A) IMPORTANT TICKET & CHECK-IN INFO

• Tickets are non-refundable & can only be transferred to another person by following the steps in the 2nd FAQ. Please enter your details carefully when making your initial purchase & double-check for errors (especially your email address) before completing your order.                                               
• Sorry, but tickets cannot be carried over to a future show. READ THE 2nd FAQ FOR HOW TO LET ANOTHER BEAUTY PRO USE YOUR TICKET!

 

• 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.

 

• If purchasing multiple tickets, each ticket must be registered to a different tech with their own name, contact info, beauty license number & state. Be certain to list the "ticket buyers name" as the person who is paying for the ticket. *Duplicate names or license numbers may be canceled without notice.

 

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

A) RESALE TICKET POLICY – PROCEED WITH CAUTION

• IF your name is listed as the original TICKET BUYER (not just the "Attendee") via your Ticket Tailor order that you personally paid for, then you may sell or gift your ticket to another licensed beauty pro & you will need to email us at info@NailTechEvent.com with the new buyers following info so we can make the ticket changes for you to get it out of your name/info & into theirs:

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

         2) cell number

         3) email address (so we can 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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FOR YOUR PROTECTION IF BUYING A TICKET FROM SOMEONE ELSE:

• Beware of online scams—only buy from a trusted source.

• A common scam is one ticket being sold multiple times. Once scanned during the Check-in process, that ticket cannot be used again.

• 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.

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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, state & name as it appears on your pro beauty license for verification - CLICK HERE 

A) LUGGAGE CART POLICY – 2025 UPDATE

• 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 & 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 with the QR code so we can easily scan it.
2. your pro beauty license (actual paper license or clear photo on your cell).
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) FAST-TRACK YOUR CHECK-IN & GET NAIL SWAG A DAY EARLY!

A) TICKET DELIVERY & CHECK-IN INFO

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.

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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) VIP TICKET INFO – LIMITED AVAILABILITY

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

• VIP wristband for priority access inside the GCC at 8:30 AM.
• Early entry at 9:00 AM (1st chance at buying limited nail products)
• VIP Gift Bag filled with Sponsor products (travel & full sizes; items vary each year; contents may 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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TICKET SALES START JANUARY 1st:

VIP tickets typically sell out within hours 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).

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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 can’t attend.

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).

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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, that's all she wrote).

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

A) ARRIVAL & CHECK-IN:

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.

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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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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!

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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/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.

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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 or 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.

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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:

• 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 2 large show floor plans on easels. These list all the companies & their booth numbers for our 3 show floors.

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     1st show floor you'll enter: The Gallery

     2nd show floor: the Mills Auditorium with timber frame vaulted ceiling

     3rd show floor: Mills Rooms 1 & 2, plus Swag Swap Center in Mills Rooms 3 & 4

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Take a photo of these floor plans to easily refer back to when shopping. Also on the show floors be sure to look for other signs that point the way to our newer show floors inside the Mills Rooms 1 & 2, pus the Swag Swap Center located in the Mills Rooms 3 & 4.

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See the FAQ titled "What is the Swag Swap Center?" for details that you won't want to miss during the show!

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) SWAG SWAP CENTER

The Swag Swap Center is located in the Mills Rooms 3 & 4 on show day, with plenty of seating for swapping swag with other techs. Not everything you get might be the perfect match, so feel free to trade!

If you picked up your swag bag the day before, simply bring it along with the items you'd like to trade. You may also bring lunch from the lobby concessions & enjoy it while chatting with friends or relaxing before heading back to the show floor.

Look for signs directing you to the Swag Swap Center & please be mindful not to spill nail products or food/drinks on the carpet. This helps us keep the space for future events!

Refer to the big show floor plans on easels for the location of the Swag Swap Center before you enter the Mills Auditorium & look for signs. 

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. 

A) Take a break, visit another booth, use the restroom, check out the Swag Swap Center, enjoy a FREE Event Day Class, or grab a bite at the concession stand. Then, come back later when your preferred booth is less crowded.

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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.

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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.

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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 included in their VIP Gift Bags & 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 holders will receive complimentary nail swag from various companies AS IT LASTS & the swag bags (photo below) will differ in contents/quantities depending on what’s donate 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 sent to us. If you want more swag, then make plans to purchase a VIP ticket next year.

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If you don’t like an item or can’t use it, on show day bring your swag bag to the "Swag Swap Center" & exchange items with other techs (you can also enjoy lunch there, too).

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We cannot facilitate swag exchanges for you, as that would require us doing the same for hundreds of attendees & thank you for understanding.

A) Prizes are chosen randomly in advance by our Event Team & all numbers drawn will be posted on a DRY ERASE BOARD at the REGISTRATION WINDOW for YOU to match against your wristband numbers BEFORE 4:00pm.

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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. 

*Anyone working or volunteering in booths is ineligible for Prizes or swag & will receive an Educators wristband without a detachable tab.

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Starting in 2025 we will NO longer announce numbers over the loudspeaker on the show floor (too noisy & disruptive according to techs feedback).  After 4:00, ALL unclaimed Prizes will be forfeited & will be put towards future Smokies Nail Show promotional contests or the next year's show. 

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The 4:30pm the $1500 Grand Prize drawing will be announced over the loudspeaker in the Mills Auditorium (main show floor) at the PinkPro Beauty Supply Booths #41/42. Due to it's size, the Grand Prize will be shipped to you after the show.

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Regrettably the loudspeaker cannot be heard anywhere else in the GCC, so you must be on the main show floor to hear if your numbers are drawn for the $1500 Grand Prize Sponsored by PinkPro Beauty Supply.

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We will only announce numbers twice & then it's gone. If you're getting a demo then you need to make some noise & immediately hustle over to the PinkPro Beauty Supply booth to claim it. Otherwise the Grand prize is forfeited once we draw & announce the next numbers. We will keep drawing until we have a winner. 

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

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.

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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.

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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.

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There’s no bag check, but feel free to take heavy purchases to your car or hotel, then return as needed.

Looking for lunch outside? Allow 2 hours for dining due to peak tourist season. Maximize your time by grabbing food at the GCC lobby concessions & enjoying it with friends inside the Swag Swap Center.

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Beware: Your wristband number might be drawn for a Door Prize while you’re gone, so check the dry erase board at the Registration window when you return. Prizes are forfeited if not claimed by 4:00pm & you must be present on the Mills Auditorium show floor for the Grand Prize drawing at 4:30pm in order 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 public & is held in the lower level of the GCC during our show weekend. Tickets are $10 for adults, children under 12 are free.

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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.

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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! There will be a Concessions stand in the lobby on Saturday Workshops & Sunday's show with both hot & cold items. Feel free to bring your Concessions food into the Swag Swap Center to relax during the show on Sunday, but please remove your trash & keep the tables clean for others to enjoy.

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For Friday & Monday Workshops, there will be a smaller Concessions stand in the Classrooms hallway due to fewer techs on site. Closing time is at the GCC's discretion, but typically is around 1:00pm after the lunch break ends.

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No outside food is allowed into the GCC per their rules, but benches are available outside for a picnic.

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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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. 

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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 bad 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.

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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)

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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 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.

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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 mistakes & responses will be delayed until the following week or so.