The Experience 2026
A Coveted Retreat in NYC
An immersive NYC experience blending education, community, creativity, and the future of extensions.
October 18–19, 2026 | New York City Headquarters
Host Hotel: The Fredrick - Group Rate Available!
Ticket: $2,500
DAY 1
Covet & Mane 360°
Covet & Mane’s simplified approach to extension coloring designed to take the guesswork out of customization, blending, and dimensional results. Developed by Founder & CEO Dafina Smith alongside our product development team and educators Sarah Moscato-Goodpaster (@sarahmgdoeshair), IN and Lilybeth Vargas (@lilybethvargas), NYC this experience combines live demonstrations, hands-on weft applications, and immersive education led by our Covet Council and educator team. Ready to take the guesswork out of extension coloring?
Get a sneak peek at our latest innovation in hair and scalp health while experiencing the artistry, intention, and future of the Covet & Mane ecosystem.
DAY 1
Select an Elective
Textures
Led by Gabrielle Henderson
(@huesbygabrielle)
Certified Trichologist
Houston, TX
Designed for artists wanting to build confidence in textured extension services, this elective focuses on real-world application and inclusive artistry behind the chair.
With live models and a strong hands-on component, stylists will leave with practical techniques they can immediately apply in the salon while feeling more confident working with textured clients.
What you’ll learn:
- Matching curl patterns and blending extensions with natural hair
- Troubleshooting common texture challenges
- Understanding different curl patterns and texture blending
- Working through real-life texture concerns with confidence and customization in mind
Enhancements
Led by Angela Goff
(@angelagoffsytyling)
Master Extensions Artist with over 27 years of Experience
Nashville, TN
Focused on subtle transformations and high-impact services for clients experiencing fine, thinning, or sensitive hair concerns.
This elective also includes live models and hands-on application work, allowing artists to refine placement, blending, and customization techniques while gaining insight into future enhancement-focused education opportunities.
Topics include:
- Combining wefts, tape, or keratin for natural results
- Fine and thinning hair solutions
- Client sensitivity and discretion
- Expanding your extension clientele
DAY 2
Lindsay Stafford
(@lindsay.theburgundy)
Owner of The Burgundy, Carmel, IN
Join Lindsay Stafford for a keynote conversation centered around growth, leadership, and building a business with longevity.
As the owner of The Burgundy, Lindsay has built a luxury salon brand rooted in strong systems, team culture, and intentional growth. She’ll share her journey navigating salon ownership, working with celebrity clientele, creating balance within her business, and empowering her team to rise to the occasion — even when she’s not physically present.
This conversation is designed for artists, suite owners, and salon owners looking to grow with more clarity, confidence, and structure while building a business that supports both creativity and sustainability.
Salon Owner Sessions
These conversations are for owners ready to level up, building stronger teams, increasing revenue, and defining their salon culture. This isn’t a lecture, owners will have an open discussion to share real ideas, challenges, and strategies for growth.
Together, we’ll dive into:
- Scaling your business without losing yourself in the process
- Creating a team culture people actually want to be part of
- Pricing strategies that support growth and profitability
- Hiring, leadership, and retention
- Systems that create freedom and sustainability
- Honest conversations around the realities of salon ownership
Stylist Sessions
These conversations are for artists ready for their next era, growing clientele, creating better content, and stepping into new opportunities behind the chair. This isn’t just inspiration, it’s a space filled with fresh ideas, honest conversations, and practical takeaways you can bring back to your business right away.
Topics will be selected through pre-event surveys and may include:
- Growing on social media without burnout
- Reels + content that actually converts
- Personal branding that feels authentic
- Photography + creating content clients save
- Building community and attracting dream clients
What Makes The Experience 2026 Different
The Experience is more than education, it’s a full immersion into the world of Covet & Mane.
We’re bringing The Experience back home to NYC, giving attendees the opportunity to visit our headquarters, connect with our team, and experience the heart of the brand firsthand. Whether it’s your first visit or your return to Covet & Mane, we cannot wait to welcome you into our space.
Attendees will:
• Participate in hands-on education through our elective experiences: Textures & Enhancements.
• Leave with practical skills artists can immediately apply behind the chair.
• Connections that last a lifetime.
Invest in your education but also your community. Covet & Mane has always been collaboration over competition. Through peer-led conversations, collaborative breakout sessions, and curated discussions, stylists, salon owners, and suite owners will gain insight into scaling their businesses, building stronger communities, and growing as leaders within the industry.
A Retreat in the City
The Experience is designed to feel like a luxury creative retreat in the heart of NYC.
This year, we’re bringing The Experience back home to New York City, the home of Covet & Mane Headquarters and where The Experience first began. After our last event in Mexico, we wanted to return to the city that started it all.
Throughout the weekend, guests will enjoy:
• A welcome party at Primo’s inside The Frederick Hotel (@thefredricknyc) featuring aura readers, signature cocktails and mocktails, music curated by attendees, and more.
• Specialty matcha and coffee from Coco Bee (@cocobeeja).
• Curated breakfasts and lunches hosted both inside and outside of our headquarters, including a community-selected lunch spot for day two.
• Educator-led NYC experiences featuring favorite restaurants, shopping destinations, and hidden gems throughout the city.
Tell us what you love, and we’ll help curate your NYC experience when you register.
Covet Slumber Party
Return to The Frederick Hotel for our Covet-style slumber party experience.
Wear your favorite pajamas and join us for:
- Movies + games
- Sweet treat stations
- Self-care moments
- Community connection
- Pajama contest + prizes
Designed to feel nostalgic, elevated, and deeply connected to the Covet & Mane community.
The Alumni Breakfast
Our Concealed by Covet & Mane and Keratin Tip Alumni Breakfast. Have you taken one of our main methodologies? Come and connect with the other artists in this community! A curated moment to connect and have intentional conversations and build long lasting relationships.
This private experience celebrates artists who have invested deeply into Covet & Mane education while creating meaningful connections between alumni, educators, and leadership.
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October 17: Welcome Party at Primo’s in Tribeca
Kick off The Experience in true Covet style with an unforgettable Welcome Party at Primo’s in Tribeca. Spend your first night in NYC sipping cocktails, connecting with fellow stylists, and immersing yourself in the Covet & Mane community. Enjoy live music, aura readings, curated experiences, and plenty of moments to mingle, recharge, and celebrate before an inspiring weekend ahead.
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October 18: Covet & Mane 360° + Elective Experiences
Spend the day exploring Covet & Mane 360°, our latest innovations, product launches, and future vision for the brand, before diving into your selected elective experience: Textures or Enhancements. The evening continues with an NYC scavenger hunt through some of our favorite city locations led by our educators, followed by a Covet-style slumber party back at The Frederick Hotel.
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October 19: Alumni Breakfast + Keynote Conversations
The final day begins with our Concealed by Covet & Mane and Keratin Tip Alumni Breakfast, followed by keynote conversations featuring Lindsay and a special surprise guest speaker. Guests will then join curated roundtable discussions tailored for salon owners and stylists, closing the weekend with reflection, implementation strategies, education pathway conversations, and one final gathering inside the studio space.
Michelle Kynard
Daphne Dempsey
Angela Goff
Derek Westermeyer
Djenanne Jean-Francios
Amanda Gluck