MENU
SEARCHThe 2024 The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) announces its Beacon Class recognizing top emerging talent in the beauty industry.
Professional Beauty Association
The Professional Beauty Association (PBA), whose mission is to advocate and fight for the rights and professionalism of the beauty industry, announced its newest class of students representing the top emerging talent in the industry — the Beacon Class of 2024. These talented students have been hand-selected to get a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn from top industry experts, salon owners, and influencers.
Designed to inspire and prepare students for successful careers, the Beacon program provides young professionals with the unique opportunity to connect with mentors and obtain guidance from top talent to help shape their careers. By gaining insights from esteemed industry experts and developing lifelong connections, the Beacon Class of 2024 will obtain invaluable skills that will help shape the future of the beauty.
This class will meet and learn from industry experts such as Geno Stampora, Sam Villa, Fallyn Mireault, Cole Thompson, Shaun Brezanin, and Elizabeth Faye.
“Having spent over two decades with Beacon, I've had the privilege of witnessing our students blossom into the industry's brightest artists. Their continued success is a testament to Beacon's commitment to nurturing exceptional talent. I am honored to still be in touch with many of them over the years.”
— Geno Stampora, Beacon Host and Facilitator
Beacon 2024 will take place alongside Premiere Orlando June 1-3. Additionally, the 2024 class will be able to watch top artists in the industry receive their awards at the 35th annual North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) and will receive over $1,000 in free product from swag bags provided by Beacon and NAHA sponsors.
To apply for Beacon, students go through a rigorous application process including submitting a Canvas Me resume, a video introduction, Instagram portfolio, and letter of recommendation. Applications are considered by a panel of industry judges, including salon and spa owners, manufacturers, and distributors.
“There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about Beacon and how thankful I am that I got selected for the amazing, life-changing opportunity,” stated Jake Strum, Beacon Class of 2023. “Thank you again, SO much for everything!!!!”
PBA thanks the Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation who, for years, has offered travel grants of up to $250 per person for the first 100 people who applied. This travel grant was intended to help students cover travel expenses to Beacon so all students could advance their careers without feeling financially overwhelmed. Additionally, PBA thanks the Beacon Class of 2024 announcement sponsor, JCPenney Beauty + Salon.
Previous Beacon alumni who now lead the industry include Jalia Pettis, Elizabeth Faye, Fallyn Mireault, and Gina Bianca.
Originally posted on Modern Salon
This shared recognition celebrates the strength of industry collaboration in advancing professional mobility.
In Dubai, a salon visit isn’t an appointment. It’s a weekly routine, and clients can spend $800 to $1,400 a month on it, according to Gaurav Tripathi of MADI International. On October 6-8, 2026, the market behind those numbers opens its doors as Beautyworld Dubai marks its 30th edition at the Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together distributors, brands, stylists and salon owners from all over the world.
In October, volunteers plan to walk and take the plunge during at the annual event, HairToStay Does the Bay. Find out how you can participate and support the organization that grants subsidies to cancer patients so they can receive cold cap treatments to save their hair during chemotherapy.
At Premiere Orlando 2026, SALON TODAY catches up with Easihair Pro's Angela Gilmore, who talks about why stylists lose clients who are suffering from thinning hair and hair loss, and how their new Hairlosophy line can help.
Illuminated Paths is a boxed set of 52 cards, a guidebook, and an Oracolor Wheel, a visual framework that helps readers reconnect with the qualities they want to bring into everyday life.
In this rare essay, the president of a haircare brand takes us behind-the-scenes into a world we never see when we pick up a product off the shelves--the arduous, thought-probing, second-guessing journey of rebranding a legacy product line. Not only is her reflection fascinating, but it is also incredibly useful for any salon owner or manufacturer contemplating their own brand.
Twenty lucky winners will be selected July 30th, and each will be able to choose from three different service tray models.
Motivated by loved ones who have battled cancer, Phorest's Barry Quinn and two friends will embark on a three-day trek to the summit of the highest peak in North Africa in September, raising money for HairToStay. Find out how you can help them.
The company's Back to Business Sweepstakes is a direct investment in the stylists and salon owners who are building something that lasts.
Owners start to worry when a month's sales come up short compared to the same period last year, but that may have more to do with the days in the month than with an actual decline. The KIM Report's Alain Audet points to May 2026 as a prime example.
