Why aren’t Barbers attending Barber Expos Anymore? It’s Time for True Leadership and Value

There is a business principle that barber expos seem to have forgotten about: you can fool a customer once or twice but people are more perceptive than you think and at some point they realize when they have been taken advantage of.

At some point clients realize when they have been oversold and underdelivered.

Which explains why in recent years, the barbering community has seen a decline in attendance at barber expos. Many barbers are no longer buying tickets for this events and stating they no longer think it’s “worth it”. The problem is…they might be right!

Instead of being platforms for meaningful education and growth, barber expos are turning into glorified celebrity showcases and clipper sales events.

The Problem: Lack of Value and Misplaced Focus

Barbers are increasingly vocal about feeling let down at expos. They purchased tickets in the past and attended events that promised networking opportunities and life changing connections. Instead, they’re met with platform artists and educators who aren’t selected for their expertise but rather because they’re backed by clipper companies.

They went back home with a couple of selfies and tags on the social media accounts that had zero effect in their careers.

These “educators” are essentially brand ambassadors whose primary purpose is to sell products, not teach skills.

This leads to what I call the “glorified clipper salesman booth” phenomenon. Expos are dominated by clipper companies pushing their latest tools with flashy presentations and banners, rather than delivering actionable knowledge to help barbers grow.

The Barber Expos coordinators are hosting events but they don’t want to invest in a vision.

Allowing Clipper salesman to present themselves as educators on stage in exchange for name dropping and avoiding having to plan a budget for speakers and true educators.

Another issue is the increasing reliance on celebrity or star power to draw crowds. In some cases, the stars being used to fill seats aren’t even part of the barbering industry. While these tactics may initially attract attendees, they fail to retain them because the event lacks substance. The hype fades quickly when barbers realize they’re not getting the education or inspiration they came for.

What Needs to Change: A Focus on True Education

To revive barber expos and restore their value, event organizers need to refocus on what truly matters: education and leadership.

    1.    Hire Educators Based on Merit, Not Sponsorships

Expos need to prioritize bringing in educators who can provide actionable, effective lessons that barbers can take back to their shops. These educators should be chosen for their expertise and teaching abilities, not because they’re aligned with a specific brand.

    2.    Reduce Reliance on Star Power

Stop relying on celebrities or influencers who have no connection to the barbering industry. While they may generate initial buzz, they don’t provide lasting value to attendees. Instead build trust in the community as a Barber-focused organization. You should be a name brand of your own before you claim to host events for the barbers you aim to serve.

    3.    Reimagine Vendor Booths

Vendors should focus on engaging barbers with hands-on demonstrations and practical product applications rather than just selling. Show barbers how your products can solve real problems in their day-to-day work.

    4.    Enhance Educational Sessions

Create workshops and classes that focus on critical areas such as building clientele, mastering new techniques, improving customer service, and growing as a professional. These sessions need to be marketed as the core of the event, not an afterthought.

A Vision for the Future

Barber events should be the heartbeat of the industry—a place where barbers can come to learn, grow, and connect with like-minded professionals. They should leave feeling inspired, equipped with new knowledge, and ready to elevate their craft. To achieve this, we need to hold event organizers accountable for the quality of their expos and demand better education and leadership.

The future of barbering depends on a shift from instant gratification to meaningful growth. Let’s bring the focus back to what really matters: education, empowerment, and excellence.

True leadership starts with us. Join Cole the Barber at "Built Different: The 6 Figure Blueprint. Where Mindset Meets Mastery" and get access to the Six Figure Experience for every area of your career and life. No bluff. Real Value.

RSVP for this In Person event and rare opportunity HERE.