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Yeah I do have an opinion on this. This is the first time I actually heard about this topic. But I think it's absolutely fair that a convention promotor would offer a free booth, air fair, cash etc. I myself have never been offered cash to attend a show, I have gotten flights takin care of, booth and hotel, which is awesome! Not all conventions I attend I get something out of it, a lot of them I pay for all these things just like everyone else, but I tell ya, when a promoter offers something it makes me think about attending the convention, other wise I might not think twice about it and just say no thanks. I believe that after doing these conventions so often that it starts to where on you, and the guys that do a ton of conventions get burnt out, so these promoters need to do this in order to get some of the big name tattoo artists out to there convention. Thats why you don't see Guy Atichison, Aaron Cain, Paul Booth, etc at to many conventions anymore, for one they don't need to go, they are doing just fine at there studio. So if it takes cash to get these guys to there show, then so be it, more power to them. It's just like getting famous actors or musicians to attend a show, its the same thing. Or like club promoters will pay Paris Hilton to hang out at there club, theres people that want to see these famous people. Now i'm not saying we are in the same spectrum as these famous people but there is a large number of people that want to see big name artists at a convention, and paying for there flight, or giving a free booth might be the only way to get some of these guys to attend. The artists that have to pay for everything to attend a convention must be the guys complaining and some of it might come out of jealousy, dam i might get crap for saying that,but to a certain extent,it's true. The biggest name artists work there ass's off and they probably deserve what the promoters are giving them. Now I'm not saying other guys don't work there ass off too,but I know a lot of the famous tattoo artists and they work there ASS OFF, it's not like they woke up one day and all of a sudden they have a huge cliental and they are a big name,it takes a lot of work!

I just think about it as if I was the Convention Promotor,and if I threw a tattoo convention I would give away a lot of booths to my friends and the big name artists and there are a few I would have to pay for extra things so they would consider attending my show, thats just the way it is, if someone gets butt hurt about it, they don't have to attend the show. But if the promoter pays to get these big name guys out there, then the other guys should be stoked that they are working a show with some of the most famous tattoo artists in the world, thats how it was for me starting out attending conventions, holy shit! I would be working next to Paul booth, Jack Rudy or Bob Tyrrell, if your not stoked on that then go home, who cares how the promoter got them to attend there show.

If anything, you should at least get a free table to use!!! hahaha. what up mike. finally found the time to actually read Tattoo Prodigies while looking at the pictures. Amazing work on the book, i'm glad i picked one up at Hell City! Take care.

Yeah I see your point Mike, and thanks for the detailed response. I suppose like anything it's case of supply and demand.
I think a lot of the discontent stemmed from last year's Tattoo Jam over in the Uk. Lots of people who attended (artists and the public) felt that it was far too commercial, and much of the respect for tattooing had been sold out. Everyone knows that conventions are designed with the notion of making as money and getting as much publicity as possible, but it seemed that TJ last year (and others recently) had gone exceptionally commercial. I don't know what your arrangement was Mike (with regard to flights, hotel, etc...), but lots of artists had their expenses taken care of, whilst other lesser known could not even book a booth.
Again, I totally see your point, I doubt that if I was offered sweet incentives to attend I would turn it down, but personally I think it means so much more when an artist is there because he/she really wants to be.

Conventions going to commercial is a whole separate argument. But just because me or another guy gets a free booth or air fair takin care of doesn't mean we don't want to be there. I'm always stoked to go to conventions whether I get a free booth or paid for one.

Hi! I don´t think this is such a big thing in europe, not that I heard of anyways. Eventhough europeans in general are not that "bragy" as americans in my oppinion. But for al of you guys who thinks this is unfair, do realize that you make more on a convention with more people there, right. And if big names get their then more customers will follow. So even if you are paying and the star is not, you make more on them so just be glad. And if you still think it´s unfair then work more on your brand, your own name to make it as far as others and the freebees will follow you too.

With that having said I have only once got to a spot at a convention for free, and that was a really small one, but I was pleased at that time.

Yelousy will not get anyone anywere so just see the opportunity given when big names are working next to you. Also you mite lern a trick or two by being there with them

Pardon my spelling, I´m only a swede you know