Are You an Expert?
The Spring Executive Retreat this May will once again feature Expert One-on-One meetings allowing attendees the opportunity to pre-book a 20-minute appointment with an expert in a variety of fields. Being selected is of great value not only to the attendee but also to the expert. Last year, many experts were able to form a business relationship with those they consulted and attendees found it a great benefit to them. If you are interested in sharing your expertise with owners, managers or financial aid staff, consider applying to be an expert at the Spring Executive Retreat and Financial Aid Workshop. Fill out the application here. Deadline to apply is February 22, 2015.

Ready to Plan Your Retreat?
The AACS Spring Executive Retreat is coming this May and we want to be sure school owners and management start making plans to attend this innovative new event. The basic schedule is now available so you can start to make your travel arrangements (more details on the schedule to come). Check back often for the most current information on this event that has a mix of executive training, networking, relaxation and fun! Click here for the latest event information.

What's New With GE 2.0 — The Second in a Series of GE Compliance Webinars
Friday, February 20, 2015 | 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Eastern
The second in the series of AACS GE 2.0 Compliance Webinars you will hear the most up to date information on how to prepare for compliance as well as what we know about the APSCU litigation against the Department of Education.  Click Here for Webinar Details.
And if you missed the first AACS GE 2.0 Update webinar, you can watch the recording here.

Scholarship Programs Now Accepting Applications
As an AACS Member School, your prospective students are eligible to apply for Beauty Changes Lives Scholarships valued up to $10,000 per scholarship. Applications are now being accepted from Cosmetology, Massage and Nail students. Scholarship marketing materials can be found here to use at career fairs and share on your social media channels. In addition, if you are a licensed cosmetologist, you can apply for the advanced training scholarship to attend a five-day advanced education course at a North American Sassoon Academy, along with travel assistance (up to $5,000).

Does Your School Need a Website Makeover?
Image may not be everything, but it can be a deal-breaker when a prospect visits your website only to find slow-loading content or outdated information. In today’s hyper-Google-ized world, your website often delivers your school’s first impression to prospective students and clients.  Here are seven tips that may mean it’s time for a website makeover.

How to Show Your Employees Some Love — Without Writing Checks
Instead of buying red and pink candy hearts for the office and calling it a day, think of creative ways to show that you care about your employees — and that you’re invested in their long-term growth and career goals. While they all may not work for you, check out these 101 Ways to Reward Employees (without giving them cash) for inspiration on ways to show some love and appreciation to your employees without breaking the bank.

New Online Course: Effective and Efficient Instructional Strategies
Planning Effective and Efficient Instruction provides new and experienced teachers with practical ways to design and deliver learning experiences that establish an environment that facilitates learning. The course summarizes important academic concepts while providing specific strategies for planning lessons, reaching learners, asking questions and assessing student mastery of the course and program objectives. Register for this online course here. Your VIP discount code just for being an AACS member is aa7592.

Building Blocks that Separate Top Performers
Most beauty and wellness instructors understand that a student's proficiency with a pair of shears or his/her mastery of the mixing bowl is no guarantee of success after beauty school. And as much as we might wish there was a silver bullet that could propel a student's career, success remains based on some simple, age-old and rather unglamorous core tenants. Click here to read this article from the latest issue of BeautyLink.