Business advice and new trends on offer at PB North

There was a wide range of seminars and workshops at Professional Beauty North this year, aimed to help visitors learn about the hot industry topics and expand their skills to boost their business.

Popular sessions included The Psychology of Buying and Selling talk from Simon Naudi of Answers Training, which one attendee described as the best sales masterclass she’d been to, and social media consultant Catherine Trebble’s seminar on how social media can boost business. Likewise, the eyebrow shaping masterclass from HD Brows’ Nilam Patel drew an impressive crowd hoping to learn from an expert.

Elsewhere, Professional Beauty group editor Eve Oxberry hosted a heated panel discussion on surviving the culture deep discounting and whether sites such as Groupon devalue the industry. With many salon and spa owners angry about such sites, Groupon UK's vice president of national accounts Richard Jones argued his case, suggesting salons should use discounting as a yield management tool to fill quiet slots.

Meanwhile, the free Live Stage offered demonstrations on new products and techniques from the experts behind the brands at the show. From make-up tips, skincare treatments and nail art to tanning, waxing and laser demonstrations, there was something to learn for everyone.

Professional Beauty North will be back in Manchester Central next year (new dates will be announced soon) but if you can’t wait until then, register here for Professional Beauty London, taking place at ExCeL on 23-24 February 2014.