The 2011 competition schedule has just hit the internet and I must say I am quite surprised. There are some big change ups and new locations, and it looks like we have to say good-bye to one of our old favorites.

We have six competitions over three days at ISSE Long Beach in January. There are two turn-in competitions — Hand Painted Nail Art and 3-D Nail Art — plus on-site comps; Sculptured nails, Design sculptured nails, Salon Success, and a new one called the Perfect Match. Once I have explored this one a little more, I’ll give you more feed back and my opinion on it.

Second, we have the return of the Chicago show (it’s not the exact same as before. It used to be ABS and before that I think it was Midwest Beauty, but now it will be held at the ISSE Midwest Chicago.) Hmm, I like Chicago. Maybe I’ll get to see more of it this year. Two days of competing in Chicago; Hand painted nail art, Perfect Match, French Twist, and Salon Success.

The third event is at Premiere Orlando (and you know how I feel about Florida!) Two days of competing here as well. 3-D nail art, a second French Twist, Fantasy Nail Art and last but not the least, Salon Success.

The fourth and final event is at the IBS Las Vegas show is two weeks after Premiere. Rounding out the series with eight categories over three intensive days of competitions, including the U.S. Invitational (which produces the nation’s champions in both acrylic and gel categories) and the Cup Championship. That ought to be quite a weekend.

So this means that we say good-bye to the competitions at Sacramento (that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a show in Sac, because there is, just no comps) and our competition season is shortened to six months, which in my opinion, is so much better.

It looks like 2011 will be an exciting year.

— Lynn