Bronze Star

Tell me you're kidding.

Quote:
On 2002-04-15 08:20, chunn wrote:
Maybe if you send them more money they will be willing to talk to us.

Don Smith

Ken:

"******" If They Do And "******" If They Don’t!

That’s the unenviable position that ITA finds themselves in regarding their decision to make Erin Brockovich the keynote speaker at Nashville-2002.

1. How did they get into this mess? I would hazard a guess that the Board of Directors of ITA “selected” her because (1) of her name recognition, (2) they thought she would be a good “draw” for Nashville-2002 (and especially appeal to women), she was available, and, (4) they didn’t do their homework. [Note: The road to **** is paved with good intentions!]

2. What are the options? There are two (2) options available: cancel or continue.

A. If they cancel the invitation for her to speak, they will look like they
are “caving in” to pressure from Bruce Schoenfelder (a fate worse than death!).

B. If, however, they continue the decision to have her speak, they may spend a ton of money on a keynote speaker that no one goes to hear.

3. Will having her speak adversely affect the industry? No. The indoor tanning industry won’t be inundated by legal actions just because Erin Brockovich speaks at Nashville-2002. Why do I say that? Because the scientific evidence increasingly supports the premise that the benefits of sensible, moderate and responsible exposure to UVR outweigh the minimal and manageable risks.

4. Will canceling adversely affect the industry? Yes. We will look like we have something to hide when, in fact, we do not!

5. So, what will ITA do? My “crystal ball” tells me that ITA will “stay the course” and NOT cancel, i.e., they will try to ride out the storm. If I am correct, watch for some VERY, VERY heavy duty "spinning" in the trade publications to begin! Why "spin" in the trade publications and not online? Because the advertising dollars controlled by the manufacturers allows them to dictate editorial policy to the publications and they can't control what is said online.

Don


[ This Message was edited by: Don Smith on 2002-04-15 19:33 ]

[ This Message was edited by: Don Smith on 2002-04-15 19:35 ][ This Message was edited by: Don Smith on 2002-04-15 19:37 ]

MJ

Very well said Don!
I will be watching to see how this one turns out. All of us should be keeping our fingers crossed that we don't have **** to pay for this.
I have the deepest respect for what Erin has achieved with her well fought battles, and for all the people she has helped.
However,I still can not see the relivency she could bring to this industry.
I am going on record again by saying I will rejoin ITA/Smart Tan Network.. When and ONLY WHEN,they become accountable for their actions and allow the people who support these Associations some input on where our hard earned funds go.
mj

Mike I have to ask.. where you joking????

Rayztanning

Don:

Quote:2. What are the options? There are two (2) options available: cancel or continue.

A. If they cancel the invitation for her to speak, they will look like they
are “caving in” to pressure from Bruce Schoenfelder (a fate worse than death!).

Grinning here, yeah, we "boxed em" pretty good with this one, didn't we? They have to continue with a keynote speaker who is "Junk Science Litigation Personnified" all because they bought into the HOLLYWOOD STORYLINE about BrockoSNITCH, never doing any homework to INVESTIGATE what she really did, and continues to do. [Did'ja know she is AGAIN suing firms on the basis of JUNK SCIENCE? Yep, that is still the modus operendi]

But remove ME from this equation, and I'm hoping that most are capable of thinking beyond the messenger here.

There are MANY MANY excellent speakers that could be keynote material, one that comes immediately to mind, is you, Don Smith. Of course YOU are even more a hot button to certain ITA members, so...scratch that idea, however good it might be.

The irony of all this is perfect isn't it? We have the ITA scrambling to get out of what only a few days ago seemed a BRILLIANT idea,.... grin... that is rich isn't it? We have Mr. Science, Don, hancuffed from jumping in to this one, however much it must irk him NOT to jump all over this one, because, like the ITA, in doing so, he would, like the ITA, be embracing "a fate worse than death," AGREEING, again [as we did for so many years, on so many issues] with "Olin."

It is a perfectly symetrical conrundrum here, everyone is boxed, cause no one will allow anyone else to "get a point scored."

I love the irony of all this, brings back the memories of the initial ITA battles from the early days of online.

Those WERE the days, weren't they Don.

In summary, forgo the advance fee, the magazines will be silent on this one, if they act and find a suitable replacement quickly.

I might ask that they run such a replacement privately by a few of us before naming them, they really don't want to do it again do they?

Oh, whatabout that "Vampire of Tanning, George Hamilton" sucking another $23,000 out of the "Tanning Trust Fund" we all contributed to? Any commentary on that recycling program?

_________________
"Banty Rooster Bruce"

"WINNER: TSO "You Made A Positive Difference Award" Nov. 4th, 2000, Chicago's RIP Show.[ This Message was edited by: Rayztanning on 2002-04-16 07:25 ]

Rayztanning

Oh forgot, noticed how TanToday is AGAIN driving this board, darn, I'm GOOD for those eyeball wars, aren't I?

Chunn, send my cut of the banner revenue to the ITA, they need it for the popocorn fund.

fungirlz

While in Nashville.. why not have our very own meeting while Erin does her gig... We slip into another room and feature someone who can really get us "beaming"..and give us facts...and truths...


There are MANY MANY excellent speakers that could be keynote material, one that comes immediately to mind, is you, Don Smith. Of course YOU are even more a hot button to certain ITA members, so...scratch that idea, however good it might be. (Rayz)..

Why scratch the idea...It's a great one..
I'm sure we can rent a room..or better yet the court yard with the dancing waterfall looks like it could a large group of rebels..
Then we can take the "popcorn money" and put it to good use!

Sheila in Minnesota

~ I am being lazy here - - - but since it is my post - the royalites go directly back to me anyways. . . . Posted this evening on Alex Royters Post at STC in Salon Talk, "This is Important" thread . . . .

But as we are crossing the walls to debate and hopefully resolve the issues ~ here it tiz:

Dru ~ be still my heart! gods, I hate it when you are nice to me

Let me see if I can make a side note here that will not set off the dancing bear to growl in her cage . . . .

The ITA is the political arm of our Industry. Using funds from the ITA Expo Show and the $25.00 per Smart Tan Membership fees . . . and the vast membership fees of the MFGs, they are the sole fighting force on the Legislative Levels for all of the United States. I believe that is this Nation Wide Fight against the opponents of Indoor Tanning that led Bruce Schoenfelder into thinking that the proposed National Advertising Campaign be run with the assistance of the ITA ~ collating forces, one in the courtrooms and the other educating the public of the value and benefits of our services.

But like most fair weather friends ~ the ITA feels we only respect them when the devil is dancing on the kitchen table ~ in this case, that would be an Anti Tan Attack and not a real dancer
And who enjoys a friend that only has a hand out - and no hug?

So, Bob English and a few of his friends made it their business to see 'how can we become the cohesive fighting team that the industry needs'? They discovered a few unknown facts about membership issues of the ITA and let us absorb the knowledge online. And being smart ~ Bob and his friends were able to determine that the ITA was in need of real financial support for the multiple Legislative Battles that were occurring and continue to occur nation wide.

The apparent fizzle of the National Ad Campaign (at least at the level where ITA would be involved) is not as negative as one would originally think. The Salon Owners HAVE NOT heeded the call to support the ITA's legal efforts. So no crime ~ no foul. I still believe everyone should support them - the view is NOT that your $85.00 bucks is paying for Erin Brocovitch to 'inspire' us . . . but your $85.00 bucks is paying for the Florida Fight, the New York, Minnesota, New England . . . etc ~ those fights!

***** The speakers and fees paid for speakers at the ITA Expo are not decided upon by the board of the ITA. They pay a management fee to Smart Tan International to make the arrangements for them . . .. While I personally would not be enticed to hear Ms. Erin tell us her life story and the lives of all those she has tapped . .. errrhh I mean touched, perhaps cooler heads will prevail ~ perhaps the powers will re evaluate the need for HOLLYWOOD and let us entertain our selves

Sheila

Don Smith

Christine:

I think you are on to something! LOL Think about what those of us here could talk about...

Chippp could talk about "The Joy Of Tanning Standing Up".

Jim and I could talk about "What We Remember About Our Misspent Youth".

MJ could talk about "Little Chunn Chunn And I - The Inside Story".

Chunn could talk about "Why I Like Big Dogs".

And you could speak about "How To Have 'Baby Butt Smooth' Skin Even When You Are As Old As Don".

Any other suggestions?

Don

[ This Message was edited by: Don Smith on 2002-04-16 04:31 ]

fungirlz

Don.. you could talk about real issues that concern us as an industry.. and the postive effects of indoor tanning..

You could spesk on WHY it is important for us to stay united as an industry..

You could speak on new discovery regarding indoor tanning.

You could speak on why certain laws are law.. and how they work..or not..

Shelia could tap dance a little.. I could pass around the donation plate and Jim could ride the Harley through the crowd singing Born To Be Wild..

Chunn could tell his version of Why "He let the Dogs Out".

MJ could wave her olive branch..

the list goes on and on.. So many possiblities..

We have enough time to organize it..

What do you think..

PS. Shelia.. I will continue to pay my money to ITA in hopes that when we need them here in Florida.. they will come with guns blazing..

I have a question if someone could answer..
Why don't we hear more about SAE?
Years ago I was certified through SAE.. they had a wonderful training program..but here in our Sunshine State..it is Smart Tan who is popular.. I see no more SAE here..
Is there a reason?

Don Smith

Chris:

Let's get serious for a minute (that's hard for me to do, so indulge me everyone!).

And PLEASE put aside the issue of whether or not Erin Brockovich was an "inspired" choice as the keynote speaker at Nashville-2002 for a moment.

The REAL issue is whether or not the "old boy network" will allow the topics that are of interest to professional tanning salon owners to be presented at EITHER Las Vegas or Nashville.

For instance, do you think that the SUNLAMP manufacturers will will allow up-to-date, let-the-chips-fall-where-they-may information about SUNLAMP COMPATIBILITY be presented in either LV or Nashville? No way, Jose!

For instance, do you think that the SUNBED manufacturers will allow up-to-date, let-the-chips-fall-where-they-may information about PERFORMANCE DEGREDATION and, horror of horrors, HOW ONE SUNBED COMPARES TO ANOTHER be presented in either LV or Nashville? No way, Jose!

For instance, do you think that the LOTION manufacturers will allow up-to-date, let-the-chips-fall-where-they-may information about THE TRUTH ABOUT HOW LOTIONS WORK be presented in either LV or Nashville? No way, Jose!

The Orlando Smart Tan meetings (before ITA took over!) and the Chicago LOOKING FIT meetings (where yours truly was in charge of the scientific curriculum) made an honest attempt to present topics that were of interest to professional tanning salon owners. [Note: We had, incredible as it may seem, presentations by real, live tanning salon owners! What a "crazy" idea.]

What we have, Chris, is a situtation whereby a small number of powerful manufacturers (the "old boy" network!) control (1) what is presented at either Las Vegas or Nashville, and, (2) what is published in the 4 trade publications. [Note: That's why they don't and won't come "on-line"; because they can't control what happens here.]

Thus, we have the same "tired, old topics" being presented at the trade shows (the LV educational program and speaker list hasn't changed in 5 years!) and "controlled" news and "puff pieces" being published by the trade publication. This is part of the "dumbing down" process whereby the "message" is directed to the lowest common denominator (i.e., the "newbie" who doesn't know any better (yet!).

Can professional tanning salon owners EVER change this dismal picture? Yes! When they learn to vote with their checkbooks and make it very clear that the "old boy network" will no longer have "de facto" control of THEIR trade show(s) and THEIR trade publications!

But the "burning" question is - WILL professional tanning salon owners ever step forward and take control of THEIR industry? Alas, I think not because out of 25,000 + tanning salon owners only about 5,000 (20%) are "active" in the industry to any degree and only 2,500 (10%) attend trade shows (and only 5 attended the recent FDA meeting!). The rest are "in the tanning business" but not "proud to be in the tanning business and dedicated to making it better" like professional tanning salon owners are.

Thus, the "target audience" of the trade shows and the trade publications is the 20,000 + tanning salon owners who are easy prey for the less-than-candid (and honest!) "message" of the vendors.

The rest of us are ignored and patronized with insulting "dumbed down" sessions. Moreover, the "powers that be" make sure that we don't have the opportunity learn and openly discuss the "dirty little secrets" that they don't want you to know. [Note: That is called censorship!]

Them's the facts, folks!

Don