Island Sun Times

The Search for "Miss Australian Gold" Is ON!

INDIANAPOLIS - The Australian Gold¨ Spring Break team is looking for the next Miss Australian Gold.

Australian Gold Tanning Products and Classmate USA have teamed up for one of the largest model search events ever. The company will be looking for models all across the country, and four lucky regional winners will be whisked away on an amazing four-day/three-night vacation at the Sand Piper Beacon Resort in Panama City Beach, FL on March 10th-18th 2007.

Commented Leslie Hartlieb, AG President/CEO, "Salon owners can be winners, too! For each registered model participant from their salon, the salon owner is entered for a chance to win $500.00 worth of free Australian Gold Products. Plus, the winning salon will be featured in tanning trade ads and press releases when the winner is announced. ItÕs our way of thanking our salon customers for their support."

For full details about this contest and all Australian Gold and Swedish Beauty products, please visit www.australiangold.com.

Frank Abate Announces New Venture

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - Frank Abate, former vice president of John Abate International, has announced that he is working to create a group of brand-new products, as well as a full-service distribution outlet.

To be called Abate Select, the new lines will include innovative products, programs, and profit-generating opportunities. According to Frank, the formulas will present the absolute best in skincare and tancare, featuring all-natural ingredients and upscale packaging. "Inspired by the legendary products that Dad and I have introduced over the last 20 years, each product will be a bestseller and appeal to the most discerning salon owners and demanding salon clients," Frank commented.

Already on the drawing board are two high-end products from "Quintessential", the first of many new lines Abate wishes to introduce. Frank is collecting input from industry professionals who have carried JAª lines over the years to make Abate Select even better.

Salon owners wanting more information or wishing to share suggestions about additional items to include in the limited-edition production may contact Frank at fjabate@yahoo.com or 888.399.5752.

JK North America Welcomes Back Open Sun
Elite Distributor Returns To Sell JK-Branded Products

JONESBORO, AR - Hans-Juergen Kreitz, CEO of JK North America, announced that Open Sun, a previously established distributor for JK-branded tanning equipment, has returned to JK North America as a distributor for its Ergoline, Soltron and Sundash product lines.

Located in Olean, NY (approximately 60 miles south of Buffalo), Open Sun serves salons in Maine, New Hampshire, northern New York, western Pennsylvania and Vermont. As a world-class representative of JK for more than five years, owners Tom and Michele Hurd and the entire team of professionals at Open Sun have made exceptional contributions to the recognition and growth of JK North America's family of companies throughout their territory. As a distributor, Open Sun is unique in that it is also a showroom/working salon where customers can not only see the new sunbeds, but tan in them as well. They also provide training and host at least one trade show every year.

Representatives at Open Sun can be reached toll-free at 866.673.6786 or at www.opensun.com. For more information on any JK North America distributor, call 888.771.0996 or visit www.sunergoline.com.

Buyers Group Membership Passes 100!

PHILADELPHIA - In December, The Indoor Tanning Buyers Group (ITBG) exceeded the 100-member mark.

Commented David Kenney, President of ITBG, "I want to thank all our current members who believed in us even before we did anything. We will continue working hard to create value for our members."

ITBG uses the buying power of its membership to secure pricing advantages and member exclusives from tanning industry suppliers. Created for the independent or small chain salon, Buyers Group membership gives the salon owner/operator advantages that are not possible to obtain on their own.

ITBG is an association that strengthens the group's individual members. ITBG partners with well-known and widely used companies to offer discounts on their products and services. Membership is currently free.

To sign up or get more information, visit www.IndoorTanningBG.com.

Congrats, David! -IST

Staff Changes at Cosmedico Light, Inc.

WEYMOUTH, MA - Cosmedico Light, Inc. has announced the appointment of Burrell M. ('Butch') York a- President of Cosmedico's American operations, effective January 1, 2007.

Butch brings a wealth of talent and experience to Cosmedico. He worked for OSRAM Sylvania, Inc. for more than 33 years in various positions of increasing responsibility including Sales, Marketing, Plant Management and General Management. His strong background will contribute significantly to shaping Cosmedico's future. For the last eight years at OSRAM Sylvania, Butch held the position of Senior Manager for UV Sales, where he became familiar with the indoor tanning community and many of its members. So although his position with Cosmedico is new, both Cosmedico and many industry professionals already know him well.

Jerry Frank has assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer at Cosmedico. In his new capacity, Jerry will devote more time to strategic issues including key customer development, product innovation and vendor relationships, and will continue to serve on the boards of the Indoor Tanning Association and the UV Foundation.

CTS Adds to Sales Team, Promotes Leaders

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI - CTS, The Tanning Experts, continues to grow with the addition of four talented individuals to its sales team and the promotion of two sales consultants to team leaders.

Amy McCord, Elissa Rim and Cacy Wade join the CTS team as sales consultants, and Keith Corey has been added as an Equipment Sales Consultant. These industry seasoned professionals come to CTS with a combined 25 years of experience and are committed to supporting CTS's mission to provide amazing service and awesome products.

Elissa will be based at CTS's main headquarters in Farmington Hills, MI. Amy, Cacy and Keith will work from CTS's Tennessee satellite office, which was recently re-located to 810 East Wood Street, Paris, TN 38242, 800.528.5463; fax 731.642.0644.

CTS also is proud to announce the promotion of Kory Godfryd and Michelle Frizzell to the position of Sales Team Leader. Kory will lead the Michigan and California teams and Michelle will lead the Tennessee and Georgia teams.

Palm Beach Tan Acquires Desert Sun Salons
Two Brands Join Together for Industry Growth

FARMERS BRANCH, TX - Palm Beach Tan, a Dallas based indoor tanning salon chain, recently announced the acquisition of the Desert Sun Tanning Salons franchise system.

Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Maple Valley, WA, Desert Sun has 55 franchised locations generating more than $20 million of system-wide revenues throughout the Northwest. An additional 30 salons are currently in development.

Founded in 1990, Palm Beach Tan operates 120 franchised and company-owned locations in 16 states. Desert Sun will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Palm Beach Tan, Inc. and will operate under the Desert Sun brand.

" Desert Sun is a great fit. It is a well known concept on the West Coast, which is a targeted area of growth for us," said Brooks Reed, CEO of Palm Beach Tan. "We want to grow throughout Washington, California, Oregon and Arizona, and look forward to continuing the momentum created by Desert Sun's team. The merging of these two brands creates a national indoor tanning company."

Desert Sun was owned and operated by Maximo Ansola III, a 32-year-old entrepreneur who set out to build an upscale tanning concept for a professional and enjoyable tanning experience for its customers and employees. Ansola will stay involved with the company, becoming its largest franchisee, and will have a consulting role with the new ownership.

Palm Beach Tan will grow the Desert Sun subsidiary through franchising with projections to add 120 additional locations by 2010. Bareq Peshtaz, the former president of Desert Sun, is now named vice president of Franchise Sales. Palm Beach Tan established a new franchise sales and support office in Maple Valley, WA and the company will be headquartered in Farmer's Branch, TX.

Twilight Teeth Granted Patent

LONGWOOD, FL - Twilight Teeth, makers of UV teeth whitening products, is proud to announce its ownership of Utility Patent 7,160,111 for the use of a mouthpiece in conjunction with UV light to whiten teeth. The patent was granted on January 9 2007.

Commented company president/CEO, Jerry Baughman, "After four long years, Twilight Teeth is now able to offer licensing or pursue any patent infringement within the United States, and very shortly, in Europe. This is a very powerful and useful tool to support and promote Twilight Teeth, allowing us to remove knockoffs from the market and insure salon operators that they have 'The Original'."

For more information about Twilight Teeth, call 866.908.3384 or visit www.twilightteeth.com.