A larger exhibit floor bustled with sales and upbeat salon attendees at Smart Tan Downtown in Downtown Nashville Oct. 14-16, with preliminary reports from manufacturers indicating that tanning equipment sales have picked up this year.

“Obviously, that’s a leading indicator that the tanning retail community is looking to grow in 2012 and is optimistic,” Smart Tan Vice President Joseph Levy said. “Manufacturers are selling equipment and salons are investing in the future. It matches the optimism about the market that we’ve tracked in our SmartTan.com polls this year.”

Smart Tan surveys this year have consistently reflected that about half of the market is having a stronger 2011 as compared with 2010, and more than half of the market is looking forward to growth in 2012. That optimism is also reflected in larger attendance at Smart Tan Downtown, with more than 2,000 retailers at the event.

Workshop sessions at Smart Tan Downtown centered on the skills that salon owner panels and surveys identified are core to success in stores today. Sunday’s general session included presentations and a panel discussion on the future of the tanning market, with speakers and panelists pointing out that market leaders are developing better business models to build better businesses for 2015 and beyond.