Long-time Smart Tan member Doug McNabb — whose tanning career spans three decades, the development of a successful tanning franchise, a key role in the formation of Canada’s tanning association and a landmark legal victory in a battle with the Canadian government — will headline the closing general session at Smart Tan Downtown Oct. 14-16 in Downtown Nashville.

The session runs 8:30 a.m – 10 am Sunday, Oct. 16.

The closing session — “What Will the Tanning Market Look Like in 2015 and Beyond” — includes presentations and panel discussion with salon market veterans and innovators. McNabb will lead off the session with a presentation on what he sees as key elements of successful tanning businesses who are prepared to meet the challenges of the next decade.

Joining McNabb, president of Calgary-based Fabutan Suntan Studios, as scheduled panelists are:

• Allison Heinrich, marketing manager of San Diego-based iTan.

• Roger Holmes, president of Kansas City-based Celsius Tannery.

• Julie George, founder of Alabama-based Club Sun

• Rob Quinn, president of Ohio-based Tan Pro Inc.

• Lisa Brooking, founder of Indiana-based True Colors Tanning

• Matt Russell, chairman of Smart Tan.

Smart Tan Conference Chairman Joseph Levy will moderate the session. Heinrich will deliver a presentation on how tanning business branding is changing, and the full panel will discuss a wide range of topics on the changing tanning market. “The conference is set up to look at concepts we consider keys to the future of successful tanning businesses, and this session will look at what some of the market’s leaders see in the future,” Levy said. “What’s great is that the market is full of different models that are working today, but also that the leaders believe that it’s important for the entire market to succeed for them to succeed. That’s the way mature industries behave.”

The closing general session is Sunday, Oct. 16 from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. For more information on Smart Tan Downtown visit www.SmartTanDowntown.com or call 800-652-3269 or 866-795-3755 in Canada.