Badur Ramji
Owner of PunkMedics

“From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life.” —Arthur Ashe

I sometimes joke that I am not only the oldest apprentice but have also had the longest piercing apprenticeship in the industry. Though I’ve been a part of the modification community for a very long time, I have never officially become a piercer. Instead I have used my love of body modifications, learning, and research to improve both my knowledge and the products I have developed specifically for our industry. After ten years of developing aftercare products I can still say I am #foreverlearning.

My first Conference was in 2006 and, like most first timers, I was amazed at how large and organized the modification community was. That year I took some classes, slept very little, and spent a lot of time catching up with old friends I had originally met through BME. I arrived as a person wanting to build relationships and network so I could better market my products to the industry.

In 2009 I became a corporate sponsor of the APP. Sponsorship is a great opportunity for businesses trying to break into the market. However, for me it was a way to become further involved with the Association and show my support. I continued to attend Conference and by doing so learned more about the APP as an association. I also became better acquainted with its dedicated staff, the Board, and the volunteers that were involved in making everything work.

I saw our community and Conference evolve as my company and products evolved. When I became a vendor and began to interact with the volunteers, I saw so many people dedicated to bettering our community. In 2012 I took a break from being a vendor and instead signed up as a volunteer. I realized that this would be a wonderful opportunity to give back and become even more involved. I did not yet realize how much I would get from that experience. In 2013 I continued volunteering and retired from being a direct vendor. I wanted to give back to the volunteers that worked hard and thank them for helping.

The goal has always been to support the Association, help it grow, be a part of the community I love, get involved, and help others see the success I have seen. I’ve always wanted to give back, but feel that I have gotten more than I’ve given by volunteering. I’ve gained new skills and knowledge about the industry, but also about what is wanted from me as a business. I found that giving others your time brings you interesting and challenging opportunities that might not come along otherwise. I’ve developed and grown as a person. Volunteering has forced me to interact with others, getting me out of my introverted bubble and giving me a new perspective. I’ve gained a better understanding of the body modification community and what drives us to be who we are. The passion this community has constantly helps me grow and reminds me why I continue to stay involved. Most importantly volunteering and sponsoring Conference has allowed me to make significant and positive change in people’s lives.

The APP and the body modification community have supported me for ten years. I hope I can spend the next ten years supporting them by continuing to volunteer and finding new ways to give back each year. I hope that on the 30th anniversary I can look back and see I’ve had a positive influence on the community and have helped it grow.

“No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.” —Author Unknown

Ash Misako
Outreach Coordinator

“When I first started attending Conference I was pretty intimidated. It was a conference full of strangers, and worse yet it was strangers who probably knew more than me. Now that I’ve attended Conference numerous times I know that people just genuinely want to share and learn together, so now I feel relaxed among my peers. I started the mentor program as a way to show new attendees early on that we are all part of the same team. Pair new people with ones who started out just as nervous, and help them enjoy the week a little easier.” —Ryan Ouellette, Founder of the Mentor Program

“I remember my first Conference and it was overwhelming. I was lucky to have some friends help me get along. Now that I have been to a few Conferences, I am happy to be that friend. It’s a ‘pay it forward’ kind of thing and I hope people who have benefitted from the program in the past consider helping out someone who might be wearing their old shoes.” —April Thomas, mentor team 2015

The Mentor Program is an amazing system started by Ryan Ouellette. We hope that we are building small Conference families that can work together as a group and lean on each other for support. We have seen great progress and have had wonderful feedback. We look forward to continuing this program for many years to come.

Is this your first year attending the APP Conference and Exposition? Do you have questions that you would like answered? Do you need help selecting your classes, or would you simply like to have a friend before you get to Vegas? The APP mentor program is here to help! If you are a first or second year attendee and would like some assistance from a mentor chosen specifically for you, please email mentor@safepiercing.org with your name, telephone number, and contact email address and MENTEE in the subject line. There is no deadline for signup, but the earlier you enroll the more you will get out of the program. We are excited that you are coming this year and cannot wait to meet you!

Our mentors are experienced conference goers that want to ensure that the new faces at Conference have the best time possible. They are there to answer questions, remind you to drink your water and get some sleep. They are also there to support if you become overwhelmed, need a little reassurance or just advice on where to get the best chicken and waffles or vegan donuts. We use information collected to best match mentors with mentees based on similar interests, areas of knowledge, and similar schedule needs. Our goal is create a mentor family. We do this by grouping three or four mentees to a mentor based on a survey we conduct. This group can then use each other for support, reference, and a stepping stone to Conference as a whole.

We sincerely want each and every one of our new attendees to get the most out of Conference and hope the support that 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 anyone on the mentor team. The 2015 Mentor Team consists of Ash Misako, April Thomas, Billy Wood, and Kendra Jane.

“I felt so honoured to become part of this program because I remember my first Conference. I was terrified. I latched on to someone that I considered a mentor and didn’t leave their side. I hope that anyone coming for the first time has the opportunity to have someone near them that is looking out for them. No one should feel like an outsider their first year.” —Ash Misako, Outreach Coordinator

Marina Pecorino
Managing Editor of Content & Statistics

The APP Board of Directors and Administrator, along with the Conference Staff, Volunteers and Mentors want you to have an exceptional experience. If there are any questions we can answer or concerns we can address, please do not hesitate to contact us.

What to bring to Conference:
• Lip and skin moisturizers— Bring multiples, so you have something with you at all times. Even if you don’t usually need these items, you will in Las Vegas. It’s dry in the desert and even drier in the hotel.
• Comfy shoes with pain relief insoles—There may be times when you want relief from your nice shoes. We suggest bringing multiple pairs so the sore spots are in different places. You will log a lot of miles in Vegas, especially with our split floorplan this year.
• Medications and vitamins—If you generally have need for these types of items, pain relievers, allergy pills, and the like can make a world of difference when you need it most. Make sure to bring enough of these to get you through the week and a couple of extra days just in case. Taking vitamins in advance of Conference will improve your chances of staying healthy during Conference, so don’t delay!
• Water bottle—Snazzy APP bottles are available for purchase at the merch booth! Staying hydrated is key to having a good experience; Las Vegas is a desert. Water dispensers are provided throughout the conference area, please use them!
• Deodorant—If you are a wearer of such things, this is the time to use it. Conference is busy with long days and lots of networking. Smelling good is a great step toward a great first impression.
• Something to throw on when it gets cold—You’ll want to stay comfortable while attending classes and socializing. The hotel and casino can get especially cold in the wee hours.
• Outfits aplenty—Bring enough outfits to get through the week and maybe a couple of extra. You will be experiencing some pretty long days with lots of activity. Some people find it necessary or more comfortable to change midday. You may also want different outfits for different activities: classes, networking meetups, exercise, special events, etc. Also, don’t forget that accidents happen, so it’s never a bad idea to have a spare in case of spills.
• Formal wear and costumes—If you like dressing up for special events, or just in general, make sure to bring accessories. Banquet Dinner is a great place to strut your stuff and show off your style/sense of humor.
• Swimsuit, sunblock, and sunglasses—You’ll want to look your best and stay protected while enjoying the hot tubs and pool. There may also be other occasions to escape the hotel into the great, bright outdoors. If your sunglasses are expensive, make sure to hold onto them!
• Cell phone and charger—Especially during a week of networking, it’s important to stay connected. Plus, you’ll want to make use of the sweet new app to check your schedule, look at maps, and get updates! Don’t be surprised if your battery needs more charging than when you’re home.
• Phone numbers—In case of emergencies or a misplaced phone, having a list of contacts in your wallet can be a lifesaver. Don’t forget to add some of your newfound conference besties to this list during the week.
• Business cards and portfolio— This is a great place to network and share. You will meet a lot of people and business cards will help you keep in touch after Conference. Having a copy of your portfolio or photos on your laptop/phone ready to show can leave a lasting impression while networking.
• Emergency funds/capabilities— You shouldn’t bring every credit card you have, but unexpected things may happen and it’s best to be prepared. Make sure to keep your emergency stash separate from your carrying money.
• Personal comfort items—If you have a preference for certain things to make your day a little brighter—especially things you wouldn’t feel comfortable borrowing or may be difficult to find—bring them along. The hotel will provide you with towels, basic shampoo/soap, iron/ ironing board, and a hair dryer. Most of the time you can find basic, common items by visiting shops in and around the hotel, but they will likely be expensive and selection will be limited. If you are particular, don’t forget them.
• Snacks—Things in Las Vegas can be expensive and eating between events, classes, and socializing isn’t always easy to fit into your schedule. Having a supply of on-the-go snacks that don’t require refrigeration or preparation can make your week less stressed. We have changed the schedule to accommodate more breaks, but sometimes there is just no time for a sit down meal.

Las Vegas can be a bit like the Bermuda Triangle. With all the activity and controlled chaos, it can be easy to lose track of stuff. If it will break your heart to lose it, leave it at home.