When: January 15-16, 2016
Where: Courtyard by Marriott – Blue Springs, MO
Who: Devoted Creations/Ed Hardy, Eye Pro, Insurtec, Light Sources, MR International, My Lipo, New Sunshine Brands, Norvell Tanning, Podz Eyewear/Jessica Robertson, Pura Sunless, Scan to Tan Software, Sun Evolutions, Superior UV, Synergy Tan Brands, Tan Incorporated, Tan Track, Wolff System
The 24th Annual Midwest Tanning Expo offered over 200 salon professionals a wealth of opportunities for education and training, as well as plenty of one-on-one time with top tanning product educators and manufacturer representatives.
The schedule started with a lively Welcome Reception complete with live music, sponsored by Devoted Creations. Informative presentations from top product educators included industry veteran and eye protection expert, Brenda Fishbaugh of Eye Pro. An engaging keynote address was given by motivational speaker, Les Norman, with his presentation, “Enhancing Your Personal Brand While Adapting to Continuous Change.” Commented Heartland Executive VP/General Manager, Brad Henson, “Many of our Expos have featured professional speakers. This year, Les Norman, a former Kansas City Royal, brought a humorous, thoughtful and timely message for our attendees. Negative publicity and governmental over-reach has greatly impacted our industry, and Les had a fresh perspective that was well received. We had numerous compliments about it.”
As always, expo-goers also enjoyed networking and camaraderie during a delicious BBQ lunch buffet during the event.
Many attendees took advantage of the Sun is Life® Salon Operator Certification, which was presented by veteran educator, Joe Schuster, of IST Magazine. “That was an awesome class!” exclaimed newly-certified Sabrina McClure of Totally Tan in Tulsa, OK. “We’d love to see a webinar for Sun is Life in the future, so that we can train the rest of our staff.”
The sunless experts from Norvell Tanning were also on hand to provide their award-winning Norvell Basic Certification, Norvell Advanced Hands-On Training and Norvell “Colorology” Class. One lucky expo-goer went home with a Norvell Radiance Airbrush Tanning System – Stormy Lapsley of BodyFX in Columbia, MO. Many other prizes were given away during the event, including an iTunes Gift Card compliments of Podz Eyewear, 25 Light Sources sunlamps, and a California Tan Sunless Mobile Spray-Tan Unit.
Henson continued, “For 24 of our 33 years in business, we’ve hosted a regional event in Kansas City for existing and potential customers. We look forward to seeing everyone next year!”
