- When: Saturday, January 4, 2014
- Where: River’s Edge Convention Center – St. Cloud, MN
- Who: Cosmedico Light, Devoted Creations, Ed Hardy Tanning, JK-North America,
- JK-Capital, Lucas Products, New Sunshine LLC, Norvell Skin Solutions,
- Performance Brands, Podz/Dr. Sun, Suntan Supply, Sunwalls, Supre Tan,
- Tan In /ASZU, TanShot, Usedbeds.org, Wolff System Technology Corp.
The 300 tanning salon professionals who braved severe winter weather in Minnesota to attend Suntan Supply’s 2014 Midwest Tanning Expo got all the education and training they were hoping for, and then some!
Suntan Supply’s 18th annual Midwest Expo began with salon operator training and certification – 20 attendees received Norvell University’s spray-tan training before the event’s official kick-off. The Expo’s schedule was highlighted by keynote speaker Brynn Scarborough of JK-North America and her “Developing a Vision 2014” presentation. “Brynn’s seminar is one of the most refreshing I’ve seen in a while,” said Bill Gallagher, Suntan Supply Co-owner. “She took the time to explain how the new Ergoline units work and how salon owners can pass this useful information on to their tanners to get them excited about trying the latest equipment. It was extremely informative.” The event also featured breakout sessions that provided more one-on-one time with the product vendor reps, and a working tanning salon with three Ergoline tanning units and custom sunless spray-tanning from Brown Sugar, California Tan and Norvell Skin Solutions.
Diana Boga, owner of Legally Bronzed Tanning, flew all the way from Halfmoon, NY to attend Suntan Supply’s Minnesota event. It turned out to be a worthwhile trip for the 26-year-old tanning professional. “There was so much great information at this show,” said Diana, “and I especially enjoyed talking with Bill and Marty Gallagher (Suntan Supply owners) during the cocktail reception after the show. They must’ve spent at least two hours with me answering all of my questions and they really gave me the motivation and encouragement I need to head into the next season. I brought an employee with me and the Expo got her excited, too!” Diana plans to return for Suntan Supply’s Expo next year.
The Panel Discussion was an Expo highlight, during which attendees asked questions of a group of industry veterans. Moderated by Brynn Scarborough (JK-North America), the panel included Scott Eggers (New Sunshine), Bill Gallagher (Suntan Supply), Marty Gallagher (Suntan Supply/ITA) and Bobby Wagner (JK-Light). “This was probably one of the most interesting discussions we’ve had,” Bill Gallagher said. “There were a lot of questions about the Tan Tax, which is common for most of these events, but we also had a lot of questions about a possible under-18 tanning ban in Minnesota, since one was tabled there last year. We’re also seeing a lot of smaller salon owners wanting to add EFT memberships, so they had a lot of questions about how that works.”
Knowledge wasn’t the only thing Expo attendees took home – tens of thousands of dollars in prizes were given away by the exhibiting product vendors. The grand prize – a Sundash 332 Pro valued at $8,000 – was awarded to LuWayne Loiland of Dutch Mill Motel & Video.
With the Minnesota Expo behind them, Team Suntan Supply began looking west as they prepared for the company’s Expo in Washington. “We recently picked up the West Coast territory for Ergoline and Soltron tanning equipment,” Bill Gallagher said, “and we always enjoy bringing everything we have to offer to the salon professionals in the areas we serve. This will be our first time hosting an Expo on the West Coast and we’re all very excited about it.” The event was scheduled to take place February 8 at the Tulalip Resort and Casino in Tulalip, WA.
