Suntanning associations from around the world met for the second time as a continued effort toward building a strong future for the global indoor tanning industry. Due to the success of the first World Summit meeting held at Smart Tan Nashville last November, the group determined the world tanning market objectives would be best met if association leaders held regular meetings.

What we found at the first World Summit meeting in Nashville was reassuring: World leaders suggested that collaborative efforts between salons, associations and political bodies were yielding beneficial results for professional salons. European association members revealed that the regulatory issues that they had been concerned about have in some ways allowed for a better marketplace and more responsive customers. In other words, market leaders are seeing the industry’s biggest challenges as a source of some big opportunities.

“The meeting last fall helped to set the direction that the American Suntanning Association is currently following with state and federal regulations,” said ASA President Bart Bonn. “The ASA has been working constructively with legislators gaining our industry substantial credibility and a solid seat at the table for tanning salon regulations.”

The American Suntanning Association, the European Sunlight Association, the Joint Canadian Tanning Association, and Smart Tan are working in harmony to maximize indoor tanning resources and develop a global plan for success. “Canada is in a better position today thanks to successful networking with the ASA and Smart Tan in the U.S.,” said Doug McNabb, JCTA president and ASA board member. “Bridging the North American coalition with the European associations will improve worldwide indoor tanning initiatives exponentially.”

The latest World Summit meeting was held at KBL’s corporate headquarters in Westerwald, Germany. There were several presentations by various groups who attended. ESA President Christina Lorenz opened the meeting by inviting the different representatives to give updates and offer suggestions for future efforts.

Matt Russell gave a presentation to update the group regarding the ASA’s activities in the U.S. As reported, the ASA has taken a more constructive approach to state regulations based on input from world leaders who were faced with similar issues years ago in most European countries. The ASA is also sharing information from the substantial scientific research the ASA has invested in to keep world leaders abreast of the science that will impact everyone. “It’s just common sense that we, as a global industry, should be sharing research and information and work as a united group,” said Matt Russell. “We’re already seeing progress by developing these open lines of communication.”

The sunbed equipment and lamp manufacturers discussed how their working as a collective with government agencies in each country has already shown great benefits. The group is continuing their joint meetings to address the recent FDA reclassification ruling helping to better streamline the changes this will bring to the U.S. market. Kevin Apgar, Cosmedico U.S. President, said, “We’ve been working with governments in many countries for years. What we learn by working with one country’s government is quite often very beneficial when we’re working with another.”

PC Tan CEO Susan Miller agreed. “It’s wonderful to be part of a global working group sharing resources and moving the indoor tanning industry forward.”

The World Summit group will be meeting again at Smart Tan Nashville this October.