President's Letter

More Bang For Your Buck
by Mike Valentini
As the dust settles from one of the worst economic years in recent memory, those of us still standing now must look at how we can not just survive but what steps we must take to begin to prosper again. We’ve all slashed and trimmed all those extravagances from our corporate and personal budgets – like DiGiorno instead of delivery. Eating in more and out less. Getting another year out of the Dodge Caravan. Heck, even Motel 6 stopped leaving the light on. I know of many distributors that have even drastically cut back on doing self promos. Hey, aren’t we supposed to practice what we preach?
“Mr. Customer, don’t you know that the best time to promote is in a down economy? What, me? No, I’ve frozen my advertising budget.”
So, as 2010 arrives, we’re looking for value more wherever it may exist. We’re more concerned about ROI than ever before. Prior to the recession, most of us couldn’t even spell ROI. That leads me to SACDV. As you ponder your 2010 budget the one value you don’t want to eliminate is your local association. Your new board is more dedicated than ever to producing a ROI that will rival a mutual fund from the 80’s. We now have not one, but two fantastic shows, having moved the annual spring March show to a more opportunistic January date. This is the largest and best show in the area in the first quarter of the year – featuring hundreds of your favorite suppliers! A great opportunity to see all the new items, ideas, catalogs and supplier programs for 2010. Many people who attended last year’s event marveled at how big the show was and what a great venue Springfield Country Club truly is.
We have also created a coupon section on the SACDV website guaranteed to put money in your pocket. This new member benefit is an opportunity for suppliers to generate additional business while allowing distributors to redeem useful coupons worth three, four, five times their SACDV dues! There’s even coupons for free self –promos. That, my friends, is value.
There is a huge challenge in the hallowed halls of Congress where many of our illustrious politicians are pondering legislation that could threaten our industry’s future. While the fight against this legislation is gaining momentum from many quarters within our industry, SACDV is at the forefront in this battle to defeat these laws. That’s a return on our collective investment that cannot be measured.
I’d like to extend a special ‘thanks’ to Mike Lorah for guiding us through 2009, undoubtedly one of the most challenging years in recent history. I’d also like to thank Cathy Martino, who after over ten years of dedicated board service is stepping down. Andy Shuman is also going off the board although will remain active as our Fall Expo Chair, a position he excelled at in 2009.
You have an energetic and enthusiastic new board that is dedicated to bringing you the value and ROI that you are entitled to, and certainly in this economy, are seeking. Stay with us and see what new things we have in store for you in 2010.

A Word From Our...

Winter Show Committee:

The winter showcase is “sold out” with all of the top suppliers in the industry exhibiting. Join us on January 26th at the Springfield Country club to preview the industry’s top supplier’s new products for 2010. The largest tradeshow in the Northeast during the first quarter of 2010.
It is YOUR member benefit to come see all the new products from over 200 lines on display.

Winter Showcase, January 26th Schedule:
8:30 - 10:00 Join us for a breakfast education session featuring a panel discussion.  (registration open at 8:00)
10:00 - 2:00  Exhibits Open

Location:  Springfield Country Club,
400 W Sproul Rd, Springfield, PA 19064-2018
Ph: (610) 543-3118  

Marketing Committee:

To our SACDV Newsletter Friends,
If you are reading this you could win a $50.00 Gift Card of your choice. The SACDV Marketing team is looking for creative ideas to boost attendance at the monthly SACDV meetings, increase SACDV membership or build up the SACDV coupon program. Submit your ideas to sacdvorg@aol.com by February 5, 2010. We will announce our winner in the next SACDV newsletter. By the way, any and all ideas for the betterment of SACDV have a chance to win!
Thanks, Frank Rauch and Christopher Duffy - SACDV Marketing Chairs.             
The first distributor member to email Jim Harmon at sacdvorg@aol.com with the correct number of coupons on the SACDV website wins a $25 WaWa gift card.

Legislative Committee:

Dear Fellow SACDV member, I hope that by now everyone has gone to the PPA Law website at least once and then hopefully everyone is emailing or calling our Senators once a week on the pending Health Care Reform bill.  We still have time to get our voices heard on the Health Care Reform bill pending in the Senate.  Please see new information below; let’s help reach the 10,000+ mark with our e mails, start sending them now.  The Senators want and need to hear from you, their constituent!!   If you have any questions or would like to serve on our legislative committee please contact Michele Jennrich at mjennrich@optonline.net or 973-605-5180.  
 SAVE PROMOTIONAL PRODUCT JOBS RIGHT NOW!  Use PPAI’s NEW Script and letter to contact your Senators TODAY!  It’s quick, it’s easy!    
 The legislation we are concerned with has been attached to the Senate Majority Leader Reid’s bill, the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act”.  Though the language keeps moving, we still need to keep our voices loud, clear and strong.  Now is the time as they will most likely vote on this bill before Christmas. 
 BEFORE THEY VOTE, WE CAN STILL EFFECT CHANGE!
 So far, 7500 letters have been sent and hundreds of calls have been made by members JUST LIKE YOU!  It has made a HUGE difference and continues to do so!  Your call or letter could be the one that tips the scale! Make your voice heard and save Industry jobs today by calling your Senators and using the new script provided or sending your new letter now!
 You’ve seen the “5 Steps in Five minutes” before and today you have a new script and letter to use!
 1. Go to www.ppailaw.org.
 2. On the U.S. map, click YOUR STATE.
 3. Under #1 (for most states), you’ll see a CALLING SCRIPT and a “Send an e-mail to your Senators-Click HERE” link.
• For calling, just follow the instructions provided! It’s actually quite easy and you’ll be a “pro” once you’re done!

• For sending a letter, click on the link stated just above.
 4. Next page, scroll down to the bottom of the letter and complete the “Your Contact Information” section and edit the letter to include a personal narrative, if you like.
5. Click “Send Message”. You may or may not be sent to a verification page.  If you are, insert code provided and click “Send Message” again.
 
You’re done!!!
Thank you! You’ve just sent a message to your Senators!

Save the Date

Tuesday January 26th
SACDV/NERA Winter Showcase
Springfield Country Club
Springfield, PA

Thursday September 23rd
SACDV Fall Expo
Valley Forge, PA

Congratulations to Laura and Justin Schlegel on their upcoming baby due May 4, 2010. We wish them the absolute best!

Multi-Line Rep:
Northeast Marketing – Wayne Burden

Distributors:
Kaeser & Blair – Mearl Gordon

Kudos Korner
A giant Thank You goes out to Chocolate Inn for donating $2000 worth of chocolate to SACDV for use in our holiday mailing.
Another giant Thank You goes out to Bic Graphic USA for donating pens to use during our Fall Expo.

Last Riddle Answer: NOT Last Issues Riddle Winners Steve Mitchell – Mitchell Marketing Dan Nelis – Promotional Products Etc

This Issues Riddle: The Butcher Shop – There is a clerk at the butcher shop, he is five feet ten inches tall and wears a size 13 sneakers. He has a wife and 2 kids. What does he weigh?

Fun Facts
Did you know that you can do so much more with Vodka than make Martini’s? You can remove bandages painlessly, clean bathtubs and showers, prolong the life of your razor blades, use it as an astringent, treat dandruff, make mouthwash and so much more…. To find out more uses for Vodka click here.