Nail Tech Event of the Smokies marked its 19th anniversary in Gatlinburg, celebrating years of industry engagement.
The event drew 700 beauty professionals focused on enhancing their skills through education and networking.
Attendees experienced a unique Smokies surprise alongside shopping opportunities at the trade show.
*Summarized by AI
The 19th Nail Tech Event of the Smokies, held July 10–13, 2026, welcomed 700 beauty professionals to the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Nail technicians traveled from across the country for Sunday’s one-day, nails-only trade show, along with optional hands-on and seminar workshops held Friday, Saturday and Monday.
Attendees shopped professional nail products, developed new skills and connected with fellow nail technicians. Many also turned the event into a family vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains.
“Our goal is to give nail techs more than a place to shop,” said Event Coordinator Jill Wright. “We want them to leave with new skills, industry connections, fresh inspiration and lasting memories.”
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$1500 Grand Prize sponsored by PinkPro Beauty Supply (Shelia Routon from PinkPro, winner Yolanda Beatty & Jill Wright)
Credit:
Smokies Nail Show
Education, Entertainment and Prizes
Educator Paula Davies returned for Saturday’s early check-in with “Nail Tech Trivia.” Everyone received a small prize for participating, while five nail technicians who answered questions correctly went on to “reveal the bear” on scratch-off tickets, winning nail swag and Gatlinburg souvenirs.
Twenty-six door-prize winners were notified by text, allowing the show to continue without interruptions from loudspeaker announcements. Yolanda Beatty, a nail technician from Knoxville, Tennessee, won the $1,500 grand prize featuring an assortment of nail products sponsored by PinkPro Beauty Supply.
Sponsors and Special Guests
Light Elegance sponsored a pink step-and-repeat backdrop where attendees could capture and share photos throughout the event.
Andy the Armadillo and handler Mackie James also returned from the Sevierville, Tennessee, Texas Roadhouse. They distributed free appetizer vouchers to attendees and contributed a door prize.
A Real Smokies Surprise
The event’s most unexpected visitor was a real bear cub, which ran along the Convention Center sidewalk and passed approximately two feet in front of guests seated on nearby benches. The cub then disappeared into the landscaping beside the Smokies Nail Show banner.
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This time, the bear was truly revealed.
Busy show floor from the back row aisle by Glitz Accessories & Such booth at the Smokies Nail Show.
Credit:
Smokies Nail Show
Tickets Available for the 2027 Event
Attendees received a secret 30-day promotional code offering first access to tickets for the 2027 event. Tickets are now available to all qualified beauty professionals at NailTechEvent.com, with more than 25% of VIP tickets already sold.
The Nail Tech Event of the Smokies will return July 9–12, 2027. The nails-only trade show will take place Sunday, July 11, with optional workshops scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Monday.
Approximately 85% of the companies that participated in 2026 have already secured booths for 2027. Remaining booths will soon become available to new professional nail companies.
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