Published August 2009 in International Tattoo Art
by Shauta Marsh, Photos by Bill DeMichele
Since 1995 when the Motor City Tattoo Expo started in a relatively small hotel in Novi, Michigan, it's been a key player in the convention life. It had something—location, charisma, timing, whatever. Clearly it filled a need. This year, 2009, was the 14th edition of the Detroit expo. Its longevity is a testament to its value.
The Novi venue overflowed pretty hard, pretty fast. It was a busy convention right from the gate. It had decent location, meaning proximity to the famed Detroit International Airport, but not ideal. From Novi the conventino was moved to a bigger hotel right outside the airport gates. Out-of-town visitors could almost stroll from the arrival gates to the venue.
When it was time to move again, Terry "Tramp" Welker, with co-host Brian Everett, went straight for the top. They moved the convention to Motown's famed downtown landmark, the Renaissance Center marriot.
The Detroit show has always had excellent talent. Since the show's launch, many of the older name brands have stopped traveling so much. That has made room for the younger talents. "If you walked through the aisles looking at portfolios they'd blow you away," Everett said. "Guys you never heard of doing killer work."
Which doesn't leave the guys you have heard of out of the running by any means ...
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Daytona Hardcore Tattoo's shop owner, Crazy Dave took away awards in Best Color Small and Best Color Medium for his work on wife, Wendy.
