A) YES, but only if you were the ORIGINAL Eventbrite ticket purchaser & you filled out your contact form with your name + info at the time of purchasing your ticket. 

.

Download the Eventbrite app (look for the big, orange "E") & create your account where all future Eventbrite ticket purchases will reside.

.

Tickets are non-refundable & can only be transferred to another licensed beauty pro BEFORE ONLINE TICKET SALES END JUNE 30TH. Follow these steps - CLICK HERE 

.

If purchasing multiple tickets, each ticket must be registered to a different tech with their own name, contact info, pro beauty license number & state.

.

Be certain to list the "ticket buyers name" as the person who is paying for the tickets. List all other names as "attendees", but also list the buyer if he/she is attending, too. *Duplicate names or license numbers may be canceled without notice. 

.

Please enter your contact info carefully when making your initial purchase & double-check for errors before completing your order (especially your email address where tickets will be automatically sent). 

 .

Sorry, but tickets cannot be carried over to a future show & swag bags cannot be shipped, nor picked up by another individual. If you cannot make it, please sell or gift your ticket in advance.

.

Name changes due to marriage or divorce will be considered if your photo ID matches your first name & face. Licenses held in escrow are not valid for entry.

.

Acceptable proof of licensure: A paper beauty license, a clear photo of your license on your phone or your State Board website showing your valid license on your phone during Check-in at the Registration window.

.

See FAQ titled "Can beauty school students attend?" for a list of acceptable school documentation required during the Check-in process.

 

A) YES, we do allow ticket changes! But only if you follow these Eventbrite ticket steps to change your ticket info yourself - CLICK HERE

• You will need to get the buyers following info in advance for ticket changes to get it out of your name/info & into theirs:

         1) first & last name as it appears on their pro beauty license

         2) cell number

         3) email address (to send them the updated ticket in their name)

         4) pro beauty license number AND state

         5) mailing address with city, state & zip code

Then follow the steps as provided on Eventbrite's website (link above in blue). DO NOT click "Contact the Organizer" to do this for you. The instructional steps provided are easy via the link (above in blue) & thank you for understanding our time constraints.

.

FOR YOUR PROTECTION IF BUYING A TICKET FROM SOMEONE ELSE:

• Beware of online scams—only buy from a trusted source.  A common scam is selling 1 ticket multiple times. Once scanned during the Check-in process by whoever gets there 1st, that ticket cannot be used again by anyone else who tries to Check-in after that.

• We are not responsible for resold tickets & cannot offer refunds or free entry to anyone who gets scammed. Tickets at the door are $75 CASH ONLY with a pro beauty license & photo ID.

.

You may post your ticket for sale inside our private Smokies Nail Show Facebook Group (licensed beauty pros only; sorry no students). To join, include your license number, name & state as it appears on your pro beauty license for verification (seen only by the Admin or 1 Moderator of our group) - CLICK HERE  

.

BE ADVISED: If you purchased a ticket from someone who was NOT the original ticket buyer, then that tech who sold you their ticket MUST contact the original ticket buyer so they can make the necessary ticket changes on their end.

A) To find your Eventbrite ticket(s) - CLICK HERE

A) VIP TICKETS HAVE LIMITED AVAILABILITY, so grab yours FAST!

Only 200 VIP tickets are available for licensed beauty pros (sorry, but students are not eligible). These exclusive tickets include:

• VIP wristband for priority access to inside the GCC at 8:30 AM.
• 2 hour earlier entry for less crowded show floor shopping from 9:00am to 11:00am (1st chance at buying limited nail product show deals)
• VIP Gift Bag filled with 20+ Sponsor products (travel & full sizes; items vary each year depending on what generous companies send us; contents differ from bag to bag)

.

 For more info, read the FAQ titled "Why should I do the Early Check-in on Saturday?".

.

TICKET SALES START JANUARY 1st:

VIP tickets typically sell out within days of being released on New Year’s Eve at 12:01 AM (EST). Occasionally, a few tickets may be available for resale in our private Facebook group for licensed beauty pros only.  CLICK HERE to join (you’ll need your pro license number & state for verification at the time of request).

.

VIP TICKET REQUIREMENTS:

• Pick up your wristband & gift bag in person with photo ID & pro beauty license.
• No one else can pick up your bag nor do your Check-in procedure as we need to match your photo ID to your face in person.
• Swag bags are not mailed nor held for future shows if you can’t attend.

A) ARRIVAL & CHECK-IN:

A) Yes! But the concessions area with tables & chairs is in the lower level of the GCC where the Craftsmen's Fair is held. This is the fastest food source, but it does require you to pay admission to the CF in order to gain entrance to the lower level where food is served.

.

The CF gives us 50% off admission by showing your pro beauty license & mentioning you're with the Smokies Nail Show, so admission is only $5 ($10 for the general public without a pro beauty license; you can eat lunch with your family or friends). Before you leave the CF: visit their registration window & they'll scan your drivers license to give you a printed FREE pass which is good for the duration of the CF, so you can come & go as many times as you like without paying again!

.

No outside food is allowed into the GCC per their rules, but benches are available outside to picnic if you wish to bring your own lunch. 

A) Prizes are chosen randomly in advance by our Event Team & you MUST BE PRESENT at the time of the drawings to claim a prize (no more dry erase board at the Registration window). The GCC loudspeaker cannot be heard anywhere else in the building, so you must be on the main show floor to hear if your wristband numbers are drawn.

.

On attendees wrist bands are numbers & a detachable tab with the same matching numbers. Upon check-in, techs receive the wrist band & the detached tab goes into a bucket for the Door Prize drawings. All wristbands when ordered in a pack come with pre-stamped numbers. The first 3 numbers are identical on all wristbands for that pack, but the last 3 numbers are in numerical order. We will be calling out the last 3 different numbers to avoid giving the impression that the tabs aren't well mixed up inside the bucket. 

.

Since we cannot draw for hours, we only announce numbers twice & then we must draw the next tab. If you're getting a demo you need to STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING, immediately make some noise & quickly come over to where we'll be announcing at the main show floor doors to claim it.

.

Drawing times are held in between the Event Day Classes so you won't miss them unless you leave the main show floor. The drawings will be held at:

1. Noon
2. 2:00pm
3. 4:00pm

.

At 4:30pm the $1500 Grand Prize drawing will be announced at the PinkPro Beauty Supply (Booths #41/42). If you hear your wristband numbers called out, holler out & stop whatever you're doing to swiftly make your way over to us fast. Otherwise the Grand prize is forfeited once we draw & announce the next numbers. We will keep drawing until we have a winner. Due to it's size, the Grand Prize will be shipped to you after the show.

.

*Door Prize winners are ineligible for the Grand Prize drawing; sorry, but we cannot hold prizes for you at the Registration window.

A) FAST-TRACK YOUR CHECK-IN & GET NAIL SWAG A DAY EARLY!

A) LUGGAGE CART POLICY 

• Only vertical, upright luggage carts on wheels are allowed on the show floor. See the example photo below.

• Pull-behind, 4-wheel wagon carts are no longer permitted as they block aisles & create congestion in front of booths where techs need to shop.

This change is necessary due to the excessive complaints about techs toes being run over or tripping over pull-behind carts. Please be mindful when using vertical carts to avoid injuries—if issues continue, we may have to ban those as well.

Items of importance to pack before leaving for Gatlinburg:

1. your show ticket (printed or on phone) so we can easily scan it.
2. your pro beauty license (actual paper license or clear photo on phone).
3. your photo ID.
4. an umbrella because rain or shine, the exterior GCC doors do not open until scheduled (see FAQ titled "Where & When should I arrive at the GCC?").
5. good, comfy walking shoes because you'll be on your feet most of the day.
6. a power cell with cord to charge your phone.
7. see FAQ titled "Do vendors take cash &/or card" for why to notify your bank in advance.
8. a sweater or shawl because we can't adjust the air conditioning throughout the GCC. 
9. see FAQ titled "What type of rolling cart can I bring" because we cannot permit 4 wheel, pull behind wagon carts onto the show floor. 
10. come with naked nails if you want to experience demo's where you can try the products to see how long they last on you (MY TIP: add notes to your phone for which brand was used on which finger to track how they last).
11. your business cards to exchange with others, especially inside the Swag Swap Center, so you can reconnect for future opportunities & build lasting friendships. 

A) YES. It's $75 CASH ONLY with pro beauty license/owners salon license or student documents & photo ID for verification. An ATM is down the street in the Arcade located under the Space Needle or up the street at the Bearland Grill (on the corner beside the Gillette Motel).

.

You'll receive a General Admission wristband to gain entry to the show floor & classrooms for Event Day Classes, plus some nail swag as it lasts (when it's gone, that's all she wrote).

.

See the FAQ "How am I entered for a Door Prize drawing".

A) LICENSED BEAUTY PROS ONLY – NO EXCEPTIONS

To ensure a professional environment, unlicensed individuals are not allowed in the show nor in classrooms. This includes small children, strollers & babies—as they take up space meant for nail techs.

Sorry, but we cannot provide nor recommend daycare services due to liability reasons. If you see anyone violating this necessary rule, please report it to the Registration window or to a security guard so they can be escorted out.

.

​

A) YES! Just bring your nail tech certificate & your photo ID from your country to show during the Check-in process at the door.

.

A photo on your phone of your nail tech certificate will work as long as it's clearly visible to read.

A) Not onsite, but paid parking lots on Airport Rd are across from & located next to the Gatlinburg Convention Center (average is $20). Up the street in easy walking distance there is cheaper paid parking behind the Bearland Grill, plus at the Catholic Church (cash only), but not on Sunday during services.

.

If you're staying at a downtown hotel, you can hop the free trolleys, but there is no definite time schedule, so you could be waiting 1 minute or 1 hour until it arrives. Ask the trolley driver 1st before you get on if they stop at the GCC because not all trolley's do.

A) YES! We'd be thrilled if you hashtag #nailtecheventofthesmokies & tag us @NailTechEvent on TikTok & Instagram, however Facebook is a bit longer:  @NailTechEventoftheSmokies. 

.

Nail techs, this is OUR WORLD....where nail techs are the STARS, so please utilize this once a year opportunity to create massive amounts of content for your YouTube & other social channels.

.

Longer videos can be chopped up into smaller 30 second segments for stories & 90 second segments for reels which can be used all year until it's time for the next Smokies Nail Show!

.

However, absolutely NO live streaming or videoing in the Workshops or Event Day Classes without the consent of the Educator teaching it.

A) LICENSE VERIFICATION FOR CHECK-IN

• Paper beauty licenses (any size) or a photo/screenshot of your license on your phone are acceptable as long as they are easily readable.

• You may also show your State Board of Cosmetology website on your phone, with your name & current year’s pro beauty license visible.

.

To speed up the Check-in process, have your license, salon owner license or student documents & photo ID ready. Lines move faster when you're prepared—see the FAQ for what to do if you forget your license.

.

No one can enter the show without the required documents, even if they have a non-refundable ticket. We appreciate your understanding in keeping this a pros-only nail industry event.

A) YES! STUDENT ATTENDEE REQUIREMENTS

• Student means you’re enrolled in a beauty school prior to the show date. If you’re enrolled after the show date, you cannot attend this year but are welcome to join us next year.

• All students must show photo ID and student ID or documents from the beauty school with letterhead confirming they are a current or recently graduated student or have recently taken state boards but not yet received their pro license.

.

No group nor student discounts at the door ($75 CASH ONLY). No documents = No entry, even with a ticket. Sorry, but apprentices cannot be admitted.

Beauty school students posing for photo at show.

A) YES! We realize many salon/spa owners & managers are not licensed beauty pros. Each will need to show photo ID & documentation during the Check-in process at the Registration window such as: 

1. paystub from the salon/spa with the person's name on it.
2. printed business card with person's name, title, salon/spa contact info - sorry but no business cards will be accepted which have info hand written due to the high likelihood of fraud. 
3. salon business license with number issued by your state & owners/co-owners name printed on it.
4. your State Board of Cosmetology's website pulled up on your phone showing your name listed on the salon business license.

.

ONLINE TICKET BUYING PROCESS:  insert the salon business license number in the box where it asks for a pro beauty license number. 

 A) LICENSE VERIFICATION

Paper beauty licenses, photos of your license or certificates from other countries on your phone are acceptable if they are clear & readable.

If you forget your license, you’ll need to:

• Google your State Board's website on your phone to show your license.
• Call or text someone to send you a clear photo or screenshot of your license.

Once you have your license ready, you can resume your spot in line when it’s your turn. We appreciate your understanding in keeping the lines moving quickly!

A) Save a tree & take a photo instead of wasting paper!

Just past the Registration window & before you enter the Mills Auditorium will be a large show floor plan on an easel which lists all the companies & their booth numbers.

.

     1st show floor you'll enter: The Gallery featuring 6 exclusive booths

     2nd show floor: the Mills Auditorium with a timber frame vaulted ceiling featuring 51 booths

.

Take a photo of these show floor plans to easily refer back to when shopping. 

A) Maybe. Since each State Board has different CEU rules, you'd need to contact the nail company in charge of holding the Workshop(s) you're interested in taking to ask them if what they're teaching has been CEU approved for your particular state.

.

Then confirm with your State Board that they will accept the Workshop certificate of participation for your state's CEU's. Email addresses for each company teaching a Workshop are provided in their listing on the "Nail Classes/Workshops" page. CLICK HERE

A) YES to both cash & card! ATM's are located down the street inside the Arcade under the Space Needle & up the street inside the Bearland Grill on the corner of Cloverleaf Dr. (across from the Gillette Motel).

.

Also there is an ATM located in the lower level of the GCC, but you will need to pay admittance to the Craftsmen's Fair to gain access to it. See FAQ "Is there food at the GCC?" for discounted price to enter the lower level of the CF.

A) Take a break, visit another booth, use the restroom, enjoy a FREE Event Day Class, or grab a bite at the food court down in the lower level of the GCC (admission to the Craftsmen's Fair required to access the ground floor; see FAQ "Is there food at the GCC?"). Then, circle back later when your preferred booth is less crowded.

.

Larger booths aren’t possible unless we reserve a bigger ballroom, which would raise the booth fees for nail companies & ticket fees for nail techs. We appreciate your understanding our need to keep costs low so companies can afford to participate & techs can afford to attend!

A) Sorry, but if you’re working or volunteering in a booth, you’re not eligible for any Prizes nor nail swag of any kind. You’ll need to either buy a ticket to attend as a nail tech or work in a booth as an Educator.

.

We must ensure that Prize drawings are fair & not perceived as biased toward Educators, so anyone working the show for a nail company cannot win prizes nor receive swag.

.

Sponsoring companies trust us to distribute their products directly to attending techs. Educators working booths get wristbands with no detachable tabs to ensure fairness in the drawings.

.

If your wristband number is drawn, but you’ve been working in a booth, we cannot award you a prize & we must draw another number. We cannot make any exceptions & thank you for understanding.

.

If you’ve already purchased a ticket but want to work or volunteer in a booth, please contact info@nailtechevent.com before online ticket sales end June 30th for a refund (money goes back onto the card used to make the original purchase usually within 7-10 business days).

A) Nail products donated by generous companies for the 200 VIP ticket holders will be inside in their VIP Gift Bags (20+ products but contents can differ). These are available during the Check-in process at the Registration window either on Saturday’s Early Check-in (Noon - 4:00pm EST) or on Sunday during the show.

.

All other ticket types will receive complimentary nail swag donated by various companies AS IT LASTS & the swag bags (photo below) will differ in contents/quantities depending on what’s sent to us each year.

.

We aim to give all attendees a little something, so please understand that we must make these items stretch for everyone, so you may only receive 2-3 items depending on the amount of products that generous companies give us. If you want more swag, then make plans to purchase a VIP ticket next year.

.

If you don’t like an item or can’t use it, give it to another tech or donate it to your local beauty school. Sorry but we cannot make swag exchanges for you, as that would require us doing the same for hundreds of attendees & thank you for understanding.

A) Sadly, NO. This is to prevent techs from buying multiple tickets just for more chances to win the $1500 Grand Prize. 

A) YES, but NOT from the Event Team who gave you the complimentary swag graciously provided by generous nail companies at their own expense.

.

On show day you are welcome to join other techs in the "Swag Swap Center" located in the Mills Rooms 3 & 4 to trade swag for a more customized gift exchange. See the FAQ titled "What is the Swag Swap Center" for more info.

.

If you did the Saturday Early Check-in, just bring your swag bag with unwanted swag to the show on Sunday & swap it with others in the Swag Swap Center.

A) Yes, as long as you keep your wristband on, you can come & go all day!

If you lose it, you'll need to repurchase a wristband for $75 CASH ONLY at the Registration window. No exceptions due to wristband sharing issues.

.

There’s no bag check, but feel free to take heavy purchases to your car or hotel, then return quickly since this is show day only happens once a year!

.

Your wristband numbers could be drawn for a Door Prize or the $1500 Grand Prize while you’re gone. You must be present on the Mills Auditorium show floor for all drawings in order to claim a prize (no more dry erase board to check numbers at the Registration window). Drawing times are:

1. Noon
2. 2:00pm
3. 4:00pm

It's typical for us to draw several numbers without anyone coming forward to claim their prize. Your chances of winning are MUCH greater if you stay on the main show floor.

1 lucky tech will take home this $1500 Grand Prize Sponsored by PinkPro Beauty Supply on show day, but must be present to win!

A) CRAFTSMEN'S FAIR INFO:

The Craftsmen’s Fair is open to the public & is held in the lower level of the GCC during our show weekend. Tickets are $10 for adults, children under 12 are free.

.

Nail techs can show their pro beauty license at the door for their own half-price admission ($5) by mentioning you are attending the Smokies Nail Show located upstairs.

.

The Craftsmen's Fair has two entrances: one is the Airport Rd entrance (also entrance for Workshops) & the main entrance is located on the Parkway.

The big Craftsmen's Fair held in the lower level of the Gatlinburg TN Convention Center!

A) Yes, but only in the lower level where the Craftsmen's Fair is held, so you'd need to buy a ticket to go down there.

.

Otherwise, there's an ATM inside the Bearland Grill located up the street on the corner of Cloverleaf Dr. (next to the Gillette Motel) & also there's an ATM down the street inside the Arcade underneath the Space Needle.

A) No! All Workshops are held at the GCC & are listed on the "Nail Classes/Workshops" page. CLICK HERE TO SEE WORKSHOPS

A) Maybe or Maybe Not!

Many Workshops sell out before the show, so register now with each company to secure your spot. Companies need to know in advance how many kits & certificates to prepare.

Ask at the booth about available spots in Monday Workshops. CLICK HERE to see Workshops page for options.

Workshops do not count for CEUs unless your State Board approves them. Verify with your State Board before registering.

A) Please wear business-casual attire to this professional daytime event. Avoid club-style clothing; this is a professional trade show, not a party. There's a time & place for nightclub attire, but this isn't it.

Candid photos will be featured in trade magazines, online publications & social media. Please help us represent the beauty industry with class & dignity. 

.

"When in doubt, don't wear it out"!  - the NAILS magazine article which sums it all up. CLICK HERE

.

.

Please don't embarrass yourself or others by looking like "The People of Walmart" - CLICK HERE for bad examples. 

.

Dress appropriately for this daytime business function.  CLICK HERE for recommendations of trade show attire.

A) Unfortunately no, so please bring a sweater, shawl or wear layers in case it becomes too cold. If Classrooms become too hot, please prop open the door for hallway cool air circulation. 

.

The number of bodies on the show floor produces a lot of heat, but the air conditioning controls cannot be adjusted to suit each individuals temperature.

.

Thank you for understanding & arriving prepared!

A) Subscribe to our monthly "Smokies Nail Mail" newsletter via the contact box on this home page or join our private Facebook Group for licensed beauty pros only - CLICK HERE  (pro beauty license number & state required for verification)

.

After July 4th all updates will be posted on our Facebook business page "Nail Tech Event of the Smokies" - CLICK HERE. Follow along daily so you won't miss out on what's going on!

.

Sorry to those not on FB, but it's the easiest platform for me to update on the go & it's followed by the majority of nail techs. - CLICK HERE!

A) YES! Please see the Event Team at the Registration window if you lost or found something during the show. After the show ends all lost items will be turned over to the GCC staff. Please call‭ (865) 436-2392‬ to inquire if you lost something. 

A) Thank you for understanding that the majority of questions are answered here in the FAQ's which have been created for 24/7/365 access to information you need.

.

There are a LOT of moving pieces behind the scenes to make sure the show goes smoothly for everyone involved, therefore extreme concentration on the Event Coordinator's duties is required to avoid mistakes & responses will be delayed until the following week or perhaps longer.