Balloons & Parties Newsletter

Publisher's Note

In this, our second edition of Balloon-A-Zine, I am happy to report summer is in full swing and balloons, as always, are a "hot" topic concerning summer fun! Backyard parties, school graduations, Proms, weddings, corporate summer functions and lots more are events I hope are keeping you busy even during the relaxing days of summer.

Now while you are "taking it easy," the winds of change are blowing over the face of the balloon industry. Some change is good, some not so good.

Both good and bad is what has been happening with some foil balloons. Recently a Chinese manufacturer began importing foil balloons into the U.S. retail market. Their designs are imitations of foil balloons currently being produced legally by U.S. manufacturers you have come to know and trust. These counterfeit balloons are being sold to unsuspecting retailers and consumers. The "Made in China" foil balloons will easily burst when inflating with a helium regulator set at normal inflation rates. The low inflation rates also affect the float time of these foil balloons. If you suspect you may have purchased some of these foil balloons, contact the International Balloon Association (IBA) at 866-413-7358 or Marty@ibaonline.net so the appropriate action can be taken.

The IBA - The International Balloon Association was there to alert unsuspecting distributors and manufacturers to this issue. You may never have heard of the IBA, but it is an organization that has been around for many years. This year, perhaps more than any other, the IBA has been making great strides to change how it is operating and how it serves and helps it's members. I was honored to recently be chosen to become a member of the Board of the IBA as it's Second Vice President.

Good things are coming for the IBA and it's membership. I urge you to visit the new and improved IBA website at: www.ibaonline.net for all the latest information they have to offer. As decorators, we owe it to ourselves and our industry to stay informed and get involved in decisions and issues confronting our industry. Hopefully soon, very soon, as decorators, we will be able to have more of a voice with regards to the IBA and the future of balloons and related fields.

Stay tuned!

Sincerely,
Mark Zettler, Publisher
BALLOONS & Parties Magazine
201-441-4224
mark@balloonsandparties.com
www.balloonsandparties.com

See you at The All Star Revue November 5-8, 2005
www.allstarrevue.com

Proud Member - ISES
The International Special Events Society
Past-President, NY Metro Chapter
www.isesnyc.com

Member - IBA
International Balloon Association
2nd Vice-President
www.ibaonline.net

Member NNJQBN

What better way to "ROCK" a parade than with thousands of 260 balloons on the backs of dozens of parade participants. Yes, some of the "uniforms" were certainly skimpy and risqué, but what stood out from the crowd were those simply fantastic and colorful 260 balloons - WOW! These photos, courtesy of my sister Vicki were taken during the Gay Pride Parade in San Francisco, CA just a few short weeks ago.

Mark Your Calendars

The All Star Revue Comes to New York!

Please join us for The All Star Revue 2005, November 5th-8th in Suffern, New York when we will once again have an All Star lineup of instructors and classes for balloon decorators, twisters and other party professionals. This year we will welcome to our faculty instructors from around the globe including Tope Abulude from England, Mark Bailey from Australia, Judy Bradt from California, Cindy Derrick from Texas and Peggy Williams from Tennessee just to name a few. All Star Twister Teri "Gitsy" Basco will join Gary Ledbetter, Jan Iiams, Debra Penny, Maxine Baird and many others in hands-on learning, business classes, décor and much, much more.

Our Vendor Village will also be open for you to buy great products from Lauderdale Paper & Balloon Co., ACP, Thrifty Balloons, Rainbow Balloons, Balloonacy and others.

The All Star Revue will be at its new location, the Holiday Inn & Conference Center in Suffern, NY. Get ready for 4 days of fun, including 11 rounds of classes, 9 meals, parties, a centerpiece and large sculpture competition, networking with other party professionals and lots more. All in one low Early Bird price of just $399.00! We have negotiated a fantastic room rate for you at our host hotel – just $99.00 per night.

At The Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center the function facilities are superb, the food distinctive. The rooms and suites are newly renovated, comfortable and spacious. There is an indoor pool and whirlpool in the atrium lobby, exercise room, game room, FREE parking and a night club for the exclusive use of our convention.

The hotel is conveniently located right off exit 14B of the New York State Thruway (Route 87) and only minutes from Bergen County, New Jersey and Westchester, New York. The Center is within easy access of Newark Liberty, Westchester Stewart, La Guardia, and JFK International airports.

Autumn woodlands create colorful surroundings for golf at nearby Spook Rock Golf Course, antiquing in Nyack, and nearby apple and pumpkin picking. In all seasons enjoy outlet shopping at Woodbury Commons, shopping at Palisades Center Mall, the second largest shopping center on the East Coast, and don't forget the Big Apple, nearby New York City!

Class schedules are now being prepared so look for more information soon at www.allstarrevue.com or by calling 888-833-STAR.

Make your reservations today:
The Holiday Inn & Conference Center
#3 Executive Blvd., Suffern, NY 10901
Telephone (845) 357-4800
Fax (845) 918-1475

Pocket Dots^TM for balloons make it easy and convenient to take your favorite adhesive anywhere, anytime.

New! 150-count rolls of Balloon Dots®! Pocket Dots from Glue Dots International are perfect for on-site assembly projects and repairs.

No need lugging a big box around, Pocket Dots are small enough to fit in your pocket or in your toolbox!

Now available from Lauderdale Paper & Balloon Co, 800 940-3577 or
Fax 800 523-3472, www.lpballoons.com.

June 27, 2005 (Philadelphia, PA)- Officials at Unique Industries, Inc. are pleased to highlight several exciting ways to celebrate the New Year. Party throwers and guests will delight in ringing in 2006 using Unique1s complete selection of party products, available to ship in September.

Unique's New Year's Eve Blast ensemble contains a festively decorated array of products suitable for all your holiday party needs. This new ensemble features a full line of high-count napkins, plates and cups, as well as banners, plastic tablecovers, invitations, balloons, confetti and more! The suggested retail price for items in the New Year1s Eve Blast ensemble ranges from $.99 to $4.59.

"New Year's Eve is becoming a family-oriented celebration," commented Unique Industries Marketing Director Debbie Beer. "Our latest New Year's Eve ensemble, New Year's Eve Blast, is a festive and fun way for people of all ages to ring in the New Year!" The pattern, consisting of brightly colored confetti and bold colored balloons, is suitable for adult-only parties or events catering to people of all ages.

Unique offers themed New Year's Eve Party Kits for the busy host who needs a one-stop shop for party supplies - kits can support parties of 10, 25, 50 or 100. Themes include Big Bash, Century, Tux & Gown, Taj Mahal, Philly, Midnight Hour, Glitter & Glitz, Times Square, Evening Gala and Champagne. Kit components feature the most popular New Year1s Eve party supplies - contents range from party hats, fringe tiaras, foil horns, leis, serpentines to noisemakers. Suggested retail price for these party kits ranges from $11.99 to $64.99.

"The holiday season can become hectic no matter how much you try to prepare," commented Beer. "Ready to serve a party of any size, Unique offers party kits containing New Year's Eve favorites available in a variety of colors and styles. New Year1s Party Kits create one-stop shopping for the busy party-planner."

The New Year's Eve Blast ensemble and New Years Party Kits are part of Unique's complete party collection featuring assorted styles and colors for all celebrations. Headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, Unique Industries, Inc. is a privately held global party supply company with a reputation as an industry leader for more than 40 years. For more information, visit www.favors.com.

EDITORS NOTE: High-resolution digital photography is available upon request. Please email Jessica Seamans at jseamans@fcfschmidtpr.com

New Airbrush-Quality Tattoo Kit Offers Retailers Something New and Different in Temporary Tattoo Category.

Tustin, CA (July 2005) - California Creations is about to make a lasting impression, not only on the arms, legs, and backs of consumers, but with retailers as well. With the introduction of YOU TATTOO, the first tattoo kit that enables anyone to safely and easily apply non-toxic airbrush-quality tattoos using an aerosol spray can, retailers finally have something exciting and different in the temporary tattoo category to offer their customers.

YOU TATTOO is the specially designed, airbrush-quality tattoo application kit that both retailers and consumers have long been waiting for -- a do-it-yourself kit that comes with everything needed to quickly and easily apply airbrush-quality tattoos that look real, last up to seven days and cost only about $1.00 per tattoo - less than 1/10th of what it costs to have an airbrush tattoo applied at a tattoo studio or kiosk.

Although the popularity of temporary tattoos continues to gain momentum among mainstream consumers, for the past several years retailers haven't had anything new and different to offer their customers in this product category. "Today, consumers just aren't satisfied with the fake look and poor quality of most temporary tattoos," says Mark Dinges, President of California Creations. "When we test marketed YOU TATTOO we learned that people were skeptical at first because they've seen other temporary tattoos and have been disappointed with the quality. However, once they get a YOU TATTOO, they can't believe how realistic it looks. It seems to draw out an emotional reaction that is very personal because it's on their skin and looks permanent. Kids and adults love to show them off. We believe that YOU TATTOO is going to revolutionize the temporary tattoo business by appealing to a much broader market than any other in the past."

Based on the popular Australian Airbrushed Tattoo style, the YOU TATTOO kit includes: an aerosol tattoo ink spray can containing a specially formulated cosmetic grade ink, 20 themed tattoo stencils, a jar of setting powder, 2 jars of shimmer accent color, 2 brushes, and a special shield to guard against overspray. YOU TATTOO also offers a wide variety of tattoo stencils that enable users to express their distinctive personalities and compliment any attire.

"We believe the time is right for YOU TATTOO," says Benson Goldenberg, V.P. of Sales for California Creations. "We've had positive responses from retailers who recognize the strong sales potential inherent in this product category. Now, with YOU TATTOO, retailers can finally satisfy their customers who are always looking for the latest body jewelry to accessorize their outfits or make a personal, creative statement. Kids, in particular, like YOU TATTOO because they can change the designs as quickly as they change their minds. They also like them because there are so many different ways to wear them. "

California Creations plans to expand the YOU TATTOO line by adding new tattoo themes in the near future. YOU TATTOO is currently available in four different themes - Fantasy Tattoos, Fun Tatts, Body Art Tattoos and Urban Tattoos, each in their own eye catching, market-specific blister-pack. For additional product information about YOU TATTOO, contact California Creations at 714-259-1900 or visit www.californiacreations.net.

Halloween has become one of the largest decorating holidays for consumers. And when it comes to celebrations, nothing says "party" like balloons! Maximize this profitable category with new Halloween and fall Qualatex" balloons, showcased in the new Qualatex Autumn Collection 2005 catalog.

"From charming and fun to simply ghastly, our new products appeal to many age ranges and styles," said Kathy Williams, special projects director for Pioneer" Balloon Company, maker of Qualatex balloons. "We develop our products and selling ideas to target the wide range of consumers buying balloons."

Versatile Shapes Attract Attention
Specialty Microfoil Shape balloons are always super sellers – on their own as well as for "upselling" in bouquets and decor:

Unique, See-Through Balloons
Qualatex Microclear‘ designs feature a unique, transparent material with a magical quality:

Big Balloons for Big Impact & Profits
Giant 3’ balloons create dramatic impact and work especially well for filling large spaces with color, motion, and excitement:

All of these new products are featured in the Qualatex Autumn Collection 2005 catalog, available by visiting "Catalog Request" on Qualatex.com or calling 1-800-803-5498 or 316-685-2266. In addition, professionals can find lots of profitable ideas using Qualatex balloons at "Balloon Ideas" and "Instruction Sheets" on Qualatex.com.

Pioneer Balloon Company is the manufacturer of Qualatex brand latex and Microfoil balloons, the most recognized brand of balloons in the world. Retailers can visit Pioneer Balloon Company online at Qualatex.com and MasterBow.com.

Revolutionary Garland Grabbers® Spped Up and Simplify Decorating for Holidays and Special Occasions

A "Must Have" for Christmas ‘05 Sales Season, One-of-a-Kind Decorating Clips Make It Possible to Decorate a Home in Less Than 20 Minutes

Savannah, GA – May 5, 2005 – Deck the Rails, an emerging leader in decorating solutions, announces the launch of its patented new Garland Grabbers® line of decorating clips. These breakthrough products will revolutionize how people decorate for holidays and special occasions by dramatically reducing the time required to attach garlands, bows and other decorations to banisters, mantles, decks/porches, fences or windows. Garland Grabbers® also eliminate scratches and other surface damage often done by traditional decoration hanging methods.

Dedicated decorators will be inspired by these new products to add more holidays and special events to their decorating calendar. "It’s possible for one person to easily decorate a banister, mantle, and a porch or deck in well under 20 minutes with Garland Grabbers®," said Jeff Jackson, president of Deck the Rails.

Requiring no other hardware, Garland Grabbers® allow homeowners to decorate in more ways and places than ever before. Each clip is made of a patented plastic that is virtually unbreakable - making it possible to reuse Garland Grabbers® year after year. All of the clips feature a place to tie a bow or hang an ornament to create the perfect complement to draping garlands.

"Garland Grabbers® are truly unique. There is nothing else on the market like them and they make decorating fun again. Everyday people and professional decorators are thrilled with how easy Garland Grabbers® are to use, the durability of the clips and the amount of time they save in decorating projects," added Jackson. "We think this will change how people decorate for every occasion including weddings, baby showers, birthdays, the Fourth of July and even Halloween. The possibilities are endless."

"Anyone who enjoys decorating knows how time consuming it can be," said Diane Jackson, who founded Deck the Rails with her son Jeff. "I came up with the idea of Garland Grabbers® after years of being frustrated by a lack of other solutions to this time-consuming problem. Now I can quickly decorate a whole room or outdoor area in just minutes and not worry about damaging any surfaces."

"Thanks to Jeff’s mechanical and technological background we were able to develop the original banister clip. With that in hand we asked retailers, interior decorators, professional designers and ordinary people who love to decorate to identify what would make decorating easier," added Diane. Based on their feedback, Jeff went to the drawing board and created the entire line of Garland Grabbers® which includes:

With suggested retail prices of less than $6.00, Garland Grabbers® are extremely affordable and retailers carrying Garland Grabbers® will almost certainly see incremental sales of garlands, ribbons, bows and other decorations. Homeowners who previously avoided decorating because of the time entailed or the fear of damaging expensive banisters, mantles or other home décor elements will now be worry-free when adorning their homes.

"Garland Grabbers® are filling a decorating void. I often ask people if they would buy a shower curtain without curtain hooks and time after time I get the same answer - ‘of course not,’" added Diane Jackson. "However, buying garlands, flowers or ribbons and then struggling to hang them by using whatever was in the junk drawer was completely normal. That was the only option but now Garland Grabbers® are the new, indispensable ‘curtain hooks’ for hanging decorations."

Garland Grabbers® are available online at www.decktherails.com and throughout North America at independent hardware, crafts and home goods stores. Garland Grabbers® will also be featured on QVC’s "Christmas in July" programming scheduled to air throughout July. To learn more about Deck the Rails and the entire line of Garland Grabbers® or to find a retailer nearest to you, please visit www.decktherails.com or call 866-254-7847.

Projected Spending Increases As Over 27,000 Retail Buyers Attend The Fall 2005 CGTA Gift Show

TORONTO, Ontario – The Holiday shopping season has arrived! For retailers, the crucial Holiday shopping season begins August 7th, 2005 as the Fall 2005 Canadian Gift and Tableware Association (CGTA) Gift Show launches in Toronto. With more than one third of retailers increasing their inventory purchasing for 2005, the upcoming CGTA Gift Show is pivotal to retailer success in the upcoming months, providing a vital link between retailers and the product trends and innovations that shape the retail industry. The CGTA Gift Show provides unprecedented access to the $10-billion gift and tableware industry’s trends, new and innovative products and successful business initiatives for the 27,000 attending qualified retailer buyers from Canada, the United States, and abroad. With over 1,100 exhibitors, visually appealing feature and showcase areas, and an informative seminar program, the CGTA Gift Show is the largest trade show in Canada, and the second largest trade show in North America, filling over one million square feet of display space in two of Toronto’s leading trade show venues, the International Centre and Toronto Congress Centre.

The Canadian Gift and Tableware Association (CGTA) is the pulse of Canada’s $10-billion giftware industry. Embodying the entrepreneurial instinct and spirit, the CGTA is a national, not-for-profit association dedicated to improving its members’ competitive capability and business effectiveness by enhancing local, national and global opportunities. The CGTA is comprised of over 1,600 members made up of leading Canadian giftware manufacturers, importers, exporters, distributors and wholesalers.

The CGTA owns and manages the CGTA Gift Show – the largest of any trade show held in Canada with more than one million square feet of exhibition space. Held twice annually, the CGTA Gift Show features over 1,100 exhibitors and attracts over 27,000 retail buyers from across Canada and around the world. Further information is available at www.cgta.org.

Greetings from AmericasMart Atlanta, the nation's leading wholesale market center.

Market Wednesday is AmericasMart's between-Market buyer appreciation program. Offered on the first Wednesday of each non-market month, Market Wednesday gives retailers, interior designers, and industry-specific retailer associations/buy groups special buying opportunities and benefits beyond those already available during AMERICASMART ATLANTA's 23 annual gift, home furnishings, area rug and apparel markets. Market Wednesday buyers have access to a series of showroom specials, informative seminars, product demonstrations and complimentary luncheons/refreshments.

Signature Chocolate is pleased to introduce our fabulous new collection of Signature Gift Packs for your family and friends, client appreciation, holidays, employee recognition, awards, thankyous and more. Please click on the following link to view more photos and details:

AccuCut Names Gaggini President:
Plans Ramp-Up of Production and Sales of
Die Cutting Products in Crafts and Education Markets

(Fremont, Neb.—May 31, 2005)—AccuCut Systems, makers of roller die cutting systems for the crafts and education industries, named Nebraskan Greg Gaggini, formerly general manager of a subsidiary of Oriental Trading Company (OTC), as the company’s new president.

"We are looking forward to an exciting era of growth and expansion for AccuCut, marked by Greg’s leadership," said CEO Steve Nabity. "He brings invaluable expertise to us in the areas of management, customer service and marketing."

For OTC, Gaggini orchestrated the launching of a new subsidiary, Fun Express. He is credited with having significantly increased the company’s profits by adding marketing, merchandise, inventory and product development departments. Gaggini administered new catalog designs for OTC, both print and online, and established new standards, policies and procedures that increased efficiency throughout the organization. Prior to his leadership role at OTC, Gaggini was director of financial planning for Spiegel, Inc., of Downers Grove, Illinois.

"AccuCut is a major player in the crafts and education industries, with an outstanding record of performance to date," Gaggini said. "I am pleased to be a part of supercharging this company’s future—you’ll see changes in merchandising, service, corporate image and more. We’re even investigating new markets for AccuCut’s quality die cutting systems."

Gaggini lives in Omaha with his wife, Michelle, and two children. He is a member of the advisory board of Design Basics, an Omaha design firm. He is a mentor for the University of Nebraska and sits on the board of the Elkhorn Sports Association in Elkhorn, Nebraska. Gaggini holds a bachelor of business degree in marketing from Western Illinois University.

AccuCut Systems was established in 1990 as a provider of shape and letter cutting products for retail craft stores, professional designers, craft enthusiasts and the education market. The company’s focus is on making craft and educational experiences fun and rewarding. AccuCut is a multi-winner of Creating Keepsakes magazine’s Readers’ Choice Award for best die cutting equipment, the Primedia Award of Excellence, and Learning magazine’s Seal of Approval. Visit AccuCut online at www.accucut.com.

New York, NY - June 15, 2005 - Nearly 70 percent of small businesses have performed well over the past 12 months, in comparison with the U.S. economy, according to the third edition of the CIT Small Business Outlook, a nationwide survey conducted jointly by CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) and BusinessWeek Research Services. The survey also found that small business owners and executives continue to have an optimistic outlook for the future success of their own businesses for the second consecutive year.

"The positive responses expressed in the CIT Small Business Outlook confirm the resiliency of the U.S. small business market," said Tom Hallman, Vice Chairman of CIT’s Specialty Finance group. "In fact, a significant number of decision makers at small businesses believe this is a good time to invest in their organizations. The level of confidence demonstrated by America’s entrepreneurs is a strong signal that small businesses will continue to help fuel U.S. economic growth."

The semi-annual survey provides insightful information about the current state of small business in the United States. Highlights of this survey include:

Sales growth is a top priority for half of small businesses in 2005, but managing healthcare is also important. The results of CIT Small Business Outlook provide an in-depth look at current and future healthcare issues facing this business segment and the overall climate of small businesses.

Three out of four small businesses (75%) provide some type of health benefits to their employees and almost eight in ten believe that their benefits are as good, or better, than the benefits offered by larger companies. Although these benefits are costly, 44 percent of small businesses feel that their businesses are growing fast enough to support these costs. However, 82 percent of small businesses have difficulty dealing with insurance companies’ administration and bureaucracy.

Many small businesses effectively manage their healthcare benefits, but small business leaders foresee major challenges on the horizon. Sixty percent of survey respondents believe that healthcare costs may damage the growth of the U.S. economy and more than half expect healthcare price increases to outpace their budgets within the next five years.

"As a leading provider of loans to small businesses, we understand the issues that small businesses face," stated John Canning, President of CIT Small Business Lending Corporation. "Notwithstanding the current healthcare issues, the small business sector continues to remain strong and plays a powerful role in the U.S. economy."

The third phase of the CIT Small Business Outlook continued to monitor issues that were explored in the first two phases of the CIT Small Business Outlook, such as current and future business conditions, spending and investment intentions and sales revenues. This study also focused on current and future healthcare issues for small businesses. The Outlook, conducted jointly by CIT and BusinessWeek Research Services, collected responses from a sample of 453 companies nationwide with approximately 5 to 100 employees and revenues of $15 million or less. The study participants represent more than 40 types of businesses and industries, with a high concentration in consulting services, information technology, healthcare pharmaceuticals, publishing, financial services, real estate, manufacturing, and construction.

CIT Small Business Lending Corporation, a business unit of CIT Specialty Finance, offers Small Business Administration (SBA) loans to finance business acquisitions, owner-occupied real estate purchases and franchise and medical and professional practice start-ups through a network of field representatives. The nation's No. 1 SBA lender, CIT Small Business Lending Corporation has been designated a "Preferred Lender" by the SBA and can provide quick credit decisions and loan closings. The company's website and online SBA loan application are located at www.smallbizlending.com.

CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT), a leading commercial and consumer finance company, provides clients with financing and leasing products and advisory services. Founded in 1908, CIT has nearly $60 billion in assets under management and possesses the financial resources, industry expertise and product knowledge to serve the needs of clients across approximately 30 industries. CIT, a Fortune 500 company and a component of the S&P 500, holds leading positions in vendor financing, factoring, equipment and transportation financing, Small Business Administration loans, and asset-based lending. CIT, with its principal offices in New York, New York, and Livingston, New Jersey, has approximately 6,000 employees in locations throughout North America, Europe, Latin and South America, and the Pacific Rim. For more information, visit www.cit.com.

BusinessWeek Research Services (BWRS) is the custom marketing research division of BusinessWeek with more than 50 years of combined experience. This group of research experts regularly conducts primary research studies for established companies including technology and financial clients as well as leading agencies. For more information about BWRS, please contact Chris Rogers at Chris_Rogers@businessweek.com.

The Learning Channel (TLC) is doing a new show entitled "Wild Weddings." We are producing six one-hour episodes of the program, which will begin airing this November.

This show features a wide range of wedding videos, including funny wedding moments, wedding disasters or things going wrong, unusual weddings and any other material that could fall under the "wedding" umbrella (proposals, bachelor and/or bachelorette parties, vendor problems caught on tape). This could include cake fights, people having too much to drink, accidents and falls during the ceremony or any other crazy moments caught on video.

We are contacting wedding videographers and other wedding professionals around the world to solicit videotapes for our show. We are paying competitive licensing fees for the videos and we would like to receive material from your members. We will pay a license fee to the owner to use it in our program and we will also pay the bride and groom for their cooperation i in the story. If any of your members refer us to a video belonging to someone else and we use it on the air, we will pay a referral fee of $100 to that member.

In short, we have money to spend and we're looking for material. We need approximately 300 videos by the end of August in order to produce our shows, so we'd like to hear from people as soon as possible. We are seeking worldwide, all media rights in perpetuity for the material as it is used in our show. I urge your members to call me with any questions or for more information.

Any screening tapes can be sent to my attention at: Steven Ireland, Wild Weddings, 4928 Riverton Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601, (818) 509-2637, slivideo@pacbell.net.

We are looking for OUTGOING, PASSIONATE PEOPLE who are in the midst of planning a Big Party Family Event, such as: Wedding, Religious Ceremony, Kid's Birthday Party.

Bravo wants to be a "fly on the wall" in your life during the planning stages of your party and celebrate your joyous occasion with you.

We want to document the hard work, creativity and effort it takes to put on a special party, from picking the right location, to the invitations, the entertainment, the special floral arrangements, the fashion, and let's not forget, SEATING ARRANGEMENTS!

If your party or wedding is taking place between August - December 2005 in any of the Western States, WE WANT TO TALK TO YOU!

People magazine is putting together their annual Weddings issue. One of the stories will be about"wacky" incidents that occurred at weddings around the country over the past year.

They are not necessarily looking for disaster stories--just something funny or highly out of the ordinary that took place during a wedding or reception.

Last but not least, AFWPI attempts to contribute to local newspapers when they need articles. We try to use AFWPI members first but the demand is getting so I need more articles. If your article is used, you will get the credit for it. I may even add it to our wedding tips page.

The articles need to be informative. They cannot be ads for your service. So articles on traditions, unique weddings, theme weddings, destination weddings etc are of value as are"tips" for the bride on how she can save money while using professionals. Keep the story between 350 and 500 words.

We will be sure you get the media credit and where we can will let you know which media used your articles. Please email them to: RichardM@afwpi.com.

If you are aware of any professionals that you feel would benefit from membership please pass their contact information on to Amber. The use of the Afwpi logo, the brides monthly mailing list and the link opportunity from our popular members directory make it a great value. So far this year we have had over 260,000 unique visitors. We have sent over 4,800 brides information as well. If you would like an application sent to your associate (or yourself) please email Amber the information at Amber@afwpi.com.

National Retail Technology Federation Launched
to Help Retailers Make Better Decisions
on Technology Applications

Glendale, California (April 18, 2005) - Just attend any retail trade show and you will see scores of vendors offering retail technology products, in fact, there are more than 300 software developers currently providing point-of-sale and inventory-control software systems. For retailers, this can present a confusing challenge in the selection of components and systems to fit their specific needs, with the downside being that storeowners frequently purchase software and hardware that is not the best fit for their requirements. Even worse, once retailers install the latest and greatest systems, they are too-often minimally trained on how to use them, resulting in production slow-downs and wasted man-hours that are unnecessary. The National Retail Technology Federation™ (NRTF) has been formed to help retailers understand what software and hardware applications are best suited for their needs, and to facilitate the retailer’s ability to get the most utilization out of the technology they have selected.

The NRTF is a national organization composed of value added resellers (VARs) who specialize in different aspects of retail technology. As a group, they are able to bring a much broader depth of technological experience to retailers who are in the process of selecting a system, or upgrading. Retailers who are informed of all possible options, and the pros and cons of each system or piece of equipment, are in a better position to select technology that fits their objectives, and works better for them overall.

Many retailers, because of just not understanding the technology, over-purchase on equipment, sometimes using only a fraction of its capability. Add to this insufficient training - which is widespread in retail - and it creates a real dilemma for storeowners, who are just trying to put in a system that will streamline their operations. They can have the best technology in the world, but if they don’t know how to use it, then it is little more than a very expensive cash register.

The needs of the retailer, when it comes to technology, are pretty consistent, but within that framework there exists a multitude of variations. The NRTF helps retailers with all aspects of their technological supply chain operations, including:

1. Point of sale
2. Inventory control
3. Loss prevention
4. Internet security
5. Networking
6. Hardware

"We wanted to build a much larger technology-solution capability for retailers than currently exists," says Scott Kreisberg, Founding Member of the NRTF, and President of One Step Data, Inc., a retail-market value added reseller based in Glendale, California. "There is so much technology out that retailers are having a difficult time making decisions on what is best for them. Most don’t even take the time to define what problem they are trying to solve with this technology. They know they need it, but from there on out retailers are quite a bit lost."

"But that is only a part of the problem," says Kreisberg. "The main mistake that retailers make when they purchase point-of-sale and inventory-control systems is that they don’t get trained properly on how to use it. What good is it to have all this state-of-the-art technology if you can’t use it, or if you can only use some of what you have purchased? Unfortunately, a large proportion of retailers are in this situation. After the equipment purchase, proper installation, thorough training and continual support are chronically missed necessities, and really should account for 50% of the decision-making process when selecting a system. The NRTF addresses all of these issues with retailers when they are considering a purchase, the full spectrum of the technology. This allows a seamless roll-out of any retail technology application, whether it is for one store or fifty locations."

Retail technology is continually in a state of development, and getting more sophisticated. With the NTRF, retailers for the first time have the opportunity to capitalize on a technological resource - with more than 100 years of combined experience in retail technology - literally at their fingertips, to help retailers arrive at the most efficient solutions to their point-of-sale and inventory-management needs. Solutions that will undoubtedly pay off in lower capital outlay, streamlined efficiency and optimized man-hours.

NRTF members, combined, have provided technology solutions for thousands of independent and chain retailers, both nationally and abroad, including The Mill Stores, City Sports, Pet Quarters, Berkshire Hathaway, Sean John, Kenco, Diesel USA, and Warner Brothers.

The National Retail Technology Federation is open to assist retailers with their technology issues and solutions. For more information on the National Retail Technology Federation, please contact Kevin McAdam; 320 West Arden Ave., Suite #110, Glendale, CA 91203; Phone 866-479-6770.

Problem Solvers

"No" Means "Maybe" and Other Secrets To Success
By Jack Perry

You didn't make the ball team. You didn't get accepted to your favorite college. You didn't qualify for the home loan. These things do happen. Rejection is a fact of life. Successful people, however, know they need to embrace rejection instead of shy away from it.

The wealthiest and most successful people in society realize that rejection is a temporary setback, and they keep pushing forward. Other people allow rejection to overpower them and stop them in their tracks. They allow that negative feeling to take up permanent residence in their brain. But rejection doesn't deserve to have that much power over you. Rejection exists only in your mind. It gets awarded power only when you allow it to enter your psyche, control you, and devastate your life.

Successful people face rejection over and over again. Henry Ford is a perfect example. By the turn of the 20th century, he had experienced two failing companies and lost the money of two different investment groups. But he didn't give up. He located a third group of investors who gave him $28,000 to start a motor company. The "Model A" was born and Ford went on to make millions of dollars. Ford Motor Company became one of the most successful car manufacturers the world has ever known. Think how different Ford's life would have been if he gave up after failing with his first company.

Though rejection can feel devastating, someone saying "no" to you won't kill you. The fear of rejection, however, is even more dangerous than rejection itself. That fear can prevent you from taking the necessary risks that could lead you to true success. It's the number one reason people do not get more of what they want in life. They think they can escape the pain of failing if they don't even try. While that might be true, they also lose the opportunity to learn valuable lessons from their failures-lessons that can often propel them toward success.

When you decide to take risks, you accept a rejection as a possibility. What you don't have to accept is becoming discouraged and considering yourself a failure because of a rejection. You just need to change the way you think about it. To do this:

First, stop taking rejection personally. It has nothing to do with you.
Second, understand the reasoning behind every "no." In this way, you're redefining rejection.
And last, instead of allowing rejection to grind your efforts to a halt, turn it around and use rejection as a catalyst to gain momentum toward your goals.

You need to recognize and detour past these three rejection "potholes" to achieve that waiting success. It's right around the corner for you! Refuse to let rejection take you down. Instead, recognize it as an opportunity to gain something-a new client, a sale, or a friend. When you follow these three steps every time you experience rejection, you will be well on your way to achieving true success.

Step One: Don't Take Rejection Personally

Stop taking "no" as a personal attack. Many people hear "no" and immediately take it to heart. They embrace it. They believe the person who said "no" has waged an all-out war on their character.

Did you know that 50% of salespeople allow rejection to stop them completely after the first "no"? Of the 50% who don't give up, half of them cease all sales efforts after the second "no." The fear of being rejected prevents them from ever approaching that prospect again. If you're doing the math, you now know that 75% have given up after the second contact. They have handed over the opportunity for a sale to their competitor instead of considering how to approach this prospect again and again and turn the "no" into a "yes."

Anytime you go into a situation where rejection is a possibility, remember that if someone says "no" they are not rejecting you as a person. They are simply rejecting your idea or product. When you believe you are a worthwhile person with worthwhile ideas, you will not feel personally rejected. People can reject your idea, product, or service for any number of reasons, but they cannot reject you permanently unless you choose to let them.

Step Two: Redefine Rejection

The best way to change your thinking about rejection is to redefine it. Remember, rejection exists only in your mind. Rejection doesn't mean "no." In business, rejection is man-made; it is only temporary. It simply means"maybe." Therefore, view rejection as a stimulus to continue toward your goal.

When a prospect says "no," he is not locking a door; he's simply not opening it. The prospect is really saying, "Tell me more. Show me. Give me more reasons to say 'yes'." If you throw up your hands and walk away, you've told your prospect she is right; your product or service isn't worthy of her business.

The first "no" usually means that the prospect and salesperson need more information. For example:

The prospect didn't have enough information to say "yes."
The sales professional didn't ask the right questions and doesn't know what the prospect needs.
The sales professional didn't give the specific information needed to connect the value of the idea or product to the prospect.
The real objections were never discovered and addressed positively. When someone says "no," you simply haven't supplied him or her with enough information to say "yes."

Step Three: Allow Every "No" to Encourage You

Once you have changed your definition of rejection, every "no" can propel you toward a "yes" with increasing speed. Rejection will fire an ever-increasing desire to provide your prospects with all the information they need to be sold on your idea or product. Every rejection will provide the necessary momentum for you to learn and perfect your selling technique. Regroup and ask yourself what your prospect's biggest reason for rejecting your product or idea is and plan to address those concerns the next time you speak.

Change Your Perspective

Your beliefs about rejection determine your degree of success. Don't let the fear of rejection kill your initiative. Rejection is not a personal attack. Instead of giving up, re-frame rejection in your mind as an opportunity to regroup and try again and again. When you do, the prize, a "yes," is just around the corner.

About the Author: Jack Perry is a renowned leader, coach, and author with over 40 years of experience. "Jack, You're Fired," is his forthcoming book on effective sales, goals and motivation techniques. Jack climbed to the top with a District Sales Management position at IBM, then became CEO at a national financial services firm. Now he is a Sr. VP for a division of John Hancock. Jack is an expert on sales, motivation, leadership and retirement planning. For more information on his training and speaking, visit his website: www.respectfactor.com.