This issue of The Point is primarily focused on extended learning opportunities. Unfortunately, since I spend very little of my  life in the piercing room these days, most of my learning opportunities now present themselves in the form of a computer screen and software tutorials; databases, spreadsheets, mail merges, and the like. Oh, how my career direction has shifted in the last few years!

That being said, I had the amazing opportunity this year to attend Camp APP. Since its inception, I’ve been eager to attend, but the circumstances never quite worked out. This year, it finally happened, and as I expected, it was a revitalizing and perspective-shifting experience. Read on to find out more about my time spent in the Georgia woods.

Over the past several months, our international colleagues have also celebrated extended learning with many other seminars, including annual conferences for the UKAPP, LBP, and the 1st annual GEP Brazil. If cross-country or overseas travel is outside your current budget and schedule, don’t fear; there are still plenty of other learning opportunities, which we talk about later in this issue.

Keep in mind that even within your own studio, surrounded by your regular clients, there are a plethora of opportunities to expand your knowledge. Our industry is ever-evolving and everyone’s individual experience and perspective play an integral role in their understanding. Don’t forget to keep your mind opened and be introspective. Some of the most groundbreaking epiphanies come from within.