After a successful debut in December 2024, Professional Beauty India (PBI) returned to Kochi for an action-packed edition. Kicking off 2026’s trade shows, the biggest names in South India’s beauty business made their way to the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium. Positioned as a comprehensive industry platform, PBI Kochi’s second edition, held on February 9-10th, brought together hair, beauty, and wellness professionals from across South India for two days of learning, networking, and business engagement.
The second edition reinforced the strong foundation laid by the first show, expanding its scope across multiple touchpoints of the professional ecosystem. Attendees witnessed live demonstration stages led by industry experts, new product launches from leading brands, interactive in-stall demos, and the presence of the PBHJ editorial team, which continues to spotlight regional voices and market-specific narratives.
Designed to cater to salon owners, professionals, educators, distributors, and aspiring entrepreneurs, the show balanced creative inspiration with commercial relevance. Live stages focused on trends, techniques, and practical applications, while brand-led activations offered hands-on exposure to innovations shaping the professional market.
Among the key knowledge-driven elements of the show was the Salon Management Conference (SMC), a focused roundtable initiative that complemented the broader exhibition and stage programming. The SMC addressed essential business conversations around salon operations, people management, profitability, marketing, retailing, and regional market dynamics. Rather than functioning as a standalone feature, the conference integrated seamlessly into the overall show, adding depth to PBI’s commitment to professional development.
The SMC brought together experienced salon owners, educators, and consultants, including Jaji Sunil, Vijit from Fair Professional Salon, Dr. Vijaya Salunkhe, Renjith R Krishna of Sini Mangatt Academy, and Faima Lix from IVY Salon. Their discussions emphasised real-world challenges while offering practical, regionally relevant insights.
Importantly, PBI Kochi continued to position itself as a regional growth platform, recognising Kerala’s evolving beauty and wellness market, its skilled workforce, and its increasing influence in shaping South India’s professional landscape. The show offered businesses an opportunity to connect directly with the market, understand local needs, and build long-term relationships.
PBI Kochi 2026 returned with a more expansive and mature format, reinforcing the show’s purpose: to move beyond trend showcases and create an ecosystem where creativity, commerce, education, and dialogue coexist. With its mix of live artistry, product innovation, industry conversations, and community engagement, PBI Kochi 2026 established itself as the ideal platform for professionals looking to grow, adapt, and stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry.