We’re just over two weeks out from the biggest indoor tanning event of the year, and the excitement is starting to set in here around the Smart Tan office. The 19^th annual Smart Tan conference and tradeshow, Oct. 3-5 2014, will be a new experience for all of us as we move to a new location, with new speakers and new educational concept designed to reflect the needs of the market.

Located just South of Broadway in downtown Nashville, the brand new Music City Center will provide an exciting new environment with more space, impressive modern architecture and décor, and stunning views of the Nashville skyline. The Smart Tan Nashville 2014 will feature the industry’s largest trade show floor, a variety of educational opportunities, guest speakers, lots of sponsor giveaways, and the entertainment and nightlife we’ve all come to expect from downtown Nashville, but the new backdrop will add some serious excitement and flair.

One fun, new experience the new location will provide is an all-new kick-off party environment. On Friday, October 3, we’ll take to a decked out Music City Center ballroom to mingle with the industry’s best and brightest. We have a feeling you’ll enjoy having a little more room to breathe at this year’s Welcome Reception, hosted by Supre Tan and Cosmedico! Speaking of parties, you won’t want to miss the ones hosted by your favorite lotion companies on Saturday night. And with more than 70 bars and restaurants featuring tons of live music within walking distance, we don’t think you’ll have a problem keeping yourselves entertained in your free time.

Of course, we’re here first and foremost to improve your business, so we’ll kick off the educational portion of the convention with keynote speaker Tabatha Coffey, who has devoted her professional life to achieving excellence, as a successful businesswoman, company owner and hair designer and educator. Drawing on her years of hands-on experience, Tabatha now travels the country as she helps struggling business owners turn around their lives and businesses, for the fifth season of Bravo’s, Tabatha Takes Over. In her Nashville presentation, “It’s Not About the Tan,” Coffey will explore the concept that a great tan is just one reason people visit your salon; customers really want the overall experience. Her in-your-face honesty, contagious energy and undeniable business sense is sure to capture your attention and get you rethinking they way you view your salon and your customers.

Then, in our breakout sessions we’ll cover the topics most vital to your salon: Sales, marketing, operations, politics, and professionalism. Best-selling author and retail expert Bob Negen will provide some new perspective on sales and marketing, and we’ll introduce a brand new session concept, Ignite Your Network, where we’ll connect you with businesses similar to yours and Smart Tan CEO Matt Russell will lead a brainstorming session to help conquer all of your biggest problems together. Smart Tan Vice President Joe Levy will also instruct a brand new session designed to lead your employees to a high level of professionalism and usher your business into the new era of tanning salons.

Then, all that talk about making more money will have you amped to hit the tradeshow floor and search for the perfect products and equipment to give your business a boost in 2015. Smart Tan Nashville provides the distinct benefit of unmatched variety and competition that play to the salon owner’s benefit. With a multitude of vendors together at one place and time, it saves a lot of time and effort, and you’ll enjoy having every major name in the indoor tanning industry there to compete for your business. It’s a sensible way to get the most bang for your buck. The other win for salon owners is the unbeatable deals to be found on the trade show floor. For the savvy or budget-minded, it is a playground of opportunity. Many vendors feature special discounts or offers specifically for the event. If you’re concerned with making an impulse buy, some even extend the special a little while past the event. While each company may be competing for a sale, smart vendors know that they are vying for long-term relationships – not just a one-time deal. Every company is putting their best foot forward, including customer service. A real win is getting an exciting offer from a company that provides the support and service to back up the product.

When you attend Smart Tan Nashville, worst case scenario is leaving with more than $400 in lotion samples and other freebies. Best case, you’ll take home a $10,000 piece of equipment that can truly be life-changing for a business owner. Everyone in attendance – owners, managers, and employees – gets the chance to collect freebies and enter to win some of the more than $100,000 in sponsor prizes we’ll give away to wrap up the show.

At the Wheel of Smart Tan on Sunday, Oct. 5, attendees have the chance to win a KBL 3500 from PC Tan, a Norvell Arena Spray system worth, a Formostar body wrap system worth $10,000, a Fit Bodywrap system worth $10,995 or more than $50,000 in lotion, lamp and sunless prizes from Devoted Creations, New Sunshine, Supre, Dr.Sun Rx, Sunless Inc., Cosmedico, and Supra. It’s a high-energy conclusion to an action-packed weekend, where attendees will walk away with prizes totaling more than $100,000! But even those who don’t win a prize won’t leave empty-handed. As part of experiencing the industry’s only trade show floor featuring every major equipment, sunless and lotion provider, you’ll have the chance to collect more than $400 in lotion samples and freebies to take home.

And don’t forget to get there early for Friday’s pre-conference educational events!

Click here to register now or give us a call at 800-652-3269 if you have any questions.