Barry + Jenni’s Vegas Travel Log
Vegas has a funny way of convincing you that four hours of sleep counts as eight.
Somewhere between the bright lights, endless exhibit halls, back-to-back interviews, networking events, facial treatments, and enough coffee to keep a small city awake, we realized this wasn’t going to be an ordinary trade show weekend.
It was going to be one of those trips – here’s a day-by-day recap
Saturday, June 27th The Aesthetics Show, Be+Well and ASCP
Sunday, June 28th The Aesthetics Show, Be+Well and Face Reality VIP Event
Monday, June 29th Be+Well and Closing Night Taco Dinner
The kind where you tell yourself you’ll slow down tomorrow.
Spoiler alert.
Tomorrow never came.
Between Friday, June 26, and Monday, June 29, Team L+A somehow managed to cover two major trade shows, attend multiple industry events, interview educators and executives, create enough content to fill our social media calendar for weeks, teach educational sessions, film more reels than we can count, experience treatments firsthand, and somehow remember to eat every now and then.
Jenni successfully escaped Las Vegas on Tuesday.
Barry…well…Vegas wasn’t quite finished with him.
Thanks to flight delays, he enjoyed an unexpected bonus day before finally making it home on Wednesday.
Looking back now, we’re still trying to figure out exactly how we packed so much into seventy-two hours.
Here’s the story.
Friday, June 26
Confidence Level: High. Energy Level: Artificially Inflated by Coffee.
Checking into Encore always feels like the official beginning of something exciting.
The lobby buzzes with energy, everything sparkles just a little brighter than real life, and somehow every person walking through the hotel looks like they packed much lighter than we did.
We knew this trip was going to be nonstop, so Friday became our unofficial “rest while you still can” evening.
Jenni landed first and headed over to an impromptu cocktail gathering with the Face Reality team at the Wynn. It wasn’t a big production. Just great people, great conversations, and a reminder that some of the best networking in this industry happens when nobody is trying to network.
By 9:00 p.m. Pacific Time, however, the travel day officially won.
Jenni was asleep before Vegas really had a chance to wake up.
Barry rolled into Encore around the same time after his own travel day, unpacked just enough to avoid living out of a suitcase, and called it a night around 10:30.
Meanwhile, Dr. Krystal Briglia and her team arrived later that evening after traveling from the East Coast. Somewhere around 11:00 p.m. Eastern body time, they wisely decided sleep was the best investment they could make.
Little did any of us know…
Those would be some of the best hours of sleep we’d get all weekend.
Saturday, June 27
Two Trade Shows. One Pair of Feet.
By 9:00 Saturday morning, coffee had officially become its own food group.
Barry.
Jenni.
Dr. Briglia.
Three media badges.
One very ambitious schedule.
Our first stop was The Aesthetic Show at the Wynn Convention Center.
One thing we’ve always appreciated about The Aesthetic Show is how intentional it feels. It’s easy to have meaningful conversations because the exhibit hall encourages discovery instead of simply trying to overwhelm you.
Of course, we still managed to move at what can best be described as L+A speed.
One of our first stops was Promoitalia, which felt a little like running into old friends.
Only a few weeks earlier, we’d welcomed the team onto L+A Now with Barry + Jenni to discuss their all-new V-Hacker and EXO-NAD technologies. Seeing those innovations on the show floor sparked an immediate conversation with Dr. Briglia about how regenerative technology continues to reshape patient care.
Those are the conversations we live for.
It’s never simply, “That’s interesting.”
It’s always…
“How can this improve patient outcomes?”
Just a few booths away, the team at LifeViz demonstrated how their latest 3D photography technology is helping providers elevate consultations and patient education. It’s incredible to watch imaging technology become more intuitive while giving practitioners even more meaningful clinical information.
Hans Biomed was another must-see stop.
We spent time learning more about their MINT™ PDO Threads, and somewhere during the conversation, Barry eagerly volunteered his face.
This September, Dr. Briglia will be inserting MINT™ PDO Threads into Barry’s face and neck as part of an upcoming L+A feature.
If you’ve followed L+A for any length of time, you know Barry has become something of a professional treatment model.
Need someone to try a new procedure?
Barry.
Need before-and-after photos?
Barry.
Need someone who’s willing to let medical professionals experiment in the name of journalism?
Also Barry.
Dr. Briglia is beginning to suspect this wasn’t entirely accidental.
As we rounded another corner, we spotted Sylfirm, the RF microneedling platform Dr. Vincent Wong first introduced us to during IMCAS Paris back in January.
It was another reminder of how quickly innovation travels across the globe. Technologies that were creating excitement in Paris just months ago are now becoming familiar names among practitioners here in the United States.
That global perspective is exactly why we travel.
Of course, no lap around The Aesthetic Show would be complete without visiting companies like Merz Aesthetics, Aerolase, Galderma, Allergan Aesthetics, Boulevard, Benev, and DermapenWorld.
And yes…
We absolutely stopped for bubble tea at the Vagaro booth.
Hydration is important.
Perhaps one of our favorite conversations happened with the team at Canfield Scientific.
Watching providers gather around the new VISIA 3D imaging platform reinforced something we’ve been talking about for months.
Patients don’t just want treatments anymore.
They want education.
They want to understand why a treatment is recommended, what it addresses, and how their skin changes over time.
VISIA continues to set the gold standard for making those conversations visual, educational, and incredibly impactful.
By 10:30 a.m., we’d already logged thousands of steps.
And somehow…
Our day was just getting started.
The Tesla Loop Becomes Our New Best Friend
If you’ve never experienced the Tesla Loop beneath the Las Vegas Convention Center, put it on your list.
There’s something wonderfully futuristic about climbing into a Tesla underground and arriving at another convention center a few minutes later.
It quickly became our preferred method of transportation all weekend.
Mostly because our feet appreciated every minute we weren’t walking.
Arriving at Be+Well meant reuniting with the rest of Team L+A.
Barry.
Jenni.
Dr. Briglia.
Tessa.
Addley.
Five badges.
Five cameras.
Comfortable shoes.
Trust us…
The comfortable shoes would become the smartest decision anyone made all weekend.
Welcome to Be+Well
Our first stop was BioSkin Aesthetics.
The booth was already buzzing with attendees lining up to experience live microneedling demonstrations featuring NexGen PDRN. There is something exciting about watching professionals experience regenerative treatments firsthand. You can actually see the curiosity turning into excitement.
A few booths away, Face Reality was equally packed.
Their Acne Professional Program™ and Clear Skin Method® continue attracting professionals who genuinely want to improve outcomes for acne clients through education and proven protocols.
The energy around acne education continues to grow, and Face Reality remains right at the center of that conversation.
Then we wandered over to Hale & Hush.
Actually…
You couldn’t really miss Hale & Hush.
Towering life-size cutouts of Vince Spinnato, The Couture Chemist™, welcomed attendees to the booth.
Vince has been instrumental in reformulating products like Quiet Wash while helping shape exciting new additions to the Hale & Hush portfolio. He was also teaching a class with Kris Campbell at the event, making the class a destination for attendees wanting to learn directly from one of the industry’s most respected cosmetic chemists.
Next came Celluma.
Or perhaps more accurately…
Our temporary production studio.
Tessa and Addley had cooked up some hilarious content ideas, and the Celluma team graciously let us transform their booth into a movie set using the Celluma PRO PLUS and Celluma DELUX.
Let’s just say…
Those reels are going to make a few people laugh.
Then it was over to DMK.
There’s something endlessly entertaining about watching someone experience a DMK Enzyme Treatment for the very first time.
The famous Plasmatic Effect never disappoints.
If you know…
You know.
If you don’t…
You’re going to want to find out.
One of our favorite moments of the afternoon happened away from any booth.
While grabbing a quick lunch, we bumped into L+A Contributor Sherrie Tennessee, who was teaching at Be+Well.
These are the moments that make traveling worthwhile.
Sure, the products are exciting.
The technology is incredible.
But catching up with educators, contributors, and friends we’ve met throughout the industry is what reminds us that aesthetics is ultimately a relationship business.
After lunch, we resumed our unofficial mission.
Walk.
Every.
Single.
Aisle.
Standing on one of the upper levels overlooking the exhibit halls was almost surreal.
Below us stretched what felt like an entire city dedicated to aesthetics and wellness.
Luxury skincare and energy-based devices, and Laser platforms, among the many hair extensions, hair care, nail care, jewelry, soap, personal care, and hair removal booths.
By the time we finally checked our watches, it was already 4:00 p.m.
Our step counters were thrilled.
Our lower backs were negotiating a ceasefire.
Our feet had begun drafting strongly worded complaints.
Thankfully, the Tesla Loop once again came to the rescue, delivering us back to Encore for a brief recharge before what would become one of the highlights of the entire weekend.
The ASCP Readers’ Choice Awards.
And trust us…
The night was just getting started.
Saturday Night
The Party Everyone Wanted an Invitation To
After a quick recharge at Encore, we traded our backpacks and cameras for something slightly more presentable and made our way to Caesars Palace.
Destination?
Omnia Nightclub.
Home of the 2026 ASCP Readers’ Choice Awards.
If you’ve never attended this event, imagine hundreds of estheticians, educators, manufacturers, and industry leaders all gathering in one room to celebrate the brands and people moving aesthetics forward.
Now add incredible lighting, great music, plenty of excitement, and enough hugs to remind us why we love this industry.
As Media Partner for this year’s event, being there wasn’t just another stop on the itinerary.
It was one of the highlights of our entire Vegas weekend.
One of our favorite parts of attending industry events isn’t necessarily seeing the latest device or discovering a new ingredient.
It’s seeing you.
Every year, estheticians stop us in the hallway, wave us down across exhibit halls or introduce themselves at events like this.
“I read L+A every week.”
“I loved that webinar.”
“Your article helped me decide on a new device.”
Those conversations never get old.
They remind us exactly why we travel.
Ashley Scobey welcomed everyone to the celebration, and within minutes, the room was buzzing with anticipation as the awards began.
We’re not going to lie.
Watching our sponsor partners win award after award felt a little like watching your kids graduate.
You know how hard these companies work.
You know the innovation, education, and passion they pour into helping skincare professionals succeed.
Then suddenly…
They’re walking across the stage.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Lira Clinical captured Best Clinical Line for the fourth consecutive year.
Hale & Hush had an incredible evening, taking home five awards, including Best Sensitive Skin Line, Best Moisturizer, Best Cleanser, Brand Influencer of the Year, and Runner Up for Favorite Eye Product.
Celluma earned both Best New Product and Best Light Therapy Device.
Face Reality absolutely dominated the evening with five awards, including Best Acne Line and Best Chemical Peel, plus several runner-up and honorable mention recognitions.
Elleebana continued its reign by winning Best Lash Line and Best Brow Line.
TiZO once again proved why professionals trust the brand by earning Favorite Sunscreen Line.
DiamondTome took home Best Exfoliation Device.
As we looked around the room, we couldn’t help smiling.
These weren’t simply companies winning trophies.
These were brands that consistently invest in education, innovation, and helping professionals deliver better outcomes for clients.
Awards matter because they’re voted on by the professionals using these products every single day.
That’s powerful.
But if there was one moment that completely stole the evening…
It belonged to Armenthia Carr. Watching her accept the 2026 ASCP Esty of the Year Award was genuinely inspiring.
Her acceptance speech was elegant, authentic, and incredibly moving.
She spoke about determination.
Education.
Representation.
Leadership.
Creating opportunities for others.
There wasn’t a single person in the room who wasn’t listening.
Moments like that remind us why representation matters.
Why education matters.
Why lifting others up matters.
By the time she stepped off stage, Barry and Jenni had already made up their minds.
“We need her writing for L+A.”
Fortunately…
She said yes.
Look for Armenthia’s articles coming soon because we couldn’t imagine a better voice to share with the L+A Community.
Around 10:00 p.m., we grabbed a cab back to Encore.
Another early morning awaited us.
Our feet hurt.
Our camera batteries needed charging.
And somehow…
We were already looking forward to doing it all again.
Sunday, June 28
Powered by Coffee…and a Surprisingly Great Buffet
One unexpected perk of The Aesthetic Show?
Breakfast.
Not a stale muffin and lukewarm coffee kind of breakfast.
A real breakfast.
A full buffet.
Complete with enough options to convince ourselves we were making healthy decisions before immediately grabbing another cup of coffee.
Considering what lay ahead, we needed every calorie.
By 9:30, we were back inside The Aesthetic Show, spending time watching live educational demonstrations happening right on the exhibit floor.
This is something we always appreciate.
Education isn’t hidden away behind classroom doors.
It’s happening in real time, where attendees can ask questions, gather around devices, and watch techniques firsthand.
We also took the opportunity to film content for our recap reel while confirming details for several upcoming L+A stories.
One thing readers may not realize is how many future articles actually begin with conversations at trade shows.
Sometimes, all it takes is a ten-minute discussion in a booth to spark an editorial feature months later.
By 10:30, it was time for another ride through our now-beloved Tesla Loop.
Destination…
Be+Well.
Again.
Whole-Person Care Takes Center Stage
While Barry headed toward the exhibit hall, Jenni and Dr. Krystal Briglia made their way to the classroom.
Their presentation, Beyond Protocols: Whole-Person Care for Today’s Med Spa Clients, explored something Dr. Briglia lives every day inside her Pennsylvania practice, Triada Integrative Wellness.
Her philosophy is refreshingly simple.
Treat the whole person.
Not just today’s appointment.
Not just today’s concern.
The whole person.
It’s a philosophy that’s proven incredibly successful.
Her practice is currently at capacity, and expansion is already underway.
Judging by the audience’s engagement, it’s clear more professionals are beginning to think beyond individual treatments and toward long-term patient relationships.
Exactly where the industry is heading.
Meanwhile…Barry Gets Interviewed
While Jenni and Dr. Briglia were teaching, Barry found himself on the other side of the camera.
Adrian Ramos, known to many on Instagram as @skinbyadrian, invited Barry to sit down for an interview about L+A, where the publication began, where it’s headed, and why education continues to drive everything we do.
The conversation flowed so naturally that it barely felt like an interview.
It felt like two people genuinely excited about the future of aesthetics.
Adrian has already released the first reel from the interview series, with more to come.
If you don’t already follow him…
You probably should.
Lunch…
Or Something That Looked Like Lunch
Sometime around 1:00, we remembered food existed.
It’s funny how trade shows do that.
You start the morning thinking you’ll grab lunch around noon.
Then suddenly it’s mid-afternoon, and you’ve somehow survived on coffee and protein bars hiding in your backpack.
Thankfully…
Actual lunch happened.
Briefly.
Then it was right back onto the exhibit floor.
Barry’s REGEN Emergency
First stop?
Lira Clinical.
Actually…
Barry practically sprinted there.
His bottle of REGEN PDRN+ Serum had officially reached empty status.
Emergency refills were required.
Immediately.
If you’ve followed Barry on social media recently, you already know his obsession with REGEN borders on becoming a personality trait.
Fortunately, the Lira team came to the rescue.
While visiting the booth, Barry and Dr. Briglia also filmed part of one of the funniest reels we’ve created all year.
If you’ve seen the trending audio that begins with “First Time in San Juan…”
You already know exactly where this is going.
Part of that reel happened inside the Lira booth.
Coincidence?
Maybe.
Current views?
More than 287,000 and climbing.
We’ll let you decide.
Rating Devices Like They’re Dating Profiles
Next stop…
Calling this booth “large” feels like an understatement.
Treatment tables.
Compact technologies.
Professional skincare.
IPL.
BBL.
CO₂ lasers.
It was essentially a playground for anyone who loves treatment technology.
Then things got creative.
In the best possible way.
Barry convinced Nora from Skin+Act, who you’ll soon recognize as one of the presenters during the L+A Summer Aesthetic Intensive, to help film a reel.
The premise?
Rate aesthetic technologies as though they were men on dating apps.
“He seems like a four…”
“…but he’ll buy you a CO₂ laser.”
“Okay…
He’s a ________.”
You’ll have to watch Instagram for the final verdict.
We laughed far harder than we probably should have while filming it.
Sometimes educational content doesn’t have to take itself quite so seriously.
Stem Cells…
And Shenanigans
Next came FACTORFIVE.
July is going to be a big month for the brand as L+A launches an online giveaway featuring Renew Dermal Solution, EXOFECTA, and their incredible collection of sheet masks powered by conditioned stem cell media.
Naturally…
We couldn’t simply photograph the products.
That would be far too sensible.
Instead, Barry, Jenni, and Dr. Briglia spent the next several minutes creating content that can best be described as organized chaos.
The best part?
People walking by had absolutely no idea what we were filming.
Which somehow made it even funnier.
Never Skip Sunscreen
Before wrapping up the afternoon, we stopped by TiZO.
Because if you’ve just had a peel…
Or microneedling.
Or exosomes.
Or pretty much any treatment we experienced all weekend…
You’d better be wearing sunscreen.
TiZO continues to be one of our absolute favorites, especially their beautifully elegant Tinted Moisturizing Serums with SPF 30.
Protection.
Hydration.
Cosmetically elegant.
Exactly what modern patients are looking for.
By 4:00 p.m., we were once again making our way back to Encore.
Another quick recharge.
Another wardrobe change.
Because our favorite party of the weekend was still ahead.
And trust us…
Face Reality knows how to host an unforgettable evening.
Sunday Evening
The Face Reality Party That Sets the Standard
Every industry has that one event.
The one people quietly rearrange their schedules around.
The one that everyone talks about the next morning.
For us…
It’s the Face Reality VIP Event.
Every.
Single.
Year.
After a quick recharge at Encore, Team L+A piled into an Uber and headed to Chéri Rooftop at Paris Las Vegas.
The moment those elevator doors opened, we remembered exactly why we love this event so much.
As the sun began setting over the Las Vegas Strip, in the open-air rooftop overlooking the Bellagio Fountains, a warm breeze drifted through the venue while soft music played in the background. Cooling fans and misters made the summer evening surprisingly comfortable, and everywhere you looked, people were dressed like they had spent weeks planning their outfits.
Honestly…
They probably had.
Face Reality doesn’t simply host a party.
They create an experience.
Beautiful branded activations.
Thoughtfully crafted cocktails and mocktails.
Passed hors d’oeuvres that somehow never stopped appearing.
Comfortable seating designed for conversation instead of shouting over loud music.
Everything about the evening encouraged people to slow down, connect, and celebrate.
That’s our kind of event.
We’re at an age where we’d much rather leave inspired than leave with our ears ringing.
One of the greatest privileges of covering this industry is the opportunity to spend time with the people behind the brands.
We caught up with members of the Face Reality sales team.
We chatted with educators who spend their days helping Acne Experts build successful businesses.
We spoke with executives who continue investing in education because they genuinely understand that educated professionals create better client outcomes.
But perhaps our favorite conversations happened with the Face Reality Acne Experts themselves.
Listening to practitioners share stories about changing lives through clear skin never gets old.
Every conversation reminds us that aesthetics is about so much more than products.
It’s about confidence.
It’s about transformation.
It’s about helping people feel comfortable in their own skin.
Then came one of the biggest surprises of the evening.
Meet Molly Flynn, 2026 Acne Expert of the Year
Face Reality CEO Jeremy Soine invited Barry and Jenni to introduce the 2026 Face Reality Acne Expert of the Year.
That honor belonged to Molly Flynn.
The applause said everything.
Molly is dynamic, intelligent, compassionate, and incredibly deserving of the recognition.
In true L+A fashion, our first thought wasn’t simply to congratulate her.
It was…
“We need to interview her.”
So we did.
Keep an eye on L+A because Molly’s story deserves to be shared. Her passion for helping acne clients is contagious, and we know our readers are going to love learning from her.
Around 8:00 p.m., we climbed back into another Uber, returned to Encore, and officially admitted defeat.
Our feet had carried us through another twelve-hour day.
Tomorrow…
We’d ask them to do it one more time.
Monday, June 29
Three Days Later…
Vegas has a way of making breakfast feel expensive.
Monday morning started with two iced coffees.
A salmon bagel.
A breakfast burrito.
Two ginger-cayenne wellness shots.
And a bill hovering around eighty dollars.
We immediately found ourselves reminiscing about the complimentary breakfast buffet at The Aesthetic Show.
Funny how quickly your standards change.
Still, breakfast at the Encore and running into the team from Face Reality was worth every penny.
Fueled once again by caffeine and determination, we made what had become our final ride through the Tesla Loop and headed back to Be+Well.
By this point, everyone had developed the same slightly awkward trade show walk.
You know the one.
Half confidence.
Half sore lower back.
One hundred percent determination.
The concrete floors had officially won.
But so had we.
Because there was still plenty left to see.
Innovation Around Every Corner
Our first stop was Rezenerate.
We’ve admired this team for years, and every time we watch someone experience nanoinfusion technology for the first time, we’re reminded why it’s become such an important part of modern treatment rooms.
Their ability to enhance ingredient delivery while complementing existing facial protocols makes the technology incredibly versatile.
Of course, Barry couldn’t leave without talking about one of his favorites.
Yes, we realize the irony.
Someone who willingly volunteers for injectables is also obsessed with a serum called No More Needles.
Life is funny like that.
Legacy Status Yet Still Innovating
Next, we visited Silhouet-Tone.
Carl and the team gave us a preview of exciting updates coming later this year, including refreshed interfaces and enhancements across several of their most popular devices.
Legacy brands don’t stay successful by standing still.
They evolve.
Silhouet-Tone continues proving exactly that.
Ultrasonic Innovation
Then it was on to DiamondTome.
Known for decades as a leader in microdermabrasion, they were showcasing the all-new DT3, combining microdermabrasion with ultrasonic serum infusion technology to enhance ingredient delivery.
Innovation doesn’t always mean replacing proven treatments.
Sometimes it means making great treatments even better.
Barry Volunteers…Again
Eventually, the team split up.
Barry wandered toward TalaDerma.
Some people collect souvenirs.
Barry apparently collects facial treatments.
Karla welcomed him for a plasma treatment followed by the Amiko Peel before finishing with an infusion of TalaDerma VitaFirm.
If you’ve spent any time around Barry lately, you’ve probably heard him talking about regenerative skincare.
Experiencing these treatments firsthand isn’t simply a perk of the job.
It’s part of how L+A evaluates what we share with readers.
If we’re going to talk about treatments…
We believe we should experience them.
Meanwhile…
Jenni had her own adventure.
She joined Otto Mitter’s Elleebana class as one of the demonstration models.
As if her lashes needed any additional help.
At almost the exact same time, Tessa was receiving a lash lift inside the Elleebana booth.
Only Team L+A could somehow manage to have multiple people receiving treatments simultaneously while still covering a trade show.
Jenni also spent time talking with Otto about one of our favorite emerging topics.
Male grooming.
As a global educator, Otto has watched demand for lash and brow services among men continue growing worldwide.
We couldn’t agree more.
In fact, that’s exactly why Elleebana was featured in our June Men’s Treatment Guide.
Modern aesthetics isn’t just evolving.
It’s expanding.
Standing Room Only
At 11:45, it was finally our turn.
Barry and Jenni stepped into the classroom to present one of our favorite sessions we’ve ever created.
Never Wonder What to Post Again: Leverage AI for Smarter Spa Marketing.
The room filled quickly.
Doctors.
Nurses.
Estheticians.
Practice managers.
Spa owners.
Everyone had essentially the same question.
“How can AI actually help my business?”
That conversation has become one of our favorite things to teach.
Not because AI replaces creativity.
Quite the opposite.
We believe AI becomes a trusted thought partner.
It helps eliminate writer’s block.
It organizes ideas.
It saves time.
Most importantly…
It gives professionals more opportunities to spend time doing what they actually love.
Working with clients.
As we often tell audiences…
“Don’t wonder if.
Just ask AI.”
Watching attendees leave with practical ideas they could implement immediately reminded us exactly why education sits at the heart of everything L+A does.
One Final Vegas Tradition
By early afternoon, our official responsibilities had wrapped up.
One last ride through the Tesla Loop.
One last walk through Encore.
One very necessary afternoon recharge.
Then it was time for one of our favorite Vegas traditions.
Dinner with the Hale & Hush family.
Tacos & Beer has quietly become the unofficial closing ceremony for our Vegas trips.
Twelve people around one table.
Jenni with her margarita.
Kris Campbell with her Bud Light on ice.
Barry, predictably, with his Coke Zero.
Chips and guacamole disappeared almost instantly.
Burritos.
Tacos.
Enchiladas.
Everyone looked equally exhausted.
Everyone looked equally happy.
There is something special about sitting around a table after three whirlwind days with people who genuinely love this industry.
Nobody was trying to sell anything anymore.
Nobody was rushing to another meeting.
We were simply sharing stories.
Laughing about the weekend.
Comparing step counts.
Trying to remember how many booths we’d actually visited.
The answer…
Probably all of them.
Tuesday…
Sort Of.
Tuesday morning marked the official end of the trip.
Well…
For Jenni.
She boarded her flight home carrying a suitcase that somehow contained more skincare than clothing.
Barry wasn’t quite so lucky.
Vegas decided it wanted one more day.
Flight delays turned Tuesday into Wednesday before he finally made it home.
At that point, honestly, one more hotel night barely registered.
Why We Keep Coming Back
People sometimes ask us why we travel so much.
Why fly across the country for trade shows?
Why spend twelve-hour days walking concrete floors?
Why squeeze interviews, treatments, classes, networking events, and content creation into every available minute?
The answer is simple.
Because you can’t truly cover this industry from behind a computer screen.
The best stories happen inside booth conversations.
The best interviews happen unexpectedly.
The best education often starts with a casual question between sessions.
And the best relationships are built face-to-face.
Over the course of just seventy-two hours, we experienced treatments.
Discovered new technologies.
Celebrated award-winning brands.
Learned from educators.
Interviewed industry leaders.
Connected with readers.
Laughed until our sides hurt while filming ridiculous reels.
And walked enough miles to qualify for some sort of endurance award.
Everything we experienced in Las Vegas will continue showing up in L+A over the coming months.
The articles.
The interviews.
The videos.
The webinars.
The education.
That’s why we go.
Not simply to attend events.
But to bring the industry home to you.
By the time Barry finally unpacked his suitcase on Wednesday, one thing had become crystal clear.
Our shoes may never recover.
Our feet certainly haven’t.
But if someone called tomorrow and said…
“Pack your bags. There’s another trade show.”
We’d probably ask one question.
“What time does the flight leave?”
See you at the next one.
Barry + Jenni
Team L+A