Hair shows in Chicago

Chicago is one of the busiest cities in North America for hair professionals, and the calendar here is built around one big spring show and a winter battle that barbers travel for.

The headline event is America's Beauty Show, held each spring at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, right next to O'Hare. It is a full trade show for stylists, barbers, colourists, educators and salon owners, with hundreds of hands on classes, main stage demos, competitions, the Global Image Awards and a show floor packed with professional brands. Earlier in the year, Battle of the Champions brings competitive barbering to the southwest suburbs, with barbers going head to head across several categories in front of a live crowd.

Below you will find every hair show in Chicago, and you can browse every hair and beauty event on the directory with dates, venues and who can attend, so you can choose the right one and plan your visit.

Getting there

America's Beauty Show is in Rosemont, about five minutes from O'Hare International Airport, so flying in is simple. The CTA Blue Line runs from the airport to Rosemont station in one stop, and the convention center is a short walk or free circulator bus ride from there. From downtown Chicago the Blue Line takes you straight out to Rosemont, which makes it easy to stay in the city and travel in each morning.

Battle of the Champions takes place in Alsip, in the southwest suburbs. Midway is the nearer of Chicago's two airports, and most visitors arrive by car or rideshare.

Where to stay

For America's Beauty Show, the hotels around the Rosemont convention campus are the most convenient, and several connect to the venue by covered walkway or skyway, which is a real bonus on a cold spring morning. If you would rather enjoy the city in the evenings, stay in the Loop or River North and use the Blue Line.

For the barber battle, the venue is a hotel itself, so booking a room on site keeps everything under one roof.

Making the most of the show

• Book classes early. The most popular education sessions at America's Beauty Show fill quickly.
• Bring proof that you work in the industry, such as a licence, student ID or business card.
• Wear comfortable shoes and pack layers, as Chicago weather can change quickly in spring.
• Plan your shopping. Many brands offer show only prices, so a list of what your salon needs saves time on the floor.
• Stay for the evening events. The parties and awards nights are where much of the networking happens.