2026 Heartland Nail Expo Agenda

💅 Heartland Nail Expo 2026 — Daily Schedule

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7

6:00 PM–8:00 PM — Early Check-In

Expo area

For attendees taking Saturday classes

Bring professional beauty license or student documentation and photo ID.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8

7:30 AM–5:00 PM — Check-In & Classes

Various classrooms

Saturday classes are additional-cost classes paid directly to the educator.

A Heartland Nail Expo ticket is required to attend Saturday classes.

12:00 PM–5:00 PM — INJA / Nail Art Competition

Ultimate Nail Art Challenge — Day 1

Doors open: 12:00 PM

Competition begins: 1:00 PM

Competition ends: 5:00 PM

No model required.

6:00 PM–9:00 PM — Networking Round Up

Expo area

Western/western-inspired attire encouraged

Bring business cards, QR codes, etc.

Lite appetizers and cash bar available.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 — HEARTLAND NAIL EXPO

8:00 AM — Competition Check-In

Virtual/submitted competitions

Gel Art Manicure competitors

8:00 AM — Gel Art Manicure Competition

Doors open: 8:00 AM

Rules: 8:30 AM

Competition: 9:00–10:00 AM

Judging: 10:00–11:00 AM

One hand; competitor may use their own hand.

9:00 AM–4:00 PM — VIP Early Entry

30 VIP ticket holders

Early shopping access

10:00 AM–5:00 PM — General Admission

Expo floor open

11:30 AM — Guest Speaker

Speaker announcement listed as TBD on the official schedule.

11:30 AM — Nail Extension Competition Rules

Salon Style French

Salon Style Nail Art

12:00–4:00 PM — Nail Extension Competitions

One hand each

Salon Style French and Salon Style Nail Art

12:00–2:00 PM — Nail Art Challenge Day 2

Hands-on portion

Nails applied to one hand

2:00–3:00 PM — Judging

Nail Art Challenge Day 2

1:30 PM — Guest Speaker

3:30 PM — Guest Speaker

4:00–5:00 PM — Final Judging

Completion of judging for all competitions

5:00–6:00 PM — HEARTLAND / INJA NAIL ART COMPETITION AWARDS CEREMONY 🏆