When I got the message during the LBP asking if I wanted to write this article for The Point, I didn’t even consider no as an answer. I simply couldn’t.

Initially I felt like getting personal by writing about my perspective and telling a story about my experience throughout the years participating in the different conferences I’ve attended here in Mexico. Then, the feeling of having to do a more journalistic type article took over; to simply report the facts and leave my story aside. But since we are a tight community it just feels fair to include a personal touch to it, and I will do my best to express an experience that feels like you have to really live to understand.

The Facts:

The Asociación Latinoamericana de Body Piercing held its fifth annual conference October 30 through November 3 in the beautiful town of Taxco, in the estate of Guerrero, Mexico. During the event there were approximately 200 people from all over the world including countries such as Mexico, US, Argentina, Chile, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Brazil, Uruguay, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, France, Spain, Canada, Russia, and Honduras. There were 115 attendees, 20 speakers, 9 volunteers, and 18 jewelry companies.

The event also hosted a host of different activities, like the traditional walk around town where 150 people enjoyed music and drinks. There was also a suspension show held inside a pre-Hispanic mine that was recently discovered inside the hotel. There was a jewelry expo with all the vendors.

Almost 50 people took a trip to a virgin area of Taxco, where Ramon Perez “Tigre” and Nick Wolak prepared a sweat lodge, or Temazcal, which lasted 4 hours. There was also a banquet dinner during which Katia “Esperanza” Tirado, Mexico’s first female piercer, gave a performance titled “Instrucciones Bajo La Mesa”. The raffle prizes were given away, as well as the LBP awards, and it was an incredible night that ended with fireworks.

Overall it felt like a successful event and everyone seemed to have had a great time.

My Experience:

First things first, I really feel the need to go as far back as 2006, when Danny Yerna organised the first official APP Conference in Mexico. This really was our first big break into the industry. We got so much exposure to how things were being done in the US, and speaking from a very personal perspective, this even introduced me to piercers who, to this day, I hold very dear to my heart; people like Luis Garcia, who was actually at this year’s LBP and has maintained his commitment with the Spanish speaking industry throughout all these years. I want to take this opportunity to really bow down and thank Danny Yerna, not only for the personal friendship that we share, but because I really don’t know what piercing would be like in Mexico right now if it hadn’t been for him and everything that he has endured to bring the standards of our industry up and put us on the map. So, gracias Danny!

So, the APP Conference in Mexico went on each year from 2006 to 2010, and then again in 2012. It was at this very conference where the LBP really got started! Basically at some point during the event, discussion started about the need for an organisation that catered more directly to the reality of Latin American countries; then Board Members were named and a new association was born. Just like that!

This is the fifth annual conference, and I have missed two, but I can honestly say that I will try my hardest to not miss this event ever again. This year felt different; I really can’t figure it out but from the very start, when we all met at Estudio 184 everyone was happy and we were all excited to see each other and to meet people for the first time.

Once we were all registered, we got on three different buses and made our way to Taxco. A few hours later we were at the hotel, and then we had the greeting ceremony. Already there was a lot of emotion. The Board Members introduced themselves and made some announcements. Then the classes started.

From that point on, it is all kind of a blur, I must say…. I was taking, translating, and teaching classes, and on top of that I was also in charge of documenting the event, so needless to say, it was a busy week for me. But everything seemed to flow. Everything felt right. And though I’m having a hard time putting into words what I’m trying to express, hopefully the video that I will put out on the event coverage will be able to transmit the feeling. Everyone was just such a treat to be around. We all interacted with each other, we all got along, and there was just a vibe throughout the whole event. I still can’t shake the sense of unity that was really evident this time around.

To Wrap Things Up:

I really want to give thanks to all the organisers, speakers, and the following volunteers:

• Sofia Vega Perez
• Sonia Corina Constantino Cruz
• Laura Isabel Ochoa Figueroa
• José Rubén Núñez López
• Sofia Rios Amaya
• Ricardo Padilla Chavoya
• Rodrigo Santana Dos Santos
• Ismael Vargas Guerrero
• Laura Alicia Juárez Reyes

I’d also like to thank all of the jewelry companies, and of course, all of the attendees.

It only seems fair at this point to include the names of the speakers: Nick Wolak, Ramon Perez, Luis Garcia, Bethrah Szumski, Andre Fernandes, Matias Tafel, Nicholas Adams, Jason Pfohl, Miro Hernandez, Mauricio Torres, Alejandro Hernandez Salazar, Javier Fingazz, Danny Yerna, Brian Skellie, Emmanuel Rodriguez, Aldo Booth, Sergi Tinaut, Paul King, and myself.

I really wish I could put into words how much was experienced and shared. I want   to wrap this up by inviting you to next year’s conference. If you have ever thought about coming to Mexico, this is a great way to experience it. A lot of the attendees speak English and even if they don’t, everyone always tries their best to communicate with each other. It’s a great opportunity to interact with piercers from a bunch of different countries. Really, don’t miss out!