Category Awards & Recognition

Point 76: Banquet Dinner – Kendra Jane B

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The banquet dinner is a highlight of the week in Vegas for many people. In fact, it has sold out the last few years in a row. Every year we get to see our colleagues dress up in their fanciest duds, from stunning gowns to costumes that fit the theme for the year. This year we saw some of our favorite science fiction characters, including Barf and Leeloo.

2016 APP Banquet portraitsAs we enjoyed a great dinner we were entertained by the familiarity of a sideshow. From there we moved on to the evening’s formalities: speeches, awards, and the much anticipated grand prize raffle draws.

The evening’s formalities got started when Cody Vaughn and I had the opportunity to say thank you and welcome to our new Members for the year.

“This century has seen the advent of technologies and procedures those before us never thought possible, not to mention an exponential growth in the numbers of body modification enthusiasts, and in turn the number of piercers looking to be their best. Every year we gain new Members and grow as an organization but this last year saw us gain an amazing 86 new Members. Congratulations to all our new Members.”

New Members:
Andie Saunders
Ashley Reeves
William Barron
Matt Bressmer
Kyla Scrivener
Olivia Theriault
Kara Dee
Lara “Barkley” Barkley
Laura Davis
Michael Bernhardt
Megan Feeley
Robert Wilson
Kelli Zeien
Edward (Richie) Bibee
Hannah Phykitt
Mona Lisa A. Escalante
Whitney Chase
Joshua W. Spriggs
Chris “Plaid” Weyer
Emily Woods
Jarred Mantia
Lani Soleil Gillespie
Ricky Andrew Minor
Anthony Merritt
Joey Hayden
Nick Lanehardt
Rivka McCormack
Courtney-Logan Rose Cangelosi
Sebastian Wolfe Pickersgill
Ana Paula Escalante
Lola Slider
Jay Zogg
Tim Gerdes
Janessa McKissack
Leo Ziebol
Melinda Hupy
Dominick Arduino
Giselle Rose Arduino
Inaveronica Ausland Pedersen
Amy Willmore
Jacob Spjut
Matthew Buonantuono
Kevin Allison
Crystal Vozzella
Ryan Terrillion
Doug Poisson
John Robberson
Rosemary Willicome
Justin Ellis
Hali Stimis
Amanda Thompson
Chris A Taylor
John Osborne
Hall Boyer
Paul Rainer
Jason “Jay” Zukas
Dustin Schoelier
Phoebe Dowling
Ryan Tantay
Britt Riggs
Samantha Minh (Robles)
Brittney Lola Lebbano
Thomas Gottschalk
Scott Self
Derek Ian
Robert Chambers
Kolby Cain
Kaylyn Suellentrop
John Alonzo
Dustin Jackson
Michael Kabbeko-Johnson
Chelsie Ross
Bernard P. Ellis II
Eric Schuh
Michael Kaspa
Amy McNichol
Dorian McCarron
Nicolas Fox
Thomas Mocek
Westin M. Fryar
Rich Hartwick
Maddie Akers
Matt Ronin
Charles Charlie Wheeler
Deidra Saville Evans
Bilal “Cozmo” Whitest

Miro Hernadez then had the distinguished pleasure of announcing this year’s birth announcements:
– Shortly after conference last year, Brian and Sandrine Skellie’s daughter Serena was brought into this world
– Ahri Elise Wilson was born on April 11th to Robert and Carissa Wilson
– Hazel Grey Hemmingsen was born on May 6h to Tyler and Laura Hemmingsen
– Patience J. Hope McInnes was born on July 9th to Mike and Michelle McInnes
– Tamarah and Wednesday Henryson brought a female “puppy” into this world on September 24th. When Tamarah was pregnant, the baby’s gender couldn’t be identified, so after people kept asking and asking, they finally just said, “a puppy” and that has stuck since.
– Julie Green of Westcoast Piercing and Ink first grandchild, Daya, was born on June 21
– Simon Patrick Saunders was born on September 8, 2015 to 2 of our APP members, Jef Saunders and Laura Leonard
– Troubador Rocco Grosvenor was born on September 29, 2015 to Nathan and Chelsea Grosvenor
– Mark and Nikole Montgomery are now grandparents with the birth of their beautiful grandson Lach- lan (Lock Ian)
– Lyric Mason Dinsmore was born on November 22, 2015 to Desiree ́ Dinsmore and Dustin Merryman

This past year was also filled with loss and sorrow and we mourn the passing of several members of our community:
– Hugh Mattay from Australia passed on Jan 28 at the age of 37.
– Leah Lovell from New York passed at the age of 28
– Peter Pina, 33, of Electric Chair Tattoo and Body Piercing in Houston.
– Jerome “JJ” Moiso passed away on February 26th after a long battle with cancer. He was one of Al D.’s last apprentices and had worked for a handful of Seattle studios as well as owning his own studio for a couple years. He was also involved with the original body art regulations in Washington State.
– Charles Gatewood and his iconic photography that brought the weird and macabre to pop culture and his larger than life personality.
– In 2014, Mark Siekierski joked about having this quote read as a memorial if he should ever pass, and sadly this year that wish will be made a reality.

Earth from the far reaches of space“Look again at that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every “superstar,” every “supreme leader,” every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there-on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.”

With the completion of that paragraph there was not a dry eye in the place and we all knew that we had honored a great man and all those that we had lost last year.

Last year’s banquet gave me the opportunity to thank someone very special to me, Caitlin McDiarmid. This year the tables were turned and she awarded me the Josh Prentice Volunteer award. This definitely brought me to tears. I was stunned and left speechless to say the least. I am so honored to have been recognized for something that brings me joy and fills my bucket until it runs over.

Brian Skellie also had the privilege of presenting this year’s President’s award to Ana Paula. This woman is a powerhouse in our industry and has brought safe piercing education to Latin America. When she is not teaching worldwide or starving to build LBP and the education seminars available to Latin American piercers, she creates stunning jewelry. A mother, wife, educator, and creator she is the most deserved recipient of this award.

From there the evening progressed to the presentation of the Expo awards. This year, there was a tie for the Creative Innovator’s Award, being presented to both Tether and Onetribe. We also saw Tether win the Single Booth Award. It is so wonderful to see a first time exhibitor and new company hit the ground running. At the other end of the spectrum, two long standing pillars of the industry took home the evening’s other awards. Tawapa won the Multiple Booth Award and Diablo Organic won the Technical Innovator’s Award.

Now that the formalities had been taken care of it was time to get onto the top raffle prize drawings (we all know this is what everyone was really waiting for).

As the evening drew to a close, lives had been changed forever, and we knew the week was drawing to a close. This is always a bittersweet moment for many of us. So until next year I leave you with this. . .

Alvin Toffler said, “The illiterate 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write. But those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” It is in this vein that we gather in the desert; to learn with the best; to unlearn some of our preconceived notions; and relearn things we thought we already knew. From our classrooms and workshops to our exposition floor it has been evident that the APP, our Members, Sponsors, and conference Attendees ensure that they take every opportunity to learn and grow both personally and professionally. We are so very excited to see what the future holds, when we boldly go where no piercer has gone before.

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Point 76: Scholar Reflections – Joshua Melnick

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It’s been difficult enough organizing my thoughts post-Conference, so the concept of structuring an essay has been daunting to say the least. It’s been six days since Conference, and I still feel like I’m floating. Full of gratitude for those who have given to me. Full of ideas for new approaches to things. I already know who I am in this world and am comfortable in my vessel. But I walked away from this experience feeling more confident in my decisions, sourcing inspiration from the successes and joys of others in my chosen community.

I made a post on my personal social media attempting to express my thanks for all those involved with Conference, and my ability to attend it, but rereading it later I feel like it falls short. I feel like it always will. There are simply too many people involved. I suppose that’s what pictures are for; the shortcomings of words. The picture I attached to this post perhaps better encapsulated the pure joy I was blessed with experiencing. There, between the smiling faces of Paul King, Pat Pierce, and a lovely cut-out of Sailor Sid, you can see my most genuine smile of gratitude: gratitude to the universe for spinning me to that place, at that moment.

Josh Melnick with Sailor Sid

The classes I was able to experience were exceptional, and better yet the discussions afterward about the content. Being able to bounce around ideas with more than just one other piercer at a time was a first for me, and something I truly enjoyed. Seeing so many different, yet viable approaches to the same problems are very exciting, and I greatly value the connections I’ve made. These connections will allow me to reach out and further pick the brains of the individuals explaining such approaches. It’s certainly safe to say the conference experience has also taken down the veil of importance I’ve put up around certain individuals. We’re all human, we’re all geeks to one degree or another, and piercing is the language we share. I shouldn’t be afraid to speak it.

I feel blessed, truly. But I also feel proud. I acknowledge that I did not get there on my own, but I did get there of my own volition and determination. No one wrote my submissions for me, and it still required hands and thoughts. The last meal I had in Las Vegas was some Chinese food, and eating alone while reflecting on my time at Conference, I mechanically and unthinkingly reached my meals conclusion and cracked open my fortune cookie. My fortune that day – now pinned on my corkboard at home – reads “of all our human resources, the most precious is the desire to improve.” That to me is the spirit of the APP, the mission statement of piercers, and something that was so serendipitous, I can’t help but feel that I’m on the right path for myself in life.

Point 76: Scholar Reflections – Trevor Jackson

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Las Vegas, Sin City: the place you go for a weekend you’ll never remember. This is what most people think of when they think of the strip. For me, there is a drastic difference. Vegas is a place of knowledge for those who have no outlet of their own, a place for community with a family you never knew you had and above all else a place to continue to move a growing industry out of the dark and into the light.

I can’t even begin to describe the impact the 2016 APP Conference had on me and my career, so I’ll start back one year prior, back to 2015 when I had exhausted my resources at a previous studio I had been working at.

Having always heard from my peers how amazing Conference was and how much they learned and bonded with others in the industry, my mind was blown that something like this actually existed. A place that we could all be one big family and help each other move forward in our own personal journeys. I had to be a part of this, take the next step in my career, and get over this rut I had been stuck in for so long. Unfortunately, finances are always a deciding factor and things at the shop weren’t too busy, so I turned to scholarship opportunities.

I applied to the Al D. Scholarship and No-Excuse Scholarship in hopes that 2015 would be the year I took that next big leap in my journey. Once it was all said and done I didn’t end up receiving one and it left me really bummed for months to follow. I felt as if I had missed out on knowledge and opportunities to move forward, and I didn’t know what to do with myself. It was then I decided to do whatever I needed in order to make it to Conference the following year, no matter how difficult it seemed.

This year my dreams came true. As soon as scholarship applications were up I jumped on them to make sure I got the best use of my time and the opportunities set out in front of me. Not only did I apply to the Al D. and No Excuses, but I had also put in for Club Tattoo’s scholarship; I wasn’t going to let any of these pass me by. After months of waiting and anticipating the outcome I received a phone call from the ever so amazing Christina Shull saying that I would be receiving the No Excuses Scholarship and that I would be going to Conference! It felt so surreal, like I was dreaming. It was finally happening and I couldn’t believe it.

From start to finish Conference was nothing like I had expected. Everything from the cross country road trip to get there to waiting in lines for check in and getting my badge, it was a dream come true. Upon arrival, I had no clue what to expect. My main goal was to not die in the desert heat and definitely to not make a fool of myself in my first year; this was all made way easier by the awesome folks involved in the mentor program. Even though I didn’t ask a whole lot of questions to my mentor, Tyler McClure, he was still there to help me with anything I needed and for that I will always be grateful. Everyone was so welcoming and happy to be there it was for sure an amazing start to the week.

I had a full schedule of classes throughout the week from various lectures and slideshow presentations to hands on workshops which really helped to visualize each piercers’ unique approach and concepts. Out of all of the classes I took I would have to say that the most beneficial to me were the Strategic Marking workshop, Male Genital Piercing, and APP Talk: Personal Journeys.

Having four instructors for the Strategic Marking workshop was extremely beneficial. It put into perspective how different an approach can be from piercer to piercer to achieve the same end goal. Rob Hill really helped with his explanation of placements and execution order for not only traditional industrials but also for multi-point industrials. I also found Courtney Maxwell’s approach helpful when marking paired nostrils on less than ideal anatomy. If marking is one of your weak points, I would highly recommend checking out this class in future years; you won’t be disappointed.

The Male Genital class not only put me in a good position to understand ideal placements on areas that have drastic changes in shape and size, but also helped me to understand what is ideal to pierce and how to allow for a nice smooth process. Male genital work isn’t something I had ever offered due to lack of knowledge and training, but I do look forward to being able to add some to my portfolio.

To round out the end of my week I finished with stories of personal journeys within the piercing industry and how some got their start. Everyone has their own journey and have had to deal with various obstacles along the way, but with enough passion, dedication, and hard work they were able to overcome those milestones in their careers to get them to where they are now. One important lesson I took from this class was that sometimes you’ll be put in less than ideal situations, whether it be with a client, co-worker or employer, or even a peer in the industry. With the right attitude and knowledge you can overcome it and move on towards the next challenge that needs to be tackled.

We all know that knowledge is valuable and will help us all move forward, but I would have to say the best part of this experience – what I’ll carry with me for the rest of my journey – is the sense of community and family that was present from the moment we got to Bally’s. I can’t remember the last time I had this great of an experience. After meeting peers that I have followed on social media for years, I realized they are regular people just like me! Everyone was down to Earth and extremely helpful even if they didn’t know who you were.

Not only was I able to interact and bond with fellow piercers from my home state of Michigan, I was also able to spend a lot of time with a couple piercers from Alaska, Indiana, California and even several from out of the country. This was a valuable tool that I have never had access to in the past; Conference was there to help bridge that gap.

All in all I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity I was given and will always remember my first year at Conference. I highly encourage anyone looking to continue moving forward to attend Conference. If money is the deciding factor, there are plenty of scholarship opportunities to apply for and being a scholar makes bridging those awkward “meeting new people” moments much more bearable. I can’t wait to go back and see our community continue to grow into a bright and happy future.

Thank you APP for making this Conference possible. Thank you to all the piercers who put forth money out of their own pockets to make this opportunity available for us scholars; you are the real heroes here.

Point 76: Scholar Reflections – Loreia Bürgen

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This year’s Conference was really intense for me. But in a more efficient way – as a professional and as a person. Unfortunately not everything worked out as originally planned, but in the end everything worked out well. As I said, it was still very intense.

As some of you may know, I had a very rough year and one of my main focuses was self care. This worked out pretty well – I hydrated, gave myself enough sleep, and tried to eat as healthy as you can in Vegas. This idea of self care could also be seen with other people this year. I worked as an underground volunteer; I made a point to bring coffee for fellow volunteers and forced people to eat fruits. 😀

I took really awesome classes this year, from the “safety” classes (procedures in the sterilization room, and piercing room, and the statim class) to the marking class. I took the anatomy class again this year and I really loved it; when you know how you should work, it is important to repeat the basics again and again and again. This gives me a real good feeling.

I learned a great deal and will (again) make some changes in my studio: I will rebuild my sterilization room in the next months and I am super proud that I will be able to do a second showcase with high quality jewelry! I also brought some gold home with me and I am super stoked about this! I travelled to the Conference with the last of my savings and spent it all at the Expo, but I have faith that this is the right way to act (my faith comes from receiving the scholarship). Thanks to everybody who made this possible for me. I can’t express what this means to me. I tried to find as many piercers as possible to say thank you for the scholarship, but I know there are more of you. So I just want to let you know, I am full of love and full of gratitude for you!

Point 76: Scholar Reflections – Jasmine Ellis

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It’s taken a full week to find words to explain everything I have experienced at Conference. Now, as I sit here trying to put those words to paper, I still cannot fathom how wonderful this opportunity has been for myself and the other scholars. The generosity of everyone who donated to the scholarships amazes me and I cannot thank them enough or tell them how much I appreciate the chance I was given.

The pull of modifying my appearance began as a young child—being just another face in the crowd made me feel as if I was invisible, easily passed over and forgotten; but now, being a part of this industry, I’m starting to feel more comfortable in my own flesh and I have no one singularly to thank for that feeling except for the community as a whole. Becoming a piercer has shown me that it is possible for me to help someone else struggling to be themselves and I am humbled by that prospect.

While at Conference I met some of the most exquisite human beings I have ever encountered. Being able to “nerd out” with them and spend hours talking about piercing particulars in detail has left a feeling a camaraderie that won’t ever fade, so I thank them for being willing to open themselves up to forming new friendships and becoming industry affiliates. Especially to the group of scholars that I had the chance to make lasting personal friendships with, I adore each and every one of them immensely for who they are and the fact that they are also trying to improve themselves and the shops they work at.

When I first signed up for a full week of classes I was intimidated by the workload I had ahead of me. Once I got there, however, I realized it wasn’t as bad as I was imagining it to be. A few others had mentioned that it was probably one of the smoothest Conferences to date, both for attendees and all volunteers; for that I am eternally grateful. Of all the classes I took, a few stood out more than the others: Safe Practices in the Sterilization (and Piercing) Rooms, Septum’s: Where Skill Meets Luck, Needle Theory, and Studio Documentation. After taking those classes I realized how lackluster my apprenticeship really has been and how much I absolutely do not know in regards to piercing safely and knowledgeably. It put a fire under my tail and made me desire to better my studio as a whole and myself for the sake of my clients. There is a lot that I don’t know, and I will be forever learning in this industry to help provide the safest, cleanest, most professional piercing that I am physically capable of performing.

In this world there are many different ways of learning and teaching to get the lesson across to a wide variety of individuals. Personally, I find the most success in learning new material via hands on experience. To quote Benjamin Franklin, “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”

Going to Conference, I was able to be part of a large community of people who all travel hundreds of miles yearly to learn more about their chosen career path so that they also can provide the safest procedures for their clients. This has helped me become a better person in and outside of the studio. To everyone who works endless hours and without sleep every single year to make the APP Conference run as smoothly as it does, to every single last volunteer who helped with registration, class credits, and any questions anyone may have had while in Vegas, and to every single attendee who works tirelessly every year to afford going to APP – keep doing what you’re doing. You are changing lives and not just your own. Thank you for this beautiful and unparalleled opportunity we are all given each year to better ourselves and our studios for the safety of our clients.

Point 76: Scholar Reflections – Ilka Honour

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What an amazing convention that was! I had never been to Vegas, let alone a convention of body piercers, so I had a fantastic time. I am sure that my life will never be the same. Now that I have been home for a couple of weeks and readjusted to home life, I have had some time to think of three key subjects that I really brought away from the Conference.

I was stunned and intrigued by the beauty of the modified and bejeweled bodies of the attendees. This was a walking tribute to the cutting edge of self expression and individuality. The mods. The piercings. The jewelry. The dress. It was a majestic spectacle of human style. I decided to step up my game and join in this circus show of design. I am inspired. I will keep you all posted as I morph.

The professional training I received in marketing and online sales will be the key component to my future business plans. I am currently refurbishing the most adorable trailer into a fully functioning tiny studio. I will be relying on an online presence to book my clients and sell my jewelry. The tips and tricks that I learned in class will save me a ton of research time as well as money.

It was also great to meet my colleagues face to face before befriending them on social media. I feel that after a personal meeting I would be more comfortable trying to glean a little more information from them than I would after just a cold online meeting. I feel like a professional with distinguished colleagues. Sounds adult doesn’t it?

The mystical and mysterious healing powers of the shamanic practices had a place there. I enjoyed the classes that referred to those ancient ways and our modern application. I treat my clients with reverence and great love when they are needing a healing. I would like to further develop my skills in this area, and I look forward to sharing my experiences with those of similar mind at Conference next year.

It is with profound appreciation that I extend my heartfelt thanks to you all for selecting me. It is a progressive idea funding scholarships. I hope to pay forward the opportunity you shared with me to another aspiring attendee soon.

Point 76: Scholar Reflections – Fabrício Cardoso

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Original Port:
A minha participação como um atendente bolsista Al D. foi extraordinária toda a trajetória, textos, vídeos, visto, conversas para no fim fazer tarefas modestas, acompanhando toda a responsabilidade

de lidar bem com o público, de não interromper o ritmo de trabalho, uma preocupação minha. Foi com certeza um presente, um grande prêmio da minha vida, pela qual sou muito grato. Que ajudou nos custos de uma viagem internacional. É uma felicidade muito grande ter ajudado a cuidar da casa. O contato com pessoas boas, profissionais, envento organizado. Curti todas as classes, eventos, socialização, cada momento inédito.

O reconhecimento do esforço aqui veio rápido e responsabilidades também. Percebi como estamos perto do ideal é como o bom acabamento faz toda diferença. Emocionante ver a indústria do piercing americana de perto, sua história. E é sentir seu maior bem que são as pessoas que intregram a APP, gostei imensamente do povo muito educado, hospitaleiro e carinhoso.

Interpretation by Pablo Nicolas Perelmuter:
My involvement as an Al D. Scholar was extraordinary. I had a few concerns before attending; the whole process of the event, the instructions and videos regarding modest volunteer tasks, following all responsibilities when dealing with attendees, and not interrupting the pace of work.

It was definitely a gift, a great prize of my life, for which I am very grateful. This gift helped cover the costs of my international travel. In return, I was more than happy to help take care of the Conference while connecting with good people and professionals in a well organized event.

I enjoyed all classes, events, socializing, and each unique moment. The recognition of the effort here came fast and responsibilities too. I realized how close we are to the ideal and how the detail is what makes all the difference. It was exciting to see the American piercing industry closely, and witness its history. It feels like your greatest asset are the people that are part of the APP.

I enjoyed myself immensely. The people were very polite, hospitable, and kind. Thank you very much for everything.

Editor’s Note: Please note this serves as an interpretation rather than a translation; a direct translation from Portuguese to English is not possible.

Point 76: Scholar Reflections – Nicole Holmes

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When I look back at the big fuzzy ball of excitement and emotion that has become my fused memory of this year’s APP Conference, I can’t help but inhale a contemplative breath of satisfaction and wonder. This year was my first and I was fortunate to be awarded the Al D. Scholarship; it gave me a view beyond simply attending.

The event and location were not at all what I had expected. As it turns out I thoroughly enjoy Vegas, which came as quite a surprise being a tree-dwelling hippy! Before the Conference began, I took the time to look around; wandering the streets it was easy to spot other piercers doing the same. We definitely took over Vegas!

Cherry picking my highlights I would have to say the first few volunteer meetings were an unforgettable experience. Such an amazing collection of wacky and wonderful people gathered for a collective cause. I felt instantly at home and quickly part of the volunteer family. Helping with attendee reception during Registration was particularly electric. All the attendees lining up down the hall with anticipation. An incredible hubbub.

Another favorite moment was the privilege of covering the Expo door just as the Members-only hour started. It was so fun to be part of that hour long piercer Christmas!

I had a particular fondness for 45 piercings in 45 minutes. This was a fast paced video reel of quick edit videos showing the few seconds before, during, and after the execution of a piercing from a head cam worn by the piercer.

Also, I never realized how many Members-only sessions there would be. While there were so many classes available to every piercing attendee, the Members-only sections were quite different. Delving deeper and longer into the discussion material.

But fun and memorable aside, I wasn’t just attending as Nici the piercer and volunteer. I was also there as Nici the first president of the UKAPP and for that, I had many many educational and eye opening moments. Seeing the well-oiled machine that is Caitlin and Conference – together still learning and growing, becoming ever more tight knit – showed me that the UKAPP holds the potential for something great. It has the potential to become a thing that really can benefit both individuals and the industry mutually.

For example, the doubling up of speakers in each class was possibly accidental genius. Having multiple opinions on each topic, varied experiences, and often even moments of yin and yang techniques was eye opening and definitely something I appreciated and will take home.

In short, I learned a lot, made dozens of new and future friends. I had some fantastic new experiences. I pushed my personal limits and boundaries. I met some of my heroes and bought some amazing jewelry. I will definitely make it my goal to return each and every year possible.

I’d like to take this opportunity to urge you to get to next year’s Conference and if you’re struggling, please apply for one of the scholarships. Also to say a huge thank you to everyone that helped me get there this year. You were right, I needed to go and it did change my life.

Point 76: Scholarship Reflections – Maree Fowler

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You’ll make life long friends, they said.
Be prepared for tears, they said.
It will change your life and you will want to volunteer every year, they said.
They were right.

Receiving the call saying I was successful in gaining an Al D. Scholarship was emotional. They, the volunteers, are one big family and every year open their arms and welcome a group of strangers as one of their own. It truly is heartwarming that no matter how many miles from home any given volunteer was, no one was ever alone. With endless hugs, laughter, and self care reminders, I always felt safe and relaxed.

For many, in our youth we were the outcast, quiet, nerdy, alternative kids. To be in a place and be surrounded with what feels like ‘your own kind’ is a beautiful experience. For me personally, I was incredibly nervous, shy, and found it hard to start conversations. Mostly I was anxious for my first volunteer shift working the classroom door. It’s an intimidating feeling having up to 300 beautiful and skilled piercers standing in front of you, many of whom I admire. There were many I did not know, but wanted to get to know. However, I surprised myself and found I loved scanning their passes and welcoming them to the class. The quick hellos and welcomes, exchanging a few friendly words; this gave me the confidence I needed to enjoy and gain the most from Conference.

There are so many highlights, memories, and experiences to list. If asked what I took away from Conference, I would have to say, passion for this industry. I gained more than I even had before, self confidence to trust in myself both professionally and personally. Should I ever need to reach out, I have the support of my new duckling family and fellow attendees from Conference. Las Vegas and the APP Conference & Expo has been a humbling and unforgettable experience.

This wee lassy has come back to Scotland with newfound friends, new goals I will strive to achieve, and a lasting desire to be the best piercer I can be.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I will make it my mission to be there again next year. All my love.

Point 76: Scholar Reflections – Jamie Biggers

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The Point: Issue 76 - Cover

This year has been a completely life changing experience because of the Al D. Scholarship. Where I come from, there is no sense of community within the industry. Now that I’ve attended Conference, I feel like I have a home and a family. Previously, I was so stagnant in my career it wasn’t even funny. Now, because of the amazing opportunity I was given to attend this year’s Conference, not only have I pushed myself harder to learn, but I’ve pushed myself in my business as well. Solely based on Conference, I now have an achievable goal of opening the only APP shop in my county by next Conference.

The sense of community and love I now feel from the industry is amazing. These newly discovered feelings are all because of the people who thought I was deserving enough to be a part of the volunteer group. For whatever reason, they saw something in me that they felt was worthy enough of this life changing experience. Conference changed my outlook on—not just piercing—but my life as well.

I just want to say thank you to Caitlin for putting up with my BS and every single volunteer. Also, I want to thank Krista Crespo, Becky Dill, the Bay Area Piercing Group, and most of all the crew at Electric Monk Tattoo for pushing me and helping me get this scholarship. It has been an amazing experience. Thank you.