PBA and NCA Approve Merger

It was big industry news this summer, and with the new year, it'll become reality. On November 30, the board of directors for the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) and the National Cosmetology Association (NCA) announced that PBA's members and NCA's delegates have agreed to the merger of the two organizations with NCA joining PBA as its fourth section of membership. The merger represents another progressive step toward industry unification and furthers the strategic plan to be universally recognized as the catalyst for driving consumer loyalty, member success and the advancement of the professional beauty industry.

The merger will be official on January 1, 2010. Until then, NCA will continue to be managed by PBA. In 2010, NCA will officially join PBA as the fourth membership section, joining the current membership sections for manufacturers, distributors and salon and spa owners.

"By forming this strategic alliance, all facets of the beauty industry will now be represented by a more unified and efficient trade association capable of maximizing member value and better able to serve the professional beauty industry as a whole," says Steve Sleeper, executive director of PBA. "On behalf of PBA, we welcome the addition of licensed professionals to our membership and feel in the long term, all membership sections will benefit."

Listen to the Podcast! Steve Sleeper, executive director of the Professional Beauty Association, shares details of the merger between the PBA and the National Cosmetology Association, including how the marriage of the two associations promises big benefits to members of both.

By merging, PBA and NCA will be able to serve their members and deliver upon their respective missions more effectively. By realizing multiple synergies, benefits such as more comprehensive research into the industry's best practices, a wider array of continuing education, advanced training, charitable outreach and networking across multiple channel are expected. Government relations and lobbying efforts benefiting the entire industry will also be combined and will remain a core focus. In addition, members of each association will share in the benefits of the others as appropriate, including free admission to major industry events, such as the International Salon & Spa Expo (ISSE) beginning in 2011 and the International Beauty Shows, as well as special pricing to events, such as Cosmoprof North America, PBA Symposium and the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA).

"We're excited about this opportunity for the entire professional salon industry to be represented by one unified association," says Mark Goodman, NCA president. "This merger will allow salon professionals to have access to more advanced education and an opportunity to build their career with integrity, as has long been the NCA mission.

For additional information on PBA and NCA, please visit probeauty.org and ncacares.org.