Up Front: October

Regulatory Update: Victory In California Is Near

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Thanks to the vigilant efforts of indoor tanning proponents, the amended version of California tanning bill AB 105—which originally sought to raise the minimum tanning age from 14 to 18—has been passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee, reaffirming the current minimum age to tan. Even better, the onerous provision allowing parents to name a maximum number of tans for the minor was removed.

AB 105 now passes to the Senate for a floor vote; if passed there, it will go back to the Assembly for concurrence and then to Gov. Schwarzenegger for signature. The bill would take effect Jan. 1, 2008.

Congratulations to the Indoor Tanning Association (ITA), the California Indoor Tanning Trade Organization (CITTO) and tanning salon owners and operators statewide. Industry attendance at the meetings and hearings combined with e-mails and letters to legislators played a large role in preventing the teen tan ban from becoming law.

To recap, the new amendments to the Filante Tanning Act of 1988 are:

1. A parent or guardian of 14- to 17- year-old clients must sign the consent form in person at the salon prior to their first ultraviolet session. The consent form must be renewed annually and can be revoked in writing at any time after granted.

2. Proof of age is required for all minors.

3. Two statements are added to the written warning given to each client: a) any person with skin that always burns and never tans should avoid an ultraviolet tanning device; and b) any person with a family history or past medical history of skin cancer should avoid an ultraviolet tanning device.

4. Salons are prohibited from claiming that an ultraviolet tanning device has any known health benefits.

5. Timers must be remotely located so clients cannot control exposure time.

6. In-room warning signs may—but are not required to—include a statement noting that spray tans and other sunless tanning products are not subject to the same effects as ultraviolet tanning devices.

Congratulations to the California indoor tanning industry and all those who opposed the bill. This truly shows that we have a voice in opposing legislation that negatively affects the industry. All other states that are currently subject to proposed anti-tanning measures, take note—something can be done.

Distributor eBook Available For Download

PHOENIX— Looking for insight into the role of the distributor in the tanning industry and advice on what to look for when choosing a distributor? Log on to www.lookingfit.com to download the free eBook—A Guide To Working With A Distributor.

NTTI Offers Sunless Special

PHOENIX—Touch up your sunless airbrushing techniques and skincare essentials. Purchase the NTTI Sunless Airbrush/HVLP Technician course and receive the NTTI Lotions and Skincare course FREE—a $29.95 value.

To take advantage of this offer, visit www.tanningtraining.com/sunlessoct07 or call (800) 532-1101.

ITA Tanning World Expo This Month

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Indoor tanning professionals will come together at the 8th Annual ITA Tanning World Expo, Oct. 11-14 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn.

This annual trade show is a must for those serious about the indoor tanning industry. Turn to page 62 for a sneak peek at some of the hottest products available for the 2008 tanning season.

PC Marketing Acquires Tanning Supply Outlet

RIDGEFIELD, N.J.—PC Marketing, based in Ridgefield, N.J., has acquired Tanning Supply Outlet, a Chicago-based distribution company. This adds to the expansion plans of PC Marketing to serve salons on a national basis.

For more information, call (800) FASTTAN or visit www.pcmarketinguwe.com. 

Devoted Creations, Future Industries Contribute To ITA

OLDSMAR, Fla.—Devoted Creations, in conjunction with Future Industries, made a $3,399.62 contribution to the Indoor Tanning Association (ITA) to help fight anti-tanning bills in the Northeast.

“We have made it our priority to help in any way possible. The ITA is the only line of defense that we have in place to ensure that our industry continues to prosper,” says Devoted Creations President Lewis Henry.

“In a legislatively tumultuous year such as 2007, it is great to see that we have such a strong supporter and ally in Devoted Creations,” states ITA Executive Director John Overstreet.

International Dateline: SOLARIA 2007

COLOGNE, Germany—LOOKING FIT will be on hand Nov. 1-3 for SOLARIA, the No. 1 international trade fair for tanning products and equipment in Europe. Group Editorial Director Judie Bizzozero will be keeping you up to date with daily reports and photos from the show floor.

Approximately 160 companies from 18 countries including the “Who’s Who” of the industrial sector are expected to participate in this year’s event, which anticipates some 8,000 visitors from 53 countries. Held every other year, SOLARIA is the world’s most important platform for the tanning industry. It is where supply meets demand, where innovations are presented and trends are born.

For more information, visit www.solaria-cologne.com. 

Buckeye State Recertification Special

PHOENIX—Tanning salons in Ohio are required to recertify employees every four years. Be sure to check your basic certification certificates to ensure you are in compliance. Since 2006, NTTI has offered a special $34.95 online recertification special that also includes a free NTTI membership.

Visit www.tanningtraining.com to take advantage of this offer or call (800) 529-1101.

iwantafreetan.com Gaining Momentum

SUNRISE, Fla.—As of July, iwantafreetan.com had more than 2,000 salons participating in the unique direct-marketing campaign geared toward helping salons publicize the benefits of tanning and connect with millions of potential tanners. Since its inception in November 2006, the site has received more than 25,000 hits and consumers have downloaded over 1,258 free tan certificates. The site is free, log on to www.iwantafreetan.com/salonsignup to help drive traffic to your salon and promote the indoor tanning industry.

Industry Veteran Passes Away

SARASOTA, Fla.—Industry veteran James Mendolera, 70, passed away Aug. 5.

As owner of the Sarasota, Fla.-based Tanning Den and president of the Florida Indoor Tanning Salon Organization (FITSO), Jim dedicated much of his time to lead the fight against legislation that negatively impacts Florida’s tanning industry. With the help of his wife and FITSO secretary, Shirley, he collected approximately $15,000 from tanning salon owners, distributors and manufacturers to be used toward lobbying efforts, attorney costs and licensing fees.

In June, the Mendoleras announced their retirement from FITSO, naming Jim Carlton, a professor and Florida business owner, and Shelly Griffin, owner of Tallahassee-based Wolff Tans, as their successors.

Jim is survived by his wife; children, James G., Laura, Susan and Julie; and six grandchildren.

LOOKING FIT extends its condolences to the entire Mendolera family.

LOOKING FIT Pick: WSL Supports Humane Society

AUSTELL, Ga.—Worldwide Specialty Lamp LLC proudly supports The Humane Society of The United States through charitable donations and animal adoptions. Worldwide employees have a combined total of 10 rescued pets. The company also is working on its new Web site and offers a 1/3, 1/3 & 1/3 payment plan.

For more information, call (800) 547-9191.

Top 250 Salons Survey Deadline Next Month

PHOENIX—Time is running out to submit your 2008 Top 250 Salon Survey. LOOKING FIT is taking submissions for the 2008 Top 250 Salons and our online survey submission process has been enhanced to make entering the Top 250 easier and more efficient.

Salons also can download a PDF of the Top 250 Salons Survey. Simply print it out, fill in the required information and mail or fax it back. The fax number is (480) 281-6026.

The Top 250 Salons will be published in a special Feb. 15, 2008 issue of LOOKING FIT magazine. Salons must be in operation by the same owner for one full year by Nov. 2, 2007 to be eligible.

For more information about the Top 250 Salons listing, contact Edie Palmo at (480) 990-1101, ext. 1603 or e-mail epalmo@vpico.com. 

Body Décor To Launch Ad Campaign

MASTIC, N.Y.—Body Décor is set to launch a television, radio and magazine campaign touting smart tanning knowledge and its Euphoria Collection of tanning products. The company is looking for salons that would like to be featured in the ads.

For more information, call (866) 426-7546 or visit www.bodydecorinc.com. 

Body Drench Rocks The Police Concert

LOS ANGELES—Body Drench Brand Manager Morgan Kaptain joined other employees of American International Industries (AII), parent company of Body Drench, at a reunion concert of The Police in Los Angeles this summer. Kaptain was the lucky winner in a companywide drawing for these hot tickets.

GLOW-ing Reviews For Salon’s Grand Opening

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla.—Every new salon goes through a rite of passage known as the grand opening celebration—and it can be a hit-or-miss experience. Boca Tanning Club’ s themed grand opening, held in June in Wilton Manors, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., was a definite hit.

Boca’s stylish grand opening took the theme of “GLOW” and ran with it, from fire dancers to spray-tanned models in bikinis giving salon tours and explaining the 20-plus interior tanning rooms and beds.

The stylish decorations included a red carpet, GLOW-themed flower displays and erotic bust-fashioned ice sculptures. Musical entertainment was provided by a DJ. GLOW’s classy spread was also a hit with guests—endless flutes of champagne and delectable hors d’oeuvres kept attendees in full party-mode.

More than 300 area guests attended including Wilton Manors’ Mayor Scott Newton. Servers in swimsuits trolled the party grounds, while male models strutted down the red carpet, joined by pet model Lucia, a Maltese pup.

All attendees received luxe goodie bags sporting official GLOW-branded tank tops; full-size tanning lotions from California Tan, Designer Skin, Swedish Beauty and Supre; Truefitt & Hill body lotion, shaving cream and prep oil samples; Bucky’s Bar-b-Que Bucks (heart-shaped gourmet dog treats by Chateau Poochie); and the latest copies of Instinct Magazine and HotSpots Magazine.

The evening was a great introduction to the luxurious, new 5,500-square-foot facility, which features its own antioxidant juice bar and street-chic fashion boutique. Boca Tanning Club houses 20 top-level tanning beds and booths, including the new VersaSpa age–defying spray tan, the seven-minute Sun Capsule Series, eight-minute

Future Sun bed and more.

Palm Beach Tan Wins 2 Prestigious Telly Awards

FARMER’S BRANCH, Texas—The 28th Annual Telly Award winners have been announced, and Palm Beach Tan’s In-Lobby video took home silver and bronze. The two prominent awards were given to Robinson Creative Inc., Palm Beach Tan’s advertising design firm, for Best Sales Video and Best Direct Marketing in regard to the audio/visual lobby presentation.

The Telly Awards honor outstanding local, regional and cable TV commercials and programs, as well as video and film productions. With more than 13,000 national and international entries annually, the Telly Awards showcase the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators and corporate video departments in the world.

The award program only selects silver and bronze winners in each category, with the Silver Telly representing the highest honor and the Bronze Telly commemorating outstanding achievement.

Robinson Creative, Inc. was awarded a Silver Telly for Direct Marketing and a Bronze Telly for Best Sales Video. The lobby presentation uniquely introduces Palm Beach Tan’s products, services and consultants, and illustrates the individual lifestyles of three target client demographics while describing custom tanning options and levels of memberships. This shows that Palm Beach Tan custom-fits a tanning program for a variety of needs and introduces the first tanning rewards program in the industry, Palm Beach Tan Premier™.

The in-lobby video utilizes a dynamic visual style with a cinematic film look, probing camera, upbeat music and exciting on-camera personalities, and features award-wining director, Andrew Librizzi. Waiting clients are treated to the lobby presentation in more than 120 Palm Beach Tan® salons in 18 markets nationwide.

For more information, call (866) 728-2450.

Grand Opening: Forever Summer Tan

SANTA CLARITA, Calif.—Forever Summer Tan tanning salon is now open for business exclusively featuring ETS Tan equipment. The salon’s line up includes the Velocity HP 1000, SS 755, SolarForce 648, SolarForce 652, SunStar 332 and Rejuvasun 332—and uses Helios software.

Owners Jarrod and Maggie Kinder chose to offer ETS beds because of their high-quality construction and the company’s exceptional customer service. The salon also features a Mystic Tan unit.

“ETS Tan had the beds ready in a short amount of time and the customers especially love the Velocity for its futuristic look and appeal,” she says.

For more information, visit www.foreversummertan.net. 

People On The Move

Designer Skin (Tempe, Ariz.) welcomes Shelly Seitz to the team as the in-house sales and training representative. Seitz has experience in sales management and operations in the skincare and makeup industry. Along with her background and education in organizational management, she excels in training and development. (877) 756-3337

MaryEllen Colling has joined the Eurowalls (Lockport, N.Y.) salon development team. Colling has worked in education for more than 20 years and was recently the director of special education for a western New York school district. She is no stranger to the tanning industry, however—her husband, Craig Colling, is the president of Eurowalls. (866) 589-LUXWALL 

Heartland Tanning, Inc. (Lee’s Summit, Mo.) announces the promotion of Carrie Chaffee to manager of its warehouse in Sandusky, Ohio. Chaffee has been a Heartland employee for three years and has made it her goal to run the efficient shipping point in the Heartland chain of distribution. (800) 554-8268 

Four Seasons Sales & Service, Inc. (Paris, Tenn.) announces the promotion of Dave Holtgrewe to Equipment Sales Manager. Holtgrewe has more than 23 years experience in the tanning industry and will head up the equipment department, promoting sales of the JK North America equipment— Ergoline®, Soltron® and Sun Dash®— in Northern Alabama, Southern Indiana, Western Kentucky, Northern Mississippi and Western Tennessee. (800) 325-2769

Susan Gilbert has joined ETS Tan (Indianapolis) as its call center manager. An experienced call-center manager, she oversees ETS Tan’s inbound customer service and technical center to ensure that customers receive exceptional service, efficient call answering, professional technical support and one-call resolution. She is experienced in leading direct marketing campaigns, inbound customer service programs, quality assurance and call-center design. (877) 239-7573 

Sun Capsule/CMC, Inc. (Wakefield, Mass.) bulked up its marketing department with the addition of a number of key employees. The company welcomes Marketing Associate Janna Charette; Graphic Designer Mary Melilli; and Marketing Director Bill Chiccarelli. The new marketing team will develop some innovative and interesting programs for the upcoming new equipment launch. (800) 272-8267 MegaSun, Inc. (St. Louis) welcomes Susan Murphy to its team. The company is excited about the upcoming tanning season. (800) 229-7432

Nichesoft LLC (Carrollton, Texas) announces the addition of Rachel Wallace to its sales team. Wallace will handle TanTrack tanning salon software sales. She has an extensive sales background and was recently a tanning salon manager for a small chain based in Texas. (877) 488-2901

Growth & Development

Heartland Tanning, Inc. (Lee’s Summit, Mo.) kicks off its year-long celebration of 25 years in the indoor tanning industry at the ITA Tanning World Expo in Nashville this month. “It has been very rewarding” says Greg Henson, Heartland’s president and CEO. “I have met so many great people and seen this industry from its ‘birth’ to what I now would call its ‘young adulthood’.” (800) 554-8268 

Affiliated Acceptance Corp. (Sunrise Beach, Mo.) is getting ready to introduce its new Web site— www.affiliated.org —which will revolutionize account information for club members and owners. New features include clear and easy logins to check billing information, simple and precise customizable reports, and quick access to the many exclusive AAC resources and benefits. (800) 233-8483

Performance Brands (Sunrise, Fla.), makers of Fiesta Sun, Pro Tan & ZEDA tanning lotions, will introduce a live education and training center in November to help salon owners and staffs become more familiar with its popular tanning brands. The center’s format will include live questions, comments, education and up-to-date product promotion information. “As our brands grow, it is important to support our customers and educate them on our products’ benefits and financial rewards,” says Stacy Kaufman, president. (800) 555-8895 

Sybaritic, Inc. (Minneapolis) announces its new Advanced Tanning Aesthetics Division (ATAD), created to meet the specific and unique needs of tanning salon and tan spa owners. The ATAD team is committed to reversing the negative publicity surrounding tanning by providing salons and their clients with the freshest innovations for advanced tanning, skin and body care. (800) 445-8418

Sportarredo USA, Inc. (Arlington, Texas) announces a new service on its Web site. For a limited time, its product offers are available online at www.sportarredousa.com. Salons simply can fill out the form and be one step closer to enjoying amazing savings on equipment. (866) 899-4826 

Action Bag Company (Bensenville, Ill.) recently relocated to a much larger facility in Bensenville to accommodate for its continued growth. (866) 819-1319

Desert Sun Tanning Salons (Maple Valley, Wash.) announced expansion plans to open 50 locations across the United States in 2007 and is seeking franchise owners to pursue this entrepreneurial opportunity. Desert Sun expansion furthers its new focus for development on the West Coast, specifically Washington, California, Oregon and Arizona. The West Coast development announcement is part of a national expansion plan to amplify the Desert Sun brand in larger metropolitan areas nationwide as well as markets where Desert Sun has an existing presence. Desert Sun Tanning Salons is a subsidiary of Palm Beach Tan Inc., and is one of the fastest-growing tanning chains in America as well as one of the fastest-growing private businesses in the Northwest. www.desertsuntanning.com. 

Custom HBC Corporation (Waconia, Minn.) was ranked No. 262 on Entrepreneur’s HOT 500 list, published in August. Custom HBC was chosen from more than 19 million U.S. businesses reviewed for the ranking. (877) 442-9881