Conference Policies - Association of Professional Piercers' 29th Annual Conference & Exposition. Online registration by Cvent

CHANGES TO THESE POLICIES

The APP board of directors reserves the right to amend these policies at any time to ensure continued compliance with relevant laws and regulations or for any other purpose whatsoever. The APP shall inform all participants by email of any forthcoming changes to the policies.

CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE

The APP's Conference is an industry-specific continuing education conference designed for professional piercers.

Only those persons able to prove employment at a retail/resale establishment will be allowed to attend the Expo. APP Members have already met this requirement by having their membership. Anyone having supplied these documents within the last five (5) years is also exempt from doing so.

For those in-between jobs, proof of prior industry employment at some point between registration and July, 2023 must be provided.

Non-Industry Attendees are allowed to attend the Conference, but will not be allowed on the Expo Floor and are limited in their class options.

Health Inspectors are welcome at our Conference free of charge, as long as they book their rooms in the APP room block at the host hotel.

RIGHT OF REFUSAL

The Association of Professional Piercers (APP) reserves the right to refuse entry to or continued participation in the APP’s Annual Conference to anyone for any reason. However, the APP never refuses entrance or participation based on an individual’s race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age (except where legally required,) disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic(s).

AGE RESTRICTIONS

Minors, those under 18 years of age, are not allowed to participate in Conference as Attendees due to the adult nature of our course content; there no minors are allowed in the classrooms. Only if accompanied by adults, minors are allowed on the Expo Floor and at our two main social events.* Minors should be under direct supervision at all times. Minors are not allowed on the Expo Floor during move in on Monday or move out on Friday due to risk of injury.

Individuals 18 - 20 years of age may attend the Conference without a parent/guardian but are not allowed in the gambling areas.

Per hotel policy, they must share a room with someone at least 21 years of age and the room must be registered to that person. "Each guestroom must have at least one registered guest twenty-one (21) years of age or older." – Planet Hollywood

It is illegal to drink or gamble if you are under 21 in Las Vegas. If participants from the Conference do so and are caught, the conference and the contract between the APP and Planet Hollywood can be affected.

*Discounted opening party tickets are available for minors over the age of 5; those under 5 do not need a ticket.

APP MEMBER OFFERINGS

Members Only course selections are available. These courses are only available to APP members in good standing.

Members are welcome to attend the Members-Only time on the Expo Floor.

Member Attendees must have a member ribbon on their badge to enter.

Our Annual Members Meeting will take place online in the Fall.

GETTING CREDIT & CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR

Attendees will need to scan their badges with the scanner(s) located by the entrance. If you fail to scan your badge, you won’t get credit for the course. If your scan results in a red warning - please see the volunteer at the classroom door for assistance.
Attendees registered for the class will have until 5 minutes before the class starts before their seat may be given to a person registering at the door.
Full Conference Attendees wanting to register at the door for a class will need to wait until 5 minutes before the class to be allowed in. They should line up separately from the registered attendees.
Register at the door privileges does not apply to 5 & 2 class pass holders, nor Expo-Only participants.
Late arrivals should still scan their badges using the scanners which will be inside the classroom once the class starts.
Remember to be respectful of the Presenters and other attendees at all times. We ask attendees to refrain from talking loudly during class or creating any disturbances.
Do not bring alcoholic beverages to class.
Please utilize the Event app within your session to ask any questions or the aisle mic if you prefer.
Please understand our volunteers are doing their jobs—you might not agree with the rules, but please be nice to our volunteers.
If you have a concern or complaint, please take it up with a Board or Conference Committee Member after the class is over.
Please complete the session’s survey. Survey responses (anonymous) are sent to the Presenters, the Board of Directors, Curriculum & Conference Committees so that they can improve the event.

TRANSLATORS & SUPPORT PEOPLE

Unofficial translators are defined as someone who will tag along an attendee’s conference experience and assist with translation. This person may be paid by the attendee but is not a professional translator.

Unofficial translators will need to register and pay as attendees. They will not be afforded any special considerations. The APP suggests using translation apps etc. over having in-person translators which can be disruptive to those around you.

A Support person is defined as someone attending alongside an attendee who needs additional help (mobility, vision, etc.)

The APP will discuss special accommodations on a case by case basis. Please contact us to discuss any needs.

EXPOSITION FLOOR ACCESS AND PURCHASING

Our Exposition is a trade show floor – and not open to the general public. The APP reserves the right to restrict access to the Expo from Attendees who fail to provide us with the proper proof of industry affiliation. Multiple forms of proof may be required to meet the threshold of evidence. Acceptance of industry affiliation remains the sole discretion of the APP. Only persons that have proven to be qualified to resell as retailers or distributors may have access to the Expo Floor.

New Attendees or those who have not submitted documentation in the last 5 years will need to submit two (2) forms (uploaded during the registration process)

Acceptable Forms of Proof of Industry Affiliation are pay stubs, tax certificates, business license, body art licenses, web urls, business card, or letter of reference.

Exhibitor / Exhibitor workers will need to purchase an Expo Only pass & submit documentation in order to purchase on the floor. Exhibitors & Workers cannot shop, reserve, or purchase before the floor opens, and will need to leave the floor in order to stand in line for entry along with everyone else.

To make purchases, only participants authorized for wholesale buying and displaying their expo pass badge are permitted. Guests, health inspectors, press, booth workers, security, and hotel employees are not authorized to make purchases.

The APP expo is a wholesale-only industry event, ANYONE that purchases for personal use is solely responsible for reporting and paying Nevada State sales tax for those items.

CANCELLATION POLICIES

Attendee Cancellation Policy

If the APP has to cancel the Conference in 2026 all Attendees/Exhibitors will be offered a full refund.

Otherwise the following cancellation policy stands:

Prior to April 25, 2026 the APP will refund 50% of Attendee Registration fees if the Attendee cancels.

On April 25, 2026 or later the attendee will receive no refund. Please plan accordingly.

If your cancellation is due to emergent and unforeseen circumstances which resulted in a financial hardship - we will consider alternative arrangements on a case-by-case basis.

Please see the Exhibitor Policies for Exhibitor Cancellation Policies.

As a participant of the APP Conference, you are a representative of the piercing industry to the general public, the hotel staff, and all other Conference participants. This includes behavior in the host hotel, but can extend to other hotels or places visited while in Las Vegas during Conference. It is vital that you conduct yourself in a courteous, professional manner. Participating in illegal, disruptive activities, damaging property, etc. can all create a potential problem for you, the APP, and the body piercing community. Please review the following rules (and sometimes laws) that must be followed during the Conference.

If you have knowledge of any activity that could potentially be a danger to the public and/or any individual at APP Conference, immediately notify hotel security or dial 911.
Posted signs and verbal instructions from APP representatives pertain to ALL participants, with everyone's best interest in mind. Volunteers are giving their time to facilitate a successful conference – please be cordial to them when they are enforcing Conference rules.
The Exposition has specific hours. We ask for your assistance in maintaining those hours. Please pay attention to announcements and complete your purchases/sales in a timely manner.
Conference participants will refrain from engaging in inappropriate behavior, including, but not limited to, harassing, threatening, bullying, engaging in sexual misconduct, making derogatory and/or discriminatory comments. Please see the Reporting Policies for more information.
The potential for theft is an unfortunate reality at an event and venue of this size; please keep an eye on your personal belongings and assist your fellow Conference participants in doing the same. Items that are found can be brought to the Registration Desk in the Conference area.
Activities that are illegal in the “real world” are also illegal at Planet Hollywood and at the Conference – this includes underage drinking, illegal drug use, underage gambling, drinking while driving, physical or sexual assault, theft, etc.
It is illegal to consume (smoke, eat, or vape) cannabis in public, in a vehicle, inside of a hotel room, or in the casino. While recreational and medical cannabis are legal in Nevada, they must be consumed in a private residence or approved private property.
Food and beverage are NOT allowed in the conference area including the expo floor, classrooms, or Opening & Closing events, except what is provided by Conference Catering (Union rules). Remember to finish, store, or dispose of all food and beverage BEFORE entering the conference area. This includes items purchased within the hotel. Non-catered food and beverage violates our Contract with the host hotel and can result in a substantial fine to the APP.
Smoking or vaping are not allowed in any of Planet Hollywood’s convention areas, hallways, lobbies, restaurants, or other indoor common areas.
Video or audio recordings are not permitted during any of the APP offerings (presentations, workshops, roundtables, etc). Non-flash photography is permitted for non-commercial use with presenter consent only. These photos may be posted to social media. Press Passes are available. Email info@safepiercing.org for more information.
All product and jewelry materials, in particular natural or wildlife, must have been legally mined, harvested, imported, obtained and/or fashioned. Be prepared to provide evidence if your material is questioned. You are expected to be familiar and comply with any current US sanctions on importation of precious metals and diamonds.
Only registered vendors or exhibitors are able to make sales on-site during APP conference. Those sales must take place in their approved expo, expo annex, or expo showroom locations. Companies or attendees cannot sell their products, showcase their products, or fundraise within Caesars Entertainment locations (Planet Hollywood, Caesars, Paris, Flamingo, etc.) without being a registered exhibitor.
Exhibitors are welcome to offer private product showings from their hotel room, however, all financial transactions will need to take place on the expo floor. Booth holders are not allowed to bring new stock onto the vending floor once the floor is set. Stock in small quantities can be removed and returned each day for security reasons with the permission of the APP.
Absolutely no piercing, scarification, branding, implants, or any other form of body modification procedures will be tolerated in the Conference host hotel rooms. People found participating in these activities will be subject to expulsion from the Conference and may not be eligible to attend future APP in-person events.
Participants may be photographed during the course of their attendance by the APP Photographer(s) and these photos may be used for promotional purposes by the APP. Photos may be taken in public places outside the APP Conference space. By attending the Conference you are agreeing to this.
Anyone associated with the APP Conference found to be in violation of these policies may be expelled from the Conference area. It may also result in arrest, removal, and banning from the Hotel, possible legal action, or the imposing of penalties and fines upon the individual and/or the APP.
- Board Members, Officers, Employees, Contractors, Members, or Volunteers may face additional disciplinary action including termination of employment/contract, suspension or termination of membership, and/or volunteer standing.
If you have directly witnessed or been the subject of an incident, you can inform the APP by filing an Incident Report Form. This should be done once you are somewhere safe. If there is immediate danger, please contact hotel security or 911 before completing this form.

Protection / Restraining Orders

The APP recognizes that a survivor of violent or threatening acts may seek an order of protection, or may obtain a restraining order, as part of their efforts to seek safety. The APP recognizes that our events may or may not be included on an order as a location from which a subject of the protection / restraining order must stay away.

If an employee, instructor, volunteer, vendor, or attendee chooses to disclose the existence of a protection or restraining order, the Board of Directors may, wherever possible, assist this person to enforce their order. Event attendees in particular are encouraged to inform event site security of the existence of protective or restraining orders.

Obligation to Disclose

Any conference participant that is the subject of a protection order, restraining order, or otherwise a named defendant in civil or criminal court due to violent or threatening acts or harassment must disclose the existence of such criminal or civil action if the conditions of such actions interfere with the person’s ability to participate unencumbered while at conference. Failure to disclose the existence of such criminal or civil actions in these circumstances is considered a violation of the conference policies.

Policy Violation Statement

The APP reserves the right to cancel the registration and to expel from the Conference any participant found in violation of any of the Conference policies, Exhibitor policies, and/or Participant Conduct Expectations. This applies to ALL participants including attendees, exhibitors, presenters, scholars, and volunteers. Depending on the violation, the participant may be removed from the hotel premises. A violation of policies and/or Participant Conduct Expectations at this Conference may also result in restriction from attending future APP events, notwithstanding exercising any other rights contained in these policies.

The APP and its representatives will not be liable/responsible for any costs or damages, real or perceived, in result of expulsion from the event, including, but not limited to, loss of income, travel expenses, additional lodging, or any other miscellaneous expenses.