As a brand new mom—my son will be less than four months old in mid-July—the decision to attend Confer ence this year was a difficult one. I absolutely adore my newfound role as a full-time caregiver, but maintaining my work responsibilities while caring for my son is certainly a balancing act. I look forward to the reprieve of Conference, where for a week, my only responsibilities will be to the organization and community that I’ve worked for and been passionate about for over ten years. That said, I have plenty of photos and videos of my Tummy Monster to share with anyone who’s interested.

Again this year, I’m looking forward to experiencing the Body Piercing Archive, delving deeper into our rich history and learning about interconnected art forms that make up the body modification community. Another high point for me is reconnecting with my Conference volunteer family; we stay connected throughout the year online, but it’s different to be able to give and receive hugs and in person support.

Beginning last year, the Alternative To The Bar (ATTB) activities are offered in the evenings; a perfect fit for the more introverted among us and those hoping to avoid drinking and smoking. Unfortunately, my Conference responsibilities often keep me late into the night, but I do my  best to participate. Playing board/card/table-top games and watching body mod related movies with fellow piercers is right up my alley, so this is my favorite place to be after classes are over and my work has been completed.

And then there are all the amazing classes to get excited about. My agenda this year includes Photography For the Modern Studio: Crop it like its hot!, In the Beginning There Was Gauntlet, Investigating Cross Contamination, Color Theory for Body Piercers, and Women in Leadership. Honestly, the registration process is always a struggle for me. The class offerings are expansive and there are only so many hours in the day. Inevitably, I can’t attend everything that I would like to, so prioritizing is important. This is one of the many ways that the Mentor Program assists new attendees; providing guidance during the class selection process, to tailor fit the needs, skill level, and schedule of participating mentees. Read further into this issue to find out more about the Mentor Program.

For those of you attending Conference this year, I can not wait to see you. If we haven’t met yet, don’t hesitate to stop me in the halls or find me after class to say hi. If we have met, chances are I’ll be too shy and introverted to strike up conversation first, but don’t let that stop you from taking the lead. For those of you who can’t be with us, I encourage you to try for next year. The experience is unforgettable, and the knowledge and networking is unsurpassed.