With a grand total of 750 salon professionals attending its 14th annual
tanning seminar, Heartland Tanning Inc. really knows how to pack the house!
On the seminar’s first day, 54 salon operators were treated to training
and education from Suntanning Association for Education’s Joe Schuster,
one of the industry’s most well respected salon operator trainers. More
tanning pros showed up that evening for the “meet and greet”, bringing
the total of attendees to 195. It was the second day of the event, though,
that saw the seminar’s largest numbers – more than 750 salon pros. These
folks, coming from many states, some as far away as South Dakota, received
training and education from the manufacturer representatives. They were
also treated to an exciting fashion show that showcased Heartland’s 2006
line of California Clothing swimwear and apparel.
Heartland knows that salon pros enjoy training and education, but it’s
always nice to have a few laughs, too. Instead of a keynote speaker, Heartland
decided to “lighten up” the show by bringing in comic Chris Blackmore
from Clean Comedians in La Mirada, CA, to provide the audience with more
than a few laughs.
Jami Sousa, owner of Sunkiss’d Tanning Salon in Council Bluffs, IA, says
she always gets a lot out of the Heartland seminar. “We sell Australian
Gold/Swedish Beauty products, so it’s always good to learn everything
we can about their lotions,” she commented. “I already learned about their
new products in Nashville, but it was a good refresher course, and it
gave my employees the opportunity to learn more, as well. The Eye Pro
presentation was also very informative, and we’ve been using the things
we learned and have already seen an increase in our eyewear sales!”
In a raffle held at the event, Mickey Darby, owner of Darby’s Total Fitness
& Tanning in Mexico, MO, won a $2,000 voucher toward the purchase
of any Heartland Tanning equipment. “I was shocked!” he exclaimed. “I’ve
never won anything this big before.” Mickey says he plans to use the voucher
toward the purchase of a Heartland Legacy leg tanner. While his first
salon is currently “maxxed out” with 12 tanning units, he plans to install
the unique leg-tanning system at his second business, Renaissance Salon.
“No one else in town has a unit like this,” he added.
In addition to product training and education, every attendee also received
a goodie bag filled with samples donated by Heartland and the symposium’s
many participating vendors.
“I am so pleased that Heartland continues to host the largest seminar
in the Midwest year after year,” said Greg Henson, Heartland President.
“This year was even better than usual due to the unseasonably warm January
we experienced. I can’t wait until next year!”
