Nailympia is Coming to the States

The nail competition world sometimes feels like a separate “clique” of people. In trying my hand at it a while back, I found that it is not so much that competitors are different than the rest of us or even unwilling to speak to the rest of us, it’s just that they are intensely focused.

If you have never tried your hand at a competition, it is high time to have a go at it. There are smaller arenas like the Nail Tech Event of the Smokies where you may feel more comfortable as a newbie, then on to places like Premiere Orlando. If you feel the need to establish global dominance at some point in your career, then Nailympia is the platform for you!

If you have been competing in the U.S. and that ticket overseas has been the only thing standing in your way, then good news is on the horizon. Nailympia will now have a home in the U.S.! Huge congrats to the Best Lil Nail Show Texas for having gone global in its second year of being on the show calendar!

Here’s the exciting email I received about the official announcement and wanted to share with all of you:

The Nailympia International Competition Expands Into The USA For 2017

As the Nailympia international nail competition brand moves into its 12th edition in London and third edition in Sydney, Australia, it's excited and delighted to announce a new location - the USA for 2017.

Nailympia London's ongoing mission to inspire, stretch, and motivate nail professionals from all walks of life - from beginners to veterans - men & women - from all four corners of the globe - keeps this prestigious event growing and evolving and stimulating the industry as a whole.

It is with this mission in mind that Nailympia introduces its third international competition to a new continent - America - where it will further fertilise the growth of the nail professional and the industry as a whole. Nailympia USA will be hosted by The Best Lil' Nail Show in Houston, Texas and run by Athena Elliott, known for her active industry persona and as the founder of Nail Talk Radio in the USA.

"My drive and passion for the Nailympia competition has been constantly fueled and fired up by the enormous amount of nail pros that have entered over the years," enthuses organiser, Alex Fox. "Working on Scratch magazine and Nailympia over the last 13 years has been so fulfilling and inspiring for me. The amount of techs that have embraced this event and immersed themselves in bettering and showcasing their skills has been a truly intoxicating experience. Seeing and feeling Nailympia's growth is a milestone in my career and I know this new addition will further enrich and enliven this brand. I'm eager to see how the USA and its neighbours embrace this new event and can't wait to be on the comp floor next March."

Organizer of The Best Lil' Nail Show, Nail Talk Radio host and co-coordinator of Nailympia USA, Athena Elliott says, "Partnering with Nailympia is a blessing and I'm over the moon about it! While mine and my partner Donna Shur's vision is big, (this is Texas ya know), we listened to the feedback the industry offered freely and knew this was the way forward. Nailympia brings the US and Texas a fresh and fun competition that supports all levels of experience. Our focus is set for building a nail show and competition so incredible and evolutionary that it inspires the nail industry - in the same way we are inspired!

"Together we will bring a competitive edge to participants, a packed, educational and amazing show all in one location. We predict our growth will be faster than anything the nail industry has ever seen."

Head judge for all three competitions, the USA's Elaine Watson states, "When I step back and look at the history of Nailympia, I'm so proud to be a member of this incredible global team. "For 12 years, it's grown year-on-year in London with more and more countries being represented. In its 10th year Nailympia expanded into Australia, a truly exciting turning point in its life and as this celebrates its third year we now see the USA joining the team. This means I now get to play in my own backyard and I know it will be a sheer pleasure working with my dear friends Athena Elliot and Alex Fox on this newest Nailympia, as we work together to inspire the nail techs across the USA and beyond.

"The Nailympia competition organization has never been stronger than it is today, or will be tomorrow. I am so deeply honored to be a part of these great moments in its history." 

Key Points:

Nailympia was founded in 2001 - formerly known as The Nailympics - in the USA by three nail manufacturers looking to create an unbiased, all encompassing, non-brand associated nail competition. Founders comprised EzFlow (David Daniels & Danny Haile), IBD (Lee Tomlinson), and Too Much Fun (Jim Johnson & Dianne D'Agnolo).

Alex Fox requested to run this competition in London in 2005 at the first Olympia Beauty exhibition and Nailympia London was born. Nailympia invites nail figureheads & experts from all over the world to judge each year, which keeps the event fair, prestigious and all-embracing. Sponsors and entrants fees fund this non-profit event.