When and where did the 6th New England Tattoo Expo take place?

The event ran from April 9 to April 11, 2001 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. This casino resort sits on the Thames River in southeastern Connecticut, roughly equidistant from New York City and Boston.

What happened at the 2001 New England Tattoo Expo?

The convention featured live tattooing on the floor, artist competitions in categories like traditional and black and grey, vendor booths selling equipment and supplies, and evening social events. Attendees watched artists work on clients, browsed flash art, and participated in seminars.

Was this the first edition of the New England Tattoo Expo?

No, this was the sixth edition, indicating the event had run for five previous years since the mid-1990s. By 2001, it had established itself as a recurring fixture in the Northeast tattoo convention circuit.

What should attendees have brought to the 2001 expo?

Visitors brought photo identification, cash for vendors and tips, and camera equipment to document work. Those planning to get tattooed brought reference materials and wore comfortable clothing allowing access to the area they wanted tattooed.

Is Mohegan Sun a tattoo shop or a convention center?

Mohegan Sun is a casino and resort complex operated by the Mohegan Tribe, featuring hotels, restaurants, and event space. The tattoo expo occupied convention space within this larger entertainment venue.

6th New England Tattoo Expo

Name: 6th New England Tattoo Expo
Start: 2001-04-09
End: 2001-04-11
Location: Mohegan Sun

The 6th New England Tattoo Expo took place from April 9 to April 11, 2001 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. This three-day convention occupied space within the casino resort complex, drawing tattoo artists, collectors, and equipment vendors from across the Northeast and beyond. As the sixth installment of the series, the 2001 expo had established itself as a regular stop on the regional tattoo circuit. The event ran Monday through Wednesday in early April, offering attendees live tattooing, artist booths, and competitions in categories ranging from traditional American to black and grey work. Mohegan Sun sits on the Mohegan reservation along the Thames River in southeastern Connecticut, about halfway between New York City and Boston. The venue provided hotel rooms, restaurants, and parking connected to the convention floor, making it accessible for travelers from Providence, Hartford, and the greater New England area. The New England tattoo scene in 2001 carried strong influences from the region's naval history. Ports like New London, Newport, and Boston had long hosted tattoo shops serving sailors, creating a foundation of American traditional and military-style work. The expo reflected this heritage alongside newer styles gaining traction at the turn of the millennium. Visitors could walk the floor to watch artists tattoo clients in real time, browse flash sheets and equipment, or attend seminars on technique and shop management. Competition judging typically occurred in the evenings, with awards for various technical and artistic categories. Vendors sold needles, inks, machines, and aftercare products. Ticket structures included single-day admission and full-weekend passes. The casino setting meant attendees had access to 24-hour amenities, though the tattoo floor operated during scheduled hours. Local hotels in Uncasville and nearby Norwich provided additional lodging options for those not staying in the resort. This 2001 edition represented six years of consecutive events, indicating sustained interest in tattoo culture during a period when the industry was expanding beyond its traditional subculture boundaries into broader mainstream awareness.