas. My first event was in Taichung (Taiwan) in 2019. The Barbering world there was just starting to become big so showcasing the techniques and tools that are required in the industry were very welcoming. That was only a small event, but the audience was big and willing to learn. I did a small class one day and did hands on with them and were all willing to learn new skills. I will definitely go back to Taichung. BarberConnect was an amazing event and I have never seen anything like it before, we have Hair events in Australia but the barbering I find is only a small portion of that event. Showcasing just our trade and focusing on educating the next generation is definitely needed here in Australia.
WHAT WAS YOUR SCHEDULE LIKE? PLEASE RUN US THROUGH THAT….
Anthony: Global educators from the UK, USA and Australia arrived on Saturday, we all met up and went over to check out the Trade Centre. Saturday night we all went to dinner and got to mingle with each other. BarberConnect was on Sunday and Monday and our Aussie team was on the main stage on Sunday to demonstrate Australian trends, with each educator doing their own thing. On Monday we got to check out the Andis booth and other exhibitors at the Expo and just hung out with all the other Barbers.
WHAT WERE THE CROWDS LIKE AND HOW BIG WAS IT, LIKE COMPARE TO HAIR EXPO/HAIR FESTIVAL OR SOMETHING SO WE CAN GET A GAUGE?
Anthony: BarberConnect is the largest Barber Convention in Europe. Comparing it to Hair Expo, this Expo being only specifically for Barbers there weren’t as many exhibition booths. The size of the exhibition was similar to the old Hair Expo here in Australia, but I would say there was a larger attendance than that for sure...
ANTHONY, YOU’VE BEEN TO BIG TRADE A SHOW IN THE USA HOW DID THAT STACK UP TO THAT?
Anthony: BarberConnect was a great European experience and I feel privileged to have been asked to participate. We were scheduled to go in 2020, but it was cancelled due to Covid. Angie Perino, the Andis Global Education Manager made it happen this year, bringing us all together for the first time. I was also lucky enough to attend the CT Barber Expo in Connecticut, which was at another level again, that Expo was massive with many booths, competitions, and huge crowds. CT Barber Expo was the biggest Expo I have been a part of, and the crowd really got into it, in my opinion it doesn’t get any bigger than the USA.
THE BIG HIGHLIGHTS FOR YOU GUYS? THE BIG TAKE AWAYS….
Anthony: Andis has recently rebranded and had the main stage for the event. I would say the biggest highlights for me was meeting Angie Perinoand the other Global Educators, sharing some of their journeys and also working alongside Jordan Tabakman, Tori Gill and of course Shella Thornton. So many legends of the industry under one roof… I got to watch them do their thing and speak to them about education and hear their stories. For some of the Barbers Education is their career, others are Barbers to celebrities. I met Kenny Duncan who cut Kevin Hart’s hair and several NBA players. Amazing working with Danny Amorim with his great presenting skills on stage. Catching up with Kevin Luchmun who I worked with on my photo shoot for AHIA. That’s just a few of them, it was an absolute honour to meet them all and be part of BarberConnect, UK. THANK YOU ANDIS!!
Shella: It was great to see the whole Andis Team onstage and working together to showcase the tools we use on the floor on our models, it was also great to see everyone face to face and talk to everyone in person not just on socials. Not only was I there showcasing my skills, but I love watching other Barbers and am too learning new skills and techniques, we never stop learning even after 29years in the industry. Team America really know how to take on the stage. Andis are really supportive with their educators and the communication between us all is amazing. You do feel like part of the family. Thank you ANDIS!!
