Just over half of all tanning businesses say the first nine months of 2011 have been stronger than the same period in 2010, according to a SmartTan.com poll conducted last week.

Just less than 1-in-3 say business was worse for the first three quarters of 2011 (30 percent) and 20 percent say it was about the same. Those results mirror Smart Tan’s six-month poll conducted at the end of June, where 50 percent reported a stronger 2011 as compared to 2010.

“While the poll does not take into account businesses who closed in the past year — many of whom were pushed over the edge by the federal government’s imposition of a 10 percent tax on tanning — it does again show that there are business models in the market that are working,” Smart Tan Vice President Joseph Levy said. “That is exactly what we will be analyzing at the Smart Tan educational conference at Smart Tan Downtown Oct. 14-16.”

Call 800-652-3269 or 888-795-3755 for more information on the convention or click here (www.SmartTanDowntown.com).