When I penned this title I felt like a patriotic song should be playing. Anyone who follows my writings and rants will know that I typically relate real world stories into my articles. Inspiration for this piece came from a recent journey that made me realize I needed to stop and salute our Industry’s Heroes—those road warriors that spend time away from home to help us. They are a vital part of our industry.
It’s been a while since I’ve traveled and my experiences on this trip refreshed my memory about the “joys” of being on the road. The time away was very productive but the journey itself provided normal travel challenges. Several years ago I presented an education session for the ASI Shows and various Regional Associations. At that time, I became accustomed to what airline travel is all about. Now…I’m just not used to it.
And it isn’t just the flying. It’s just being away from the comforts of home. Social media features like “Hotel Room Views” from frequent traveler and Industry Hero Dana Zezzo are fun while stating the obvious. Our Industry Heroes are in hotels all the time. Hotels can be very nice, but there is nothing like being at home with your family, your pets, and sleeping your own bed.
Click here for my Rant video on this topic and see how I got back at my son for squirting me with soap in my last Rant video.
A few trips a year are NOTHING compared to those of our Industry Heroes. Most of us don’t realize how often these Heroes are away from home. When distributors see company reps in their booth, upbeat and ready to help… we don’t think about everything it took to get there. Connecting flights, delays, being around people with hacking coughs and runny noses. Lord only knows what you might sit next to on the plane. Hand sanitizers are an essential item. When you travel, you should use it and of course you should be selling it to your clients. On that note, click here to get a free sample sanitizer from SnugZ USA, the industry’s only QCA accredited (Quality Certified Alliance) personal care supplier.
Industry Heroes make our industry tick. PPAI president and CEO Paul Bellantone is always on the road visiting members and attending industry events. Sales reps and regional sales managers are off to trade shows, key account sales meetings, and visiting clients. Without our Industry Heroes things wouldn’t be the same. They are road warriors who can fight the travel battles and still come thru to do their job. It is these people and their continuing efforts that I want to express my appreciation to. Those people make things happen.
All that being said, PROMOTIONS EAST is coming in Atlantic City, June 3 through 6. While I don’t love travel, I do love industry events and am very much looking forward to attending this trade show. There will be great education and an exciting panel discussion, Rock Stars of the Promotional Products Industry. This discussion features Tim Andrews, president and CEO, Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI); Paul Bellantone, president and CEO, Promotional Products Association International (PPAI); Jonathan Isaacson, president, Gemline; Jo-An Lantz, MAS, executive vice president, Geiger; Anne McKeough, vice president of global sales, Staples Promotional Products; and Ira Neaman, president, Vantage Apparel.
Paul Kiewiet will be presenting two sessions, including one on Big Game Hunting, and Mark Graham will also be presenting two sessions with one focusing on 20 Low Cost Marketing Ideas. Other great education will be available as well. It’s going to be an awesome time and I hope you can make it.
As an added element to this Rant, let me share a few of my air travel observations from my recent trip. Perhaps some of you can relate? Feel free to add your comments.
I was surprised by the new “options” available when I checked in at the airport kiosk. Would you like to upgrade to first class? Add… more money than I would like to pay. (First class isn’t what it used to be.) Board early? $9.00. Sit on an aisle? $25.00 (if you don’t have that seat reserved). Check bags? Cha-ching!
And security procedures… are we really safer for everything they make us do?
Food choices always amaze me. Some airports offer a variety of options. For my early morning flight, I thought I would have breakfast at “Chili’s Too.” The restaurant was about half empty but the wait was 45 minutes. I didn’t have that much time, so reluctantly I opted for Burger King where it took about 25 minutes to get through that line. Brilliant staffing management choices had just one cashier and four stations. The only healthy choice was oatmeal. And showing those calorie counts on the menus is pretty eye opening. The little fried potato tot things that I don’t eat were almost 1000 calories! Wow!
Starbucks? Forget about it. The waiting is no less arduous. Why does getting a cup of coffee require such a significant time investment at the airport? It doesn’t seem to take that long at the same store in town. It seems that more efficient foodservice at airports would be a blessing.
Lastly, I’m amazed by people’s lack of awareness or consideration for others. Since everyone is trying to pack for carry on and avoid baggage check fees, it seems you must be constantly on the look out for swinging backpacks or bags or people’s small rolling suitcases blocking pathways.
Ok… that’s it for my airline travel gripes. The good news is after we go through all that, good things happen. Business gets done. Relationships are nurtured. We learn from our experiences. And love it or hate it, being able to wake up one city and go to bed that night in another one across the country really is a blessing.
I look forward to seeing many of you at Promotions East and other industry events. Enjoy your travels!
Jeff Solomon, MAS is affiliated with a large distributor company. The FreePromoTips.com website and e-newsletters he publishes are packed with beneficial information and exclusive FREE offers from a few forward-thinking supplier companies. Don’t miss out on what’s happening! Opt in to receive their e-newsletters! LIKE their page on Facebook and follow them on twitter.
