Kimberly Zapata

On June 7, 2014 I prepared for the 19th Annual Association of Professional Piercers’ Conference as I have for every other conference: with frantic, late-night packing (and unpacking) while watching “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.” I grabbed my laptop, checked in for my flight, and waited with nervous anticipation. (I was thrilled at the prospect of seeing my friends and colleagues but anxious to be leaving my 11-month-old daughter for the very first time.) However, as soon as I walked through the glass doors and into the organized chaos that is the Bally’s Hotel and Casino, I felt at home. I saw some faces I knew, and many I didn’t, but we were all smiling and greeting each other, and it was exactly what I needed (personally and professionally).

The Facts

The 19th Annual Conference and Exposition was held in the heart of the Las Vegas strip, at Bally’s Hotel and Casino, from June 8 through 13, 2014. With 1014 registrants and 282 first timers, the Conference was bigger and better than ever! (Pardon the cliche, but it truly was.) There were:

• 46 instructors
• 68 volunteers
• 52 vendors
• 67 courses offered
• 99.5 instructional hours

The “Fun”

While we all have our own reasons for attending Conference each year, be it to better (or re-) educate ourselves, shop for the best body jewelry in our industry, or simply connect with piercers and piercees from around the country—and world—the 19th Annual Conference had all that, and more. The opening party, poolside, Monday evening did not disappoint. With perfect “Vegas” weather, a full spread of self-service tacos, and friends—both old and new—the party started at 8:00pm but lasted well into the night, spilling into the lobby bar and hotel rooms throughout the resort. It was the perfect icebreaker for our fairly new crowd—and way cooler than the crap they pull at formal retreats, like trust falls. (Ugh, trust falls.) By time the Expo floor opened the next day, the energy was palpable. (It’s not that people were standoffish the first day, it’s just that, after the opening party, something was a little different.)

As always, the range of courses, workshops, and roundtables offered was varied, and their curriculums were stellar. Offerings included Gold Jewelry: Sales and Marketing, with Nate Janke and Noah Babcock; Initial Jewelry: The Rules (and When to Break Them), taught by Jef Saunders and Cody Vaughn; and a very open and personal dialogue regarding disorders in our industry, facilitated by Courtney Jane Maxwell and Ashley Misako. Returning favorites were also scattered throughout the schedule, like Working Clean Within Your Studio, Body Anatomy for Safe and Successful Piercings (as well as several other anatomy-based courses), Studio Documentation, and the Aftercare “series.” The newly formed International Suspension Alliance also held one of their meetings during Conference, which is truly exciting for everyone.

Unfortunately, personal and professional schedules do not always align, and I found myself on a flight out of McCarran a few hours before the banquet dinner. So check out Kendra Jane’s article for full coverage of the banquet dinner.

The Unexpected

One of the undisputed highlights of the week was not a class at all but a roundtable, a Q&A chat with the “father” of modern piercing, Jim Ward. Like everyone, I was beyond excited when I saw A Fireside Chat with Jim Ward on the agenda. I work with Jim on The Point, and I have read his book “Running the Gauntlet,” but there is still so very much about this man—and his life—I did not know. So I waited anxiously in line alongside hundreds of others who, no doubt, felt the same.

Jim opened his roundtable not with a question but with a harp performance, his first of four pieces to “shake the nerves.” The room fell silent. Hundreds of piercers, apprentices, healthcare workers, and other piercing professionals waited in awe as Jim sat down. His performance was beautiful, heartfelt, and personal.

When asked what advice Jim would offer the current generation of piercers (specifically in regards to egos and industry “personalities”), he shared perhaps the most humbling lesson I have ever heard: “Once a year go out into a cemetery and ask yourself one question, how many of these people are still remembered?” Suddenly everything was put into perspective.

The “class” ended with a final harp performance, and with a standing ovation. Thank you Bethra for convincing Jim to give this amazing performance! And thank you Jim for sharing this with all of us.

For me, this was the first Conference where I truly felt like I’d found my footing. Fears and trepidations were left on the tarmac, and I found confidence I don’t think I have had since fifth grade. I reunited with some amazing colleagues and friends, and made many new ones.

We all leave conference with a laundry list of “changes,” things we hope to do in our studios or with our peers. Some get done, many fall to the wayside—trumped by things like keeping up with your clients, or life. That’s okay. Conference is a great way to reenergize, to remotivate, and to inspire, and—if for no other reason—is the reason it is a must for any piercer (or industry professional). The event not only puts into perspective the necessity of safety in all aspects of the industry but also reminds us to push our boundaries, personally and professionally, to ask questions, and to try something new—or at least consider that there are alternative approaches and techniques.

Next year we will be moving over to the Flamingo for our big 2-0 celebration. It is sure to be an event to remember, so register early. See you next year!