Point 85: APP Conference…Then & Now

THEN

Taken from The Official Newsletter of The Association of Professional Piercers, Spring, 2005 • Issue 32

The 10th Annual Association of Professional Piercers Conference & Exposition: The Largest Gathering of Piercers & Jewelry Vendors in the World. May 1–6, 2005 At the Las Vegas Riviera Hotel & Casino

CONFERENCE OVERVIEW

The Conference is a must for every piercing studio, tattoo studio that does piercing, health official, and health inspector. Because many important and informative courses are offered concurrently it is advisable that you send at least two representatives so that your facility or organization can get the most out of the conference. As in the past, the APP is offering courses to help piercers to achieve APP membership, comply with local and state regulations, have a say in piercing regulations, enhance business, improve customer relations and much more. You do not need to be an APP member to attend the conference.

Of the nearly 30 courses offered, only two are restricted to members only. Although all are welcome to attend classes, the Expo is not open to members of the general public. A business card from your establishment and proof of retail license will be necessary to enter. In addition, to maintain space in our host hotel and comply with insurance requirements, absolutely no piercing from hotel rooms will be tolerated.

CLASSES

  • Employee Management
  • Customer Service & Marketing
  • Phuket Vegetarian Festival (Documentary)
  • Aftercare
  • Basic Accounting
  • Jewelry 1
  • Jewelry 2
  • Indigenous Piercing Techniques
  • Studio Setup & Inspection
  • Scars
  • Medical Risk Assessment
  • CPR First Aid
  • Aseptic Technique & Equipment Management
  • Anatomy (Body)
  • Anatomy (Oral & Facial)
  • OSHA/Bloodborne Pathogens Certification
  • Stretching
  • Fraud Prevention
  • Surface Piercing (Members only)
  • Grounding & Bedside Manner
  • Non-Member Techniques

ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS

In order to make the APP Conference a venture allowing EVERYONE to contribute, we have scheduled round table discussions on the following proposed topics: Extreme Piercing, Suspension (Members only), Jewelry Display, Building a Portfolio, Anthropology, and Body Modification in the Mass Media. There is no charge to attend these workshops.

EXPOSITION

This is the largest gathering of piercers and piercing related vendors in the world. Manufacturers often utilize this event to present new products and services to the piercing community. In addition, many vendors offer their goods and services at a discount to conference attendees. As a reminder, a vendor’s presence at the expo does NOT constitute APP endorsement. Review all products thoughtfully and remember that, in many cases, the Conference and Expo are a learning experience for vendors as well.

For the first time the APP invites Health Inspectors to attend the Conference free of charge. The only requirement is that the person(s) attending reserves and stays in a room in the host hotel within the APP room block set aside for Conference attendees. Book early to get your room. If you need documentation confirming this offer, contact info@safepiercing.org.

PROM NIGHT/THE AWARDS DINNER

This will be held Thursday evening at the Top of the Riv North. The theme will be ‘Prom Night’ with a buffet style dinner (with vegan options) and dance music! You can come as you are or dust off your favorite suit or dress. The drawing for the top ten raffle prizes will be held during this event.

NOW

Our 24th Annual Conference and Exposition will be in Las Vegas, Nevada from May 12-17, 2019 at Planet Hollywood. During this week, ballrooms become classrooms, filling with attendees from all over the world. Piercers, Apprentices, Counter Staff, Studio Owners, Vendors, and Health Inspectors come together for a week of education and peer-to-peer sharing. Whether you are new to our industry or an experienced  practitioner  there  are classes and events for everyone. Our classes range in topic covering everything from the fundamentals of our trade to complex analysis of topics for those who are interested in furthering their existing knowledge.

In addition to the education available, the APP Conference is also home to The Exposition, the only one of its kind in this country. Nowhere else can you find this range of body jewelry and body piercing related products all in one spot.

You do not have to be an APP Member to attend the Conference, but some Restrictions apply to the Exposition and Members Only & Piercing Technique courses/round tables It is suggested that if you are new to the Conference or are an apprentice piercer that you start with the core classes. Many of these courses provide the foundation for the information provided in our advanced and elective courses.

For example before taking Strategic Marking or other piercing technique courses you will want to make sure you have taken our anatomy courses.

At this time the APP doesn’t require any prerequisites for any of its classes. It is advisable to have taken at least an online Bloodborne Pathogens course prior to attending our Conference.

Want to start planning out your schedule? Please feel free to use this 2019 Schedule to assist you!

CORE CLASSES

  • What Every Piercer Should Know about Below-theNeck Anatomy
  • Above the Neck (“Oro-Facial) Anatomy
  • Body Piercing Complications and Considerations
  • Safe Practices in the Sterilization Room
  • Wound Care/Aftercare
  • Initial Jewelry
  • Basics of “Safe” Materials for Body Jewelry
  • Studio Documentation
  • The Magic of Grounding and Bedside Manner

TECHNIQUE CLASSES (PIERCER ONLY)

  • Essential Body Piercing Concepts
  • Nipple Piercings: Basic & Advanced Theory
  • Modern Techniques: Vulva Piercings
  • Learning Bites: Lip Piercings
  • Industrial Piercings: Keeping it Simple
  • Septums Make Me Sweaty
  • Honing in on High Nostrils
  • Advanced Fundamentals: Helix Piercings
  • Needle Improvements
  • Strategic Marking

MEMBERS ONLY

  • Open Techniques Workshop

ELECTIVES

  • Working with Your Health Inspector
  • Current Piercer Tech Workshop
  • Microbiology For Piercers
  • Ergonomics in the Piercing Room
  • Mentoring and Apprenticeships and How to Inspire the Next Generation of Piercers
  • Utilizing your Phone
  • Giving and Receiving Feedback: Communication 102
  • Social Media Management
  • How to Win Clients and Influence Piercers
  • Fakir & Me (Jim Ward)
  • Annie Sprinkle on Fakir
  • The History of Glass
  • Cultural Competence and Inclusion: Where You Fit In
  • Trauma Informed Body Modification
  • Special: Fakir Musafar: An Evening of Remembrance & Celebration

WORKSHOPS

  • Control of Cross Contamination Through the Use of UV Reactive Powder
  • Safe Practices in the Piercing Room

TALK APP GROUP

  • Talk APP: Professionalism
    • Confidence and Cockiness In and Outside the Piercing Room
    • Professionalism with Genital Piercings
    • Ethics
  • Talk APP: Artistic Expression
    • Artistic Studio Design
    • Living with an Artist’s Eye
    • Creativity, Inspiration, and Artistic Expression in Jewelry Design
  • Talk APP: The “Arts”
    • The Art of Ritual
    • The Art of Skepticism
    • The Art of Nothing
  • Talk APP: Adulting
    • Acting Like a Boss
    • Self Care as an Adult
  • Talk APP: Different Perspectives
    • This is All Bigger than Us
    • It’s Not You, It’s Me

ROUNDTABLES

  • Disorders in the Industry
  • APP Membership
  • Regulatory Affairs
  • POC: the Power of Color and Representation
  • Reducing Waste in Your Studio
  • Piercing Outside the U.S. and the Reality of the Rest of the World

MEETINGS

  • Orientation
  • Mentor Program
  • New Attendees & Mentors Meeting
  • Members Meeting
  • Committee Meeting
  • Vendor Meeting
  • Health Inspectors Meeting
  • Friends of Bill W
  • International Meeting
  • Canadian Meeting
  • International Suspension Alliance

ATTB (Alternative to the Bar) OFFERINGS

  • Harm Reduction, Overdose Prevention, & Response Training
  • Anodizing Open Workshop
  • Needle Bending Open Workshop Game Night