American Suntanning Association, Aug. 17, 2016 — Due to the sensitive nature of most of the American Suntanning Association’s lobbying, legal and public relations efforts, only a small fraction of the information can be communicated in a public forum. That’s why the ASA Open Board Meeting that coincides with the Smart Tan Nashville trade show and educational conference this October provides a unique opportunity. It’s a rare chance for salon owners to get the full story on what the ASA has planned for defending and improving our industry’s position in the coming years. The meeting will be held on Friday, October 7 from 12:30 to 5:00pm at the Renaissance Hotel in Nashville, so mark your calendars now and plan to attend.

The Open Board Meeting will feature security measures intended to prevent anyone from outside the industry from attending and receiving sensitive information. We will also ask that all industry insiders refrain from discussing sensitive information that is discussed at the meeting.

Some topics that will be discussed include:

• FDA proposed rules and how they’ll affect your business
• Efforts to change the position on UV light of the CDC and Surgeon General
• What can be expected from the proposed federal under-18 tan ban
• An update on the lawsuit against the Nebraska Cancer Coalition to stop its CDC funded “Bed is Dead” campaign
• Extensive public outreach efforts to be launched this fall
• An update on efforts to repeal the 10% federal excise tax on tanning

Please note: This meeting is restricted to salon owners and identification will be verified prior to entering the meeting. We strongly encourage you to pre-register for this meeting during the registration process for Smart Tan Nashville to ensure time for your identification to be verified.

The most important issue affecting your business in the coming years will be the new regulations proposed by the Food and Administration. ASA’s Open Board Meeting will get you an update on what we have gathered from industry, legal and government sources. The ASA is doing everything it can to impact the final rules in a positive way for our industry, but the reality is that you need to be ready for what is to come in order to position your business for continued success.

Another major hot button issue this year is the lawsuit filed by Nebraksa ASA-member salons against the Nebraska Cancer Coalition regarding their “Bed is Dead” anti-tanning campaign. This suit is our industry drawing the proverbial line in the sand putting anti-tanning groups on notice that their false claims will not go unchallenged any longer. In Nashville, you’ll learn about the status of the lawsuit and the ASA’s plans to target other groups that are spreading falsehoods about our industry.

The ASA will also unveil its plans to go on the offensive with public outreach efforts to change the perception of tanning and reinvigorate the appeal of tan skin, whether from UV or sunless. ASA will also present their ongoing efforts to change the CDC and Surgeon General’s stances on UV light, the fight to repeal the tan tax, what can be expected regarding state legislation and under-18 bans in the future, and the latest updates on new UV science that will impact the way people view our businesses.

If you have any questions about the Nashville Open Board Meeting, call 855-879-7678 or email info@americansuntanning.org. For information on hotel availability in Nashville, visit SmartTanNashville.com. If you will also be attending the Smart Tan Nashville trade show and educational conference, Oct. 7-9, register by August 31^st for the lowest price still available.