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ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL PIERCERS
ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND EXPOSITION
MAY 3rd – MAY 8th, 2009
The Association of Professional Piercers would like to invite you to attend our 14th Annual Conference and Exposition in Las Vegas, Nevada. The APP is excited to announce that it will be moving the Conference and Exposition to a new location – from May 3-May 8, 2009 the legendary Tropicana Resort & Casino will welcome us! The Tropicana is conveniently located on the hottest four corners on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip. Merely steps away attendees will find New York, New York; the Excalibur, and the MGM Grand!
In addition to the standard amenities, the Tropicana provides a lush tropical ambiance in their stunning five-acre garden oasis. Numerous swimming pools, waterfalls, trees, and flowers, along with large 24hr. hot tubs are available in the interior garden courtyard.
Date of the Conference are May 3rd-May 8th, 2009. The Expo floor dates are May 5th-May 8th. Our educational-based Conference is the only one of its kind, dedicated solely to Body Piercing, attracting 800-1000 participants every year. Nowhere else will you be able to talk with as many piercers at one event, nor meet with the leaders in the industry.
Our attendees know that this is THE event to meet the best of our Industry’s vendors of jewelry, products, and industry related services. Piercers come prepared to purchase stock for their studios, try out new products, and meet the Vendors face to face. We encourage those Vendors who may not be in the Piercing Industry, but whose product(s) are of interest to those in the Body Modification Industry to consider vending with us as well. Our speakers, attendees and vendors gather just this one time a year to share information, discuss innovations in the industry, and socialize at this week long event, please come join us!
LOCATION:
TROPICANA HOTEL AND CASINO
3801 Las Vegas Boulevard, South Las Vegas, NV 89109
LODGING
Where can I stay? Do we get a reduced rate at the host hotel?
The Tropicana is our host hotel, and the APP block of rooms for attendees of the Conference. When making your reservation, request rates for The Association of Professional Piercers. Our classroom spaces are provided based on room occupancy, this means that filling our room block allows the APP to keep prices low for Conference fees. Please support our Conference by staying at the Tropicana! If you plan to stay at the hotel the weekend before or after conference book as soon as possible, weekend rates are subject to availability.
Single or double per night rates: Coming Soon!
EXPOSITION INFORMATION
Show Rules, Regulations, and Restrictions
The APP requests that vendors who choose to attend our Conference are mindful of the APP standards for initial piercing body jewelry and bring jewelry that meets or exceeds this standard if selling jewelry which can be used in initial piercings. The APP encourages all its vendors to be respectful of their fellow vendors and to act professionally at all times**
The APP reserves the right to refuse or rescind vending space at its discretion. During the Expo the APP reserves the right to restrict or relocate, at the exhibitor’s expense, any exhibit that because of noise, method of operation, traffic congestion, or any other reason, becomes objectionable. Exhibit demonstration must be confined within the boundaries of the respective booth(s). Companies selling products must comply with all state and local sales permits, and requirements. All product and jewelry materials, in particular natural or wildlife, must have been legally mined, harvested, imported, obtained and/or fashioned. Booth holding vendors are welcome to offer private product showings from their hotel room, however, no vending from hotel rooms will be tolerated.
The APP requires that its vendors remain open during the hours of the Exposition. Leaving early on the closing day or failure to adequately “man” your booth during the Exposition can result in loss of priority booth booking or financial penalty.
Violation of the regulations as set out may result in eviction from the Conference, the expo floor, the hotel and/or restriction from future Conferences. In the event of vendor restriction or eviction, the APP is not liable for any damages, nor will it refund exhibit fees or expenses.
Booth Details
Expo booth spaces are 10’ x 10’. Each booth includes one 8ft table, and two chairs. Each booth will be separated by sidewall drapes 3ft high, and backwall drape 8ft high. Basic Id signs are provided. Any additional furniture, cases, chairs, services, accessories will need to be brought by the vendor or ordered from the Exhibit Service Provider or in the case of electrical, phone or data lines, the Tropicana.
Booth Assignments
Booths are assigned based on the following: Sponsorship (if any), APP Membership, Preferred Vendor status*, Date registration completed (paid for in full). The APP will consider all location requests and do their best to accommodate all vendors. Decisions by the APP are final. Requests for a specific location or “neighboring” vendors must be received by the set deadline. Booth Assignments will be announced via email. A map of the booth assignments will be available soon after booths are assigned, upon request.
Cost: Prices not yet set for 2009!
Cancellations
Prior to the set cancellation date the APP will refund 50% of the contracted space. After said date, the exhibitor forfeits the entire payment.
Badges
No one will be allowed on the Exhibit Floor without a badge. Vendors receive (3) three free badges for the initial booth space. Vendors are allowed (2) two additional free badges for each additional booth space. Vendors are allowed to purchase (1) one additional badge per booth space at the rate of $15.00 per badge. If a Vendor is also a Speaker, they are allowed one additional free badge.
Only those with Vendor Badges will be allowed on the floor during set-up or breakdown. Vendor Badges are NOT transferable. Vendors caught transferring badges may be evicted from the expo floor. All booths must be staffed when the Expo is open to attendees. Vendor badges do not allow you access into classes, those tickets/badges must be purchased separately.
Security
The APP hires security to guard the Exhibit Hall after the floor has closed. Once the hall closes no one is allowed back in. Vendors are responsible for making sure all necessary belongings are taken with them when the hall closes for the night.
Shipping
The Exhibitor Service Provider will be in charge of all shipping. They will provide a kit which has the materials regarding shipping, storage and additional services (electric, computer lines, and AV information will be provided by them but are contracted through the Tropicana). The Tropicana will not provide storage for materials.
Onsite Labor
All work involved in the erection, touch-up painting, dismantling, and repair of all exhibits when done by persons other than your full-time company personnel will fall under union jurisdiction. This work is to include wall coverings, floor coverings, pipe and drape, painting, hanging of signs and/or decorative materials from the ceiling, placement of all signs, and the erection of platforms used for the exhibit purpose.
Freight Handling
All work involved in loading and unloading of all trucks, trailers, and common & contract carriers as well as the handling of empty crates and the operation of material handling equipment is under union jurisdiction. The Union also has the jurisdiction of the unloading, uncrating, unskidding, leveling, painting, and assembly of machinery and equipment as well as the reverse process. An exhibitor may “hand-carry” material provided they do not use material handling equipment (nothing with wheels). When exhibitors do choose to hand carry they may not be permitted access to the loading dock/freight door areas. Another entrance will be assigned. All exhibitors are expected to comply with any union requirements in effect. Further information can be found in the Exhibitor Service Kit.
REGISTRATION
Details will be forthcoming…
ORIENTATION
Orientation packets will be sent to all registered vendors with additional information regarding the schedule of events, advertising specs, raffle policies and procedures etc. You will be sent a separate packet from the 2009 Exhibit Service Provider on shipping/receiving/handling; electric, phone, & computer lines; furniture, etc. If you have not received your Exhibit Service Provider packet within 10 days after registering, please contact the APP office.
PROMOTING YOUR COMPANY AT THE APP!
Sponsorship allows the Vendor to show their support of the Conference and the APP through sponsorship of events/benefits found at the Conference.
Vendors receive the following for their support:
$1,500.00: The Banquet Dinner
Sponsor(s) receive full page ad in the program, a banner hung at the sponsored event and in the Expo Hall, 4 tickets to the Banquet, and first choice of booth location, in order received.
$1,000.00: The Opening Party
Sponsor(s) receive a ½ page ad in the program, a banner hung at the sponsored event and in the Expo Hall, and second choice of booth location, in order received.
$500.00: Exposition Food & Beverage
Sponsor(s) receive a quarter page ad in the program, a banner hung above the table, and third choice of booth location, in order received.
$300: Al D. Scholarship
Sponsor(s) receive two banquet dinner tickets, honorable mention in the program, and fourth choice of booth location in order received.
All banners must be received by the set deadline to guarantee their being placed. All ad copy for the Program must be received by set deadline to guarantee being placed.
Advertisement provides a visual reminder of your presence at the Conference, and can be used as a reference for attendees after the show. Vendors are encouraged to advertise both in the pre-Conference Point Journal and the Conference Program. Details will be in your orientation packet from the APP.
Raffle Donation shows you care. The Raffle is the APP’s second biggest financial support after Conference class sales. Crucial to our annual budget, and the best gamble in Vegas – attendees buy 1000’s of raffle tickets because of our Vendors’ generous donations. Promote your Company’s support of the industry, name, and products by supporting this event!
Vendors who register at the discount Raffle donation price will be sent forms to fill out listing their donation(s).
BEYOND THE EXPOSITION
Educational Opportunities
As a Vendor we encourage you to attend the many class and roundtable selections if possible. We believe that educating our vendors is part of the mission of the APP Conference. In support of that, the APP will provide each Vending Company with a free class ticket to the class of their choosing. Additional class tickets/passes can be purchased (see attendee brochure or the Attendee section of the website for information). Please note there are classes held the Monday before the Exposition opens, and some evening classes will be available.
APP Membership
The APP’s Associate Corporate membership is ever evolving. As the APP attempts to revise this membership category to bring it up to date, they are still accepting applications. The APP reminds vendors that this category traditionally has been made up of the best of the best of our industry’s jewelry/product manufacturers, educators, and service providers. Many of these Companies have been longtime supporters of our organization, and cornerstones of our industry. The APP’s mission and jewelry standards should be taken into account prior to submission of your application.
The Point: the Quarterly Journal of the APP
With its new format, and high-gloss color cover, the Point is even more valuable for every piercer and company to have as a professional resource. Subscriptions can be purchased for $10.00/4 issues – larger donations are always welcomed. APP members receive a free subscription with membership. As a nonprofit organization, all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
EVENTS
Sunday Night “Meet and Greet” for Staff (Open to Members, Vendors, & Volunteers only)
A casual event for those working the Conference to get to know each other. Food and a Cash Bar provided.
Opening Party: Details Pending– Please join us on Monday evening for the opening social event of the Conference. Food and a Cash Bar provided.
Banquet Dinner: Details Pending -Be prepared to be entertained, eat, and mingle! The Conference’s awards presentation, open meeting, and top prize raffle selection will be held after 10pm, and the hall will open to non-ticket holders at that time.
Yoga - Available daily to all participants free of charge.
Vendors Annual Meeting
Open to Vendors only. The APP requests that all Vendors attend this informative meeting and open discussion with representatives of the APP Board of Directors.
Members Annual Meeting
Open to APP Members only. Members who attend will receive a special gift.
International Attendees Meeting
Open to all international attendees and those interested in international issues.
*Preferred Vendor Status is given to all the Vendors who participated in the 2007 Conference & Exposition.
**Please see the Vendor Statement of Conduct in your orientation packet. The APP is more concerned than ever that all our participants act in a professional and respectful way while at the Conference, and during their stay in Las Vegas.
If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us:
Caitlin McDiarmid, Administrator
888-888-1277
785-841-6060
info@safepiercing.org
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