Balloons & Parties Newsletter

Publisher's Note

"Seasoned" Greetings

Can it be I'm wishing you all greetings of the winter holiday season? Can it really be another year has slipped by so fast? I can't believe it, but it's true!

In a very strange way, time has been able to propel itself as fast as high-speed Internet connections. Everything IN life as well as life itself now moves in hyper-drive. There is no denying it. There is no stopping it. There is barely enough time to grab on for the ride!

Our business decisions must be made so quickly nowadays with the consequences of those lightening fast assessments being critical to the health of our companies. Today’s youth may have a better handle on the pace of life simply because they have grown up in the Internet age where EVERYTHING is fast, fast, fast. We must all learn from those young flashing fingers on computer keyboards. We must understand and converse with adolescents we can barely comprehend as words fly out of their mouths at a dizzying pace. We need to speak their language, keep up with instant messaging jargon, appeal to their sense of style.

And why? Because this new generation, X-Y-Z, or whoever they are, have quickly become – our customers! They are the buying public of right now and of the ever closer tomorrow.

So my seasons greeting wish to you all is first and foremost for the holiday’s present. But just as importantly, greetings of the newest season of the newly “seasoned” buyers that I hope will be knocking on your door for years to come.

Here’s to good health, good cheer and a Happy New Year!

All the best from my family, Andrea, Emily and Benjamin, to yours.

Your for a great holiday season,
Mark Zettler, Publisher
BALLOONS & Parties Magazine
201-441-4224
mark@balloonsandparties.com
www.balloonsandparties.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

Washington, DC, October 18, 2005—Consumers will be feeling the spirit of the season when they hit the stores for their holiday shopping, according to the findings of the latest National Retail Federation (NRF) survey. The NRF 2005 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, found that the average consumer plans to spend $738.11 this holiday season, up 5.1 percent from the previous year. Furthermore, consumers will spend an additional $86.62 on themselves. The survey is in line with NRF’s holiday sales forecast, announced last month, which expects total holiday retail sales to increase 5.0 percent over last year to $435.3 billion.

“Just as retailers plan ahead for holiday sales and promotions, consumers plan ahead and budget for the holidays,” said Tracy Mullin, President and CEO of NRF. “With extra money tucked away to spend on what’s important, shoppers will be hitting the stores and spending on their loved ones, and on themselves.”

Shoppers will be scooping up a variety of merchandise this holiday season. According to the survey, consumers will be dedicating the majority of their holiday spending to gifts for family ($421.30) and friends ($78.99). Their generosity will also spread to the other people in their lives, with consumers planning to spend $21.05 on co-workers and $44.16 on gifts for other people, including babysitters, teachers and clergy. Other items holiday shoppers will purchase this year include decorations ($40.86), greeting cards and postage ($28.22), candy and food ($87.75), and flowers ($15.78).

Consumers aren’t forgetting to pick up a few items for themselves while shopping. According to survey results, consumers will spend an additional $17.68 billion on non-gift purchases for themselves or their families this holiday season. Men will be the most generous when it comes to treating themselves, with the average male spending $108.87.

“While it is always fun to buy a present for that special someone in your life, it is hard to resist adding a little something extra for yourself,” said Tracy Mullin, President and CEO of NRF. “Many consumers use two-for-one sales as a great excuse to get a gift for someone on their list and to treat themselves.”

Consumers have not forgotten to add a few of their favorite items to their wish lists. Books, CDs, DVDs, videos, and video games once again remain popular items, with 55.5 percent of consumers hoping to receive something in that category. Apparel is also another gift favorite, with 54.4 percent hoping to receive clothing or accessories this year. Other popular items on their lists include gift cards (52.3%), consumer electronics (38.4%), jewelry (26.4%), and home décor (23.3%).

When it comes to choosing where to purchase holiday items, shoppers are looking for a deal. More than one-third of consumers (37.9%) said that sales or price discounts are the most important factor in their decision to purchase from a particular store. Selection is also important, with nearly a quarter (23.1 %) of consumers polled ranking selection of merchandise as a top factor, while other consumers chose where to shop based on quality of merchandise (11.0%) or location (6.5%). Consumers also appreciate good, knowledgeable customer service, with 3.7 percent saying it was the most important factor when choosing where to shop.

“It is no secret that consumers love to get a good deal,” said Phil Rist, Vice President of Strategy for BIGresearch. “While sales and promotions will lure shoppers into stores, consumers are also willing to spend a little extra on quality merchandise.”

Many consumers have already gotten head start on their holiday shopping. According to the survey, 15.3 percent of consumers started their holiday shopping before September with an additional 6.3 percent starting last month. Retailers are seeing more holiday shoppers in their stores, with 18.5 percent of consumers saying they planned to begin in October. More than one-third of consumers (37.4%) will begin their holiday shopping in November and nearly one in four (22.5%) will wait until December.

The survey also found that consumers plan to shop at a variety of stores for their holiday shopping this year, with discounters (71.4%) and department stores (59.4%) once again remaining top shopping destinations. Other popular stores include specialty stores, such as clothing, toy or electronics (46.5%) and grocery stores (47.4%). The popularity of online shopping continues to grow, with almost half (42.6%) of consumers planning to purchase gifts online, up from 38.3 percent the previous year.

About the Survey
The NRF 2005 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey was designed to gauge consumer behavior and shopping trends related to the winter holidays. The survey, which polled 7,726 consumers, was conducted for NRF by BIGresearch from October 5-12, 2005. The consumer poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.0 percent.

BIGresearch is a consumer market intelligence firm that provides unique consumer insights that are gathered online utilizing very large sample sizes. BIGresearch’s syndicated Consumer Intentions and Actions survey monitors the pulse of more than 7,000 consumers each month to empower its clients with unique insights for identifying opportunities in a fragmented and changing marketplace.

The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association, with membership that comprises all retail formats and channels of distribution including department, specialty, discount, catalog, Internet, independent stores, chain restaurants, drug stores and grocery stores as well as the industry’s key trading partners of retail goods and services. NRF represents an industry with more than 1.4 million U.S. retail establishments, more than 23 million employees - about one in five American workers - and 2004 sales of $4.1 trillion. As the industry umbrella group, NRF also represents more than 100 state, national and international retail associations. www.nrf.com.

CAUTIOUS CONSUMERS WILL BE LOOKING FOR
BARGAINS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON,
THE CONFERENCE BOARD REPORTS

Nov. 22…U.S. households are expected to spend an average of $ 466 on gifts during the holiday season, down moderately from last year’s estimate of $476, The Conference Board reports today.

This survey of holiday gift spending intentions covers a nationally representative sample of 5,000 U.S. households. It was conducted for The Conference Board in November by TNS, the world’s largest custom research company.

“Consumers appear to have less Christmas spirit heading into Thanksgiving this year than last year,” says Lynn Franco, Director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center. “This cautious attitude will have consumers shopping for bargains this season. Retailers will need to offer discounts and promotions to get shoppers into their stores.” (See page 3 for complete survey data.)

The top holiday spenders will be New England households (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont) who intend to spend $568. Lowest holiday spending will be in the East South Central (Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi) and West South Central (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas) regions where households expect to spend $423. Both these regions were hard hit by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. (See page 2 for a complete breakdown of the regions.)

Slightly more than 32 percent of all households will spend $500 or more on holiday gifts, with 37 percent spending $200-$500 and the remaining 30 percent planning to spend less than $200.

ONLINE BUYING CONTINUES TO RISE
About 34 percent of all consumers will buy holiday gifts on the Internet, up from 33 percent a year ago. Books top the list of online holiday buying, with nearly 45 percent saying they will buy books as gifts. Clothing and shoes rank next as online holiday buying choices, followed closely by toys.

Of the 33 percent who said they purchased holiday gifts last year on the Internet, 94 percent said they were satisfied with their online buying experience.

US REGIONS:
West North Central: MN, IA, MO, ND, SD, NE, KS
West South Central: AR, LA, OK, TX
New England: CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT
Middle Atlantic: NJ, NY, PA
South Atlantic: DE, MD, DC, VA, WV, NC, SC, GA, FL
Mountain: MT, ID, WY, CO, NM, AZ, UT, NV
Pacific: WA, OR, CA, AK, HI
East North Central: OH, IN, IL, MI, WI
East South Central: KY, TN, AL, MS

FEBRUARY 5-9, 2006
Spring Fair Birmingham Offers North Americans Inside Look At Breaking International Trends, Latest Product Innovations

New Developments for Popular Greetings Sector, Influx of New Exhibiting Companies Among Highlights for Britain's Premier Buying Event

Spring Fair Birmingham returns February 5-9, 2006 to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, England, with more companies and returning major brands than ever before. As the international showcase for breaking international trends and innovative new products in giftware and home accents, this annual event will bring together the latest offerings from more than 4,000 exhibiting company's worldwide all categorized into 11 well-defined product sectors.

"North American visitors will discover what more than 80,000 other international buyers already know. Spring Fair is truly one of the world's major buying events," said Adam Ash, president, White Hound Advertising and North American Agent for Fair organizer Trade Promotion Services (TPS). "An ideal chance to see new product launches from major brands and unique suppliers long before they appear on our shores, Spring Fair's offerings can truly give North Americans a solid competitive advantage."

Site covers hospitality industry reaction, planning strategies and alternate options

(SAN FRANCISCO , CA) – Stamats Business Media's subsidiary Meetings Media, publisher of four regionally focused meetings industry trade magazines and guidebooks, announced that it has dedicated a portion of its website, possiblefraudstart "newsletters.stamats.com" possiblefraudend MeetingsFocus.com, to ongoing coverage of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

“The site is a valuable resource for planners directly affected by the devastation of key properties in the region, and who are facing rebooking issues,” said Tyler Davidson, editorial director of Meetings Media. “Shortly after reports of the massive damage of Katrina became known, the staff at Meetings Media dropped everything to build a news-oriented site to cover the hospitality industry reaction to the hurricane, including relief efforts for victims, how to contact charity organizations, the industry association response, and feedback from planners trying to rebook large conventions and clients. We will continue to follow the story as news of the rebuilding effort comes in.”

The “ Katrina Update Center ” link within the possiblefraudstart "newsletters.stamats.com" possiblefraudend MeetingsFocus.com website takes the user to a page displaying the latest facility and industry association news, planning strategies and personal stories of planners who were affected by this tragedy.

“The Katrina Update Center clearinghouse of news, information and updates that the MeetingsFocus.com website has is a super resource to learn the latest information about the hospitality industry in the Gulf Coast region devastated by Hurricane Katrina,” said Kevin Jetton, CCP and Microsoft MVP president, GeniSys Consulting Services, who had a meeting affected by the hurricane. “In fact, I learned that the New Orleans Hyatt-Regency has pushed its reopen date out into 2006 as a result of visiting the site.”

Website users are encouraged to send industry news or share personal experiences by clicking on the “Send Us News” link.

About Stamats Business Media
Headquartered in Cedar Rapids , Iowa , Stamats Business Media provides business-to-business marketing solutions through magazines, websites, and live events for the commercial buildings and the meetings industries. Stamats Business Media is a subsidiary of Stamats Communications, Inc.

About Meetings Media
Meetings Media's publications target meeting planners who book meetings, conferences, conventions, and events throughout North America and the Caribbean . It publishes four titles, Meetings West, Meetings South, Meetings MidAmerica, and Meetings East, and offers a planner-based website, MeetingsFocus.com, and four regionally focused editions of the MeetingsFocus E-Newsletter. Meetings Media's corporate website can be found at www.MeetingsMedia.com.

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With our printing machines you can print every kind of balloons, of different sizes, shapes and of every brands, because you can regulate every part of the printers.

PARAMOUNT CARDS TO CLOSE PAWTUCKET, RI, PLANT; CONSOLIDATES PRODUCTION TO MAIN PLANT IN CANADA

Pawtucket, RI -- Paramount Cards Holding Corporation announced it plans to close its manufacturing operations in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Rhode Island, shift production to its newer state-of-the-art facility in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, and off-shore a greater amount of production to the Far East, with a resulting workforce reduction beginning in November.

Founded in Rhode Island in 1906, Paramount Cards is America’s oldest and third largest greeting card company, with operations in the United States and Canada. The company’s headquarters will remain in Rhode Island.

IBA Annual Conference September 16-18, 2005 in Rosemont, IL, was history in the making. Read the announcements below to understand some of the important decisions that were made at this year’s meeting of Distributor and Manufacturer members.

INTERNATIONAL BALLOON ASSOCIATION INVITES DECORATORS, RETAILERS, AND ENTERTAINERS/TWISTERS TO JOIN!

On September 17, 2005, in the Annual Business Meeting of the International Balloon Association, IBA members unanimously agreed to adopt Decorators, Retailers, and Entertainers/Twisters into the Associate Member Category. These individuals will round out the current IBA membership of manufacturers and distributors of balloons, balloon accessories, and party goods. With this decision, the IBA is taking major steps toward the goal of uniting the industry and bringing everyone associated with balloons under one governing body. Click here to see a list of who the newest Associate Members are.

Balloon and Party Retailers, Balloon Decorators, and Professional Twisters/Entertainers are invited to become Associate “Charter” Members of IBA by joining now! In addition, Charter Members will pay a reduced fee of $49 for the first year through 2006! Individuals who qualify as Associate Members will have an established business as a Retail Balloon or Party Store, a Balloon Decor Professional, or a professional Balloon Twister/Entertainer. Associate Members shall have the privilege of serving on committees and on the Board of Directors. Associate Members will receive mailings and e-mail newsletters that pertain to their particular areas of interest.

Charter Member recruitment will run through March 10, 2006 after which time, Associate Members fees will go back to $99 and Charter Member status will no longer be available. Click here to join IBA as a Charter Member.

IBA ANNOUNCES A WIN-WIN-WIN FOR ALL IBA MEMBERS IN THE FIRST ANNUAL IBA BALLOON & PARTY CONVENTION!

On March 9-12, 2006, Party professionals from around the globe will gather to enjoy the industry’s “Ultimate Educational Experience” and view the nations “Largest Party Product Showcase” all under one roof – all at one fantastic value!

IBA has announced a partnership with TransWorld’s National Halloween & Party Show to present IBA Balloon & Party Convention 2006, an exclusive event designed to benefit all IBA members!

Delegates will begin gathering on Thursday, March 9, for the Grand Opening Carnivale Festivities of the IBA Balloon & Party Convention. The convention will include three days of education, information, and entertainment at the Donald E. Stevens Convention Center, Rosemont, IL. Registration details will be announced soon!

Start planning NOW to earn your CBA (Certified Balloon Artist) in 2006 and enjoy all the benefits that come with it:

Lakewood, Ohio- Galaxy Balloons Inc. recently introduced its new line of personalized Photo-On™ balloons at the International Balloon Association (IBA) show in Chicago. The Photo-On™ balloon is a patented 18” specially coated foil balloon that uses a standard inkjet printer to print directly onto the balloon. The Photo-On™ balloon line will be available for delivery in January, 2006-just in time for Valentine’s Day.

The Photo-On™ balloon is designed to be simple to use. The balloon fits in the paper tray of an inkjet printer. The process is as easy as opening a photo file, loading the balloon, and pressing print. Within seconds, just like with ordinary paper, the image will print directly onto the balloon. Specialized software and drying equipment are not necessary; the balloon air dries in minutes. Photo-On™ balloons come in three popular styles: 18” round, 18” heart, and 18” star. “The Photo-On™ balloon is great”, says Debra Ackerman of KaBloom. “It is easy to use. There is no start up kit or specialized software. Just put the balloon in the paper tray and print it; it’s that simple. What is exciting about this product is that consumers will be able to take the balloons home, create their own designs and print the balloons on their own inkjet printers. The possibilities are endless”.

Galaxy Balloons Inc. (Galactic Fun Time Line) is an award winning supplier in the promotional products industry. The company was founded in 1990 by its president Terry Brizz. Brizz is a past recipient of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, the State of Ohio Entrepreneur of the Year award, and most recently received his doctorate of management from Case Western Reserve University. Galaxy’s state-of-the-art printing facility is located in Lakewood Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. Galaxy offers a wide variety of products including latex and foil balloons, beach balls, mini sport balls, yo-yos, juggle balls, stress relievers, holiday ornaments, and candles. To find out more about Galaxy Balloons contact our representative Tom Eble (216-390-0254) or Terry Brizz and visit Galaxy’s web site at www.galaxyballoon.com.

Washington D.C., September 8, 2005 – The National Retail Federation (NRF) is encouraging its members to endorse ICE, which stands for "In Case of Emergency," a new awareness campaign that will allow ambulance crews, police officers, and rescue personnel to quickly contact family or friends in the event of an accident or disaster. The ICE initiative, conceived by a paramedic in England, is to have cell phone users program the acronym "ICE" before the names of the people they want to designate as emergency contacts in their cell phone address book.

"With one in five Americans working in the retail industry, it is crucial that retailers prepare their employees for potential disasters," said Joe LaRocca, NRF Vice President of Loss Prevention. "As a touch point for consumers, retailers should also be encouraging their customers to use ICE in the unlikely event of an emergency. ICE is a simple, yet invaluable resource that retailers can use if a customer or employee needs emergency assistance while in their stores."

Retailers nationwide are getting involved in the campaign, asking their employees to program an ICE contact into their cell phones and encouraging them to have their family and friends do the same. In the event that a person suffers an emergency in a retail store where they are unable to communicate, store employees and emergency personnel will be able to search the customer’s phone for ICE listings and notify family or obtain medical histories.

"As retailers, we have a responsibility to use our best efforts to keep both our employees and customers safe while they are in our stores," said Dan Doyle, Vice President of Loss Prevention, Human Resources and Administration, Beall’s Inc, and Chairman of the NRF Loss Prevention Advisory Council. "The majority of the people in our stores, whether they are shopping or working, are carrying cell phones with them. We are encouraging all of them to take the time to program an ICE contact so that their relatives can be notified in the unlikely event of an accident."

The National Retail Federation is the world's largest retail trade association, with membership that comprises all retail formats and channels of distribution including department, specialty, discount, catalog, Internet, independent stores, chain restaurants, drug stores and grocery stores as well as the industry's key trading partners of retail goods and services. NRF represents an industry with more than 1.4 million U.S. retail establishments, more than 23 million employees - about one in five American workers - and 2004 sales of $4.1 trillion. As the industry umbrella group, NRF also represents more than 100 state, national and international retail associations. www.nrf.com.

“Given the way the Internet has transformed the practice of public relations,” says Alan Caruba, a veteran public relations counselor, the natural next step is to make PR advice available to anyone who has a question plus the price of dinner for two.”

If you go to Google.com and type in “public relations expert” you will find Caruba, whose firm, The Caruba Organization, is headquartered in South Orange, NJ, on the first page. His expertise is now available to anyone who visits his website, www.caruba.com and clicks on the “PR Hotline.”

“Every so often we have to reinvent ourselves and the way we do business,” says Caruba. The PR hotline gives everyone the opportunity to have a one-on-one hour’s session ($50.00) with one of the nation’s top ranked public relations counselors. “There isn’t a single enterprise, large or small, that cannot benefit from integrating public relations into its marketing program,” says Caruba.

When not dispensing PR advice and services, Caruba is widely known these days for his weekly column of commentary, “Warning Signs”, posted on his website for The National Anxiety Center (www.anxietycenter.com) and many news and opinion websites. Merril Press published a collection of his writings in 2003. He also writes Bookviews, a monthly report on new fiction and non-fiction at www.bookviews.com.

Caruba Organization clients include state trade associations, corporations, and think tanks that deal with some of the hottest issues affecting the nation. Its website features pages devoted to the fundamentals of public relations.

He’s a longtime member of the Society of Professional Journalists, the American Society of Journalists and Authors, the National Association of Science Writers, and is a founding member of the National Book Critics Circle.

“I particularly enjoy working with people from around the nation who want to apply public relations to their operations, whether they have just opened a toy store in Minnesota or find their entire industry under attack,” says Caruba.

“My first and last advice to any client is to tell the truth. It is the only thing that works,” says Caruba, noted that, “These days even media organizations from newspapers to cable news channels call on public relations experts to guide them through problems they encounter. We’re less costly than lawyers and often provide better advice.”

“There’s lots of latent distrust of business,” says Caruba, “but my experience has been that the vast bulk of corporations and other enterprises are run by good people who not only keep an eye on the bottom line, but almost always are supporting worthy causes in their communities and at the national level. They tend not to get credit for it and, of course, one or two bad apples makes everyone look bad.”

“America has a great story to tell; it is a story of hard work, productivity, creativity, caring, and individual freedoms we want to share with everyone.”

BOSTON & ROCKAWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 27, 2005--Berkshire Partners LLC and Weston Presidio, through their holding company AAH Holdings Corporation, announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Party City Corporation (the "Company") (NASDAQ:PCTY).

Under the terms of the agreement, Party City shareholders will receive $17.50 per share in cash for each share of common stock outstanding for total consideration of approximately $360 million, which includes the cash-out of employee stock options and warrants. Certain shareholders of Party City, beneficially owning over 27% of its common stock, have entered into voting agreements in support of the transaction.

Party City's Board of Directors unanimously approved the transaction and has recommended to Party City's stockholders that they approve the transaction.

Headquartered in Rockaway, New Jersey, Party City is America's largest party goods chain. Founded in 1986, the Company has grown from a one-stop party store to a leading retailer of party supplies with 249 company-owned stores and 250 franchise locations, representing one third of all party superstore locations in the U.S. For the fiscal year ended July 2, 2005, Party City reported revenues of approximately $500 million, and total chain-wide net sales of approximately $1.0 billion.

"Over the past 20 years, Party City has grown to become the largest retailer in the party goods industry. We are encouraged and excited by the enthusiasm that Berkshire Partners and Weston Presidio have shown for our business," said Michael Tennenbaum, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Party City. "We believe that this transaction will create significant opportunities for Party City's customers, employees and franchisees that we could not have capitalized on as a stand-alone company. At the same time, the shareholders will realize an attractive selling price."

"The party retailing industry is a durable and growing business with tremendous potential," said Robert J. Small, Managing Director of Berkshire Partners and Chairman, AAH Holdings. "We have been impressed with Party City and the Company's ability to grow and succeed by providing a broad selection of non-seasonal and seasonal party merchandise. We are excited about Party City and its extensive national network of company-owned and franchised stores."

The acquisition, which is subject to receipt of debt financing, as well as approval by Party City's shareholders and other customary conditions, including regulatory approvals, is expected to close by the end of 2005 or the beginning of 2006. AAH Holdings, which also owns Amscan, Inc., plans to finance the acquisition through a combination of equity contributed by affiliates of Berkshire Partners and Weston Presidio, and debt financing provided, directly or through certain affiliates, by Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Banc of America Securities. Goldman Sachs and Banc of America directly or through certain affiliates, have signed a commitment letter containing customary conditions precedent for the bank financing required for the acquisition. Affiliates of each of Berkshire Partners and Weston Presidio have provided a commitment letter with respect to the equity financing, subject to certain customary conditions. AAH Holdings does not intend to redeem or seek consent for waiver or amendments for the 8.75% Senior Subordinated Notes currently issued by one of its subsidiaries.

Goldman Sachs acted as financial advisor to AAH Holdings on the transaction. Ropes & Gray LLP served as legal advisor to AAH Holdings. Credit Suisse First Boston LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to Party City in connection with this transaction. Latham & Watkins LLP served as legal advisor to Party City.

Each of Party City and Amscan Holdings, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AAH Holdings, will file a Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") regarding the transaction and will attach to the filing a copy of the definitive agreement. All parties desiring details regarding the conditions of this transaction are urged to review the contents of the definitive agreement on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Party City plans to file with the SEC and mail to its stockholders a Proxy Statement in connection with the transaction. The Proxy Statement will contain important information about Party City, the transaction and related matters. Investors and security holders are urged to read the Proxy Statement carefully when it is available. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the Proxy Statement and other documents filed with the SEC by Party City through the web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the Proxy Statement from Party City by accessing the "Investor Relations" section of Party City's website www.partycity.com. Party City and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. Information regarding Party City's directors and executive officers is contained in Party City's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 2, 2005 and its proxy statement dated November 11, 2004, which are filed with the SEC.

Statements about the expected timing, completion and effects of the proposed merger and all other statements in this release, other than historical facts, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and any such forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the following cautionary statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and are based on current expectations and involve a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Party City may not be able to complete the proposed merger on the terms described above or other acceptable terms or at all because of a number of factors, including the failure to obtain shareholder approval, the failure of the purchaser to obtain financing or the failure to satisfy the other closing conditions. These factors and other factors that may affect the business or financial results of Party City are described in Party City's filings with the SEC, including in its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 2, 2005.

About Party City: Party City began in 1986 as a one-stop party supply store in Hanover, New Jersey, created expressly to take the hassle out of party planning. Today, Party City is America's largest party goods retailer, with 249 company-owned stores and 250 franchise locations employing 4,500 people in the United States and Puerto Rico. Additional information may be found at www.partycity.com.

About Berkshire Partners: Berkshire Partners has invested in mid-sized private companies for the past twenty years through six investment funds with aggregate capital commitments of approximately $3.5 billion. The firm's investment strategy is to seek companies that have strong growth prospects and to partner with talented management teams who are interested in being owners of the companies they operate. Berkshire has developed specific industry experience in several areas including retailing and related services, consumer products, industrial manufacturing, transportation, communications, and business services. Berkshire has been an investor in over 80 operating companies with more than $13.0 billion of acquisition value and combined revenues in excess of $17.0 billion. Additional information may be found at www.berkshirepartners.com.

About Weston Presidio: Weston Presidio, founded in 1991, is a private equity firm with over $3.3 billion under management to invest through growth equity investments, management buyouts and recapitalizations. With offices in Boston, San Francisco, and Menlo Park, Weston Presidio has worked side by side with world-class management teams throughout North America. Weston Presidio has a multi-industry investment strategy that has allowed the firm to partner with over 300 portfolio companies in a variety of industries including consumer products and retail, manufacturing and industrial, media, service, and technology. For more information, visit www.westonpresidio.com.

CONTACT: AAH Holdings Robert J. Small, 617-227-0050 or Party City Corporation Gregg A. Melnick, 973-453-8780.
SOURCE: Party City and AAH Holdings Corporation

Problem Solvers

Avoid the Top Three Cover Letter Mistakes!
by Deborah Walker, CCMC

As a career coach and professional resume writer, I’m often asked “How important are cover letters to my job search?” My answer is, “It depends on how long you want to search for your next job.” If you are in no hurry to get interviews, then don’t worry about your cover letter.

The fact is I’ve never met a job searcher who wants to have a painfully slow job search. The whole point of sending out resumes is to get multiple interviews as quickly as possible. But many job seekers still unwittingly sabotage their efforts by using substandard cover letters. Instead of helping you, your cover letter may actually be hurting your job search.

For fast job search results, make sure to avoid these top three cover letter mistakes:

Not understanding the hiring motives of your audience
Repeating rather than introducing your resume
Overuse of the word “I”

Not understanding the hiring motives of your audience

There are three basic audiences that a job seeker sends his/her resume to: executive decision-makers, resume screeners, and third-party recruiters. Each of these groups has its own hiring motives.
- Executive decision-makers are looking for candidates who will have a significant impact on bottom-line initiatives, such as time saved, income generated, revenue built, etc.
- Resume screeners are searching for candidates who directly match the lists of qualifications in the job description.
- Third-party recruiters are looking for selling points to help position you as a top candidate.

Repeating rather than introducing your resume

Repeating the exact same things you wrote in your resume is one of the most common cover letter mistakes. No one wants to read the same thing twice. By the time most people have finished writing their resume, they feel that they have run out of ideas and just cut and paste to create a cover letter.

Instead, the cover letter should be what sells the reader on your skills. Like the jacket-cover introduction to a good book, the cover letter should give the reader a taste of the great things to come and encourage them to read more.

If you are don’t have any idea what your top skills are and how they will help the company, neither will your reader. Take the time to craft the right words and statements to make your skills shine.
Overuse of the word "I"

A cover letter that begins nearly every sentence with “I” is as boring as a conversation with someone who only talks about himself. That kind of person one avoids at all costs. Is that the way you want your reader to see you?

Focusing all the attention on yourself may seem like a good way to sell your skills. But it can also reflect lack of interest in the company, in the job, and in making a real contribution to that workplace. There’s a good balance to be drawn between selling yourself and selling what you can do for the company.

Creating variety in the sentences of your cover letter is an easy way to show your interest without being self-centered. By shifting the emphasis to the recipient/company—and away from yourself—you can prove that your main interest is not just in winning the job but also in doing it effectively. Try to rewrite sentences that start with “I,” “me,” or “my,” to start with “You,” or “Your.” Show how you can make a difference for them.

A cover letter that is poorly written may cause your resume to be ignored. But a well-crafted cover letter will invite and encourage the reader to take a closer look at your resume. You’ll make a positive first impression before your resume is even opened.

Rather than making your cover letter an afterthought, take the time to really consider the type of presentation your cover letter will make. If your resume isn’t winning you job interviews, consider hiring a professional resume writer to help. It’s true what they say: You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.

Deborah Walker, CCMC
Career Coach - Resume Writer
Find more job-search tips and resume samples at: AlphaAdvantage.com
Email: Deb@AlphaAdvantage.com