sunsally

OK - for those that feel the ITA has been on the wrong path, adopted the wrong "plan" in the past...........


SPECIFICALLY - Identify those things you believe they did previously that were NOT in the best interest of the industry or their membership

peach

Well, anyone who dares address this issue will no doubt be sliced and diced, but who cares, lets go.

I honestly do not know what the ITA strategy is, other than to focus on legislative and regulatory issues related to the tan tax and under 18 tanning bans in the states.

While both of these issues are important to the members of the tanning industry, the tactics employed have not been effective.

The secret weapon for our industry is not the consultants and lobbyists, but the AMERICAN PEOPLE. Our focus should be on them. I believe that if the American public is properly informed about the issues concerning indoor tanning, they will support the industry and drive the debate for us.

So far, we have failed to inform and engage the public, or tap into the media resources that are available to us.

Why have we not done that, you ask? Don't know. My guess is that we are afraid of ******* off the people we are trying to negotiate with. News flash: they are already ****** off, and they want nothing less than our throats. So get over it, and lets get on with the information battle.

Robert K

PEACH

How would you inform the American people?
Who should say it?
What would you tell them?
How would you present it?
What kind of budget would it take?
What would you hope to accomplish?

__________________
Robert Klem
Superior UV Technologies
(888) 526-7712 x77
robertk@superioruv.com

peach

We need unconventional warfare for this battle. If we are going to hire anyone, it would be a cutting edge young PR firm to give us a facelift and some new ideas about how to market ourselves and counter the negative publicity. We also need enlist free media in creative ways to put our "situation" in front of the public.

I see everyday ordinary citizens on TV everyday, telling the public about their battles with the state and federal government. The
exposure is free and increases awareness of the problems, and generates sympathy from the public.

I know one thing, going to State and Federal governments with our hat in our hands begging for a lesser sentence isn't going to cut it.

peach

This idea that anyone who questions the status quo, needs to supply ALL of the answers to this industry's problems, is just stupid. It is a way to try to shut people up. It's the mark of a bad management, and poor leadership. It is simply intimidation.

sunsally

Your previous post has some concrete information.

This is just "woe is me, I'm a victim".

Everyone - for this thread - please try to remain specific and concrete. Use the other threads for bemoaning

sunsally

Here are some specifics:

From 2007:

"The ITA is an organization founded to protect the freedom of individuals to achieve a suntan, via natural or artificial light.

Through the leadership of our members, who are professionals from every sector of the indoor tanning industry, the ITA seeks to work with federal, state and local governments to ensure that is freedom is not restricted.

The ITA will also strive to strengthen and advance our position through research and education efforts that promote indoor tanning and by working cooperatively and supporting other organizations who efforts further ITA's mission"

sunsally

The ITA was founded in 1999 - 15 years ago.

sunsally

Most recently, the ITA interfaced with the FDA.

What was avoided, for now, is as follows:


For those unfamiliar with the 510K process, see this link:


http://www.emergogroup.com/resources...arance-process

peach

This was a blatant attempt to put tanning salons out of business. We should have been on fox and friends crying foul. You have to expose this in the media. For free. Anyway, the reason that the 501 issue was modified, was because 100s
of salon owners went on the FDA open forum and told them that those rules would put them out of business. Not ITA lobbying.