NCA ANNOUNCES 4th INTERNATIONAL CHARITY BALL 09
Sunday, August 2, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Chicago
Gala to honor Legend Lee Rizzuto, Sr. and Icons Sonya & Christopher Dove and Robert Cromeans

The National Cosmetology Association’s (NCA) 4th International Charity Ball will take place on August 2, 2009, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago, in conjunction with SalonLife ‘09.

At this gala event, the industry will join together to honor “Legend” Conair Corp.’s founder/owner, Leandro “Lee” P. Rizzuto, Sr., and “Icons” Wella Creative Directors Sonya & Christopher Dove and John Paul Mitchell Systems Global Artistic Director Robert Cromeans. The event will also celebrate the success of NCA’s first Dining for Change nationwide fundraiser, as well as look forward to the next Dining for Change initiative during the entire month of October 2009. Dining for Change, like the International Charity Ball, will raise funds for the NCA’s Community Service Programs:
•    The Salons Against Domestic Abuse Fund/CUT IT OUT, a program dedicated to mobilizing salon professionals and others to fight the epidemic of domestic abuse through building awareness and training salon professionals to recognize warning signs and safely refer clients to local resources;
•    Look Good…Feel Better, a free, nationwide program that for nearly two decades has offered women help and encouragement to cope with the appearance side effects of cancer treatment;
•    The NCA Disaster Relief Fund, which provides emergency cash assistance to directly support salon professionals impacted by natural disasters so that they can rebuild their lives quickly.

Past honorees include Mario Tricoci, Olive Benson, Paul Mitchell, Robert Lobetta, Leo Passage and Paula Kent Meehan. Last year’s ball raised more than $250,000 for NCA Community Service Programs and more than 800 guests attended.

NCA’s International Charity Ball is co-chaired by NCA President Mark Goodman and NCA’s CIDESCO USA Chair Lydia Sarfati, the founder and CEO of Sarkli-Repechage.

To reserve a table of 10 for $1,500 or an individual ticket for $150 or place an ad in the commemorative journal, call 866-871-0656 or visit www.ncacares.org.

ABOUT OUR LEGEND: Leandro (Lee) P. Rizzuto
Leandro (Lee) P. Rizzuto, founder of Conair Corporation, manufacturers of professional beauty products for the trade and consumer appliances from hair dryers to telephones to electronic scales, grew up in the business, like many successful entrepreneurs. He is the son of salon owners, with whom he started Conair as Continental Products Inc. in 1959 with a $100 investment, bringing salon innovations from pin curl clips to the wire hair roller to a properly-weighted “pistol-grip” dryer he personally perfected, to salons, making the work easier and the results better. So successful was the business in the trade that he expanded Conair to the retail trade. His business instincts were right on: the timing was perfect. It was the era of healthy, shining, movable hair, daily shampoos and free-form styles, easily created and maintained at home with his dryer and rollers, in stark contrast to the hair-sprayed, teased bouffants of a few years before.

A company started with $100 investment grew in this country to the No.1 position in hair care appliances and then around the globe, until today it is a billion dollar, still- privately-held corporation, employing 5, 000 people around the world.
Wizardry, imagination and innovation in electronics led to more products that make people feel better and look better – from wellness massagers, to spa foot and bath appliances, shavers, hot lather machines, hair removal systems in personal care, then to telephones, professional garment steamers and, finally, to the licensing of great brand names—Revlon and Vidal Sassoon appliances in Europe and Asia, respectively, and Southwestern Bell Freedom phones in this country. Conair also acquired some of the world’s most prestigious brands, from Cuisinart and Waring kitchen appliances, Babyliss, Jilbere de Paris and Rusk professional products to Interplak dental appliances, Pollenex showerheads and Weight Watchers electronically-precise scales.
Lee’s philanthropic efforts support organizations that range from the N.I.A.F. to St. Joseph’s School for the Blind, D.A.R.E., The American Beauty Association, to the Cardinal Cushing School and Training Center. He is a board member of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and a member of the Special Olympics committee. He has earned the respect and support of the industries to which he is such a successful contributor, winning Sears’ “Partner in Progress” award, SPARC awards by the dozens and the Kmart award in recognition of exceptional achievement.

ABOUT OUR ICONS/Wella Creative Directors Sonya and Christopher Dove
Long recognized as two of the industry's leading hairdressers, Sonya and Christopher Dove are among the most sought-after hair experts in the professional beauty industry. Known as “The Doves,” they’ve been partners for 27 years. Natives of Great Britain, The Doves now reside in California, where they have created a solid reputation for modern and innovative hairdressing based on the ever-changing fashion trends that demand the changing image of hair.
The Doves have won some of the industry's most prestigious awards. They won the 2003 Most Inspiring Hair Colorists from Haircolor USA. During 1999, 2000 and 2002, they were named Haircolorists of the Year at Haircolor USA. Christopher and Sonya were also named 2001 Master Hairstylists of the Year presented by the North American Hairstyling Awards.
As Wella's Creative Directors, they work closely with the Professional Services division, sharing their creativity for the company's extensive educational programs and hair shows. The Doves travel around the globe educating, inspiring and motivating hairdressers on the latest styling concepts, cutting techniques and the effective use and of application of all Wella haircolor, styling and care products. The Doves resumé includes a close relationship with Elizabeth Arden's Red Door Salons, where they were in charge of creative direction for the company.
The Doves' creative artistry and technical knowledge, combined with their unique flair for designing diverse fashion looks, is constantly in demand at U.S. and international hair shows, alike. Their innovative hairstyling ideas have also been featured in leading hair and fashion publications worldwide.

ABOUT OUR ICONS/Paul Mitchell’s Global Artistic Director Robert Cromeans
Hairdresser, salon owner, platform artist and industry legend all describe John Paul Mitchell Systems Global Artistic Director Robert Cromeans, whose charming wit, innovative artistry and proven business strategies inspire hairdressers around the globe. Few have achieved such international acclaim, and fewer still have worked so hard to share the keys to success with others.
From the platform and in his DVDs, the charismatic Scotsman always wraps his message of artistic innovation and contagious entrepreneurship in a package of encouragement: “If I can do it, you can, too.” Voted by the industry a record six times in a row as behindthechair.com's Stylist Choice Awards Platform Artist of the Year, this Glasgow, Scotland native constantly travels with his salon team to motivate and educate.
His latest techniques and discoveries are featured on Paul Mitchell Collections and educational DVDs. And Robert's groundbreaking and timesaving techniques have taught hairdressers worldwide how to have more fun and make more money in their salons.

The National Cosmetology Association (NCA) is the largest organization of salon professionals in the world. Its mission, since its inception in 1921, has been and continues to be to ensure that working salon professionals have the tools and resources available to create career success with integrity. For continuous updates on SalonLife ‘09 and other initiatives, visit www.ncacares.org or call 312-527-6765.