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Barber Connect 2015
On Sunday 28th June 2015, 3,000 Barbers swarmed into the Celtic Manor Resort in South Wales for the 3rd Annual Barber Connect exhibition!
Barbering is truly an industry extremely passionate and dedicated to their trade and for Barbers to come together under one roof it creates not only a unique but also a very special atmosphere and this was certainly felt from the minute the doors opened.
The show saw Barbers flying in from around the World with attendees known from Italy, Holland, Greece, France, Belgium, Ireland, New Zealand, Germany, Hong Kong, Cyprus, Singapore, Sweden, Malta, USA, Portugal, Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Canada and the USA to attend the only UK exhibition dedicated to Barbering/Mens Hairdressing.
With over 70 exhibitors the show offered a unique opportunity for barbers to share new ideas and showcase their work with live cuts taking place as well as the chance to purchase tools and products at exclusive show prices.
Taking place over two floors within the Convention centre the day started with attendees crowded into the exhibition reception to be the first to get their hands on exclusive launches from the event sponsors Jack Dean (Denman International) and Wahl UK. With some launches such as the Wahl Super Taper Skate Decks selling out within 60 seconds of doors opening, a Barbershop quartet kept the steady flow of arrivals entertained as attendees made their way around the exhibition.
Both the Jack Dean and Wahl premium stages were packed with both informative and entertaining seminars from the likes of Simon Shaw (Wahl Academy), Chris Vaughn (Beverly Hills Barber), Kevin Luchmun (Toni & Guy), The BOMB Squad, Savills Barber Academy, Chris Foster and The Nomad Barber to name but a few.
Barber Connect 2015 also held the first annual Barber Awards with the four finalists for the Barber of the Year competition competing live on the Barbicide stand for the £3,000 prize reward. Attendees voted live for their winner of the Barber of the Year Award via the Barber Connect app whilst Kevin Vorley interviewed the competing finalists.
The overall winner – a female barber from Holland – was then announced at the prestigious Barber Awards ceremony hosted by Chris Vaughn who had flown in from Beverly Hills.
We would like to extend a huge congratulations to the winners of each category as voted for by Barbers. They were as follows:
BARBER CONNECT STAND OF THE YEAR – Dear Barber
Sponsored by Production 78
BEST MARKETED BARBERSHOP OF THE YEAR – Andy’s Barbers, Bicester
Sponsored by Modern Barber
STYLING RANGE OF THE YEAR – Dear Barber
Sponsored by Barber Blades
SHAVING RANGE OF THE YEAR- Bluebeards Revenge
Sponsored by Habia
TRIMMER OF THE YEAR – Andis Superliner Trimmer
Sponsored by Graff Etch
CLIPPER OF THE YEAR – WAHL Cordless Super Taper
Sponsored by Clocca Capes
TRAINING ACADEMY OF THE YEAR – Hair for Men Training Academy
Sponsored by Andis
BEST BARBERSHOP OF THE YEAR – Savills Gentleman’s Barbers, Sheffield
Sponsored by NHF
APPRENTICE/STUDENT OF THE YEAR – £1,000 spend on barberblades.co.uk– Sammy Cameron
Sponsored by MHFed
BARBER OF THE YEAR – £3,000 cash prize – Dieuwertje Prins
Sponsored by Barbicide