Tattoo conventions....hum....just WHAT happens there? The truth may very well surprise you! Most conventions are a gathering of talented professionals who love to travel and love to get together with fellow practitioners. I have two favorite conventions, the National Tattoo Association Convention held in the spring and the Alliance of Professional Tattooists held in July.
At both of these conventions the feeling for me is more of ohana....our tattoo family. The National Tattoo Association is the oldest tattoo organization in the world with an internationally select membership limited to under 1500. When we gather in the spring at different locations each year it is like a great family reunion!! We compare pictures of kids, pets, work and fun. We talk shop, we talk family, we compare and find that no matter where we live or work...the stories are the same! My husband and I have the pleasure of being members of this organization for the last 23 years (oh, how time flies!!) We are the security directors so the five days of the convention are hard working, long hours but loads of fun.
This organization was created by Flo Makoske and a handful of great names in tattooing. Flo has kept the flame alive and strong with one of the finest held shows in the world. It is run strictly by volunteers such as Dave and I and it is a smooth operating machine if I do say so myself! Flo wouldn't have it any other way! Some of the greatest names in tattooing claim membership with National and it's a real who's who in tattoos at each convention.
Multi-talented Debi the Illustrator from Georgia, yours truly, and the
delightful Kate Hellenbrand, Dame of the World. Kate was apprenticed by Sailor Jerry
of Chinatown, Honolulu!! Photo taken, St. Louis NTA Convention
The convention begins with a Welcome Party for preregistered guests. That's the night we first see our friends whom we haven't seen since last year or maybe longer. Lots of hugs and aloha here! The next day is a tattoo competition that is beyond words. People come from all over the world to compete with their completed artwork. Each year I think I can't be surprised but each year the talent, the art, the application....oh MY! That evening we have the awards banquet to honor the best of show in various catagories. Saturday and Sunday offer an open show floor for the public to come in to the 55+ booths of live tattooing by the elite of the tattoo world. Not just anyone can get a booth at either of the conventions I am writing of...it's by invitation only.
One of the greatest assets of the convention are the free seminars for the artists, shop owners and staff. Yeah, it's not just a weekend of fun and ink....we actually LEARN things! Each year different lectures are given on techniques, medical updates, and business practices. Many states require ongoing education and these lectures qualify for the participants.
Sunday evening at the NTA convention one of our unfortunate friends is 'roasted' by a panel of their peers....oh, it is too much fun! This year Don Ed Hardy was the 'victim' and we had a riot chiding him about his new career as a tshirt vendor! (have you seen those shirts in Waikiki?? $100 for a tshirt! Sailor Jerry would have a laugh at that one, eh?)
Trevor Marshall, one of the finest polynesian tattooist in the world. Originally
from New Zealand, now living on the East Coast, USA.
The Alliance of Professional Tattooist put on another great show in July in Kansas City, Mo. It is along the same format as National but without the Roast finale. Seminars, live tattooing, a gathering of friends and tattoo ohana. This show may not have the international draw of National's but it is a quality convention put on by people in the business who are commited to excellence.
Both of these conventions are put on by people in the trade business of tattooing and strict health standards are part of the contractual agreement for the booth holders. There are so many conventions these days...many are put on by rock star promoters and others outside of the realm of tattooers who are just looking to make a buck. I personally will not even pay admission to attend these shows as they have few biohazard standards for the participants as they do NOT know the business. The atmosphere is more like a carnival rather than a responsible, professional display of talent.
Yes, we have fun at conventions as all conventions should be. But we walk away with a renewed sense of our mission as tattooers and our responsibilities to our clients. We come home and rejoice in the fact that it is not a job, it is what we are. Educated, connected, responsible.
