<p>It takes some time for Salon of the Year finalists to put together their entry packages. NAILS celebrates their dedication by displaying the entries at the awards ceremony and The Nailco Group's Great Lakes Beauty Show for all to see.</p>

It takes some time for Salon of the Year finalists to put together their entry packages. NAILS celebrates their dedication by displaying the entries at the awards ceremony and The Nailco Group's Great Lakes Beauty Show for all to see.

<p>With the help of educator Sandi Kirshen, Snails CEO Marlene Sortino (right) shows off some of her company's extensive jewelry and nail art line.</p>

With the help of educator Sandi Kirshen, Snails CEO Marlene Sortino (right) shows off some of her company's extensive jewelry and nail art line.

<p>Their faces may not be as familiar as their names, but now you can call these top competitors #8, #22, and #12&nbsp;&mdash; their favorite spots on the Top 25 Competitors Ranking for 1999. Oh, their real names are (left to right) Salina Rush, Bu' Domenech Calabrese, and Darlene Feric.</p>

Their faces may not be as familiar as their names, but now you can call these top competitors #8, #22, and #12 — their favorite spots on the Top 25 Competitors Ranking for 1999. Oh, their real names are (left to right) Salina Rush, Bu' Domenech Calabrese, and Darlene Feric.

<p>Educator of the Year runner-up Louis Mattassi gives Cyndy Drummey a squeeze. The two go "way back," to when Mattassi introduced himself at a show and talked to our editor/publisher about getting more coverage of Latin American salon issues and a Spanish language version of NAILS.</p>

Educator of the Year runner-up Louis Mattassi gives Cyndy Drummey a squeeze. The two go "way back," to when Mattassi introduced himself at a show and talked to our editor/publisher about getting more coverage of Latin American salon issues and a Spanish language version of NAILS.

<p>Four hundred and fifteen photographs were taken of Larry Gaynor over the course of the two-day show and he was the picture of vitality in every one. Here, with April Buford and La Shaun Brown-Glenn, he looks none worse for the wear. Never mind the busy show, this year he has launched NailSmart and Club and Spa Direct, and opened four Industry Source stores.</p>

Four hundred and fifteen photographs were taken of Larry Gaynor over the course of the two-day show and he was the picture of vitality in every one. Here, with April Buford and La Shaun Brown-Glenn, he looks none worse for the wear. Never mind the busy show, this year he has launched NailSmart and Club and Spa Direct, and opened four Industry Source stores.

<p>First and foremost on the minds of Round Table participants was how to compete fairly and aggressively against discount salons...without succuming to lowering prices. Moderator Larry Gaynor kept the group well-focused on basic marketing strategy: Decide what you do differently than the competition and do it very well. The Round Table was a first for the Great Lakes Beauty Show and participants enjoyed an informal lunch with fellow salon professionals and manufacturers.</p>

First and foremost on the minds of Round Table participants was how to compete fairly and aggressively against discount salons...without succuming to lowering prices. Moderator Larry Gaynor kept the group well-focused on basic marketing strategy: Decide what you do differently than the competition and do it very well. The Round Table was a first for the Great Lakes Beauty Show and participants enjoyed an informal lunch with fellow salon professionals and manufacturers.

<p>A record crowd attended the 1999-2000 Salon of the Year Awards during the Great Lakes Beauty Show. NAILS and The Nailco Group hosted the event, and although by the end of the night emcee Cyndy Drummey was voiceless, she spoke about how it was best possible time to be in the nail industry and how lucky she and the staff of NAILS felt to be associated with an industry whose purpose was making people feel good.</p>

A record crowd attended the 1999-2000 Salon of the Year Awards during the Great Lakes Beauty Show. NAILS and The Nailco Group hosted the event, and although by the end of the night emcee Cyndy Drummey was voiceless, she spoke about how it was best possible time to be in the nail industry and how lucky she and the staff of NAILS felt to be associated with an industry whose purpose was making people feel good.

<p>Laurie Burger exults in winning the $1,000 award in the GLBS Treasure Chest Giveaway. Everyone who attended the show received a key with a chance to unlock the treasure chest full of prizes. Attendees whose keys opened the chest were invited back later in the day for a chance at cash prizes and a try at the grand prize of a cruise for two. As the envelopes were being opened and the prizes determined, Burger broke into tears of joy as the name of cruise-winner Marsha Samona was announced.</p>

Laurie Burger exults in winning the $1,000 award in the GLBS Treasure Chest Giveaway. Everyone who attended the show received a key with a chance to unlock the treasure chest full of prizes. Attendees whose keys opened the chest were invited back later in the day for a chance at cash prizes and a try at the grand prize of a cruise for two. As the envelopes were being opened and the prizes determined, Burger broke into tears of joy as the name of cruise-winner Marsha Samona was announced.

<p>Cheryl Ann Lavin traveled 4,200 miles from Nikiski, Alaska, to come to the show. She arrived at the Round Table event wearing native Alaskan wear and wowed the participants of that discussion group with her stories about traveling in her customized "pedicuring van" where she earns over $50 per set of feet.</p>

Cheryl Ann Lavin traveled 4,200 miles from Nikiski, Alaska, to come to the show. She arrived at the Round Table event wearing native Alaskan wear and wowed the participants of that discussion group with her stories about traveling in her customized "pedicuring van" where she earns over $50 per set of feet.

<p>Faith Glionna, runner-up in the Salon of the Year 1-4 techs category, made this purse just for the special occasion. She took a small cloth bag and covered it with 100 nail tips of every size that she pre-painted sparkly silver. She broke a few nails in all the cheering at the party. Glionna also custom-made Salon of the Year candy bars for the attendees.</p>

Faith Glionna, runner-up in the Salon of the Year 1-4 techs category, made this purse just for the special occasion. She took a small cloth bag and covered it with 100 nail tips of every size that she pre-painted sparkly silver. She broke a few nails in all the cheering at the party. Glionna also custom-made Salon of the Year candy bars for the attendees.

<p>If Alisha Sale looks a little tired it's because she competed in three events during the two-day show, winning two firsts and one fourth to earn the title of Grand Master of the Millennium. Her flurry of first places moved her up NAILS' Top 25 Competitors list to the No. 1 spot. It wasn't Vegas, but Sale took home $1,100 from her winnings. Here she rests with Larry Gaynor, Drummey, and competition director Sharon Martin.</p>

If Alisha Sale looks a little tired it's because she competed in three events during the two-day show, winning two firsts and one fourth to earn the title of Grand Master of the Millennium. Her flurry of first places moved her up NAILS' Top 25 Competitors list to the No. 1 spot. It wasn't Vegas, but Sale took home $1,100 from her winnings. Here she rests with Larry Gaynor, Drummey, and competition director Sharon Martin.

<p>Michael and Zoe Falley of Tropical Shine/Realys have peddled their fine files around the world. Here they take in the ambiance on the bustling show floor.</p>

Michael and Zoe Falley of Tropical Shine/Realys have peddled their fine files around the world. Here they take in the ambiance on the bustling show floor.

<p>Essie Cosmetics' Essie Weingarten and Max Sortino take time from promoting the polish lines that bear their names to enjoy the crowd.</p>

Essie Cosmetics' Essie Weingarten and Max Sortino take time from promoting the polish lines that bear their names to enjoy the crowd.

<p>Nancy Lawrence, owner of Savoir Faire, is the "quite one" on her staff (staffer Susan "Sam" Everhart cried so loudly when the salon's name was announced, it caused a hush to come over the audience). Lawrence thanked her obviously committed staff and her clients for making it possible for her to earn the distinction of 1999-2000 Salon of the Year, 1-4 technicians.</p>

Nancy Lawrence, owner of Savoir Faire, is the "quite one" on her staff (staffer Susan "Sam" Everhart cried so loudly when the salon's name was announced, it caused a hush to come over the audience). Lawrence thanked her obviously committed staff and her clients for making it possible for her to earn the distinction of 1999-2000 Salon of the Year, 1-4 technicians.

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<p>It takes some time for Salon of the Year finalists to put together their entry packages. NAILS celebrates their dedication by displaying the entries at the awards ceremony and The Nailco Group's Great Lakes Beauty Show for all to see.</p>
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It takes some time for Salon of the Year finalists to put together their entry packages. NAILS celebrates their dedication by displaying the entries at the awards ceremony and The Nailco Group's Great Lakes Beauty Show for all to see.

<p>With the help of educator Sandi Kirshen, Snails CEO Marlene Sortino (right) shows off some of her company's extensive jewelry and nail art line.</p>
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With the help of educator Sandi Kirshen, Snails CEO Marlene Sortino (right) shows off some of her company's extensive jewelry and nail art line.

<p>Their faces may not be as familiar as their names, but now you can call these top competitors #8, #22, and #12&nbsp;&mdash; their favorite spots on the Top 25 Competitors Ranking for 1999. Oh, their real names are (left to right) Salina Rush, Bu' Domenech Calabrese, and Darlene Feric.</p>
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Their faces may not be as familiar as their names, but now you can call these top competitors #8, #22, and #12 — their favorite spots on the Top 25 Competitors Ranking for 1999. Oh, their real names are (left to right) Salina Rush, Bu' Domenech Calabrese, and Darlene Feric.

<p>Educator of the Year runner-up Louis Mattassi gives Cyndy Drummey a squeeze. The two go "way back," to when Mattassi introduced himself at a show and talked to our editor/publisher about getting more coverage of Latin American salon issues and a Spanish language version of NAILS.</p>
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Educator of the Year runner-up Louis Mattassi gives Cyndy Drummey a squeeze. The two go "way back," to when Mattassi introduced himself at a show and talked to our editor/publisher about getting more coverage of Latin American salon issues and a Spanish language version of NAILS.

<p>Four hundred and fifteen photographs were taken of Larry Gaynor over the course of the two-day show and he was the picture of vitality in every one. Here, with April Buford and La Shaun Brown-Glenn, he looks none worse for the wear. Never mind the busy show, this year he has launched NailSmart and Club and Spa Direct, and opened four Industry Source stores.</p>
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Four hundred and fifteen photographs were taken of Larry Gaynor over the course of the two-day show and he was the picture of vitality in every one. Here, with April Buford and La Shaun Brown-Glenn, he looks none worse for the wear. Never mind the busy show, this year he has launched NailSmart and Club and Spa Direct, and opened four Industry Source stores.

<p>First and foremost on the minds of Round Table participants was how to compete fairly and aggressively against discount salons...without succuming to lowering prices. Moderator Larry Gaynor kept the group well-focused on basic marketing strategy: Decide what you do differently than the competition and do it very well. The Round Table was a first for the Great Lakes Beauty Show and participants enjoyed an informal lunch with fellow salon professionals and manufacturers.</p>
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First and foremost on the minds of Round Table participants was how to compete fairly and aggressively against discount salons...without succuming to lowering prices. Moderator Larry Gaynor kept the group well-focused on basic marketing strategy: Decide what you do differently than the competition and do it very well. The Round Table was a first for the Great Lakes Beauty Show and participants enjoyed an informal lunch with fellow salon professionals and manufacturers.

<p>A record crowd attended the 1999-2000 Salon of the Year Awards during the Great Lakes Beauty Show. NAILS and The Nailco Group hosted the event, and although by the end of the night emcee Cyndy Drummey was voiceless, she spoke about how it was best possible time to be in the nail industry and how lucky she and the staff of NAILS felt to be associated with an industry whose purpose was making people feel good.</p>
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A record crowd attended the 1999-2000 Salon of the Year Awards during the Great Lakes Beauty Show. NAILS and The Nailco Group hosted the event, and although by the end of the night emcee Cyndy Drummey was voiceless, she spoke about how it was best possible time to be in the nail industry and how lucky she and the staff of NAILS felt to be associated with an industry whose purpose was making people feel good.

<p>Laurie Burger exults in winning the $1,000 award in the GLBS Treasure Chest Giveaway. Everyone who attended the show received a key with a chance to unlock the treasure chest full of prizes. Attendees whose keys opened the chest were invited back later in the day for a chance at cash prizes and a try at the grand prize of a cruise for two. As the envelopes were being opened and the prizes determined, Burger broke into tears of joy as the name of cruise-winner Marsha Samona was announced.</p>
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Laurie Burger exults in winning the $1,000 award in the GLBS Treasure Chest Giveaway. Everyone who attended the show received a key with a chance to unlock the treasure chest full of prizes. Attendees whose keys opened the chest were invited back later in the day for a chance at cash prizes and a try at the grand prize of a cruise for two. As the envelopes were being opened and the prizes determined, Burger broke into tears of joy as the name of cruise-winner Marsha Samona was announced.

<p>Cheryl Ann Lavin traveled 4,200 miles from Nikiski, Alaska, to come to the show. She arrived at the Round Table event wearing native Alaskan wear and wowed the participants of that discussion group with her stories about traveling in her customized "pedicuring van" where she earns over $50 per set of feet.</p>
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Cheryl Ann Lavin traveled 4,200 miles from Nikiski, Alaska, to come to the show. She arrived at the Round Table event wearing native Alaskan wear and wowed the participants of that discussion group with her stories about traveling in her customized "pedicuring van" where she earns over $50 per set of feet.

<p>Faith Glionna, runner-up in the Salon of the Year 1-4 techs category, made this purse just for the special occasion. She took a small cloth bag and covered it with 100 nail tips of every size that she pre-painted sparkly silver. She broke a few nails in all the cheering at the party. Glionna also custom-made Salon of the Year candy bars for the attendees.</p>
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Faith Glionna, runner-up in the Salon of the Year 1-4 techs category, made this purse just for the special occasion. She took a small cloth bag and covered it with 100 nail tips of every size that she pre-painted sparkly silver. She broke a few nails in all the cheering at the party. Glionna also custom-made Salon of the Year candy bars for the attendees.

<p>If Alisha Sale looks a little tired it's because she competed in three events during the two-day show, winning two firsts and one fourth to earn the title of Grand Master of the Millennium. Her flurry of first places moved her up NAILS' Top 25 Competitors list to the No. 1 spot. It wasn't Vegas, but Sale took home $1,100 from her winnings. Here she rests with Larry Gaynor, Drummey, and competition director Sharon Martin.</p>
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If Alisha Sale looks a little tired it's because she competed in three events during the two-day show, winning two firsts and one fourth to earn the title of Grand Master of the Millennium. Her flurry of first places moved her up NAILS' Top 25 Competitors list to the No. 1 spot. It wasn't Vegas, but Sale took home $1,100 from her winnings. Here she rests with Larry Gaynor, Drummey, and competition director Sharon Martin.

<p>Michael and Zoe Falley of Tropical Shine/Realys have peddled their fine files around the world. Here they take in the ambiance on the bustling show floor.</p>
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Michael and Zoe Falley of Tropical Shine/Realys have peddled their fine files around the world. Here they take in the ambiance on the bustling show floor.

<p>Essie Cosmetics' Essie Weingarten and Max Sortino take time from promoting the polish lines that bear their names to enjoy the crowd.</p>
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Essie Cosmetics' Essie Weingarten and Max Sortino take time from promoting the polish lines that bear their names to enjoy the crowd.

<p>Nancy Lawrence, owner of Savoir Faire, is the "quite one" on her staff (staffer Susan "Sam" Everhart cried so loudly when the salon's name was announced, it caused a hush to come over the audience). Lawrence thanked her obviously committed staff and her clients for making it possible for her to earn the distinction of 1999-2000 Salon of the Year, 1-4 technicians.</p>
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Nancy Lawrence, owner of Savoir Faire, is the "quite one" on her staff (staffer Susan "Sam" Everhart cried so loudly when the salon's name was announced, it caused a hush to come over the audience). Lawrence thanked her obviously committed staff and her clients for making it possible for her to earn the distinction of 1999-2000 Salon of the Year, 1-4 technicians.

Each year NAILS and The Nailco Group have the honor (and pleasure) of awarding the top salons, nail technicians, and this year, the educators of our industry. We recognize them for their fierce dedication to the industry and raising the bar of professionalism, while offering the utmost in services to their clients, an educational work environment for their staff, and contributing to their community. We know it's a tall order, but this year's 12 finalists met the challenge. Along with a record crowd, they met us at The Nailco Group's Great Lakes Beauty Show in Dearborn, Mich., in October to celebrate a year of amazing achievements and to start the new year with renewed dedication.

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