- When: November 10-11, 2012
- Where: Jordan Grand Resort at Sunday River – Newry, ME
- Who: Bask, Beauty Angel, Beauty with Light, Bioxidea, CMTS, Ed Hardy Tanning,
- Ergoline, Devoted Creations, Fiesta Sun, h10o, Hempz, Its Delicious,
- LightSources, Lucas Products, Maine Savings, Menaji, MR International,
- Norvell Skin Solutions, Nu-Skin, Playboy, ProTan, Soltron, Sun is Life®,
- Sunless Inc. and Supre Tan
Offering nearly 100 salon professionals the latest in training, education and networking, the 4th Annual Northern New England Tanning Expo was a success!
Hosted by Central Maine Tanning Supply (CMTS), the Northern New England Tanning Expo kicked off with a welcome address by CMTS President Jay Abbott, who was followed by keynote speaker and event emcee Jerry Deveney of JK-North America, who shared ways for salon owners to compete in today’s challenging economy. These presentations were followed by product education from the vendors and a Panel Discussion, which allowed attendees to ask questions of industry experts. Moderated by Jerry Deveney, the panel consisted of Professor Tony Brown (Sun is Life®), Cale Carver (Norvell Skin Solutions), Roy Fonseca (Exotic Tans), Jill Frank (Sunless, Inc.), John P. Johnson (Supre Tan) and Max Recone (MR International). “There were a lot of great questions about sunless tanning, handling negative media and encouraging more people to visit a salon,” said Jay Abbott. “The panel did an excellent job answering these and other questions from the guests.” The day ended with a cocktail reception and prize giveaways.
On its second day, the Expo ended on an educational note, with Professor Tony Brown, Sun is Life Educator/Adjunct Professor – University of Michigan, introducing attendees to Sun is Life, ist Magazine’s new, interactive salon operator training and certification program. Professor Brown also trained and certified 27 Expo attendees. Cale Carver hosted Norvell’s popular Norvell University spray-tan training with 17 attendees earning Basic certification. “This year, we were fortunate to have more product vendors than before, so the training sessions were held on the second day,” Jay said. “After all the fun from the first day, this was a great way to end the event, and our attendees seemed to appreciate it.”
The Expo was everything Cami Hondel expected and more. Hondel, owner of Local Acapulco Tanning Studio in S. Portland, ME and the three staff members she brought to the event were treated to an educational extravaganza. “CMTS always puts on a great show and this year, we were very pleased that Norvell Skin Solutions was there,” she said. “My staff got the opportunity to become certified through Norvell University, and having three extra certified airbrush techs will be a huge help at the salon. We enjoyed the Sun is Life training, which will also be beneficial.” Continuing her lucky tradition of always winning something at a CMTS Expo, Cami won a $1,500 collection of Devoted Creations’ newest products.
For Candice Gray, owner of Elite Body Essentials of Greene, ME, attending her first-ever CMTS Expo was a great business move. “I brought a staff member with me and we got a refresher course in many things salon pros need to know on a daily basis,” she said. “I was very impressed with the Sun is Life training – it was very in-depth on many of the processes that salon employees might not stop to think about, yet they do every day. I’m looking forward to taking the rest of the Sun is Life courses with my team.”
Knowledge wasn’t the only thing attendees took home – thousands of dollars in prizes were given away by CMTS and the Expo’s vendors. The grand prize-winner was Erika Carver of Oasis Day Spa Boothbay Harbor, ME who won a SunDash 32/1 sunbed valued at $8,995. Other notable prize winners were Patrick Turowsky (Totally Tan in Monson, MA), who took home a $2,500 Supre Tan product package, and Sue Allen (Bad Hair Day in Waldoboro, ME), who won $1,500 worth of Ed Hardy Tanning’s latest lotions.
Jay Abbott and Team CMTS wish to thank the vendors and attendees who made the 4th Annual Northern New England Tanning Expo a success. “As far as we’re concerned, this year’s show was our best one yet, and the comments we continue to receive from attendees confirm it,” he said. “It was great having so many vendors to share their knowledge and advice, I could tell that everyone appreciated the variety. We’re looking forward to next year’s Expo, which we hope will be even bigger!”
