If you have ever attended the annual APP Conference, then you know it can be an overwhelming experience; especially if it is only your first or second year attending. To make this transition into becoming a seasoned Conference goer simpler, there is the Mentor Program.

So what exactly is the Mentor Program? It is an amazing outreach system created in 2009 by Ryan Ouellette. Essentially, the idea was to build small families that can work together as a group and lean on each other for support during the APP Conference. We have seen incredible progress and have had wonderful feedback when it comes to this program, and we look forward to continuing this process for years to come.

Our mentors are experienced Conference goers who want to ensure that our new attendees have an outstanding time. To pair mentors and mentees, we use a survey system conducted by the Mentor Team to create groups based on similar interests, areas of knowledge, and class schedule needs. These small groups—consisting of a mentor and three to four mentees—assist and encourage each other while providing a more welcoming environment to the Conference experience as a whole. Mentors are here to provide support if you become overwhelmed, require a little reassurance, or want assistance with your class schedule. They can even give you advice on where to find  the  tastiest  tacos or a delicious vegan donut. It is essential to take full advantage of this opportunity! Many mentors and mentees develop connections with each other that can last for years!

If you plan on attending Conference for the first time and have questions that you would like answered, need help selecting your classes, or you would simply like to have a friend before arriving in Vegas, then the APP Mentor Program is here to help! If you are a first  or second year attendee and would like assis- tance from a mentor chosen specifically for you, please email mentors@safepiercing.org with MENTEE in the subject line. Be sure to include your name, telephone number, and other contact information in the email. There  is technically no deadline to sign up as a mentee, but the earlier you enroll the  more  you will get out of the program! We are thrilled  that you have decided to come to Conference this year and we cannot wait to meet you.

We genuinely want each  and  every one of our new attendees to get the most out of their Conference experience and hope that what the Mentor Program offers makes this possible. If you have any questions about the Mentor Program, becoming a mentor, or being a mentee at Conference, please do not hesitate to contact Cale or anyone else on the Mentor Team. The 2017 Mentor Team includes Cale Belford, Ryan Ouellette, Billy Wood Jr., and Will VonDoome