There are industry events that leave you with a tote bag full of samples.
And then there are experiences that leave you rethinking your business, your pricing, your purpose, and the future you want to create for yourself.
The 2026 Awaken Esthetics Retreat is shaping up to be exactly that kind of experience.
Taking place August 7–11, 2026, in the breathtaking Pacific Northwest, the retreat invites estheticians into a setting that feels intentionally different from the typical conference environment. Surrounded by the natural beauty and tranquility of Skamania Lodge, attendees will experience four immersive days focused on advanced education, business elevation, wellness, and meaningful industry connection.
At L+A, one of our core pillars has always been education. Not just surface-level inspiration, but education that creates momentum. Education that helps professionals evolve with the rapidly changing medical + spa aesthetics industry. That is exactly why we are proud to support the Awaken Esthetics Retreat and help introduce our community to an event that feels deeply aligned with where the industry is heading.
Because today’s esthetician is no longer simply performing treatments.
They are building brands.
They are creating client experiences.
They are becoming educators, wellness leaders, entrepreneurs, and strategic business owners.
And Awaken understands that shift.
A Retreat Designed for the Modern Esthetician
The concept behind Awaken is refreshingly intentional. Rather than overwhelming attendees with nonstop chaos and overstimulation, the retreat combines high-level esthetics education with personal rejuvenation and business development.
The result is an experience designed to help professionals return home energized, inspired, and equipped with actionable strategies they can immediately implement.
Attendees can expect:
Advanced Education
The retreat brings together respected educators and industry leaders who will share emerging techniques, treatment strategies, and evolving perspectives within aesthetics. The focus is practical application, helping attendees integrate new ideas directly into their practices.
Business Growth Strategies
One of the biggest conversations happening in aesthetics right now is sustainability. Not just for skin, but for businesses.
How do you increase revenue without burnout?
How do you refine your positioning?
How do you attract better clients?
How do you create a brand people remember?
Awaken tackles these conversations head-on with forward-thinking business education designed to help estheticians strengthen profitability and long-term growth.
Personal Rejuvenation
Let’s be honest. The esthetics industry gives a lot.
Professionals spend their days caring for clients, solving problems, managing emotions, creating transformations, and juggling the realities of entrepreneurship. Burnout has quietly become one of the industry’s biggest challenges.
Awaken intentionally creates space for wellness, reflection, and restoration so attendees can reconnect with themselves alongside their professional goals.
Exclusive Networking
Some of the most valuable moments at industry events happen outside the classroom.
The intimate nature of Awaken allows attendees to build meaningful relationships with fellow estheticians, educators, and brands in a way that feels authentic instead of transactional.
And in an industry where collaboration often creates opportunity, those relationships matter.
The 2025 Retreat Left a Lasting Impression
One of the strongest indicators of an event’s impact is what attendees do after they return home.
For Erin Evink, L+A Editorial Contributor and attendee of the 2025 Awaken Esthetics Retreat, the experience became a turning point in her business journey.
“When I think back to attending the Awaken Esthetics Retreat created by Shawna Rocha, I don’t just see it as an event, I see it as a turning point in my business.”
Erin shared that the retreat helped shift her mindset from simply working in her business to fully stepping into her role as a CEO.
Following the retreat, she:
- Re-evaluated her service menu, pricing, and overall client experience
- Invested in professional branding photography
- Created a structured 2026 marketing plan
- Expanded into spa retail
- Launched an online store
- Built lasting relationships with supportive esthetics professionals
Perhaps most importantly, she described gaining clarity, confidence, and momentum.
And honestly? That kind of feedback says everything.
Because the best education does not just give professionals information.
It changes the way they see what is possible.
What’s New for 2026
The Awaken Esthetics Retreat team is already building upon the success of 2025 with several exciting additions for 2026.
New enhancements include:
- Hands-on experiences and modality demonstrations
- Expanded treatment and technology education
- New speakers and educators
- New sponsors and brand integrations
- Additional enrichment activities focused on personal and professional growth
This expanded approach reflects a larger shift happening within aesthetics right now. Professionals are increasingly looking for education that blends treatment innovation, wellness, business strategy, and community building together instead of treating them as separate conversations.
Awaken appears to be leaning directly into that evolution.
Meet Some of the L+A Sponsor Brands Attending
Attendees will also have the opportunity to connect with several standout L+A sponsor brands, including:
For attendees, that means exposure to innovative education, treatment philosophies, ingredient technology, and device conversations that are actively shaping the future of aesthetics.
L+A Exclusive Discount for Our Community
As part of our support for the event, L+A readers and followers can receive an exclusive $500 OFF registration using the sponsor code:
LIPGLOSS
If you have been feeling creatively stuck, professionally burned out, disconnected from your goals, or simply ready for your next level, this may be one of the most valuable investments you make in yourself and your business this year.
The esthetics industry is evolving quickly.
The professionals who continue to grow are the ones willing to invest in education, community, innovation, and themselves.
And from everything we’ve seen so far, the 2026 Awaken Esthetics Retreat is being built for exactly those professionals.
