Held at THE TEMPLE: a Paul Mitchell Partner School in Frederick, MD, the fifth annual Presley Poe & Friends brought together cutting-edge stylists and brands to showcase the latest innovations driving the industry with its "Tech Behind the Chair" theme. Hosted by Hairdustry, hairstylists Presley Poe, Joel Torres, Emily Chen, Jeremy Stephens, Carlos Estrella and Jen Planck headlined the event, and milk_shake, Nutrafol, Bounce Curl, Marlo Beauty Supply, My Salon Suite, BabylissPRO and Olaplex served as sponsors. Beauty Launchpad Managing Editor Gabby Bach attended this year's event and shares an inside look at what makes it stand out from the rest.
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Held at THE TEMPLE: a Paul Mitchell Partner School in Frederick, MD, the fifth annual Presley Poe & Friends brought together cutting-edge stylists and brands to showcase the latest innovations driving the industry with its "Tech Behind the Chair" theme. Hosted by Hairdustry, hairstylists Presley Poe, Joel Torres, Emily Chen, Jeremy Stephens, Carlos Estrella and Jen Planck headlined the event, and milk_shake, Nutrafol, Bounce Curl, Marlo Beauty Supply, My Salon Suite, BabylissPRO and Olaplex served as sponsors. Beauty Launchpad Managing Editor Gabby Bach attended this year's event and shares an inside look at what makes it stand out from the rest.
Day 1: The Barbecue
The delicious eats at the barbecue, provided by former Your Day Off co-host Tony Stuart.Courtesy of Sophia Smith
Before I could grab a plate, I was greeted at the door by former Shadow Contest winner Kristen Benstog (@kristenbenstoghair) with a big embrace. She immediately took me under her wing, and we spent much of the weekend together. It was this first interaction that helped me realize how much community this event creates.
Throughout the evening, I chatted with new and familiar faces who were all excited for the events of the weekend to unfold. We chatted not only about the industry, but also about life updates, our interests and so much more. I could tell I was being welcomed into something special — a family that supports and uplifts each other.
Day 2: The Show
The first day of Presley Poe & Friends features a stage show, where all headlining hair artists showcase their skills in front of an eager and captive audience. Before the show, VIP ticket holders participate in a round table with the artists for one-on-one, intimate conversations that allow them to get up close with the best of the best in the industry.
There was still plenty of work to be done before the event could kick-off!
Early in the morning, I headed to THE TEMPLE, where I was given a tour of the building, a 15,000-square-foot, 100-year-old former Masonic Temple (hence the name). During my time at the event, I learned more about the rich history of the building from founders and co-CEOs Charles and Sharon Riser. During the building's many years under the Freemasons, women were only allowed to enter certain rooms. Once the Risers acquired the building, Sharon became one of the first women to formally step inside The Temple. This fact floated in my head throughout the weekend, as I watched women of all ages, backgrounds, creeds and walks of life fill the space to connect, uplift each other and celebrate beauty.
The VIP Event
Then, it was time to finish setting up for the event. As the VIP event sponsor, Olaplex provided both VIP ticket holders and attendees with plenty of swag. Myself and a small team assembled over 300 swag bags filled to the brim with products and branded merch. When we finished, we were covered in sweat and feeling victorious! 
The hair had to go up after stuffing all those Olaplex tote bags with swag! It was a celebration once we finished.Courtesy of Kristen Benstog
As a side note about swag: From the many hair events I've been to, I've never left with so much products! The airport even had to mark my suitcase with a "Handle with Care" bag tag on the way home. It was wonderful to see the brand sponsors giving back to the attendees and allowing them to get hands-on with the products.
After a quick trip back to my AirBnB to get ready, it was time for the VIP Event to unfold. The room held five tables, one for each of the artists to head. Once the VIP ticket holders checked in, they picked a table to sit at, where they were served drinks and light apps and gifted their Olaplex swag. Then, it was time for the artists to join them for 10-minute conversations, before rotating to the next table. As the timekeeper for each round table conversation, I witnessed firsthand the enthusiasm and engagement of both attendees and artists throughout the hour-long event. Genuine community and connection were being built in that room — something that keeps people coming back year after year.
The Main Event
Once the VIP event concluded, everyone headed to the Goddess Room for the main event and some networking. Upon arrival, attendees received synchronized light-up wristbands, reminiscent of those from Taylor Swift's iconic Eras Tour, generously provided by Marlo Beauty.
A look inside the Goddess Room, where the first day of Presley Poe & Friends was held.
Hairdustry's Corey Gray and Katie May opened the event, welcoming attendees, before passing the baton to the Risers to introduce the show's title artist and headliner Presley Poe. With their raw honesty and genuine sense of humor, Poe got attendees fired up for the many stage presentations ahead.
Thomasena Brown (@sassations) provided ASL interpretation throughout the evening, ensuring all attendees could fully engage with the event. With Frederick having a vibrant deaf community and the Maryland School for the Dear nearby, this touch shows that inclusivity isn't just a value of the event — it's a promise delivered upon, making sure each attendee feels seen, heard and valued.
Then, it was time for the first friend to take the stage: Carlos Estrella (@los_cut_it). I met Los and chatted with him for the first time at America's Beauty Show. You can listen to our conversation with Los on the Your Day Off podcast now. After our conversation, I was eager to see his work up close, and he did not disappoint. Heavily incorporating the "Tech Behind the Chair" theme into his presentation, Los shared how he uses Procreate and Chat GPT to create his iconic painted hair looks.
Then, Joel Torres (@joeltorrestyle), Emily Chen (@emchenhair) and Jeremy Stephens (@jeremystephens_official) brought their cutting and styling techniques to the stage. Throughout their presentation, they shared stories of how they first met Presley and gave an insider tips on how they bring their jaw-dropping looks to life. From shags to bobs and voluminous curls and waves, there was plenty to love about these styles! Attendees even got to see the final styles up close, as the models took to the runway to finish the presentation. For some added humor, and in alignment with the show's theme, Chen prompted AI to create a sad country song about life in the salon. The artists showcased not only their incredible talents, but also their vibrant personalities!
For some motivation, Jen Planck (@jenplanck) spoke to attendees, having them lean in from time-to-time as she dropped powerful nuggets of wisdom about knowing your value and worth. She also had cosmetology students and recent grads take the stage during her presentation, allowing them to receive the love of experienced pros who eagerly cheered them. Planck's energy and enthusiasm were palpable and contagious, and her words packed a powerful punch.
To close out the night, Presley Poe (@presleypoe) showcased their innovative, one-of-a-kind cutting skills on a curly hair model. Using their signature cutting wheel, 
Presley Poe on stage with her model.
After attending numerous trade shows and hair events, it’s easy to spot when the energy dips or the crowd loses focus—it’s practically inevitable. But that wasn’t the case at Presley Poe & Friends. From the moment the event began, the audience was fully captivated, hanging on every word of the presentations with genuine interest and enthusiasm.
Day 3: Education
An inside look at milk_shake's Hospitality RoomCourtesy of Corey Gray
For attendees who needed a break between classes, they could visit the milk_shake Hospitality Room, which was stocked with snacks, fruit, bagels, sandwiches and drinks. Attendees could also get a peek at the brand's signature hair care and styling products. With the brand sponsoring our May/June cover, I was so excited to meet some of the team and give them a look at the issue.
The Classes
As the headlining artist, Presley taught three classes throughout the day, where they broke down their 3-section and 4-section haircutting techniques. This meant it was time for Alvin Divina (@skin_n_scissors) to shine! As the winner of the Shadow Presley Poe contest, he worked alongside Presley and the other artists throughout the weekend, absorbing valuable industry advice, insight and techniques in an intimate, up-close experience unlike anything else in the industry. 
Presley Poe & Friends Shadow Winner Alvin creates content and assists Presley Poe during one of her classes.
For attendees who wanted to learn more about dry-cutting, Emily Chen offered a hands-on class that provided a deeper understanding of head shape and bone structure. Attendees learned two different cuts and problem-solving skills they could apply to any cut. The whiteboard in her classroom read, "Dry Cutting Stuff as well as Things with Em Chen," giving you a clear idea that there was plenty of wisdom (and humor) to take away from the class.
For tips and insights on clean fades, sharp lines and incorporating modern technology into your cuts, Carlos Estrella's class was not to be missed! During his class, Los mentioned that an attendee had to remind him to take a sip of water. If nothing else, this speaks volumes about his focus and dedication. Fully immersed in the moment, Los delivers powerful, actionable insights designed to help you take your craft to the next level.
Attendees smile for a picture after Joel Torres' class!Courtesy of Kristen Benstog
If you wanted to improve your heat styling skills, you had to take Jeremy Stephens class! With vintage Hollywood waves and old Hollywood styles being a defining trend, Jeremy brought big volume (and Southern Charm) to his classroom! Every time I crossed paths with Jeremy throughout the weekend, he greeted me with a smile and a wave. If his kindness and generosity don’t move you, his remarkable talent surely will. As a lover of waves and big volume, I stood in awe as I watched Jeremy create pristine, glamorous styles throughout the weekend.
Event Takeaway
No press release or event coverage can fully capture the unique magic of Presley Poe & Friends. To fully appreciate the immersive and engaging nature of the event, you need to be there in person. From the hands-on learning opportunities to the vibrant community and meaningful connections being formed, it’s an experience best felt firsthand. Having been an extra set of hands throughout the weekend, I also appreciated the effort it takes to pull the event together each year and keep everything organized and running smoothly. I felt like I was part of something bigger than myself, and any event that can do that is worth attending year after year.
To keep up with Presley Poe & Friends, you can follow @hairdustryhosts or visit the Presley Poe & Friends website.
