LF Was At The Team Heartland Tanning Expo

Who: Danielle Maheux, Managing Editor
What: The Team Heartland Tanning Expo
Where: Lee’s Summit, Mo.

The fourth—and largest—in a series of regional tanning expos, the Team Heartland Tanning Expo held Feb. 1-2 at Heartland’s corporate office in Lee’s Summit, Mo. attracted more than 20 suppliers and more than 1,500 salon owners and employees from around the country. I joined the crowd for my first-ever Heartland event to represent LOOKING FIT and chat with salon owners.

Celebrating Heartland Tanning, Inc.’s 25th anniversary, the seminar kicked off Friday with salon certification at the Courtyard by Marriott in Blue Springs, Mo. I flew in that morning and was pleasantly surprised by the weather—I honestly was afraid I would freeze. (Can you blame me? LF is stationed in Phoenix … cold is 50 degrees.)

A "Bingo Bash" reception was held at the hotel that evening, featuring appetizers, drinks, conversation and, of course, bingo. Three rounds were played, featuring cases of lotion as prizes, with a few intermittent dance contests to win extra free spaces. Abby Clemmer, Heartland’s marketing-guru-turned-bingo-diva, was on-hand to ensure that all prize-winners turned in valid bingo cards, while other members of Team Heartland walked around with cans of Silly String—punishment for any false calls of "bingo!"

The next day started bright and early—with plenty of coffee, mind you—at Heartland’s headquarters for the now-infamous garage sale, followed by the expo featuring the latest Heartland-manufactured equipment, new products for 2008, giveaways and hands-on demonstrations.