River’s End Introduces illumiNITE Performance Wear

River’s End Trading, Minneapolis, recently introduced illumiNITE Reflective Performance Wear—a new product line of lightweight jackets, long- and short-sleeve T-shirts, and accessories for men and women that features a unique head-to-toe reflectivity, making wearers fully visible to motorists both day and night. Using a patented technique of microscopic retro-reflective sataLITE DISHES that act like millions of mirrors reflecting light back to its originating source, illumiNITE technical fabrics reflects a silhouette profile that is easily recognizable as a distinctive human shape. Technical features, such as windGUARD, microBREATHE and coolDRY are used to provide protection from wind and rain, increase fabric breathability and wick

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From Reactive to Proactive: Redefining Safety Standards in the Promotional Industry (A Four-Part Series)

The following article is the first installment in our monthlong PM Now! series titled, “From Reactive to Proactive: Redefining Safety Standards in the Promotional Industry.” Throughout the next four weeks, we will discuss product testing, quality assurance and how both suppliers and distributors can work in tandem to ensure the items they sell are safe for children and adults alike. Part 1:Could the California Recalls Have Been Prevented? For many in our industry, the story began earlier this summer with the media coverage of toy recalls being issued from manufacturers both large, Mattel, and comparatively small, Oak Brook, Illinois-based RC2. But these incidents were only a

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Tips of the Trade: Have you heard of Biznik?

By Ilise Benun, marketing mentor Earlier this year, I wrote about how to connect with prospects via LinkedIn. But I recently found Biznik, a business networking site geared to independent professionals. You’ve got to check it out, if only for its tagline: “Business Networking That Doesn’t Suck.” Biznik started in Seattle and, although still in its infancy, it has more than 5,000 members. The focus of the online site is to help people network offline. So, in addition to the online networking features, members can use it to host and promote live events, from networking dog-walks to educational workshops. Says one member, “Unlike

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OOPPS Announces 2008 Advisory Board

The Organization of Promotional Products Salespeople (OOPPS), Wayland, Mass., recently announced the establishment of its 2008 Advisory Board. The Board is comprised of a variety of promotional products salespeople from across the country, as well as supplier, distributor and service provider representatives. According to OOPPS personnel, the mission its Advisory Board is to “help guide the direction of [the organization] for the benefit of salespeople throughout the industry.” Members of the 2008 OOPPS Advisory Board include: Salespeople: Larry Alford, Axis Promotions (Massachusetts) Linda Apfel, CAS, 20/20 Promotions (Minnesota) Katherine Burke, MAS, Above & Beyond Incentives (Texas) Mona Carollo-Scarborough, CAS,

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A Great New Beginning

Staff Writer

“I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic somewhere behind the morning.”
J.B. Priestly, British Writer & Broadcaster (1894 – 1984)

I can look around my office and home and find remembrances of the past everywhere. Sometimes simple objects, not necessarily meant to bear great significance, will remind me of beginnings and endings. In these moments, I consider what I have learned and where my choices in both my career and personal life have led me.
This month, there is a new beginning—a

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Chocolate Inn Finalist in Supplier Star Award

Chocolate Inn, Freeport, N.Y., has been voted by distributors as one of the 2008 Supplier Star Finalists in the S7 sales volume category. The company will be recognized at the 2008 PPAI Awards Night on Jan. 16, 2008, held during The PPAI Expo in Las Vegas. Company president, David Miller praised the “hard work and dedication of the entire Chocolate Inn team and multi-rep sales force” for the accomplishment. “I know that there are many suppliers to choose from in this industry and appreciate the loyalty of our distributor customers,” he said. For more information, call (800) 526-3437 or visit www.chocolateinn.com

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Beacon Promotions Launches New Web site

Beacon Promotions, New Ulm, Minn., has launched a new Web site at www.beaconpromotions.com. According to Art Olsen, president and CEO, the new site brings all the Beacon brands together, which will improve navigation for distributors. “Beacon’s strength and growth has come from providing exceptional customer service and delivery everyday for our customers,” said Olsen. “Now, with this new Web site, our customers will be able to quickly see all the product categories we have to support their selling needs.” The home page is set up by categories and there is a feature that allows visitors to browse products from the company’s catalogs.

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JERZEES Introduces Improved Fleece

Atlanta-based JERZEES has enhanced its fleece line with a variety of new product innovations. While some improvements are currently available, they will not be completely filtered into the marketplace until 2008. Enhancements to JERZEES fleece include: • Increased stitch density and loft, for a heavier product (in all 8 and 9 oz. fleece) • Tighter stitch density, which provides a smoother printing canvas to ensure vibrant color • NuBlend fleece, which is virtually pill-free and is produced from air-jet spun yarn • A longer draw chord length with knotting to prevent chords from falling out of the garment • Two-needle cover seaming for increased

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