February
17, 2009
Dear Tanning
Salon Owners and Industry Professionals,
2008
proved to be a challenging year for the economy and retailers in
general. While we are optimistic about 2009, the Indoor Tanning
Association wants to be proactive and prudent in how we deploy
the financial resources of the organization.
To
that end, the ITA Board of Directors met and made an important
decision that we wish to share with you. The Board has
unanimously decided to cancel the 2009 ITA World Expo
Like
other industry groups making similar decisions this year, we
weighed a number of factors. As we started to contact key show exhibitors early this
year, many of them expressed concern about the economy. While
most businesses were not seeing a slow down, the overall
uncertainty meant that many were not prepared to commit to the
2009 Expo. This lack of
firm commitments created great financial risk for our
association. By canceling
the show this far in advance we substantially reduce our
potential financial exposure based on our contractual
guarantees to the Gaylord Hotels.
The decision to cancel the show now has reduced the risk
that a failed show would place on our organization.
Unfortunately it doesn't solve all of our problems. The profits from the tradeshow represent a very large
percentage of our annual revenue. Without the tradeshow revenue, it will be more difficult
for our association to continue.
So far this year there are bills placing restrictions on
our industry pending in 20 states. For the ITA to continue to promote the benefits of
tanning and fight legislation that could put our industry out of
business, we need everyone's help.
All of this makes the membership dollars the ITA collects
more important than ever. If
you are an ITA member, we thank you for your continued support. If you are not a member, join us now. We are stronger as a group than we are as individuals.
Here is what you can do.
1. Join the
ITA (if you are not currently a member).
2. Get
involved. Log on to ITA website (TheITA.com) or call the ITA to
volunteer in your state.
3. Join the
Berman PR campaign to promote and defend tanning and UV light.
(Visit www.theita.com for more information. )
4. Salon
owners can encourage vendors to support the industry and become
ITA members. Check the website for a complete list using this
link: ITA
Membership Directory
5. Distributors/Manufacturers
can encourage all new and existing salons to join the ITA.
We are all committed to the long-term success of our
association and working together we can ensure that success.
Thank you,
Dan Humiston
ITA
President
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