With packed classrooms and an energetic exhibit floor, Smart Tan’s 17th Annual Convention kicked off the 2013 tanning season last weekend with education, exhibits and entertainment worthy of the next generation in professional indoor tanning.

“Thank you to everyone in the Smart Tan family of salons and suppliers who made this event a success,” Smart Tan Executive Director Joseph Levy said. “There are so many wonderful, dedicated professionals in this market who are defining the next generation in professional indoor tanning. This is an exciting time for all of us, and we like to think this convention and exhibition plays a role in charging everyone up for the season to come.”

Olympic Decathlon Champion Bruce Jenner received high marks as the event’s keynote speaker, and business education sessions — organized as an indoor tanning business “boot camp” — engaged attendees with new ideas for the coming year. Supplier parties and a very energetic exhibit floor rounded out the event, held at the Downtown Nashville Convention Center.

Early reviews of the convention from exhibitors and attendees have been positive:

“(We) absolutely loved the show this year. I came back with so much to implement differently in how I have been doing things,” — Sherry Vance Chandler, of Tan ‘N Tone in Christiansburg, Virginia, on SmartTan’s Facebook page.

“We are now armed with lots of great information and ideas…ready for a successful 2013 season!!” — Jessica Hunter Hilliker

“Lots of knowledge… lots of fun… thank you!” — Beach House Tanning Club, in Manchester, Conn.

“Best Convention EVER!” — Cindy Thibodeau Grogan

“Thanks for all the hard work the SmartTan team put in for this event! It was awesome!” — Laura Motes Gilbert

“What an awesome first experience!! Can not wait to come back next year!! — TanGO Cloth USA

“Had an amazing trip (as always)!! Thanks for all your hard work!!” — Sun Oasis Tanning Center