Posted : 03/01/2002
The ITA Refines Its Scope To Best Serve The Industry
by Rick Mattoon
In November 1999, the Indoor Tanning Association (ITA) held its first meeting, announcing it would expand from just a manufacturers' association to one that also supported distributors, the allied product industry and most importantly, salon owners. Just a few years later, the ITA continues to refine its scope in advancing the business growth and image of the indoor tanning industry--as well as the welfare of its membership--by dealing with pressing issues that affect the industry at its core.
Addressing The Needs Of An Industry
At January's Orlando board meeting, ITA president and salon owner Dan Humiston led fellow board members in revisiting the scope and direction of the ITA.
"The original goal of the ITA actually was established prior to the association's first board members even taking seats," he says. "January's meeting gave current members the opportunity to readdress the importance of our resources--salon owners and customers."
Humiston's attention to the needs of the salon owner stems from more than 17 years of his own experience in the tanning industry. He opened his first salon in 1985 and now owns 24 locations across New York. He is also president of Tanning International Ltd. in West Seneca, N.Y.
The following is a list of some of the ratifications made during the ITA Board Meeting. The changes were designed to help the association focus on the needs of salon owners, as well as tanning consumers:
1. New Slogan: "Protecting Your Right To Tan"
2. Mission Statement Change: "The Indoor Tanning Association (ITA) is an organization founded to protect the freedom of individuals to achieve a suntan, via natural or artificial light. Through the leadership of our members, who are professionals from every sector of the indoor tanning industry, the ITA seeks to work with federal, state and local governments to ensure that this freedom is not restricted. The ITA also will strive to strengthen and advance our position through research and education efforts that promote indoor tanning and by working cooperatively and supporting other organizations whose efforts further ITA's mission."
3. 2003 Objective: To add 5,000 new tanning salon memberships by the 2003 ITA World Expo.
As for the latter, Humiston says, "When you get right down to it, the main job of the ITA is to help ensure that tanning salon owners have a bright and productive future. Since my appointment as ITA board president, my objective has been to formulate tangible goals the industry can be supportive of. Once salon owners see the potential of what it is we are trying to accomplish, I am confident that we will have no problem attaining 5,000 tanning salon owners as new members."
Taking Proactive Steps
In addition to strengthening the foundation of the ITA, the board also reiterated its move to take a more proactive stance on regulatory issues that affect the industry. The board reviewed legislation and pending regulation in Missouri, Tennessee, North Carolina, New York, Connecticut and Ohio. The board recommended engaging representation in Ohio and Connecticut to fight the proposed changes, and Harris Beach was hired in New York to prevent the bills--in Assembly and the Senate--from moving forward.
The ITA also took measures to boost its presence in Washington D.C., hiring John Overstreet as its new executive director. Humiston is pleased with the selection and says, "Overstreet has more than 25 years of public affairs, Capitol Hill and management experience, including three years as senior vice president of public and industrial affairs at the International Council of Cruise Lines."
The organization knows that continuing to make an impact in the industry will cost money. "Tackling regulatory issues at state and federal levels is not cheap," says Humiston. "In order for us to engage representation at key levels of the judicial process, the ITA relies heavily on revenues generated at the fall trade show as well as membership dues. Each salon owner, through their active membership participation in the ITA, can support these efforts. In turn, the board is working diligently at refining our scope so as to best serve the indoor tanning industry."
To learn more about the Indoor Tanning Association or for membership information, log onto www.theita.com or call (888) 377-0477.
