Industry Sales Showing Signs
Of Recession's End
The worst is over for the nation's economy, say news sources, but the signs may be harder to spot when it comes to promotional products businesses.

Craig Nadel, vice president of operations for Culver City, California-based distributor Jack Nadel, Inc. (UPIC: NADELINC), says nationally, the assessment seems true. "Traditionally the market recovers six months before the economy recovers," says Nadel, who majored in economics in college.

Nadel says since his company held a sales meeting four weeks ago, the numbers have been the best since this time last year; however, he hesitates to call it a trend. "Hopefully it will be the third quarter for us [that shows improvement]," he says. "It isn't as if each month has been better than in the past. For us it's been in six-month blocks."

Click here to read more.

Incentive Federation
Hosts Symposium On Capitol Hill
The Incentive Federation (IF) took its campaign to make employee incentives part of healthcare reform to Capitol Hill today, holding a symposium for members of Congress. The symposium stressed the contribution that wellness incentives can make when working to improve the health of the American workforce.

The symposium, titled "The Power of Incentives, Rewards and Recognition in Driving American Business and Creating a Healthier Workforce," facilitated discussion between industry representatives and key congressional staff about the role of incentives in workplace wellness programs.

Also participating in today's events were PPAI lobbyist Robert Drummer and Kendra Kirks-McDougal, MAS, sales executive with Sterling, Illinois-based distributor HALO/Lee Wayne (UPIC: LEEWAYNE) and Regional Association Council board member.

Tom Miller, president of Colleyville, Texas-based distributor The Miller Co. (UPIC: MILL0006), says he was asked to speak at the symposium after presenting at a conference luncheon in Chicago. Miller's view of incentives and their benefits is based on approaching clients from a people-centric, holistic view. "I believe people respond to opportunities to be recognized for the work that they do, and cash doesn't always do that," he says.

He adds that legislators don't necessarily know or understand the value of workplace incentives, and that this symposium is "a great example of citizens going to Washington to make their voices heard."

Click here to read more.

Joint Study Reveals Link Between Engagement, Business Value
Research studies gathered in a joint effort between three organizations show a strong connection between improved employee engagement and increased business value.

The Forum for People Performance Management and Measurement, the Human Capital Institute (HCI) and the Incentive Research Foundation (IRF) compiled case studies of corporate engagement programs and the associated ROI, and presented the findings in conjunction with The Motivation Show last month in Chicago.

An examination of these case studies showed such programs are most successul when they include more than one type of award so that each employee finds value in what is given. HCI will host a webcast to discuss the study on Thursday, October 22. Click here for more information.

R.S. Owens Forms Alliance With German Distributor
Chicago, Illinois-based supplier R.S. Owens & Co. (UPIC: RSOWENS) recently formed an alliance with Aetzkunst Trophies Germany, which will be the exclusive distributor of Owens awards in the German market. Aetzkunst specializes in awards and recognition products for corporations and the sports market. 
 
"This is an excellent strategic and cultural fit for R.S. Owens and Aetzkunst," says R.S. Owens CFO Brian Birkan, who traveled to Germany in September to finalize the deal. "We have admired Aetzkunst's products and believe that many of our awards add to their line. In addition, our partnership will strengthen our understanding of the European market and enable us to more quickly identify trends and expand our product offering."

Dr. Rainer Mage, owner and managing director of Aetzkunst, says the relationship will allow the distributor to offer its customers a wider range of products. "The top management team has strong service and customer orientation, and we look forward to a long-term partnership," says Mage.

River's End Customer Appreciation Event Looks Ahead To 2010
Minneapolis, Minnesota-based supplier River's End Trading Co. welcomed more than 500 guests to its headquarters on September 26 to celebrate 2009 and look ahead to the next year with a customer appreciation event, "A Brand New Day."

Fifteen vendors hosted exhibit booths to introduce their 2010 product lines and get to know customers of River's End, while employees put on a 30-minute fashion show featuring styles from the supplier's major label and private label brands.  

"Our customers' response to the new products was very positive, and we were able to show them how most of the new products for 2010 have a higher perceived value with a lower cost to meet the demands of today's market," says Tim Klouda, president of River's End promotional products division.

Industry Job Listings

PPAI Website

PPB Online

PPB Advertising Info

PPB Subscription Info

PPAI LAW

PPAI Product Safety

Promotional Consultant Online

Promotional Consultant Today

Subscribe To
Promotional Consultant

Advertise In Promotional Consultant

PPPC (Canada)

PPAI Membership Info

DailyBoost

OrderTrax²

Artistic Toy Recognizes Longtime Employee
Allentown, Pennsylvania-based supplier Artistic Toy (UPIC: ARTSTOY) recently recognized employee Helen Haring for 20 years of service with the company. Haring began working in 1989 for the company when it was known as Art's Toy Manufacturing, Inc.

Haring has served in several positions during her time at Artistic Toy, including switchboard operator, new employee liaison, quality control inspector, production manager, box packer, t-shirt imprinter, sewer and product assembler.

IMA Awards Six With Professional Designation
The Incentive Marketing Association (IMA) recently conferred its Certified Professional of Incentive Management (CPIM) certification to six individuals. CPIM certification recognizes individuals in the incentive field who have met a predetermined level of training and work experience and who demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the incentive field.

These six incentive marketing professionals were presented with the CPIM certification at a special ceremony at the IMA annual membership meeting held in conjunction with the Motivation Show in Chicago last month. Click here to see the list.

Read more Accolades at PPB online.

Why Do You Attend The Expo?
Imagine not kicking off your year with the industry's premier event, The PPAI Expo. What would you miss the most--the networking, tradeshow floor, education offerings, Burger Bar? PPB is compiling a list for the December issue of the top 10 things you'll miss if you don't make it to The Expo. E-mail your list to Audrey Sellers by October 23.  

Get Packing With Travel Products
The January issue of PPB features an assortment of travel products to get you comfortably to your destination. Look for luggage tags, luggage locks, toiletry bags, travel carts, packing organizers, travel pillows, eye masks, blankets and travel-sized accessories such as mirrors, sewing kits, first-aid kits and candles. November 6 is the deadline to get descriptions and high-resolution images to Audrey Sellers for consideration.

A Collection Of Coordinating Apparel
When your clients call for matching men's and ladies' apparel, turn to the January issue of PPB for some fresh ideas. Here you'll find coordinating outerwear, knits and wovens, among other styles. Send apparel descriptions and high-resolution images to Audrey Sellers by November 6 for possible inclusion. 

Smartphone App Roundup
If your company has created a downloadable application for iPhone or another smartphone manufacturer, tell us how you're planning to utilize this technology and why you think it's a good bet for your promotional products business at TamaS@ppai.org. Your company and its new application could be featured in an upcoming issue of PPB.

PPAI Needs Your Olympic Products
The PPAI public relations department is developing a collection of products that promote The Olympic Games. If you've supplied product for the Olympics in the past or are producing products for the upcoming Winter Games, please send your products or high-res photographs to Erica Edwards, PPAI communications coordinator, 3125 Skyway Circle North, Irving, Texas 75038.

Share Your Cause Awareness Products With PPAI
Promotional products play a large role in social awareness campaigns. If you have created or plan to create products for cause-related initiatives, e-mail Erica Edwards, PPAI communications coordinator.

No More Paper Files
RIGHTSLEEVE.com shuns paper trails typical of the industry in favor of a high-tech online database and client community. "I embraced technology right off the bat because I knew I would have very little chance of standing out against other people if I was just out there handing out catalogs and distributing products," says Mark Graham, who founded the company in 2000.

Higher Education Calling
This year Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF) awarded $100,000 in scholarships to 10 Four-Year recipients, 2 Chairman's recipients, 61 One-Year recipients and 21 renewal recipients who are receiving additional payments from prior-year awards.

A distributor asks: "A client recently found an item online at a lower price than I could quote it. It's not exactly the same item but it's close enough that he's willing to buy it online instead of from me. What can I do to keep his business and how can I avoid this problem in the future?"

What's your answer? E-mail answers along with your name, title and company name to Question@ppai.org by October 30 for possible inclusion in the January issue of PPB magazine.

Answers to this month's question are in. Click here to read advice for a supplier concerned about its negative customer reviews on an industry website.