2026 SESSIONS

Check-in and collect your badge to attend the sessions and visit the Sponsor tables.

SALON TODAY 200 Dinner tickets are sold separately - you must check-in and pick-up your wristband before the dinner starts.

Location: TBD

Join us early to grab a bite to eat and start networking with other data-hungry owners and managers.

Sponsor: SalonScale

Location: Grand Ballroom (lobby level)

Join us as we welcome you to DDSS 2026 and share some information to help you get the most out of Data-Driven Salon Summit.

Emcee/Speaker:
Stacey Soble, SALON TODAY and BARBERING TODAY

Location: Grand Ballroom (lobby level)

As AI rapidly transforms communication, marketing, and operations, salon leaders face a crucial question: what should we automate - and what must remain deeply human? In this session, Ameet breaks down where AI meaningfully improves efficiency, productivity, client acquisition, and talent retention - and where relying on it can actually hurt culture and long-term growth. You’ll walk away with a practical roadmap of what to integrate now, what to avoid, and how to build a purpose-driven, future-proof salon that elevates both revenue and meaning.

Session Sponsor: Glammatic

Speaker:Ameet Kallarackal, Glammatic

Location: Grand Ballroom (lobby level)

Most salons don’t have a lead problem. Salons have a follow-up and conversion problem. In this session, you’ll learn how to use AI, automation, and smart marketing systems to turn cold leads into consistent revenue, rebookings, and raving fans. Walk away with proven scripts, automation workflows, and a clear framework to finally fix the marketing leaks that are costing your business thousands every month—plus a new mindset on how modern technology can help you grow faster with less effort. 

Speaker: Jennifer Alvarez, Refined Beauty

Location: Grand Ballroom (lobby level)

Grab your shears and help us cut the ribbon! Join us as we officially open the Partner & Solutions Pavilion, your go-to space for discovering products, services, and solutions designed for salon success.

Location: Rio Grande (lower level)

The Partner & Solutions Pavilion is open from 10:40 AM – 4:00 PM. Stop by throughout the day to connect with industry partners, explore tools and services designed for salon success, and discover solutions to support your business and team.

Location: Rio Grande (lower level)

Explore innovative products, services, and solutions while engaging with key representatives to learn how they can benefit your business. This is also the perfect opportunity to network with fellow professionals and expand your connections!

Beverage Sponsor: Boulevard

Graffiti Donuts Sponsor: Lightheart Sanders and Associates

Espresso Bar Sponsor: SalonCentric

Location: Rio Grande (lower level)

Session Sponsor: DermapenWorld

Location: San Antonio (lower level)

Session Sponsor: Meevo

Location: San Marcos (lower level)

Behind every struggling team is an overextended leader unknowingly operating from burnout, perfectionism, or people-pleasing. In this session, Brigette Sobus teaches salon owners how to become emotionally agile, set powerful boundaries, and lead without losing themselves—using trauma-informed coaching and NLP techniques. Attendees will discover how healing their leadership style unlocks retention, culture, and high performance. 

Speaker: Brigette Sobus, Power and Joy Coaching Academy

Location: Sabine (lower level)

Grab your lunch and stroll the Partner & Solutions Pavilion while discovering new tools, trends, and solutions for your salon.

Lunch Sponsor: DermapenWorld

Location: Rio Grande (lower level)

Session Sponsor: Boulevard

Location: San Antonio (lower level)

Discover how to transform the raw data from your salon's daily operations into a powerful engine for unprecedented revenue growth. This session will reveal the secrets of client segmentation and Lifetime Value (LTV) analysis, showing you how to identify your most valuable clients and unlock hidden profit opportunities. Prepare to leave with a clear, actionable blueprint to boost your salon's bottom line by truly understanding and leveraging your client base. 

Speaker: Amy Pal, Whip Salons

Location: San Marcos (lower level)

This session digs into what really sets each generation apart and why it matters when you’re trying to get people rowing together. You’ll learn how to talk to them in ways that actually land, what motivates each group, and how to use those differences instead of fighting them. Walk out with practical moves that boost performance no matter what decade. 

Speaker: Allyson Hurley King, Beauty 360° Consulting

Location: Sabine (lower level)

Location: Grand Ballroom (lobby level)

Three industry leaders come together to unpack their distinct, data-driven approaches to salon profitability, revealing where real growth is happening now and how to capture it before your competitors do.

Speakers:
Lia Hakim, Hott Salons
Danielle Cherewyck, The Headroom

Location: Grand Ballroom (lobby level)

Session Sponsor: L’OREAL

Location: Grand Ballroom (lobby level)

Explore innovative products, services, and solutions while engaging with key representatives to learn how they can benefit your business. This is also the perfect opportunity to network with fellow professionals and expand your connections!

Beverage Sponsor: Boulevard

Espresso Bar Sponsor: SalonCentric

Location: Rio Grande (lower level)

From accounting to insurance to financial planning, bring your biggest management challenges to our panel of expert pros who serve the beauty industry for this fast-fire round of Q&A.

Moderator: Stacey Soble, SALON TODAY and BARBERING TODAY

Location: Grand Ballroom (lobby level)

Get ready to shine at the SALON TODAY 200 Celebratory Dinner & Awards Presentation! It’s time to glam up and celebrate the incredible achievements of the SALON TODAY 200 and your business success in style. (Please note: This is a separate ticketed event.)

Recommended Attire: Festive or Cocktail

SEPARATE TICKETED EVENT

Get ready for an unforgettable evening! Join us for a lively cocktail reception where you can mingle with industry leaders, share stories, and celebrate achievements.

Separate ticketed event, you must purchase a SALON TODAY 200 Celebratory Dinner Ticket to attend. (2) Complimentary Drink tickets are included with your dinner ticket.

Recommended Attire: Festive or Cocktail

Location: Arbor (lobby level)

SEPARATE TICKETED EVENT

Join us as we recognize the 2026 Salon Today 200 Winners and Celebrate Excellence in salon leadership and management. 2 Complimentary Drink Tickets are included with your dinner ticket!

Recommended Attire: Festive or Cocktail

Location: Grand Ballroom (lobby level)