THE NORCAL BARBER EXPO IS CALIFORNIA’S LARGEST EXPO, COVERING EDUCATION, BARBER BATTLES, AND VENDORS ACROSS A 20,000 SQ FT. ARENA. ALEJANDRO CUADRA AND JERRY HERRERA STRIVE TO ELEVATE THE BARBERING COMMUNITY IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. THE POWER DUO TOLD US ABOUT THEIR VISION FOR THIS INCREDIBLE EXPO EXPERIENCE.
Between this power duo, they have 10 years-worth of experience in education and event organisation. Alejandro works with the Urban Barber College and Jerry organized the Bay Area Barber and Beauty Expo. NorCal, however, will be the largest Barber Expo in California at more than 20,000 sq ft. exclusively for the Barbering community and lifestyle. “It’s an exciting opportunity for barbers and cosmetologists to come together, network, learn, and celebrate their craft in a dynamic and live setting,” Alejandro told BarberEVO. “NorCal Barber Expo strives to create new networks, and industry relationships to create an event that showcases the best of the barbering industry.”
In the early days, Jerry reached out to Jay Majors, one of the godfathers of the barber industry, to help consult and make the NorCal Expo an industry staple. Alejandro said: “Attendees can learn from industry leaders, witness live demonstrations, enter competitions, and stay updated on the latest trends and techniques. The expo is a place to explore and shop for new and innovative products that can enhance their work.”
What can barbers expect from Nor Cal this year? “To start on August 6th, we’ll have education and workshops from 9am to 1pm, hosted by Ivan Zoot and headlined by Chris Bossio of Tomb45. The expo then continues from 1pm to 8pm.”
The layout boasts a main stage for announcements, a Barber Battle stage as well as live demonstrations and Spanish education stages. Alejandro told us that having a spanish language stage is important to enhance diversity, embodying what NorCal is about. “Our Barber competitions will have categories for professionals, students and beauty,” he said. “We want to bring together barbers, cosmetologists, and anyone who shares a passion for the craft.”
Alejandro continued: “NorCal’s main sponsor, Cocco Hair Pro, will educate barbers on their Digital Gap technology and best new tools. Vendors will show off the newest in tools and products on the main expo floor. “And of course, being in Northern California, one of our main sponsors is Redman Medicine a recreational Cannabis company, so you can say hi to them too.”
“We have a lot of exciting barbering brands that you will not find anywhere else in the world and we are excited to bring them to a bigger stage. We also have Bebe Latino who hosts the Golden State Expo from San Jose, CA, who will be hosting the Spanish language education stage.”
What benefits does their history in education bring to the table? “Being in the school environment is rewarding because students are always so excited to learn new things – and we see this amplified on our stages. When people first get into barbering, they have an open mind and are willing to try new products, which is always fun. Having firsthand experience in guiding and mentoring students as they develop their skills and enter the barbering profession is a pleasure.”
Ultimately: “NorCal Barber Expo is an excellent opportunity for barbers to connect with peers, industry leaders, product suppliers, and potential mentors for collaborations, and career opportunities. It’s a time to celebrate the art of barbering and appreciate the art!”
Check out norcalbarberexpo.com and @NorCalBarberExpo on IG for essential announcements about scheduled activities, guest speakers, and tickets.
BE PART OF CALIFORNIA’S PREMIER EXPO
BARBER BATTLE / EXPO / EDUCATION CLASSES
www.norcalbarberexpo.com
4501 PLEASANTON AVE PLEASANTON, CA 94566