National media outlets MSN.com and Yahoo! News led a list of media organizations in attendance at this year’s Smart Tan Downtown convention in Nashville Oct. 14-16, each producing coverage driven largely by celebrity appearances at the event.

Appearances from several cast members of “The Jersey Shore” (Snooki and JWoww) and 2009 Miss America Katie Stam – on hand to launch new lotion product lines for industry manufacturers – had media scrambling for passes. The Nashville Tennessean, USA Today, ETOnline, and paparazzi photographers all scrambled for passes to the exhibit hall and after-party functions at the event.

Smart Tan Downtown – Smart Tan’s 16th Annual Convention and Trade Show – moved to downtown Nashville in 2009 and has grown in size and recognition each year. Several clubs in the downtown area produced signage welcoming Smart Tan Downtown attendees, and restaurants, stores and bars all braced for a the high-energy weekend.

“The industry’s suppliers stepped up their presence again this year and really rolled out the carpet for attendees,” Smart Tan Chairman Matt D. Russell said. “It’s our job to produce an event worthy of that kind of attention, and we strive every year to give Smart Tan Downtown buzz worthy of this exciting and growing market.”