March ITA Update

[Robert K]

ITA Member Update March 16, 2015
Show Update -- ITA Tanning World Expo – September 25-27, 2015 – Columbus, Ohio
All of the elements are falling into place for what is sure to be the biggest indoor tanning show in years!
Why Columbus? We chose Columbus, Ohio for a number of reasons, the first being accessibility for drive in traffic. 60% of the US population is within 700 miles of Columbus. The second is affordability -- the Greater Columbus Convention Center is a world class facility with adjacent hotels, dining and party options that will provide significant savings for exhibitors and attendees compared to previous shows. Finally, there are more tanning salons within 300 miles of Columbus Ohio than any other city in the US. Our goal is to make your experience as positive, cost effective and successful as possible.

In past years, we heard numerous complaints about both the cost of admission to the show and the costs of hotel rooms. We are confident we have put those issues to rest this year.
There are several hotels adjacent to the convention center. In two of the hotels, we have reserved large room blocks with very reasonable rates for our attendees. The base rate for the Hyatt is $142 and for the Crown Plaza, $130. Go to www.tanningworldexpo.com for regular updates on the show.
ITA members will also receive discounted rates for booth space and floor badges… only $49 for admission to the show floor! To make sure you receive the discount, join or renew your ITA membership.
Please join us in Columbus. We will have new products, salon training, expert panels and rocking parties with the best in the biz!
Registration for the Tanning World Expo includes access to our Friday night Industry party. This reception will be the perfect time to kick off the show and to interact and network with attendees, exhibitors, and industry leaders in a relaxed and festive atmosphere.
State Issues
By mid-March, the introduction of new legislation has slowed as most legislatures are well into the middle of their sessions. To date 22 bills have been introduced in 18 states, all aimed at restricting or banning teen access.
As most of you know, because of budget constraints the ITA is precluded from hiring local lobbyists, which everyone knows is the most effective way to fight these battles. Instead, we are employing the next most effective tool working with committed business owners in the affected states to fight the legislation. The ITA is alerting business owners of the threats, submitting testimony, talking to the media, and being a resource to anyone willing to get involved.
The good news is that there is progress to report! In Maryland, thanks to the leadership of Robin and Marty Eason under the banner of the Maryland Indoor Tanning Association, salon owners defeated the proposed teen tan ban in committee.
In Iowa, business owners Steve Scott and Wade Ranard have been battling for weeks to stop a proposed under 18 ban in Des Moines. This fight has been especially difficult because the American Suntanning Association is on record supporting the ban. The ban’s proponents have repeatedly touted that the “industry” supports the ban. Steve and Wade think we are making progress, but the fight will not be over until the legislature adjourns.
In South Dakota, a spirted fight lead by Zach and Denny Neugebauer of Year Round Brown defeated the ban on the House floor. Zach and Denny hired a lobbyist in Pierre at their own expense to lead the effort. The battle next door in Iowa made this fight even more difficult because of the perceived industry support for age restrictions.
Finally in Virginia, a bill requiring parental consent failed to pass before the session adjourned.

Despite these victories, there are still some problems. In Kentucky and New Hampshire, under 18 bans have passed the House and await action in the Senate. In New Hampshire, Bob Ashe and Dana Pierce are spearheading the efforts to defeat the ban in the Senate, and the ITA is helping recruit other business owners to join the battle.

In North Carolina, business owners who would be affected by a proposed under 18 ban have pooled resources and hired a lobbyist in Raleigh to help defeat the bill. This one is also complicated by the ASA going on record in support of a similar ban in North Carolina last year.

The Indoor Tanning Association is the only national trade group that fights to stop government attempts to impose under 18 bans. Thank you for supporting us and for urging others in the industry to do the same.

Please email the ITA admin@theita.com if you want to get involved.

Listed below are the bills active in 2015:
State Bill Number provision status
Arizona HB2493 Under 18 ban introduced
Florida S376 Under 18 ban introduced
Idaho H177 Under 14 ban; parental consent 14-17 passed both chambers
Iowa SF420 Under 18 ban introduced
Iowa HF232 Under 18 ban passed House
Kansas H2369 Under 18 ban introduced
Kentucky H252 Under 18 ban passed house
Maine SP57 Under 18 ban introduced
Maryland HB56 Under 18 ban died in committee
Maryland S152 Under 18 ban died in committee
Massachusetts SD1565 Under 18 ban introduced
Mississippi S.2042 Under 18 ban died in committee
Mississippi H673 Under 18 ban died in committee
Montana H130 Parental consent tabled, dead for session
Montana SB125 Under 18 ban dead for the session
New Hampshire H136 Under 18 ban passed house
North Carolina S125 Under 18 ban introduced
Oklahoma SB508 Under 18 ban introduced
Oklahoma HB1471 Under 18 ban introduced
South Dakota HB1166 Under 18 ban dead
Virginia SB479 Under 15 ban, parental consent dead

[concept999]

Thanks Robert! Do you know when we'll be able to book rooms for the host hotels?

[Robert K]

CROWNE PLAZA
https://aws.passkey.com/g/48792314

HYATT
https://resweb.passkey.com/go/tanningworldexpo15

[concept999]

Thank you!