Motor City Tattoo Expo
Detroit's flagship tattoo convention since 1996, hosting 300+ artists at the Renaissance Center for its 30th edition in 2026.
Event details
- Next edition: March 2027 (TBA)
- Venue: Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, Detroit, MI
- Location: Detroit, MI
- Organizer: Eternal Ink / Terry 'Tramp' Welker
- Founded: 1996
- Frequency: Annual
- Attendance: N/A
- Artists / booths: 300+ artists
- Tickets: $20/day · $30 two-day · $40 weekend; kids 14 & under free
- Tattoo competitions: yes, judged categories run across the weekend
- Website: https://www.themotorcitytattooexpo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motorcitytattooexpo/
About
Founded in 1996 by Eternal Ink founder Terry 'Tramp' Welker, the Motor City Tattoo Expo is one of the Midwest's longest-running and most established tattoo conventions, drawing more than 300 artists and vendors each year to the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. Its 2026 edition marks the show's 30th anniversary.
For working artists, the expo pairs three days of live tattooing with daily contests, hands-on seminars, and a major industry vendor floor backed by one of tattooing's best-known supply brands. The long pedigree and Welker's mentorship network make it a strong networking and reputation-building stop in the region.
What to expect
- Daily tattoo contests judged across multiple categories
- Tattoo seminars and educational sessions for artists
- 300+ artists tattooing live across three days
- Large vendor and supply marketplace (Eternal Ink and others)
- Live entertainment and main-stage programming
- 2026 film screening: '30 Years of Ink, Stories from the Motor City Tattoo Expo'
Best for
Midwest-based artists seeking exposure, contest credentials, and supply-industry networking
Notable: Created by Eternal Ink founder Terry 'Tramp' Welker; celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026
How we check this listing
We last confirmed these details on 2026-07-06. Dates and prices are taken from the organizer and change between editions, so treat the organizer's own page as final before you book travel or a booth.
Checked against: https://www.themotorcitytattooexpo.com/, https://www.themotorcitytattooexpo.com/tickets, https://inkppl.com/en/tattooevents/2026/march-2026/motor-city-tattoo-expo-30