Bring on the 2009 circuses of INK! Whether you are hoping to see, be seen, or rub inked elbows with the most coveted professionals in the tattoo industry, we’ve picked the top 10 tattoo conventions of 2009 to keep you covered all year long.

Singapore Tattoo Show: January 9-11, 2009
Location: Singapore Expo Exhibition
Contact Information: admin@tattoo.com.sg
Website: www.tattoo.com.sg

The first annual Singapore Tattoo Show will gather famed tattoo artists from around the world, including show ambassador Chris Garver of “Miami Ink.” The show is sponsored by the Singapore Tourism board and will feature tattoo contests, trade seminars and live performances.

Miami Tattoo Expo: January 9-11, 2009
Location: Miami Beach Convention Center
Contact Information: info@miamitattooexpo.com
Website: www.miamitattooexpo.com

The 2009 Miami Tattoo Expo, formerly the Gold Coast Tattoo Expo, will include world-renowned tattoo artists, live tattooing and piercing demonstrations, seminars, custom cars and choppers, special guests and much more.

23rd Annual New York AM-JAM Tattoo Expo: January 23 - 25, 2009
Location: Holiday Inn - Syracuse/Liverpool (Exit 37) New York
Contact Information: 518.893.2273
Website: www.am-jam.com

Imagine three epic days of all things Ink. Expo features live music, special guest the “Lizard Man,” over 75 working artists and piercers, tattoo competitions including “Tattoo of the Day” awards, leather and jewelry vendors.

14th Annual Motor City Tattoo Expo: February 27-March 1, 2009
Location: Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center, Detroit, Michigan
Contact Information: 517.540.6055
Website: www.eternaltattoos.com

Award-winning tattoo artists, tattoo competitions, trade seminars and vendors from throughout the nation will help celebrate the 14th year of this famous Expo in Detroit.

Sydney Tattoo & Body Art Expo: March 6-8, 2009
Location: Sydney Showground, Australia
Contact Information: mike@tattooexpo.com.au
Website: www.tattooexpo.com.au, www.myspace.com/sydneytattooexpo

The first annual Sydney Tattoo & Body Art Expo will feature over 100 international artists and body piercers, tattoo supplies, merchandise, 8 live bands, tattoo contests and a tattoo art-fusion project.

7th Annual Lady Luck Tattoo Arts Expo: March 13-15, 2009
Location: Reno, Nevada
Contact Information: tazinger@comcast.net
Website: http://ladylucktattooexpo.com

Hundreds of vendors and world-class tattoo artists will attend this year’s convention in Nevada. Seminars and demonstrations, live music, fashion booths and the latest techniques in the tattoo industry will also be on display throughout the weekend.

2nd Annual Tats & Art for a Cure Convention: April 10-12, 2009
Location: Los Angeles Convention Center
Contact Information: tatsforacureconvention@yahoo.com
Website: www.tatsforacure.com

Sponsored by the Healing Art Foundation, this convention honors breast cancer survivors (men and women). Boasting the motto: “Save the Boobies: Tats for a Cure,” tattoo artists will perform cover-up tattoos, permanent makeup and areola re-pigmentation.

2nd International Moscow Body-Art Festival: September 11-13, 2009
Location: Moscow, Russia
Contact Information: av@asinternational.ru
Website: www.moscowbodyartfestival.com

The 2nd International Professional Convention of Body-art and Body-painting in Moscow will feature Russian tattoo artists, singers and performers.

Hell City Tattoo Fest 7 - “Let It Bleed”: May 29-31, 2009
Location: Columbus, Ohio, Hyatt Regency Downtown
Contact Information: info@hellcity.com
Website: http://www.hellcity.com

With over 130 artists on board (this year’s roster includes Kim Saigh of “LA Ink” fame), 75 booths, live entertainment and more tattoo-inspired activities to mention, Hell City’s Tattoo Fest has become one of the most popular tattoo conventions in the world.

11th annual Northern Ink Xposure, Toronto: June 19-21, 2009
Location: Toronto Hilton, Toronto, Canada
Contact Information: www.tattoos.com/nix
Website: www.tattoos.com

Scheduled for three nights, this convention will feature live music, hundreds of vendors and booths, live tattooing and special guests.

Tattoo Convention Tips:

1. Most conventions offer cheaper prices for pre-bought passes, so buy tickets early.

2. If you want to get inked by a particular artist, book with them ahead of time; via email or the instructions given on the convention website. If your artist is especially popular, he or she may be booked from day one; leaving all non-booked clients shut-out.

3. Do your research. Just because you are at a convention doesn’t mean the tattoo artist before you knows shit about tattooing. Always check out portfolios and even ask around if people have seen or front the work of the artist you are considering.

These are just the top ten tattoo conventions in 2009, but there are hundreds of tattoo conventions annually, some in a city near you. To find out more, you know the drill: Google.

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