Ryan Clark

If you’d told me that I was going to fall in love at Conference, I would have said you were nuts. Yet from the moment I arrived at the hotel, I started falling love—with everything, every person I met, every smiling face I saw. There is an overwhelming feeling of camaraderie when you’re there in the thick of it all, surrounded by hundreds of people with the same goals and passions as you. It’s intense, quite literally. You can’t help but bask in the energy; whether it’s sitting quietly in a class taught by one of your piercing heroes, lost in a sea of beautiful bodies at the pool party, laughing at the banquet dinner or anything, and everything, in between. You will meet your idols, you will quickly learn that they are regular folks, and you will be able to call them friends when you leave—as long as you put yourself out there. You will be challenged both physically and emotionally, especially when you’re sleep deprived and when you’re saying goodbyes. I never knew how difficult leaving somewhere could be until I was walking out of the hotel lobby for the last time, but it couldn’t have been more worth it.

I have the Al D. Scholarship to thank for the entire experience. The scholarship program is an amazing thing because beyond just helping those with financial difficulties, it puts people together. I ended up working closely with people I’d never met and probably never would have, if not for the program. These people became my family. For example, I am not a morning person, but I was up at seven or eight in the morning every day with bells on. Once I realized how short my time with these people was, I found it difficult to do anything but spend it with them, regardless of how tired or hungry I was. I miss them all terribly, and have since the second we were in different area codes. These are people whose progress I now follow with sincere care. I am legitimately happy for their successes, and sad when they struggle. It was a profoundly intimate experience, much more so than I ever expected, and if you’re anything like me you’ll be crying your eyes out when it comes time to start saying your goodbyes.

While it was absolutely amazing to learn from so many respected and talented piercers, it was even more incredible to just be able to hang out with them. I can’t imagine a better place to network and make friends as a piercer. Any time I found myself near a stranger with piercings, striking up conversation was effortless. (In most any other situation I’d be apprehensive.) I quickly got used to the ol’ “what’s your name, where do you work” icebreaker. I quickly picked up on the fact that I’d be learning a lot outside the classrooms, and some of the coolest tips and tricks I learned came from chatting with people after classes, or by the bar.

As cliché as it sounds, I think I learned more about myself than I did about piercing. I gained more than just some new information and techniques. I was able to meet piercers local to me who I had been too shy to seek out previously. I was shown how easy it can be to make friends and get along with people, thanks to the volunteer crew and the amazing woman who coordinates them. I came home with renewed ambition and a whole bunch of new friends from all around the world. I was reminded that there are people that will easily love the heck out of you for exactly who you are. Though leaving was one of the most emotionally trying things I’ve ever done, for many reasons, being able to go was probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

Zach Fitzgerald

2014 was a rough year. I dealt with a major family loss at the beginning of the year, which required me to use nearly all of the financial reserves that I had planned on using for Conference. I  even sold some of my personal belongings in an effort to replenish those reserves, but then automotive issues would take that money as well. I wanted so badly to not need the Al D.Scholarship. If I could make it on my own, then another piercer could benefit from Conference, and make the world a better place.

The actual process of applying was pretty simple, and I felt like my paper application was strong. However, I had major doubts about my phone interview performance. After the interviews, I started trying to figure out if anything else I owned was worth anything to to anyone. Thinking to myself “If I can just pay for the flight and the pass, I’ll figure out somewhere to sleep when I get there.” In my application, I mentioned that I would sleep on a Las Vegas sidewalk. It’s funny, but I wasn’t kidding. Then a miracle happened. I received a call from Tiana letting me know that I had been awarded the scholarship, and was going to Vegas. The clouds opened up and the universe smiled upon me. There aren’t many events in my life that even hold a candle to the amount of joy I felt after that phone call. That same elation continued for quite some time, but then I transitioned into mixed emotions. Sure, I was excited to be one of the chosen few and was thrilled to be going to Vegas, but what if I’m not what they thought I was? Can I handle this monumental task? Anyone that heard I had been awarded the scholarship offered up the same advice “Don’t mess this up.”  After hearing this, I started to really worry as to whether or not I deserved what had been given to me. But I was committed. I was going to Vegas.

The days leading up to Conference seemed to drag on and on, and yet when the time was upon me, it felt like I was moving in slow motion with everything around me was flying by. When I arrived, I was a stranger in a strange land. I had no idea where I was or what I was doing. Until I arrived at the hotel. Still afraid and confused, another scholar and a volunteer noticed me and introduced themselves. I was immediately taken to our Mama Duck who gave me a quick tour of the facility. Her demeanor was that of an exhausted lioness; tired from the weeks/months of intensive labor leading up to Conference, yet ready to adopt another group of newbies and whip them into shape. I immediately felt like there was no way I could let her down, not after everything she had done for us. I was going to be the scholar that I needed to be in order to play my part in making Conference the amazing experience I had always heard it was. I was going to earn my scholarship.

The next morning, I arrived at the volunteer meeting and felt like I was seeing family that I only get to see at Christmas. I tried to introduce myself to everyone right away. (How awesome is it that everybody’s name is on their badges?) Not one sour face, not one gawker, not one rude person in the crowd. We were all pumped to be together. This would be the dynamic for all of Conference. It was my first time being part of such a large group of likeminded individuals. Despite having never met most of the volunteers, I felt like had known them my entire life. Our schedules were packed, and whenever I felt overwhelmed, there was always someone within earshot reminding me to breathe. I love you guys!

If you haven’t been to Conference, I highly suggest making an effort to be  there next year. There are so many beautiful people; there is so much knowledge being shared. The classes are very informative and well thought out, and if you disagree, you’ll have your chance to express that. You may have heard a lot of people talk about it being a life changing event, and they are absolutely right. I learned so much at Conference, and I applied that new knowledge immediately. Upon my return, I was busier than I’ve ever been. The positive energy easily recharges your soul and reminds us that what we’re doing is worth it.

Each year at Conference, lives are changed; one of the ways this happens is winning one of the big raffle prizes. (Anyone who attended the Banquet, or who viewed the video of Javier’s—and Mauricio’s—win (below), knows this to be true.)  By providing these large prizes, sponsors Industrial Strength Body Jewelry and Anatometal, Inc. change our attendees lives and generate funds which help sustain the APP and its programs all year long. But remember it isn’t just our big donors, every vendor that donates helps the APP, and every attendee that purchases raffle tickets also helps the organization.

The APP would like to offer its thanks to Industrial Strength Body Jewelry and Anatometal, Inc. for their continued support on a grand scale!

• Industrial Strength: $15,000.00 Grand Prize; $10,000 in smaller prizes
• Anatometal, Inc.: $12,000.00

We want to also recognize our other top donors: BVLA; H2Ocean; LeRoi, Inc.; Glasswear Studios; Omerica Organic; NeoMetal, Inc.; and Industrial Strength, LLC (Needles).

Thank you to all of our donating vendors and our attendees who made this a record year for the raffle!

Every year the APP relies heavily on vendor sponsorships to assist us with the expenses incurred for our special events, services, and for our scholarships. If it wasn’t for these companies the APP Conference would be less than what it is every year. Please support those who support the APP!

LEVEL ONE: Banquet Dinner

• Industrial Strength Body Jewelry
• Anatometal, Inc.
• LeRoi, Inc.
• The Safe Piercing App
• Kaos Softwear, LLC

LEVEL TWO: Opening Party

• NeoMetal, Inc.

EXCLUSIVE SPONSORSHIP: The Volunteer Dinner

• Body Vision Los Angeles

LEVEL THREE: Exposition Coffee & Refreshments

• Professional Program Insurance Brokerage
• Omerica Organic
• Oracle Body Jewelry

LEVEL FOUR: Al D. Scholarship

• Buddha Jewelry
• Gorilla Glass
• Quetzalli Jewelry
• Intrinsic Body, Inc.

Industrial Strength Body Jewelry also donated two complete packages for two additional Scholars (in their company’s and Shannon Larratt’s name).

In 2015 the APP will have new programs, new ideas, and new sponsorship opportunities!  Sponsorship isn’t just for vendors, and it’s a great way to give back to your professional organization.  If your studio is interested in sponsorship, please contact the APP office.

Julie Taylor

The outreach roundtable at Conference was very popular again this year, with almost 40 attendees. Participants were full of questions and suggestions for outreach in medical, educational, and other settings, and many piercers saidthe “You Deserve It” postcards were extremely helpful with outreach as well as for dealing with “price-shoppers.”

Everyone was especially interested in the new Outreach PowerPoint presentation. Geared towards middle-school students, this PowerPoint is designed to help piercers deliver the safe piercing message. And it is now ready for use! Contact outreach@safepiercing.org to receive a copy of this presentation.

Board members and committee chairs stated that the roundtable generated an unprecedented interest in volunteering with the APP. It is clear that outreach is something many Conference attendees feel very passionate about, as well as rewarded by.

A big thank you from the Outreach Committee to everyone who attended the roundtable!

Editor’s Note: Are you interested in volunteering with the APP?

We have a new survey designed to assess your skills and interests!  Email Julie Taylor at volunteer@safepiercing.org to have the survey sent to you. This survey is for those interested in volunteering as a committee member and/or for projects throughout the year and is not designed for prospective Conference volunteers. Please email Caitlin at info@safepiercing.org for information about volunteering at Conference.

Kendra Jane

The buzz around this year’s banquet dinner began days before the event, with tickets selling out the night that registration opened! We knew it would be a packed house, everyone dressed in their finest or sideshow attire, but what we didn’t know was the extra special entertainment that awaited us from Chris Glunt, your incoming Medical Liaison. From push ups to burpees and even a few lap dances, Chris put his back into it to ensure as many raffle tickets as possible were sold. When enough tickets were on the line he even puckered up for a kiss with the very handsome Paul King. It was a highlight for everyone in attendance in an evening filled with laughter and a heightened sense of community.

From there the entertainment got into the swing of it with a great sideshow act from Swing Shift Entertainment. (They have been long-time attendees of Conference so for many, they were watching not only performers but friends.)

As the entertainment wound down the doors were opened to non-tickets holders, our board members, both old and new, took the stage to either say goodbye or introduce themselves. Announcements were made, and awards were handed out. Joshua Benjamin and Diablo Organics took home the awards for both technical and creative innovations. Best individual booth went to Blessings to You, and best multiple booth went to Tawapa. After a long list of thank yous, which brings tears to her eyes each year, Caitlin McDiarmid had the honor of announcing the 2014 Josh Prentice Volunteer award. This year’s recipient has dedicated countless hours to bettering the industry and currently spends many an hour answering Tumblr emails, reblogging piercing after piercing, and giving his time to many of the APP’s committees, Ryan Ouellette. Rounding out the awards portion of the evening was Elayne Angel, who presented the President’s Award to Brian Skellie, who over the past many years has served to educate piercers around the world and keep knowledge at the forefront of our industry. (Brian is also the APP’s incoming President.)

Bethra also had the distinct privilege of presenting Steve Joyner with a Recognition Award from Arkansas body artists to thank him for his support and work on their state’s legislation over the past years.

As always, the evening was brought to a close with the drawing of the final top ten raffle prizes. Some of this year’s prizes were:

• $15,000 worth of Industrial Strength Jewelry
• $12,000 in credit from Anatometal
• $5,000 from Body Vision Los Angeles (BVLA)
• H2Ocean prize pack valuing almost $1500

The grand prize (from Industrial Strength Jewelry) was won by Javier, owner and piercer at Amour Real Tattoo Banquedano in Chile. This prize will be a real game changer for Javier and his studio. There could not have been a better winner, and his excitement was uncontainable, which got the whole room buzzing. No one could have asked for a better end to the evening.

A special thank you to those who sponsored our banquet dinner: Industrial Strength Body Jewelry; Anatometal, Inc.; LeRoi Fine Body Jewelry; The Safe Piercing App; and Kaos Softwear.

Next year the APP Conference will be celebrating our 20th anniversary and we know that the banquet will be one to remember! Ensure you get your banquet tickets when you complete your early registration so you don’t miss any of the fun!