This May, beauty industry veterans Ted Gibson and Jason Backe roll out their debut Convergence Beauty Wellness Science Summit, a 2-day educational and community-focused gathering in Palm Springs, CA.
“Convergence is not a trade show,” says Gibson, a celebrity stylist and TV personality, whose latest enterprise with longtime partner Backe is Ted Gibson Beauty Wellness Science. “It is a summit that is changing the way education is delivered.”
The event was conceived in response to the narrowing gap between professional and consumer beauty education, Gibson explains.
“For a long time, beauty lived in divided worlds,” he says. “There was professional beauty behind the chair and consumer beauty at home. Somewhere along the way, those lines began to blur, not because standards changed, but because curiosity did.
“Consumers are more educated and invested in their health, and professionals are being called to evolve into leaders in wellness and science. Convergence was created to honor that moment.”
The event takes place May 3-4 at the Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel.
Programming will include technical education, panel discussions, retail shopping, and speaker sessions covering topics such as ingredient literacy, mycology, astrology, longevity science, and business strategy.
Consumer-facing sessions will focus on educational demonstrations in hair and skin care, while professional tracks will offer deeper instruction in cutting, styling, color, and salon and spa operations.
The event will feature a runway performance titled Beauty in Motion, presenting beauty as a live, expressive art form.
“This is about professionals and consumers growing together,” says Backe, an award-winning celebrity colorist. “People are paying closer attention to ingredient lists, environmental impact, and how beauty fits into their overall wellness. Convergence gives the industry a place to talk about that honestly and intelligently.”
The organizers emphasize the personal scale of the event, designed to encourage meaningful connection. “Convergence … is an intimate event focused on top-tier education and networking with like-minded people, in the heart of Palm Springs,” Backe says.
“Palm Springs is a magical place,” he adds. “Maybe because it's the Native Land, maybe it's because the city is surrounded by mountains, maybe it's the eternal sunshine.
"Whatever it is, this place fuels me with inspiration, and I think that vibe is perfect for the people who join us at Convergence.”
The event runs May 3-4, 2026. Ticket pricing ranges from $199 for consumers to $499 for VIP attendees.