Gotta Love Vegas!

It’s not a bad way to work – writing this letter in a hotel room with a great view of the Vegas Strip! I’m here with Team IST/Sun is Life for the 2013 West Coast Expo, and I can say that Team JK-North America certainly produces a top-notch end-of-season event that attracts a great crowd. I always look forward to seeing old friends and new faces, and the Vegas venue has a unique energy – just like the tanning industry. For those of you who missed the Expo, ist Magazine will have great coverage of all the highlights, as always.

If you keep up with your industry news in ist Magazine, you know that significant challenges are ahead for our businesses, with further restrictive FDA regulation being proposed. In May, I attended the Indoor Tanning Association’s Open Board Meeting and Capitol Hill Day in Washington, D.C. with other members of the Board and a group of proactive, involved industry professionals. It was a very successful gathering and thanks to the ITA, more important connections were made with key decision makers; but more battles are ahead. For a full report on this and more information everyone in our industry should know, please read “ITA Update” on pg. 36. Once again, if you’re not already taking a role in protecting your business, I urge you to get onboard and support the ITA – YOUR industry organization.

Our industry is full of interesting people with equally compelling stories to tell. We get so much positive feedback about our monthly “Industry Close-up” feature, many people telling me it’s the story they always read first when their copy of ist Magazine arrives. This month, Ribby profiles Cale Carver of Norvell – I think it would be tough to find someone in the tan biz who hasn’t shared a laugh with him. Be sure to check out this story; I know you’ll enjoy it.

Also in this issue is our look at “JASON” (July-November, the “slow season”). We typically offer this story to provide you with some ways to get through the season in good shape. “From Slow Money to Mo’ Money” is our Cover Story and I want to thank the many industry veterans who participated and shared their insight.

During the slower months, some salon operators plan to make changes with capital improvements such as remodeling, equipment upgrades or adding services; but without a well-trained team, these investments won’t bring the returns you need, especially in a challenging economy. Customer loyalty is crucial, and every salon guest should leave your facility feeling like they just had the ultimate tanning experience, provided with complete professionalism. Invest in your organization: there’s no better time than now to get your team trained for success. And the industry’s leading online education program – Sun is Life® Training & Certification – is fun, very affordable and available, 24/7.

Speaking of Sun is Life, I’m very proud to announce that our program is now licensed as a trade school in the state of Michigan. Have you had a haircut or manicure lately? Got a new tattoo? You probably know that all providers of these services had to earn a certificate from a licensed trade school in order to practice their trade. Only Sun is Life offers you the opportunity to benefit from a training program that has satisfied those same stringent educational requirements and offers your team a level of quality that no other salon operator training can provide.

Along with Team IST/Sun is Life, I look forward to seeing you at this year’s premiere fall tanning trade event – Four Seasons’ Regional Tanning Expo in St. Louis on October 11-13. You won’t want to miss it!