Business
(2009-08-14)
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The styles and techniques featured in the Bronner Brothers International Hair Show are expected to draw up to 60 thousand people to the Georgia World Congress Center.
Tourism officials hope the numbers hold up.
The annual Hair Show has been in Atlanta since 1947. But if you're unfamiliar, Charles Bronner says the event features hair like you've never seen it before.
BRONNER: "I mean I've seen styles where literally the hair design would have a birdcage in it. All types of moving objects. I mean the creativity is unreal things you would never think to put in your hair."
While the dos are always a show stopper, the event and the company is as much substance as it is style. Bronner Brothers started its empire selling African-American hair care products. It's been a top vendor for Wal-Mart and the Sally's Beauty Supply chain. Again, Charles Bronner.
BRONNER: "So, if you are in the industry you must be at the Bronner Brothers show."
The hair show is one of the top 25 annual events associated with the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau. One of its senior Vice Presidents, Kathleen Bertrand, says this year event attendance has been down between 10 and 15 percent.
BRONNER: "What has happened is the expected attendance for many of the shows has not been what it was expected to be therefore the room nights have not been what we expected them to be for some of the shows."
And that means hotels, restaurants and even taxis are making less money. That's bad for the bureau, which is funded in large part by the city's hotel motel tax. The recession forced the Bureau to cut its current budget by 9 percent.
That's why officials are counting on the hair show. It usually has a 35 million dollar impact on the area. Only 6 other events bring more people to Atlanta every year. Bertrand is still reviewing early numbers, but has anecdotal evidence Bronner Brothers will meet expectations.
BRONNER: "Somehow, ladies still like to get their hair done in spite of the economy."
That might be why Charles Bronner and company had a successful hair show earlier this year.
BRONNER: "They were here in February. We were kind of concerned but there was no downturn at all at our hair show in February."
As for this weekend's show, Bronner Brothers and tourism officials hope big names like Chris Rock will keep attendance high. The comedian will be at the show promoting his new documentary about African-American women and their struggles with hair. © Copyright 2009, WABE
