Introduction

Firstly, one key event shows how much an industry can change. In September, the fifth edition of the Professional Piercers Poland Conference (PPP) took place in Gdańsk. As a result, this conference is the largest body‑piercing meeting in Poland and one of the largest in Europe. At Sztorm Tattoo Gdańsk, piercer Beata Kwaśniewska—known as pierce Beti—works with clients daily. In addition, she has organised this conference for five years and pours her whole heart into it. Therefore, PPP is more than just an event. It is a place where awareness, safety and trust are built—values that form the foundation of our studio.

Who Beti is and why she does what she does

Firstly, Beti is a piercer with more than 14 years’ experience gained at conferences and in daily client work. Importantly, she was the first Polish woman accepted into the Association of Professional Piercers. She is now the president of Professional Piercers Poland. Every day she works at Sztorm, caring for clients, performing piercings and educating people. Her philosophy is simple: a good piercing begins with trust, preparation and attentive communication. Furthermore, she applies the same philosophy to the conference. For example, in 2021 she organised the first piercer conference in Poland almost single‑handedly. Each year the event grew in scale and reputation. It gained team support and became a unique celebration of piercing. Consequently, the fifth edition of PPP was special. It was both a jubilee and a conference full of substantive lectures and internationally renowned guests.

What happened during the 5th PPP Conference

The programme included three intense days of lectures and workshops.

• Firstly, on Friday participants learned practical aspects of a piercer’s work. Topics included preparing clients, asepsis, no‑touch techniques and challenging piercings such as septum and tongue. They also discussed how body modification affects the mind.
• Secondly, on Saturday discussions focused on materials and jewellery standards. They also covered nipple piercings, working under challenging conditions and building a piercer’s brand. Later the day ended with a historical section on female figures in pornography and their influence on piercing. The evening closed with an integration party for participants.
• Finally, on Sunday the programme included yoga workshops and lectures on upgrading jewellery. It also featured an inspiring “Gauntlet Legacy” presentation by Jim Ward.

In addition, each day had its own Modern Tribe zone with body suspension shows. Moreover, a “Piercers for Piercers” discussion zone allowed practitioners to exchange experiences. Therefore, the conference was not just about piercings. It also covered hygiene, work methods, material science, client psychology and history. As a result, more than 200 participants listened to presentations and joined discussions and workshops.

Key guests and speakers

The highlight was an appearance by Jim Ward. He is the “granddaddy of the modern piercing movement” and opened the first piercing studio, Gauntlet. At the conference he spoke about the beginnings of the movement. He proved that professional piercing is a philosophy, not just a profession.

In addition, respected specialists came to Gdańsk. They included Paul King, a piercer with more than 30 years of experience, anthropologist and educator. They also included Brian Skellie, an expert in asepsis and sterilisation. Ryan Ouellette, an educator and producer of the Piercing Wizard podcast, was another speaker. Lola Slider—the first APP member from Scotland and co‑host of that podcast—shared insights. Ruben Triguero, a specialist in septum piercings, presented his expertise. Moreover, numerous Polish piercers led workshops and discussions. Therefore, the conference brought together international experts and local practitioners. This translated into knowledge exchange at the highest level.

Why this is important for Sztorm and our clients

Consequently, Sztorm is not only a tattoo studio; it is also a professional piercing centre. Our strength lies in diversity because we have artists of various styles and piercers with diverse experiences. This diversity allows us to match the client’s character and budget. As the organiser of PPP, Beti constantly raises her qualifications. She also raises the standards of the whole industry in Poland. By co‑creating the conference, we bring the latest knowledge on safety and material science into Sztorm. We also bring improved client service. As a result, every piercing is carried out to the highest standards. Each procedure fully addresses the client’s needs.

Additionally, the conference proves that piercing in Poland is maturing. The event demonstrates that punk rebellion can be combined with responsibility and concern for health. The event shows that contemporary piercing is closer to the beauty industry than to Woodstock‑style safety‑pin piercings. At Sztorm we believe that education equals safety. Therefore, we actively support Beti’s initiatives and PPP. It is not about prestige. Instead, it is about ensuring that anyone who gets a piercing or tattoo feels confident they are in good hands.

What this edition taught us

This edition taught us several key lessons:

1. Firstly, trust and preparation are essential. Without conversation, interviewing and fitting jewellery to anatomy there can be no safe piercing.
2. Secondly, materials matter because jewellery standards, certifications and sterilisation processes are vital.
3. Thirdly, client psychology matters. Talks on the role of body modification and emotions showed that piercing involves working with the human psyche.
4. Fourthly, history inspires. Meeting Jim Ward reminded us that today’s standards were created because enthusiasts pursued their passion despite a lack of acceptance.
5. Finally, sharing experiences builds the industry. The “Piercers for Piercers” zone showed that many practitioners in Poland are ready to share their knowledge. This willingness is crucial when choosing a professional.

Summary

In conclusion, for Sztorm the Professional Piercers Poland Conference is more than a trade event. It is a manifesto of our philosophy. In every piercing and tattoo we see a person with their history, emotions and need for safety. Choosing Sztorm Tattoo Gdańsk means choosing a studio that learns and grows. It also co‑creates the Polish piercing scene. Beti and the PPP team show that you can combine passion with responsibility. They create a place where a piercing becomes a symbol of quality and conscious choice.

If you would like to learn more about our piercer’s work or arrange a piercing, please write to us. You can also visit the studio. We are here for you.