The Association of Professional Piercers’ 20th Annual Conference & Exposition begins in Las Vegas this weekend.

Piercers, studio owners, vendors, health inspectors, and manufacturers will spend six days in Vegas updating their skills, learning core requirements, and sharing with their peers.

Association: Association of Professional Piercers

Conference: APP 20th Annual Conference & Exposition

Venue: Bally’s Las Vegas

The APP Annual Conference & Exposition will open next week with classes and workshops that cover a number of topics, including how to sterilize piercing equipment, the role of transgenderism in the industry, and how to make piercing a lifetime career. Three other agenda items worth noting:

Mentor up. The meeting offers a mentor program to help new attendees get the most out of their experience. APP assembled a team of conference veterans to help these newbies go over their schedule and pick classes, as well as give advice on things like sticking to a travel budget. Mentors will also help them meet new people and make professional contacts.

Dancing queen—and king. The closing banquet once again has a theme. This year it’s Under the Sea Prom, and attendees are asked to dress to the part. Awards will be given for the best dressed. The banquet is also where winners of the President’s Award and Josh A. Prentice Volunteer Appreciation Award will be announced.

Get social. For the first time, APP will offer a conference app that allows attendees to review their schedules and set reminders, provide class and speaker feedback, scan attendee and vendor badges to capture contact info, and view interactive maps of the expo floor. Also making its debut is the Social Wall, where attendees can see their photos post in real time.

Visit Facebook , Instagram, and Twitter (#APP2015) for the latest goings-on.

(iStock/Thinkstock)