
Creative Leisure News
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Date: January 6, 2003
Vol. VII, No. 1
Printer
Version
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COMMENTARY: THE STATE OF THE
INDUSTRY
How quickly things change. Two months ago, if I'd been asked to
predict the atmosphere at the January trade shows, I would have
said, "Great!". The retailers were having an excellent
year and would be coming to the shows with optimism -- and a solid
open-to-buy budget. Have you noticed how, when buyers come to a show
in a good mood, pretty soon the exhibitors are in a good mood, too?
Oops. First, Halloween was very disappointing. Michaels
reacted quickly and cut way back on orders, which caught many
vendors surprised and overstocked. Then MJDesigns filed for
bankruptcy again. Then Christmas was worse than expected.
The omens aren't good, either. Wall Street just finished its first
consecutive three-year decline since 1939-1941. The year ended with
reports of a very sharp drop in consumer confidence. Oil prices are
at their highest in two years, and will spike higher if the U.S.
invades Iraq. Then you add the highest unemployment rate in eight
years, cash-strapped state governments cutting services and/or
raising taxes, a burgeoning federal debt, and North Korea preparing
to make more nuclear bombs.
Historically, consumers turn to crafts during hard or uneasy times,
but they'd already turned to crafts after 9/11.
So retailers will be cautious and may ask vendors for margin help or
to take back some unsold goods. That for sure will ruin the vendors'
mood.
I think our industry has come down to earth after a great two-year
run. Now we're not on the precipice of a bad year -- just what used
to be a normal one.
Note: Retailers, if you want to get a head start on planning
your HIA schedule, or vendors, if you want to check out your new
competition, click on the HIA New Exhibitors button in the lefthand
column, or click HERE.
There you'll find names, product lines, url's, email addresses, and
booth numbers of the new exhibitors A-P who have working website.
We'll be adding Q-Z shortly.
THE 2002 CRAFT STOCK REPORT
It was an excellent year -- until the fourth quarter. CLN's Craft
Retail Index rose 55.7% while the Dow sunk 17.5% -- its third
consecutive negative year. The biggest winner was Jo-Ann's,
whose stock more than doubled (223.5%) when investors realized the
company was on the way towards solving its computer and distribution
problems.
A.C. Moore and Michaels split their stocks and would
have shown almost as strong gains as Jo-Ann's if not for Wall
Street's pullback of retailers. Still, Michaels gained 86.3% while
A.C. Moore was up 14.8% for the year. Rag Shops (18%) and Hancock
(16.8%) both posted nice gains. Except for the bankrupt Ames
chain, Wal-Mart posted the smallest gain, 13.5% of the CLN
Index stocks.
For Martha Stewart, 2002 was not a good thing. Her stock dropped
41.5%, the government was still investigating her alleged insider
trading deal with Imclone, tv ratings were slipping, as was her
magazine's circulation, and her major retail client, Kmart,
showed no signs of recovering.
Meredith rose 17.5% for the year while Primedia
dropped 51.4%. Both publish industry-related magazines.
The fourth quarter was the culprit as investors turned against
almost all retail stocks. Wal-Mart, +2.6% ... Hancock, -5.6% ...
Jo-Ann's, -18.1% ... Michaels, -31.56% ... Rag Shops, -39.6% ... A.C.
Moore, -39.8%. Collectively, these six retailers' stocks dropped
17.9%, while the Dow actually gained 9.9%.
NEWS FROM JO-ANN'S
1. Justin "Freddy" Zimmerman, one of the company
founders, Sr. VP, and member of the board of directors, passed away
at the age of 90. He and his wife, Alma, were important members of
the leadership team for more than 60 years. Health problems forced
his retirement two years ago, but he remained a great ambassador for
the company. Jo-Ann's started as a single shop in Cleveland in 1943.
2. Valerie Gentile Sachs was named Exec. VP, General Counsel,
and Secretary. She had been general counsel and chief legal officer
for Marconi PLC, a global telecommunications equipment company in
London.
3. Working with Service Management Group, a retail research
and consulting firm, Jo-Ann's is expanding its F.A.S.T. customer
service model to include store measurement and reporting based on
customer satisfaction survey results. "F.A.S.T. enables Jo-Ann
to measure and reward our stores' ability to offer customers a
friendly greeting, ask what they are making to ensure they have
everything they need, provide a speedy checkout, and thank them for
their business," says Exec. VP of Operations Michael Edwards.
The F.A.S.T. initiative is being implemented in tandem with Project
A.C.E., a store productivity and standards model. The F.A.S.T.
measurement survey asks customers to rate their Jo-Ann shopping
experience on a 5-point scale, with "5" scores
representing "Highly Satisfied." Scores are summarized in
real time and provide reporting focused on the percentage of
"Highly Satisfied" ratings received.
CLN'S ONLINE PRODUCT PREVIEW
The following are the latest additions to our new product section.
S&S Worldwide. Ten new holiday/seasonal additions to the Gee-Perz!
line of kits for groups of kids.
Jack Dempsey Needleart. The new line of pillows includes a
tooth fairy pillow, a ring bearer/wedding pillow, and a birthday
pillow.
The section already includes photos and new product info in the
scrapbooking, quilting, sewing, needlework, kids, basic crafts, and
painting categories.
To read about these products, and see photographs, click HERE.
NOTE TO VENDORS: PRODUCT PR &
SELL SHEETS
CLN's next issue, January 20, is your last chance to get your
new product information and photos in front of the industry's most
influential buyers before the HIA show. To be included in the
issue's "Online Product Preview" -- and keep your product
info online for six months -- call Mike Hartnett at 309-925-5593 or
email mike@clnonline.com.
In our last issue (available by clicking on the "CLN
Archives" button) we gave some tips to exhibitors to maximize
their trade show investment. Lynda Musante, president of Nifty
Designs and of the ACCI Board of Directors, and on the
board of the Society of Craft Designers, emailed us with
suggestions on maximizing the value of exhibitors' sell sheets.
Make sure your company name, address, phone number and email/website
is listed. Remember, retailers must sift through an enormous amount
of paper, so include a photo or line art to be a visual reminder of
your products.
Boldly list your booth number: retailers often walk the show and
then return to place orders. Make it easy for them to find you!
If you only sell through distributors, list them and their booth
numbers on the sell sheet. Post that information in your booth for
those times when your booth personnel are busy. (For the same
reason, post show special details and when new products will be
available for shipping.)
If you have show specials, provide all details and requirements
involved for making the purchase: new account information, credit
references, opening order amounts, etc. Be creative with your show
special -- free shipping is becoming an industry standard. If you
have make-it/take-its or demos, make sure your demonstrator has sell
sheets to hand out and understands the offers that are listed on the
sheet.
Demos and make-it/take-its can be a double-edged sword. While
everyone wants to see what's going on at a busy booth, a large crowd
can discourage a retailer from placing an order. Insure that your
booth setup accommodates all the activity without blocking retailers
from talking to your sales staff.
Note: Lynda has extensive experience as a consultant,
designer, product manager, author, etc. To contact Lynda, call
804-354-6456 or email niftydsgnr@aol.com.
RETAILERS: BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH
FOR
Some large retailers have dilemmas (whether they realize it yet or
not) that can be classified in the "Can't have your cake and
eat it, too" file:
A. They don't want to deal with so many vendors;
understandable (fewer phone calls, less paperwork, etc.), but then
entire departments become dependent upon a vendor or two. If the
remaining vendors then have problems (e.g., a major ribbon factory
burned to the ground a few years ago), where does that leave the
chain?
B. If clerks spend less time changing departments and endcaps,
they have more time to help customers. But fewer changes mean fewer
new products for the consumer to see and buy.
C. Some retailers don't want vendors selling direct to
consumers online, even if the e-commerce customer is paying the
suggested retail price and shipping costs for products the retailer
doesn't carry. But if a vendor can increase profits by selling that
way, there's more money for better deals for the retailer and for
new product development.
D. Retailers want the absolute lowest price from vendors. (Ames
was a classic example.) But if the retailer then has problems and
turns to the vendors for help, the vendors have nothing left to
give.
EMAIL: HOW THE INDUSTRY HAS CHANGED
(Note: CLN was talking to a longtime industry veteran who
mentioned that the industry had changed a lot in the last few years.
We asked him to tell us how he thought it had changed, and he
emailed this response.)
First, couch this all by my admitting that I'm just getting old.
Consolidation, both in terms of buyers and sellers, has changed our
industry and, in my opinion, not necessarily for the good. It has
taken a lot of the fun out of our industry.
Buyers: Fewer retailers equals less diversity. Remember that
"special" craft store that you knew about, heard about,
went to see? Mine was Calico something-or-the-other. Fewer (and now
bigger) retailers have caused less focus on consumer (or clerk)
education. Fewer retailers means more "buying power" (read
"lower prices") but no one asks about marketing programs
anymore.
Price has always been and remains the greatest enemy of marketing.
The money being made on the retailer side is growing and few
manufacturers have enough residual cash to do anything to drive
consumers back to the stores for more purchases.
By the way, it seems that in the past large and small retailers were
"real" people, not boardroom types. People who shook your
hand or called you back. And there was loyalty to vendors, too. Jack
Parker [CEO of A.C. Moore] used to see me in the lobby and
after greeting me, he would say, "You're not here trying to
sell us X are you? Because we've been buying that from Y for years
and they're a good company." I hated not selling him X, but
respected the loyalty he showed to his supplier.
Consolidation of manufacturers, importers, and wholesalers has also
homogenized our industry. I remember when one distributor had a line
of paint or some key line that other distributors did not have. In
those days, the "have-nots" would try harder. New products
became new reasons for consumers to craft, not excuses for other
manufacturers to copy. -- Large manufacturer
(Note: How to you think the industry has changed? It's
certainly bigger -- more consumers are crafting, sewing,
scrapbooking, etc., than ever. Send us your thoughts -- on or off
the record. Email mike@clnonline.com
or call 309-925-5593.)
RETURN ON INVESTMENT AND DESIGNER
RELATIONS
(Note: The following piece was written by artist/author Tera
Leigh)
The law of supply and demand has put many craft designers at a
disadvantage. Manufacturers and publishers know there is a sea of
hungry young designers willing to work cheap, so why pay more?
While, as an industry, we need to continue to develop new talent,
the industry's attitude towards "dispensable designers"
disregards the marketing value an experienced designer provides, and
the investment a company has already made (endorsement fees,
expenses, etc.) in an established designer's career.
From a marketing perspective, many companies may do better to
co-brand with designers with established names to increase the ROI
on their marketing dollars.
Rob Frankel of Frankel & Anderson Marketing says, "Branding
is about getting your prospects to see you as the only solution to
their problem." That is where a relationship with a designer
(or designers) to build brand loyalty is a viable marketing model.
Milton Kotler of Kotler Marketing says there are two types of
celebrity branding, "Star" and "Homemade." The
craft industry has created many "homemade celebrities" and
a few companies have been smart enough to develop co-brand
relationships with them. This co-branding is especially important in
a market dominated by women because they trust relationships. They
"know" Carol Duval, Priscilla Hauser, Donna Dewberry, and
Sue Scheewe. That is why products mentioned or recommended by these
artists usually sell and sell well!
When a book comes out from a new author, the publisher must sell
both the book and the author's credibility. An established artist
already has that credibility, so the publisher's marketing dollar
goes farther.
Established artists bring other benefits: They have relationships
with magazine editors and TV producers, can write instructions and
develop "publishable" projects, and understand the
importance of keeping their names, and therefore your products, in
the public eye. With a co-brand relationship, each time they are
published, your company benefits.
Unfortunately, because of the lack of manufacturer relationships
(and often respect), experienced designers are leaving crafts for
more profitable industries, such as home dec licensing. When an
experienced designer leaves, there is a hidden cost involved to
develop name recognition for a new designer. The new designer must
be published many times (while being paid endorsement fees). That
means less ROI for the manufacturer until the name carries the same
sort of credibility as the designer who had left.
Manufacturer endorsement programs that pay the same amount --
without consideration to designer experience or publication
circulation -- are a good example of the underlying problem: many
manufacturers and publishers do not understand the value of an
established designer's loyalty to their company's bottom line. It
isn't enough to pay an endorsement fee or royalty. Manufacturers and
publishers must recognize the value of the established artist and
develop relationships to ensure their continued loyalty and presence
in the industry.
After all, you never know who will be the next Priscilla or Donna.
(Note: Tera Leigh is an artist and author of The Complete
Book of Decorative Painting (North Light Books). (See
BOOKS in "Miscellaneous News," below.) Her new book, How
to be Creative if You Never Thought You Could (North Light
Books), will launch at this month's HIA show. She has taught
new media marketing for UCLA and Cal State Long Beach Extension.
Contact her at tera@teraleigh.com
or visit www.teraleigh.com.)
RANDOM NOTES, RANDOM THOUGHTS
1. During past Christmas seasons, FloraCraft has made
sizable sales in ways that have nothing to do with florals or
crafts. For example, the company sold huge amounts of its ground-up Stryrofoam
brand plastic foam to Pendleton, IN for the city's annual holiday
festival. The festival needed snow, and the real stuff was nowhere
around.
It made me wonder where else, besides our retail stores, our
manufacturers sell their products. (I know of one paint brush
company that discovered one of its distributors was selling a very
soft brush to massage parlors.) For example, MagEyes makes a
special anti-static magnifier that does not allow a static charge --
and sells it to computer chip manufacturers who use it in their
"clean rooms." (For more on MagEyes, click HERE.
Vendors, do you sell your products to non-craft customers?
Retailers, do you sell supplies for non-craft uses? (I know of two
stores that have strippers as good customers -- feathers, beads,
etc.) Tell us your story. Call Mike Hartnett at 309-925-5593 or
email mike@clnonline.com.
2. Kmart officials announced they wanted to "whittle
down" their $70 billion debt to about $10 billion. What do you
bet it will be vendors who get "whittled"?
3. Two exceptions to the gloomy December sales picture were
OfficeMax and J.C. Penney, who discounted early and heavily. Other
retailers will notice this and probably copy the strategy next
season -- and try to maintain their margins by putting more pressure
on the vendors.
4. I've received a number of comments about Craftrends
publishing an upbeat profile of MJDesigns in the December
issue, which arrived in subscribers' mailboxes about the same time
the chain filed for bankruptcy. Don't think too harshly about the
author and editor, Bill Gardner, who's been reporting on the
industry for years. And I don't think MJD officials were lying to
Bill at the time.
Instead, it's an example of the inherent problems of trade magazines
reporting the news. The interview probably occurred in October, long
before MJDesigns' investors suddenly pulled the plug. But the
article had to be written, edited, laid out, approved, placed in the
issue, printed, and mailed. All of that takes a lot of time, even in
today's fast-paced world.
It's just another example of how quickly the world changes.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS
SPIRIT OF THE SEASON. Peoria, IL police were called to the
local Wal-Mart to break up a fight between a disabled man and
a bell ringer for the Salvation Army. They had argued and the bell
ringer hit him on the back of the head, which started the fight.
ACQUISITION. The assets and all five product lines of Accents
Unlimited were purchased by DHI Acquisition, dba Today's
Design House. Mike Kuenn, VP of Sales and Marketing and a
28-year veteran with Accents, has been retained as have other key
personnel. Today's Design House has 25+ years of importing
experience; officials say that will help make Accents more
competitive in all product categories. Accents' offices have moved
to DHI's facilities: The address is 5205 W. Donges Bay Rd., Mequon,
WI 53092. Email mkuenn@todaysdesignhouse.com.
The phone number remains 800-344-3020.
STORES, I. FAO teetered on the brink of bankruptcy and
announced it will close as many as 70 stores, including 55 Zainy
Brainy stores, which the company bought just two years ago. (Comment:
Sounds like Ames buying the Hills chain and then....)
The chain's lending group agreed not to take action regarding the
company's credit facility until at least this Friday.
STORES, II. In a follow-up interview with Craftrends, MJDesigns
CEO David Eisenberg said if MJD can't find other financing very
soon, it may have to file for Chapter 7 (liquidation). MJD reported
debts of $10+ million, including $2.9 million owed to at least 20
vendors. Eisenberg said the bankruptcy filing will allow MJD to pay
its vendors equitably.
STORES, III. We've heard Michaels will open four Village
Crafts stores this month and next -- in areas currently served
by stores that are members of the Sierra Pacific Craft group.
ROLODEX. Grace Publications has moved: 605 Wesinpar Rd.,
Johnson City, TN 37604. 423-434-1983; fax 423-434-2993. The website,
www.gracepublications.com,
and the emails, randy@gracepublications.com
and nancy@gracepublications.com,
remain the same.
BOOKS. The Dec. 15th edition of The American Library
Association's Booklist named The Complete Book of
Decorative Painting by Tera Leigh as one of the "Top 10
Craft & Hobby Books" of 2002. Booklist writes,
"Leigh takes the world of folk-art painting, such as tole and
rosemaling work, and goes beyond faux finishes to include
brushstroke techniques and realistic interpretations of nature and
people. This is a bona fide reference on the art."
ACCI. Newly elected to serve on the Board of Directors: Dave
Saks, General Manager of Herr's, and Jeff Gerstel, President
of Rag Shops. Re-elected to serve as Board officers: Lynda
Musante of Nifty Development Corp. as Chair and Craig
Zimmerman of Zim's as Secretary. Re-elected to serve as a
Director on the Board is Tony LaSpada of Activa Products.
(For more on ACCI, click HERE.)
ELECTION. Editors Karen Ancona (CNA) and Bill Gardner
(Craftrends) and Robert Workman (president of Provo Craft)
were elected to the HIA Nominating Committee. Also elected as
alternates are Adrian Taylor (Ben Franklin Crafts) and Carol
Rice (Craft Menagerie). They will be joined by three members
of the Board of Directors who will be elected during the HIA show.
OFFICERS. New leadership at the Society of Craft Designers:
Elected to the board are Dorothy Egan, Andrea Rothenberg, Kathy
Wegner, and Lynda Musante. Continuing members are Barbara
Matthiessen, Fran Rohus Morgan, and Linda Wyszynski. The officers
are President Tracia Williams, President Elect Barbie Vasek,
Secretary/Treasurer Beth Wheeler, and Immediate Past President
Barbara Swanson. (For more on SCD, click HERE.)
JOB OPENING. FloraCraft is looking for an experienced
National Sales Manager calling on wholesale florists. Must have
floral background and be willing to locate in Michigan. Call Jim
Scatena at 231-843-3401 or email jscatena@floracraft.com.
(For more on FloraCraft, click HERE.
TNNA. The San Diego show Jan. 11-13 will have 240 exhibitors
in 565 booths. Call 740-452-4541 or 740-455-6773; email tnna.info@offinger.com;
visit www.tnna.org.
TAXES. Now that 2003 is here, people who are self employed
can deduct 100% of their health insurance premiums.
PEOPLE. Former HIA staffer Anita Collins has rejoined
the staff as Director of Member Programs and Services.
SCRAPBOOKING. The December 9 issue of People included a
profile of Lisa Bearnson, Creating Keepsakes' founder and
editor.
CONDOLENCES. Our sincere sympathies to the family of Betty
Auth, who passed away Christmas eve morning. Her book, Stamping
Tricks for Scrapbooks, was published by Rockport Publishers,
and she was a beloved member of the Society of Craft Designers.
Condolences can be sent to her husband John, in care of Garden Oaks
Funeral Home, 13430 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, Texas 77083.
BUSINESS PROFILE: KRYLON
From paper arts to plastics, Krylon is introducing paints and
coatings consumers will label "must-haves" for their next
project. "We have several amazing new products this year, and
we've also retooled our existing product line,' says Michelle
Gregory, Krylon Product Manager. "Innovation never stops at
Krylon, because we understand that in this creative marketplace, new
ideas generate sales."
Krylon is the nation's leading spray paint manufacturer and is also
number one in consumer brand recognition. To maintain this edge, the
company supports an active print and tv ad campaign. According to
Gregory, the 2003 marketing program also includes media relations
and project sheets and books, all designed to generate consumer
interest and sales.
"Of course, we know our customers need critical support in
other areas, too, and we routinely develop planograms and actively
offer category management."
Here's a preview of Krylon's HIA 2003 show lineup (Booth #2936):
New for the paper arts market: Preserve It! is a photo and
paper protectant that more than doubles the life of digital prints
... Make it Acid-Free! is a finish that neutralizes acids
that can deteriorate paper mementos.
Textured Elegance is a textured finish with ridges and
crevices reminiscent of a rugged landscape.
Magnetic Paint is the first magnetic primer available as an
aerosol.
Krylon Fusion for Plastic bonds securely to plastic materials
without sanding or priming. After a preview at the National Hardware
Show in August, Krylon Fusion has already earned several, national
innovation awards.
Krylon is reintroducing Make It Crackle!, a two-step crackle
finish now available with separate, mix-and-match bases and topcoats
in updated colors. Make It Pearl! is now a sheer, shimmering
topcoat that can be applied over any surface.
Krylon's flagship Interior/Exterior line has an all-new and updated
color palette, including twelve Whisper Whites. All Krylon
products will have new, inspiring graphics that visually demonstrate
how the products work.
Krylon was founded in 1947 by Howard Kester, owner of Foster &
Kester in Philadelphia. The new company sold a brush-on acrylic
coating used by artists. The Krylon name is an adaptation of Nylon,
which was introduced around the same time. Since 1965, Krylon has
been the largest U.S. producer of aerosol paints. Cleveland-based
Sherwin Williams, founded in 1866 as a producer of paints for
carriages and buggies, purchased Krylon in 1990. Sherwin Williams (NYSE:SWH)
is one of the world's leading companies engaged in the manufacture,
distribution, and sales of paints and coatings.
Today, Krylon offers a complete line of artist sprays, adhesives,
metallics, glass finishes, Fun Finishes, Fabulous Finishes,
hobby paints and general-purpose paints. State-of-the-art
manufacturing facilities are located in Bedford Heights, OH;
Holland, MI; Elk Grove, IL; and Ennis, TX.
KEY EXECS. Michelle Gregory, Product Manager ... Hugo
Sandberg, Category Dir. ... Pat Macko, VP/Marketing ... John Gayhart,
National Sales Manager ... Dan Rea, Dir. of Sales.
ROLODEX. Krylon, 101 Prospect Ave. NW, Cleveland, Ohio 44115;
216-515-7693; fax 216-515-5493; email magregory@sherwin.com;
visit www.krylon.com.
Note: CLN will include one "Business
Profile" in each issue. The company can be a manufacturer,
retailer, service company, trade association, etc. All profiles are
archived online for one year. To read profiles published in previous
issues, click on the "Business Profile Archives" button.
To learn how your company can be profiled, call Mike Hartnett at
309-925-5593 or email mike@clnonline.com.
THE CREATIVE NETWORK: JOB OPENINGS
To see a sampling of the current job openings and to contact The
Creative Network, click on the "Jobs" button in the left
hand column.
THE CLN RETAIL INDEX
A. C. Moore (ACMR). Last*: 13.25 ... Change**: -1.60
Hancock Fabrics (HKF). Last*: 16.01 ... Change**: -0.18
Jo-Ann Stores (JAS.A) [a]. Last*: 22.92 ... Change**: -2.36
Michaels (MIK). Last*: 31.77 ... Change**: -2.03
Rag Shops (RAGS). Last*: 3.00 ... Change**: -0.52
Wal-Mart (WMT). Last*: 50.00 ... Change**: -0.53
CLN Retail Index. Last*: 136.95 ... Change**: -5.0%
Dow Jones Index. Last*: 8,601.69 ... Change**: +2.0%
Jan. 3 ** from Dec. 13 [a] voting share Prices are exclusive of
dividends
MOMENTS IN HISTORY: WHY HIA'S IN
ANAHEIM
(Note: This is the beginning of a series on important events
that will be published sporadically in future issues of CLN.)
Why is the Hobby Industry Assn. having its big show in
Anaheim this January? Who thought of the idea of exhibitors
sponsoring "make-it/take-it tables" in their booths? The
answers in part go back the great Chicago blizzard in the late
1960's.
In the 1940's, 1950's, and 1960's, HIA was dominated by hobby
companies (model railroads, plastic models, radio controlled cars,
etc.), and held the show each January in a downtown Chicago hotel.
In 1967, exhibitors and a few retailers had arrived -- and the
greatest blizzard in Chicago's history arrived shortly thereafter.
The city was paralyzed. Nothing moved and the show was a disaster.
Most buyers ouldn't get into the city, and the exhibitors couldn't
get out. People were trapped in the hotel.
Among the people roaming the hotel was Jack Wax, the editor of a
trade magazine, Profitable Hobby Merchandising, which later
became Profitable Craft Merchandising and eventually was sold
and merged into Craftrends. Jack came up with an idea: since
the exhibitors had nothing else to do, why not set up a little
table, and with the products they brought to the show, teach a
little project to the few stranded buyers? Jack probably got the
idea from Aleene's Craft Caravan, her traveling consumer
craft show. That, at least according to industry lore, was the
beginning of the make-it/take-it tables at trade shows.
And after the show, the HIA board thought, "Hmmm, maybe having
a show in the worst part of winter in Chicago isn't such a good
idea."
Brilliant conclusion, eh?
The industry's retailers were almost all small independents in those
days, so the board decided to move the show around the country. That
way, in any given 3-5 year span, the show would be within driving
distance of just about every retailer.
The show moved to Houston, Dallas, Las Vegas, Atlanta, St. Louis,
San Diego, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. The board did try
Chicago again in the mid 1980's, and it was another disaster.
The show will continue moving throughout this decade: 2004 in Dallas
... 2005 in Atlanta ... 2006 in Las Vegas ... 2007 in Anaheim ...
2008 in Atlanta ... 2009 in Anaheim. (Yes, you have to reserve these
convention centers that far in advance.)
REMINDERS
1. For more information on how your business can be the
subject of a "Business Profile" or have products/photos
included in the "CLN's Online Product Preview, call Mike
Hartnett at 309-925-5593 or email mike@clnonline.com.
2. Paid subscribers are invited to have their website
evaluated by Lynn Carlisle of Carlisle Communications. She'll
check the site and provide a confidential assessment and suggestions
for improvement. Just email mike@clnonline.com
or ljc@carlislecommunications.com.
3. If you want a hard-copy of this issue, click on
"Printer Friendly version".
4. If your company is a paid subscriber, everyone in the main
office is welcome to register, free. Just click on "Current
Subscribers Click Here To Register."
5. If you want to recommend CLN to a friend, use the
"Tell Your Friends" box on the home page.
6. Creative Leisure News is published on the first and
third Mondays of each month. Your next issue will be Monday, January
20.
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