Yesterday the Indoor Tanning Association (ITA) and the American Suntanning Association (ASA) announced a cooperative strategy for 2014 and beyond to promote and defend our industry.

The ITA, founded in 1999 is the industry’s oldest trade association and has historically represented the interests of every indoor tanning market segment including tanning salons. The ASA was organized one year ago as a salon-only organization.  Over the past year, there has been some redundancy with both groups working independently on issues that impacted all segments of the industry. This plan is designed to optimize and increase industry resources particularly in efforts related to Washington, D.C.

Under the new arrangement, the ITA will continue to represent the tanning industry but will focus its resources primarily on manufacturer related tanning equipment and tanning products issues. The ITA will also focus on Federal policy, Federal regulations and the industry political action committee fund.

The ASA will continue to manage all state lobbying, scientific relationships, and media and PR efforts on behalf of its members in the tanning salon market segment. The ASA will also continue to handle federal lobbying issues affecting tanning salons.

The two groups will share information and work closely on all issues that impact our industry. ITA Executive Director John Overstreet will work closely with ASA President Bart Bonn to implement this strategy.

The two organizations are pleased to announce this plan. There is broad agreement that cooperation is a key element for increasing our capabilities to protect and then grow our industry. We encourage everyone in our industry to step up and get involved.