- When: June 21-22, 2014
- Where: Hard Rock Hotel – Las Vegas, NV
- Who: Argo Networks, Bleach Bright, Cosmedico Light Inc., Devoted Creations, FIT Bodywrap, Hydromassage, Insurtec, It Works Global, JK Capital, JK-Light, JK-North America, LA Sunworks, Light Sources, Lucas Products, New Sunshine LLC, Norvell, Payroll4Free.com, Performance Brands Inc., Podz Eyewear, Salonsense Media, South Beach Tanning, Sudatonic, Sun Bed Supply, Suntan Supply, Sunwalls, Sunless Spot Shields, SunLync, Sunstyle Support, Supre Tan, TanShot, Tap & Tan, Twilight Teeth, Universal Insurance, Usedbeds.org, & Wolff System Technology Corp.
Nearly 700 tanning salon professionals from all over the country and Canada attended the recent 7th Annual West Coast Tanning Expo!
The spectacular tanning event was a first in many ways, not the least of which was its host – Suntan Supply. With support from JK-North America, the Ohio-based distribution company took the helm of the Vegas show after its recent acquisition of Ergoline’s West Coast product distribution territories – Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Las Vegas, NV, Oregon and Washington. Another first was the venue – the world famous Hard Rock Hotel. “I believe this was our best show ever!” exclaimed Bill Gallagher, Suntan Supply President. “Nearly everyone who attended was interested in learning and purchasing tanning and sunless units, which means that people are thinking about growing their businesses. That’s a good sign for the industry!”
The Expo kicked off with 160 attendees earning sunless tanning certification from California Tan and Norvell Skin Solutions. The event transitioned into a timely and helpful presentation from keynote speaker and social media expert Jeff Molander (Molander & Associates), who coached attendees on how to turn social media contacts into leads and sales. “Jeff offered some excellent advice on using social media to drive sales,” said Bill Gallagher, Suntan Supply President, “and I was even more impressed with how much he researched the indoor tanning industry. Every one of his examples was tailored specifically to salon owners and the audience loved it!” Molander also hosted a social media workshop, which was attended by 225 salon professionals.
Salon owner Stephanie Manley took away a lot of great ideas from Jeff Molander’s presentation. She added, “We’re in our first year of ownership (Beach Bum Tanning in Lodi, WI), so we need all the marketing information we can find. (Molander) was amazing; we’re already implementing much of what we learned!” Her first ever Vegas Expo, Stephanie says she considers it a “worthwhile business investment.”
The expert Q&A session allowed attendees to gain knowledge from a group of industry veterans. Moderated by Brynn Scarborough (JK-North America), the panel featured Kevin Apgar (Cosmedico Light, Inc.), Scott Eggers (New Sunshine, LLC), Brian Hibbard (South Beach Tanning), Dan Mann, Jr. (Tropical Tan), Rob Quinn (Tan Pro USA), and Bobby Wagner (JK- Light). Many attendees asked questions about EFT programs and social media marketing, said Marty Gallagher, Suntan Supply Executive Vice President. He added, “Every member of the panel offered some excellent advice on how salon operators and staff can make the most of the free marketing opportunities that social media provides.”
Like the city in which it was hosted, the fun never stopped at the West Coast Expo, with 16 lucky tanning salon pros winning more than $100,000 worth of giveaways and prizes donated by the Expo’s exhibitors. The grand prize – an Ergoline SUN ANGEL S-46 Tanning Bed valued at $47,000 – was won by John McMillen of Sun Struck Tanning in Columbus, MS. He also won a prize from Norvell Skin solutions valued at $2,000. More than 200 attendees also enjoyed tanning in one of four sunbeds – two Ergoline 1400 and two Ergoline SUN ANGEL 1400 – which were the stars of Suntan Supply’s working sunroom on the show floor.
“The entertainment options at the Hard Rock Hotel were amazing!” Bill Gallagher commented. “At the end of the Expo, we hosted a cocktail reception that featured DJ EV, who we flew in from Los Angeles for the event.” Bill said that attendees enjoyed reception as well as the world-famous Hard Rock Hotel REHAB Rx Party the following day. He added, “Many salon owners rented bungalows and enjoyed the event while their staff had a great time in the pool.”
Now back home at their offices in Avon, OH, the Gallagher brothers and everyone at Suntan Supply consider their first West Coast Expo an “absolute success.” Looking back on the event, Marty added, “We definitely thank Nina Neuschuetz (JK-North America) for all her help in making this the great event that it was. We also send many thanks to our many exhibitors and attendees who helped make it a success.” As the West Coast product distributor for Ergoline tanning units, Suntan Supply will be hosting future West Coast Expos, and Marty says he and the Suntan Supply team are already excited about Vegas in 2015. ■
