A) YES! Info on a ticket can only be changed by the ORIGINAL ticket purchaser.

If you bought a ticket thru a private sale from someone else & now need to resell your ticket: You will need to contact the original ticket purchaser to have them edit the ticket to remove your name/info & insert the new buyers name/info, otherwise the ticket may only be used by the person whose name is on the ticket. 

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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 

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If purchasing multiple tickets, list each nail tech & their contact info with their own individual pro beauty license number. *Duplicate names or license numbers may be canceled without notice. 

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Please enter your contact info carefully when making your purchase & double-check for errors before completing your order. Make certain all email addresses where tickets will be sent are correct.

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Download the Eventbrite app (look for the big, orange "E") & create your account where all future Eventbrite ticket purchases will reside, including any Workshops where the nail company also utilizes Eventbrite.

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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. You may safely sell or buy VIP tickets from other licensed beauty pros inside our private Facebook group - CLICK HERE to join.

*have your pro beauty license number & state ready to insert for verification when requesting to join, otherwise unfortunately we cannot admit you as this PRIVATE GROUP is only for the professionally licensed & nail company owners.

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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.

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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.

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

 

A) YES, tickets may be transferred! But only if YOU follow these Eventbrite steps to edit your ticket - CLICK HERE

• You will need the new buyers following contact info PRIOR to making ticket changes:

         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

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Follow the steps as provided on Eventbrite's website (link above in blue). DO NOT click "Contact the Organizer". The instructional steps provided are easy & thank you for understanding our time constraints. We DO NOT make ticket transfers. 

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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 nor 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 privately by only the group Admin or 1 Moderator) - CLICK HERE 

• BE ADVISED: If you purchased a ticket from someone who was NOT the original ticket buyer, then the tech who sold you their ticket MUST contact the original ticket buyer for them to make the necessary ticket changes.

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 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)

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

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VIP tickets typically sell out within days of being released. 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 requesting to join).

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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 suddenly 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.

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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).

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Before you leave the lower level: 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!

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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 (sorry, but 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.

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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 for the pack of wristbands we purchased, 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. 

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Since we cannot draw for hours, we only announce numbers twice & then we must move on. If you're getting a demo when your numbers are drawn: 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.

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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
4. Grand Prize at 4:30pm

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The $1500 Grand Prize drawing will be announced at the PinkPro Beauty Supply (Booths #41/42). If you hear your wristband numbers announced, holler out & stop whatever you're doing to swiftly make your way over to us fast. 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.

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*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 on 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 so you can reconnect for future opportunities & build lasting friendships. 

A) YES!  Entry is $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 in the lower level hallway where the Craftsmen's Fair is held (paid entrance required; see the FAQ "Is there food at the GCC?" for how to get 50% off Craftsmen's Fair admission).

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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, we cannot get any more).

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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 inside the show nor in classrooms. This includes small children, strollers & babies being carried 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.

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

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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  located directly across from & next to the Gatlinburg Convention Center (average is $20). 

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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. 

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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.

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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 of your license on your phone are acceptable as long as they are easily readable.

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

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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.

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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.

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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 unless their name/info is specifically listed on their State Board website.

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.

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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 step out of line to:

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

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     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

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

Show floor map on easel showing companies locations with their booth numbers!

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.

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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).

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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.

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Feeling booths are too crowded?

Sorry, but larger booths aren’t possible unless we reserve a bigger ballroom, which would raise the booth fees for nail companies & ticket prices for nail techs. We appreciate your understanding our desire 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. You’ll need to either buy a ticket to attend as a nail tech OR work in a booth as an Educator.

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We must ensure that Prize drawings are fair & not perceived as biased toward Educators, so anyone inside a booth cannot win a prize nor receive swag.

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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.

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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.

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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 differ from bag to bag). 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.

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

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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 ship us. If you want more guaranteed swag, then purchase a VIP ticket.

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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 shipped to us by generous nail companies at their own expense. Trade swag with another nail tech at the show, which is a great way to make new friends!

Assorted nail swag differs from year to year & from bag to bag!

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 to prevent fraud.

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

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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 as announcements cannot be heard elsewhere (no more dry erase board to check numbers at the Registration window).

Drawing times are:

1. Noon
2. 2:00pm
3. 4:00pm
4. Grand Prize at 4:30pm

It's typical for us to draw several numbers without anyone coming forward to claim their prize, so be present to WIN!

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 general 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 showing their pro beauty license at the door get half-price admission ($5) by mentioning you are attending the Smokies Nail Show located upstairs.

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

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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).

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Before you leave the lower level: 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!

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Otherwise, 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 seats in the 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's only trade show, not a freak-off. 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. 

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

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

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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. 

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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. On the show floor, the air is either on or off, but no in between. 

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Thank you for understanding & arriving prepared!

A) 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!

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Sorry to those not on FB, but it's the easiest platform 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 are 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.

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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 making mistakes.

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DM or email responses will be delayed until the following week or longer. Thank you for understanding!