Following the theme ‘Thrive: The Human Experience, Powered by Technology,’ this year’s Salon Owners Summit saw a record-breaking 750 attendees gather at the Royal Convention Centre in Dublin, solidifying the Summit’s reputation as one of the premier global events for salon, spa and clinic leadership. The two-day intensive conference was defined by high-energy networking and the exclusive unveiling of the Phorest AI suite, a new platform designed to enhance human teams rather than replace them.
Built on extensive global research and co-created with salon and clinic owners, the new Phorest AI suite automates administrative tasks – from summarising complex client histories to managing front-desk enquiries – to ensure that teams can show up more prepared, more present and more connected to every client.
This year’s Summit was a powerful celebration of community, uniting salon owners, industry leaders and innovators from across the field. Attendees enjoyed a standout experience filled with meaningful connections, shared learning and collective growth – all set against a backdrop of inspiration and energy.
The dynamic speaker line-up captivated the audience, delivering practical, take-home business insights, including:
Caroline Hirons delivered a powerful and no-nonsense keynote on what truly builds a high-performing salon culture. Encouraging salon owners to challenge the nonsense and reject the overload of false information we see online, she explained how consumers are craving real experts, real conversations and real businesses brave enough to lead with integrity.
Cultural futurist, Dr Lollie Mancey, reframed AI as a tool to support – not replace – human expertise in the salon industry. Cutting through fear and jargon, she showed how ‘ethical AI’ can enhance personalisation, efficiency and trust while still keeping human connection at the centre. She explained how the salons that will thrive are those that blend technology thoughtfully with meaningful values and authentic relationships.
Erin Kuhn Bhansali brought clarity to one of the industry’s most uncomfortable topics: Profit. Using real salon case studies, she demonstrated that sustainable profitability does not come from cutting costs, but from empowering teams, tracking the right numbers and growing revenue with intention. Her keynote showed that when teams understand their impact, profitability becomes achievable, repeatable and culture building.
Calvin Stovall brought infectious energy and a powerful message on what it truly takes to create a ‘WOW experience’ in today’s experience-driven economy. His keynote reinforced that when leaders invest in their people, personalise every interaction and remain curious and adaptable, extraordinary experiences and lasting reputations naturally follow.
Heather Bagby emphasised that happiness in the salon is created intentionally through leadership, not perks. By modelling positive energy, recognising effort and embedding joy into everyday interactions, salon owners can build workplaces that not only feel good to be in, but also drive stronger engagement, better client experiences and sustainable business growth.
Katie Piper offered moving advice on the power of perspective. Through cultivating deep personal and professional resilience, she explained how leaders can overcome challenges and maintain a clear business vision.
After ten incredible years of hosting the Summit in Ireland’s capital, Phorest announced a major change of scenery for its next chapter. To accommodate the event’s rapid growth and provide a fresh, immersive experience, the Phorest Summit 2027 will move to Killarney, Co. Kerry.
“The energy in the room this year was electric.” said Ronan Perceval, CEO of Phorest. “Seeing our community grow this year proves that as our numbers increase, so does our ambition. After ten amazing years in Dublin, it’s time for our next chapter. We are so excited to be moving the Summit to the stunning landscape of Kerry in 2027 – it’s the perfect place to continue this journey of growth together.”
The move to the ‘Kingdom of Kerry’ marks a new era for the Summit, trading the cityscape for the world-renowned beauty of Killarney’s lakeside landscapes.
