Marriott Event Center – Blue Springs, MO
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Vendors: American Suntanning Association, Australian Gold, California Tan, Designer Skin, Devoted Creations, Eye Pro, Fiesta Sun, Hempz, Insurtec, KBL, Norvell, Poly LED Light Therapy, Primal Elements, Pro Tan, Selfie Sunless, Sunlighten Saunas, Supre Tan, Swedish Beauty, Tan Incorporated, Tanovations, TanTrack
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Sponsors: Devoted Creations, Light Sources, New Sunshine, Norvell Sunless, Sun Evolutions
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On February 1-2, 350 tanning professionals gathered at the 27th annual Heartland Expo where the agenda included education, networking opportunities, exhibits from the industry’s top product and equipment providers – and much more.
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Friday’s schedule was packed with training sessions hosted by product educators and expert spray-tan technicians. A lively roundtable discussion for salon owners and operators featured topics including Effective Strategies for Diversification, Building EFT Membership Revenue and New Customer Acquisition. Salon staff were invited to participate in breakout sessions and a separate workshop.
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Team Heartland offered a classroom session of the award-winning salon education program, Sun is Life® Training and Certification. Lisa Bryan of Blended Blessings in Dewey, OK completed the training. “The Sun is Life Certification was extremely informative,” Bryan commented. “I thought Joe Schuster was a fantastic speaker and kept my attention throughout the class. Definitely something that all owners and staff should attend!” Schuster enjoyed presenting to the Heartland event attendees. “The class was loaded with attentive students with some great questions. A fantastic group to teach!”
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After a day of education, the tradeshow floor opened for attendees to see new products and equipment, and speak with manufacturer reps. That evening, attendees enjoyed an 80s-themed party and reception. The prize for Best 80’s Costume went to Light Sources’ Director of Engineering, Gene Czako, who dressed as Doc Brown from “Back to the Future.”
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On Saturday, the exhibits re-opened and expo-goers were treated to breakfast and lunch, as well as over $4,000 in prize raffles, goodie bags and other informative presentations. The Main Stage seminar was presented by dynamic professional speakers/business consultants Kizer & Bender, followed by a special session for salon owners. “The Owner’s Only and Staff Workshops we introduced this year were a huge success!” exclaimed Karen Ballinger, Purchasing and Marketing Manager. “We have more learning, training and fun on the horizon!”
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Team Heartland was happy with the outcome of their 27th annual event. Howard and Teresa Terry of Electric Sun in Lenexa, KS were impressed with the expo, commenting, “Another fantastic event put on by Heartland Tan. We always bring our staff and simply would not miss it!”
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Added Brad Henson, General Manager, “We saw many new faces which is a great indicator of our resurgent industry. Team Heartland once again provided our salon partners with great content. Also, big thanks to our participating vendors. The 80s dance party was a blast from the past – it was a great weekend!”
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