ARE EVENTS/EXPOS NEEDED?

BY Lance Liufau

History was made here in Australia on the 21st and the 22nd of April, Australia’s first expo that was solely based around barbers. The event was called the Expo4Barbers.

It was so amazing to see so many barbers come from all over Australia and New Zealand to take part and experience the expo. There were even educators from the other side of the world that were present and presenting on stage, to share their knowledge of the industry and cutting hair.

Now, why I bring this up is to ask you as a reader. Are these events needed or not? And if they are, why?

For all those that didn’t attend Australia’s first ever Barber Expo, let me tell you how the experience usually goes with these types of events.

When you get to the venue, first things first, register your ticket and get your passes so you can enter. But before you do that, you will usually see some of your peers that you either already know or you have seen or spoken to on social media. Once you’ve done that you make your way to the doors of the expo, and you get your clearance from the staff at the door with your wristband or lanyard.

As soon as you walk through those doors of the huge convention centre, you will be overwhelmed by the sheer size of the space and then by seeing all your favourite brand’s booths that are set up. As you begin to walk through you will feel like a kid in candy store and you will want to leave with all the tools that you have seen online.

You will then notice that some of the booths have educators on them, that are showcasing their skillsets and sharing some knowledge of which you can get at no charge. But if you have purchased a ticket that includes the education packages then you have the privilege of learning from one of the guest educators that have been flown in from anywhere in the world. This usually happens in a separate part of the convention centre. Let me tell you, it is worth every penny. So do not miss out on these.

Back in the main part of the expo there are so many things to see, including a main stage where you’ll see some of your favourite barbers up there representing a brand or an education company.

On this stage there will also be people speaking all things business so you can learn about the other side of what we do. Then as you make your way around the entirety of the expo you will see that not only barber related booths are there but also booths of companies that align with the barbering culture. At this particular expo there were tattooists and car detailing and so many others.

But for me the best part about these events is the networking, the people you will meet… because you never know who might be able to open a door that you didn’t know existed. Once you’ve experienced a whole day of this, you get to do it all over again the next day, which is even more fun filled action just like the first day.

So, when I’m asked, “are these events needed?”

I will say hell yes. Shit yes!

So, if you didn’t attend this year, you better get yourself ready for Expo4Barbers 2025 coz it is only going to get bigger and better. And I’ll see you there.

Signing out as usual, Never stop learning, Stay on your grind, and keep it TopShelf.

Lance Liufau @lance_topshelfbarber