upfront

Eye Pro Offers New Tanners’ Quiz

FORT WAYNE, Ind.—Eye Pro, Inc. offers salons a free Tanners’ Quiz for the 2007 season. The Eye Pro Tanners’ Quiz helps dispel the many myths about tanning without eye protection, thus giving salon staff a chance to stress the importance of wearing eye protection. The quiz sits upright on a counter and it takes the tanner only a few minutes to complete.

The company will offer a sneak preview of its new Tanners’ Quiz at the ITA show; however, it only will be available free after the show to salons that see the Eye Pro protection presentation during the 2007 symposium season.

The Tanners’ Quiz also is available free to any salon that takes the Eye Pro training online. Salons can view the pre-recorded online training anywhere, anytime—all that is needed is a computer with Internet access and a separate phone line to hear and view the presentation. Since it’s a pre-recorded version, salons pick the day and time to view (go to www.eyepro.net and just click on “Free online training”).

In addition to FDA laws regarding eyewear, an Eye Pro education specialist teaches 20 ways to sell eyewear and what damage UV overexposure causes to vision. Salons receive the new Tanners’ Quiz free just for attending.

“We’ve already had several salon owners who have liked the training so well that they’re now going to make it a required part of any new staff training,” says Brenda Fishbaugh, Eye Pro president.

For more information or to receive the free Tanners’ Quiz, call (800) 726-8322 or visit www.eyepro.net for the 2007 symposium schedule or to take the online training.

Heartland Tanning Holds Sales Workshop

LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo.—Continuing its commitment to have the best and most trained staff in the industry, Heartland Tanning, Inc. held a sales workshop Aug. 22-24 at its Missouri headquarters. Fifty sales professionals, management and support personnel attended the event where they learned new concepts and procedures to better serve the salon community. Activities included outdoor team athletic competition, sales training and awards to Heartland’s top sales achievers.

The complete staff also was introduced to “UV” Heartland’s guest from outer space. Look for “UV” in Heartland’s booth at the ITA show in Nashville. For more information, call (800) 554-8268.

LOOKING FIT Launches New, Improved Web Site

PHOENIX—LOOKING FIT®, the industry’s No. 1 source for information, recently launched its new and improved Web site— www.lookingfit.com. We’ve redesigned our site to be sleeker and more user-friendly than ever before. The site features daily news, topics by category, industry links, a password-protected Buyer’s Guide, a monthly poll, an option to enter the Top 250 Salon survey online, the Bizz Blog, easily accessible archives and much more. The site also features special e-books and downloads to keep salons on top of important topics in the industry. Included is the current issue of LOOKING FIT magazine.

We also unveiled LOOKING FIT’s tan responsibly site at www.lookingfit.com or www.tanresponsibly.com. This site is for tanning consumers and provides visitors with information about tanning, skincare essentials, health and nutrition, fitness and lifestyle, and much more. This exciting new Web site helps consumers discover the latest information about tanning and the professional products what they need to perfect their tanning experience. The site also features special promotions, polls, contests and links to some of the most viewed sites on the Internet. Be sure to tell your customers about this fun and exciting site.

Make www.lookingfit.com your homepage so you begin and end your day with the most up-to-date information in the indoor tanning industry.

Lucas Products’ Owner Adds Style To Cancer Event

TOLEDO, Ohio— Dorothy Applegate, president and owner of Lucas Products Corporation, was one of 30 models who participated in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation style show Oct. 1.

Appelgate, who is taking her recovery from breast cancer one step at a time, walked the runway in style and grace. She, along with all Lucas employees, thank everyone in the industry who works to help eradicate this life-threatening disease.

ProSun Extends Special Invitation

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—ProSun International is making it easier for salon owners to view and try its line of indoor tanning equipment by flying potential buyers to its Florida headquarters. Interested parties are invited to tour the ProSun facility and try out the equipment for themselves. Salons can call (800) 874-2776 or e-mail sales@prosun.com to see if they qualify for this special event.

Performance Brands Named Official Tanning Product For Olympia® Weekend

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.—Performance Brands, Inc., maker of Pro Tan® tanning products, was chosen as the official tanning product for this year’s Olympia® Weekend.

Since 1987, Pro Tan has been tanning competitive athletes from around the globe. This year, the company will provide more than 100 professional athletes with great contest color. Each competitor will have the opportunity to use a variety of indoor tanning products along with Pro Tan’s sunless and contest preparation products. The Mr. & Mrs. Olympia will be shown on national television and aired in more than 15 countries.

For more information, call (800) 555-8895 or visit www.performancebrands.com. 

ITA Elects New Board Members

WASHINGTON—The Indoor Tanning Association (ITA) announces the election of five members to its board of directors for terms beginning Oct. 1, 2006 and ending Sept. 30, 2009. The board members are:

Equipment Manufacturers: Brigitte Kratz, JK North America, Inc.

Lotion Providers: Rick Norvell, Norvell Tanning 

Allied Products: Jerry Frank, Cosmedico Light, Inc.

Distributors: Chip Stroud, American Sun Systems 

Salon Sector: Rob Quinn, Tan Pro

“This year there were two closely contested seats, one in the Lotion Sector and one in the Salon Sector,” says John Overstreet, ITA’s executive director. “It was interesting to see the candidates reach out to their sector members in new and innovative ways—it certainly showed their level of commitment to this election and to the ITA. Everyone should be grateful to have such dedicated leaders in this industry.”

Complete Your 2007 Top 250 Salons Survey Online

PHOENIX—LOOKING FIT® provides salon operators with another technological advancement—the ability to enter their 2007 Top 250 Salons surveys online. That’s right— no mailing or faxing forms or worries that your submission was lost in the mail. (Salons still have the option of filling the form in and mailing it.) Salons can access the secure site at www.lookingfit.com by clicking on the “2007 Top 250 Salons” flashing button. The secure site allows salon operators to register and choose a login name and password. This allows salons to fill out the form (forms if there are multiple salons) and submit the entry online. The site also allows salons to amend information before the Nov. 3, 2006 deadline.

This new tool allows salons to enter the 2007 Top 250 Salons survey any time of the day from anywhere in the world. It’s just another service LOOKING FIT is providing to keep you up on the latest technologies to help your business grow.

The 2007 Top 250 Salons will be published in a special Feb. 15 issue of LOOKING FIT magazine. To be considered, salons must fill out a comprehensive survey about their businesses and return it to LOOKING FIT no later than Nov. 3, 2006.

For more information about the Top 250 Salons listing, contact Janet McCombs at (480) 990-1101, ext. 1603, or e-mail her at jmccombs@vpico.com. 

SOLARIA ‘07 Already In The Works

COLOGNE, Germany—SOLARIA, the No. 1 international trade fair for tanning products and equipment in Europe will be held Nov. 1-3, 2007. SOLARIA will be staged in parallel and adjacent to the related fairs aquanale, the International Trade Fair for Sauna, Pool, Ambience (Oct. 31-Nov.3, and FSB, the International Trade Fair for Amenity Areas, Sports and Pool Facilities (Oct. 31-Nov. 2). The show is expected to attract some 8,000 visitors from 53 countries. Stop by the SOLARIA booth during the ITA Tanning World Expo in Nashville to find out more about the U.S. companies participating in the show.

Ohio City Council Proposes Tanning Legislation

HAMILTON, Ohio—On Sept. 13, a draft proposal that would prohibit individuals under age 18 from using tanning facilities in Hamilton, Ohio went before the local city council. The proposal is aimed at amending the city’s current health ordinance governing tanning salons that currently allows minors to use a tanning facility as long as written consent is provided by a parent.

The current laws mirror Ohio’s state regulations. The draft ordinance was set forth by Councilman George McNally who said he was contacted about the issue by local physicians.

Nearly 20 individuals representing the indoor tanning industry turned out to oppose the measure; however, following more than two hours of discussion, the council voted to bring the legislation forward at its Sept. 27 meeting. Second and third readings are planned in October. A vote on the issue was scheduled to take place by Oct. 25.

For more information, visit http://www.hamilton-city.org/cc/council.html or call (513) 785-7000.

What’s New For Designer Skin For 2007

TEMPE, Ariz.—Not going to make it to Nashville this year to see what’s new for Designer Skin? Let Designer Skin give you a personal viewing along with your 2007 Designer Skin product education and training via the Internet. Data conferencing is available for you in the comfort of your own salon.

For more information, visit www.designerskin.com or call (877) 756-3337 for dates and times.

Sign Up For The Free LOOKING FIT® e-newsletter

PHOENIX—Are you current on all the industry news and getting valuable marketing tips and business solutions? Sign up to get LOOKING FIT’s monthly e-newsletter. Log on to www.lookingfit.com  and fill out the “Sign Up For Free e-News” section to receive the monthly e-newsletter.

Salon Support To Hold Annual Event

FT. WORTH, Texas—Salon Support, Inc. is holding its annual Tradeshow & Training Event Nov. 11 at the Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth. The event kicks off with a marketing class and then breaks for a tasty lunch. The highlight of the event will be the afternoon tradeshow where salon operators can view the newest products from industry manufacturers.

For more information, call (800) 670-7546.

CTS, Complete Tanning Source (Farmington Hills, Mich.) has been named the exclusive distributor partner for Three Wishes Inc., manufacturer of the Deviant Lotion collection. This partnership offers salon owners amazing service and awesome products as CTS couples its 16 years of tanning expertise with Three Wishes Inc.’s innovative lotions. With three regional distribution centers, CTS provides the quickest shipping in the industry, with most orders arriving in less than three days, the company says. (800) 528-5463

A Tanning Bed Warehouse (Kansas City, Mo.) has moved to a new location. The company’s new address is 8331 N. Congress, Kansas City, MO 64152. Additionally, John Parish has been promoted to sales and service manager. The company specializes in equipment, lamps, service and parts. (800) 677-1450

TanWall (Orange, Calif.), maker of TanWall™ Modular Salon Wall Systems, has upgraded its Web site to showcase its electrical, door, wall thickness, framing colors, angle and installation options. The Web site is accessible at www.tanwall.com. (866) TANWALL 

Puretan (Dallas) announces its Used Tanning Bed division. This new division will buy, sell, accept trade-ins, and perform repossession of used beds from all manufacturers. It also will provide a six-month warranty on all used Puretan units. (800) 338-8267 

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Four Seasons (Paris, Tenn.) adds another member to its “Brewster the Rooster” Hall of Fame. Each month a new photograph is added to the collection of pictures displayed on the lobby’s wall. Congratulations to Angie Wimberley who was the August winner. Employees receiving the award exemplify a commitment to excellence by reflecting a team spirit and a positive attitude. These employees demonstrate a loyal commitment to salon owners and Four Seasons as they continue to go beyond the call of duty to assist fellow co-workers and salon clientele. (800) 325-2769

MagicTan® (Solon, Ohio) recognized Jim Beno for a job well done. A 9-year tanning veteran, Beno has been affiliated with MagicTan for more than three as the regional vice president of sales. In addition to being one of the company’s top producers, he also owns tanning salons in Georgia and Illinois. Beno’s two salons have provided more than 14,000 MagicTan sprays (over $150,000 in revenue) in just three years. “As the technology continues to get better and better in the UV-free spray tanning sector, you will see a huge increase in popularity in spray tanning in the years to come,” he says. “Not only will you see spray tanning available in the tanning salons, but in the future you will see spray booths in day spas, gyms, major hotels, resorts, large apartment complexes and I even think a few will be in dermatologist offices.” (888) 974-9977

LeaseProcess (Wheat Ridge, Colo.) continues to serve the tanning industry with its leasing programs and has added eight new salespeople this year to manage its phenomenal growth. From tanning beds, to airbrush tanning equipment and much more, LeaseProcess helps salon owners better leverage their capital through smart leasing programs. (800) 942-9830 

Sportarredo USA, Inc. (Chicago) has appointed Emmanuele Codega to the position of marketing manager. “Emmanuele has a long experience of international environments in Sweden, Mexico and the United States and will be an asset both for our team and customers,” says Gianluca Dianese, company CEO. (866) 899-4826

Skinscience™ (Toronto, Canada) recently named Tamara Glick, MBA, as its new director of marketing. Glick comes to skin-science with an extensive background in brand building and advertising. Under Glick’s guidance, skin-science will continue to develop Darkside™ and INbed™ brands, and will launch two exciting new product lines. “We are growing our portfolio of boutique, dermatologically-sound skincare products,” says the company. “Salons also can expect great new programs that make skin-science products easy to understand, promote and sell.” (888) 881-2244 

Custom HBC Corporation (Waconia, Minn.) recently named Jeannie Anderson to the position of customer service representative. Anderson brings more than 20 years of customer service experience and will be responsible for all aspects of customer service, including answering customer calls, receiving and entering purchase orders and confirming sales orders. (877) 442-9881