I just spent the last eight days in Las Vegas. Even though I am not a fan of that faux city, I had a really amazing time because I was with my colleagues and friends and that's what counts. It was the 15th Annual Conference and Exposition of the Association of Professional Piercers. I'm a long-time member, and I serve on the Board of Directors as Medical Liaison. It was held at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino, in the newly renovated convention center. That part was great, but unfortunately the rooms in the tower near the center were not yet remodeled. Still, I sure didn't get to spend a lot of time in the hotel room, and the convenience of being near the class rooms and expo floor was great.

The banquet this year was the best ever. It was held in an old-school style Las Vegas theatre, and the theme was a formal masquerade. It was fabulous seeing everyone in their finery. One gal had such an elaborate costume and headdress, it took up an entire suitcase!

While I was there, I attended plenty of meetings (two meetings of the board of directors, a members' meeting, and an international meeting); co-taught four classes (anatomy of the body, oro-facial anatomy, male genital piercing, and one on the history of modern body piercing). I also had a booth in which I was selling (and signing) The Piercing Bible.

At my booth, on two different days, two different gals showed up to tell me essentially the same story: they had been piercing without training and after they read my book realized that they had to stop. Neither was currently piercing and both were actively seeking apprenticeships with qualified piercers. That sure made me feel great!

I also handed out a flyer letting piercers know that they could carry The Piercing Bible in their studios by purchasing it wholesale directly from the publisher, Penguin Random House. I was told by the owner of one of the studios that was carrying it that they'd already sold 50 copies!

You are welcome to contact me if you have any questions.