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Wednesday
May 23, 2007 Guest Blog: Michele Bell’s Travels and new Products from OverseasFiled under: Community From Michele Bell, Editor for ASI Publications: Hello from Asia! I have been busy traveling overseas with Rich Fairfield, ASI’s senior vice president and publisher, and visited four trade shows that have advertising specialties: the Hong Kong Electronics Show, the Global Sources’ Gift Show, the Canton Show in Guangzhou, China and the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair. There are many new ideas for distributors and suppliers at these shows, including some rather interesting, hi-tech products and also some that are practical and useful. They can get your clients talking and placing orders. Watch for many of these products to make their way to the States within the next few months.
Tuesday
May 8, 2007 Five Snappy and Smart Products from Philly Show – Watch VideoFiled under: Education, News About ASI, Using Ad Specialties
Monday
April 23, 2007 Trying to help after Virginia TechFiled under: Community, Industry Initiatives, News About ASI, Using Ad Specialties One of the things I like to talk about is the “drop-everything-and-help” nature of so many companies in the ad specialty industry. Many times, when unexpected events happen, businesses in our industry and the staff working for them pitch in and help people in need. In the aftermath of last week’s horrific events at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, two ASI members stepped in to contribute what they could.
L. R. Silver, of Silver Star Promotions, a distributor in Sarasota, Florida, received a call from a public relations firm representing the Cook Counseling Center at Virginia Tech. The firm was requesting an order for 5,000 orange pens with maroon caps – the college’s colors.
Thursday
April 12, 2007 Baby’s life saved | Real heroes where we liveFiled under: Community, News About ASI I believe that there are many hidden heroes living within our local communities, and that they have an impact on our lives every day through their volunteerism, admirable leadership, and heroic acts. Alex Maratea, daughter of Jim Maratea, who works at ASI, is one of these people and she was just honored as a Real Hero by The American Red Cross for her bravery in saving the life of her nephew, Derrian.
Me, with Alex Maratea and nephew, Derrian, and Jim Maratea at a recognition event hosted by the Red Cross.
Tuesday
April 10, 2007 GOT SPIRIT? | Super Embroidery redefines super…Filed under: Members, News About ASI The spirit found in running a family business is very evident in a story that Anna Johnson, owner and founder of Super Embroidery Inc., shared with us – as she was being presented with the Stitches Magazine Family Business award at the ASI Spirit Awards a few weeks ago. Super Embroidery Inc. was started in 1990 by Anna, with just one employee and two embroidery machines. Three years ago, her business was booming and running better than ever, and then in December, 2005, Anna had to leave the business due to an illness.
In the photo: Johnny Johnson, Anna’s husband, with Anna, myself, and Lou Meagher, Anna’s mother.
Sunday
April 8, 2007 Guest Blog: Navigating the Trade Only Show in the U.K.Filed under: Guest Blog, Industry Initiatives, News About ASI From Dale Denham, senior vice president at ASI: I just returned from attending the launch of another trade show, but this time in the United Kingdom, where it seems that some people think there is an opportunity for a better trade show. The show was held in Coventry and hosted by Trade Only, which positioned the show just a few weeks after the Promota Show – held in Birmingham in mid-February. Upon my arrival, unlike most people who visit the U.K., I opted against public transportation and decided to rent a car. I thought it would be a good refresher to drive on the left side of the road, since the last time I did that was in Australia in 2001.
Wednesday
April 4, 2007 Hall of Fame | Don’t forget your roots, for better businessFiled under: Community, News About ASI One of the items on my “Top Ten Ways To Be More Successful” list is to never forget where it is that you came from. On Tuesday I had an experience that drove this point home in real-time. I was one of thirteen people inducted into the Journalism Hall of Fame at my alma mater – Ball State University.
The honor recognized success in business and contributions to philanthropy and I share these accomplishments with many people – including associates and friends in the advertising specialty and publishing industries. Marilyn Weaver, chairperson of the journalism department, hosted the ceremony and presented me with a plaque (left) for the honor. David Knott, associate professor emeritus of journalism at Ball State, was also present. He helped me learn about the field as I pursued my degree in journalism and he was the faculty advisor for The Ball State Daily News when I was an editor and columnist there. |
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