In an event that exemplified the true meaning of “bodies of work," Mario Barth’s Biggest Tattoo Show on Earth came to Mandalay Bay from October 2 to 4, showcasing tattoo artists from all over the world as well as lots of tattoo-related merchandise. Mario Barth Enterprises, an international tattoo organization with studios, merchandise, and an online supply company, produced the event.
Although the annual convention’s first trip to Vegas was one that left its mark—having brought the largest number of vendors, artists, and attendees to the show since Barth created the event seven years ago—it also proved that what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas. Many of the more than 43,000 participants went home with new tattoos, body piercings, and permanent makeup.
“For the past six years, I’ve held the convention at the Meadowlands Expo Center in New Jersey,” Barth said. “It outgrew that venue and I wanted to legitimize it, bring it to a higher level, get it more recognition, and also make it available to the mainstream public. Las Vegas is a convention city that attracts people from all over the globe and is a travel destination. People feel comfortable and safe in this environment to the point where they even brought their children to the convention—we had a lot of families. Next year, I’m planning on building a playground for the kids.”
Last year’s Meadowlands show had 180 booths and 230 artists. The biggest tattoo convention to date had been held in England, with 230 booths and 400 artists, and most tattoo conventions are held in small hotel ballrooms. Industry naysayers told Barth that a show on the order of 200,000 square feet was impossible.
Barth and his team of 25 got to work to attract a crowd in a tough climate. They planned parties, 58 educational seminars (last year there were 15), and issued invitations to Barth’s celebrity clientele and friends to increase the mainstream draw. It not only worked, but the show made the Guiness Book of World Records as the biggest tattoo show in the world.
Over the three days, the crowd perused the wares of more than 500 booths (many had multiple exhibits within one larger booth) and nearly 1,000 tattoo artists. Among the standout booths was one of Barth’s: a 40- by 40-foot white-carpeted lounge in the center of the convention area where people could hang out, have a drink, or get their hair cut. “This is the first time that these vendors actually started doing displays and creating an image for their shops,” Barth said. “Before, they just showed their work. This was a whole new standard for our industry and was like a real trade show.”
The event also had a big celebrity draw. Sylvester Stallone, one of Barth’s clients, walked the convention floor, and Tommy Lee, Jack Osborne, Mick Fleetwood, DJ Steve Aoki, and others walked the red carpet at the convention’s October 1 opening night “Tattoos Around the World “ V.I.P. party at Rumjungle. An after-party to that party took place at the Foundation Room.
All the lighting at the convention was provided by A-1 Lighting, and all the convention services, including all the booth setups, were provided by Metropolitan. A closing party took place at the Bank Nightclub inside the Bellagio on October 4.
Barth, who also owns Starlight Tattoo at Mandalay Bay, which he opened last year, said he plans to keep the annual convention in Las Vegas and continue to expand it.
