Turning Inspiration into Intent
When salon owners, stylists and creative leaders descend on Spring Bay Mill in Tasmania on February 15 and 16, 2026, they will be part of something more than a hair event. The Salon Forum — hosted by CPR Hair and supported by industry media powerhouse MochaGroup — is designed to transform the way salons think about leadership, culture, creativity and business growth.
At the centre of this transformation are keynote speakers Chrystofer Benson and Hannah Patricia Benson, internationally acclaimed creatives who bring global perspective and deep insight into both artistic expression and human-centred leadership.
In a Pre-Christmas interview, Jarred Stedman, MochaGroups General Manager squeezes in one last interview with them before they head down to Hobart in less then 2 months.
This year’s Salon Forum isn’t just about new trends, content calendars or even salon systems, it’s about helping owners and teams choose courage over comfort, set a clear vision for the year ahead, and build cultures where people thrive.
From Artistry to Leadership: The Benson Vision
If there’s two people whose names resonates with artistic innovation and global inspiration, it’s Hannah and Chrystofer Benson. Known in the professional beauty world for their creative leadership and award-winning work, Benson’s career spans continents.
Chrystofer has been recognised multiple times at the prestigious America’s Beauty Show Global Awards, including being a three-time winner of the coveted Leo Passage Gold Trophy, a testament to his commitment to pushing creative boundaries and elevating hairdressing as an art form.
Hannah bring new spark, structure, zest, and a creative production and direction to the duo. Making them a force when it comes to conceptualisation and delivery on innovative and problem solving solutions for both the hair and barbering industry.
Their philosophy of teaching focuses on meeting people where they are and giving them tools that are not just impressive, but implementable.
At The Salon Forum, Chrystofer and Hannah bring this same ethos of empowerment through practical knowledge, not merely flashy techniques, but frameworks that help salon professionals understand themselves, their teams and how to create meaningful change in their businesses.
What is The Salon Forum and Why It Matters
The Salon Forum, part of CPR Hair’s broader community platform The Circle, has quickly become an eagerly anticipated salon events in Australia. After selling out six months in advance in previous years, the 2026 edition promises two immersive days of growth, connection and creative inspiration.
This isn’t another short “one speech and done” event. The Forum includes:
- Vision building and goal setting for the year ahead
- Holistic Salon Service insights — helping salons design systems that work for expectations and everyday practice
- Tools for social media growth, branding and team communication
- Health, wellbeing and mindset sessions
- Networking with peers and expert facilitators
- A spotlight on emerging creative talent through the MOD Squad initiative
The intention behind The Salon Forum is to provide salon owners and their teams with both strategic thinking and emotional intelligence tools because sustainable success requires people-centric leadership, not just technical skill.
Leadership and Culture: The Conversation at the Core
In a recent interview about their keynote, Chrystofer, Hannah and Jarred Stedman explored a central theme: leadership is more than managing a schedule or posting on social media it’s about building culture, understanding human behaviour and leading with emotional awareness.
Chrystofer reminds us that many salon owners fall into leadership by default. They excelled at cutting, colouring, styling — but the moment they opened a business, they also had to become managers, mentors, mediators and vision-casters. Without self-awareness and intentional growth, leaders can unintentionally create environments that stress, overwhelm or disengage their teams.
Hannah takes this further, highlighting that culture isn’t posters on a wall — it’s what people feel when they walk through the salon door. When team members feel psychologically safe, supported, and seen, performance and retention follow. Conversely, when communication is reactive and emotionally charged, turnover and dissatisfaction rise.
Jarred Stedman, speaking from MochaGroup’s vantage point as a hub for industry news, awards, education and connection, emphasises that commercial success and human leadership are inseparable. A salon’s internal culture affects its brand reputation, client experience and long-term viability.
Choosing Courage Over Comfort
The Salon Forum tagline choose courage over comfort sums up the experience. Stylists and owners who attend aren’t just booking another industry conference. They’re committing to intentional growth, deeper self-understanding, and a future where creativity and leadership coexist.
Whether you’re focused on mastering technique, building a loyal team, scaling your business, or simply finding joy in your craft again, The Salon Forum offers strategies that bridge heart and skill.
For industry pros ready to rethink leadership, embrace connection, and challenge existing assumptions about success, Tasmania in February isn’t just a destination it could be a turning point in your salon journey.
