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Wednesday
August 22, 2012

PPAI’s NALC in NOLA: Laissez les Bon Temps Rouler!

Filed under: Editorial, Fun, Travel

Well, hey there!

I’m just back from PPAI’s fantastic North American Leadership Conference, held from August 12-14 at the OmniHotel in New Orleans and wowza, was it a time!

With the tagline, “Innovative. Inspirational. Insightful.,” PPAI’s event — panel discussions, keynotes and networking events — scored on all three counts, starting with Bridgeworks’ Seth Mattison, the keynote speaker who opened the event and discussed how to market and sell to four different generations: Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Gen Xers and Millennials. I thought he was just spectacular, with truly eye-opening insights into each group. (Fact: Gen Xers are difficult to control as employees. Who knew? Well, probably everyone who works with me…).

Another favorite was Great Place to Work’s Sarah Cooke, who offered practical tips about how any company can attract and keep great employees and motivate them to perform at their peak. She then led a panel discussion with Sunrise Identity owner Mitch Mounger, BrandFuel co-owner Robert Fiveash and 4Imprint president Kevin Lyons-Tarr. Most interesting moment? When Mitch Mounger noted that his business got better when he decided to start sharing the company’s financial information with his employees. The transparency, he maintains, makes all the difference.

Unfortunately I had to miss the keynote from economist Loren Scott — who I hear was hilarious — and ending presentation from John Foley because I had to dash off to my room write/edit ASI’s supplier magazine that I handle. As my managing editor, Joe Haley, constantly reminds me when I travel, “deadlines stop for no one, not even you, Michele.”

So, in closing and before we get to the array of photos (aka “the evidence”) taken each night on Bourbon Street, four thoughts:

1. If you’ve never seen my pal Sharon Willochell, COO of Leed’s, speak on operational metrics, do so the next time you have the chance. She kills it.

2. Sitting through just one session on product safety during the NALC, my head was spinning and my brain started to cramp. Distributors, you might consider sending suppliers — who are on the front lines of the product safety issues — flowers and Godivas every week. They deserve it.

3. I’d like to give a special nod to BrandFuel’s Robert Fiveash, who wins the award for person I had The Best conversation with. Just the two of us, at the bar in the Omni Hotel. I could have sat there for hours, basking in his wit and wisdom. He is the cat’s meow.

4. I’d be remiss if didn’t thank PPAI’s president/CEO Paul Bellantone, executive vice president Bob McLean and their fantastic staff at PPAI for not only making Rich and me feel so welcome, but for inviting me to speak at the event. Your hospitality was much appreciated!

And now, without further ado, tons of photos from the event. You know, there’s a famous film called Rashomon by Akira Kurosawa that posits how a group of people who experience the same event together can have a completely different memory of it. That’s a little what a night on Bourbon Street is like … Just sayin’.

Cheers!

— M

Two of my favorites in the industry, Sweda president Jim Hagan (left) and Activate Promotions + Marketing president – and this year’s Counselor Distributor Entrepreneur of the Year — Fred Parker.	From left: The lovely Nikki Stella, editor of Promo Marketing magazine; Rich Fairfield, ASI’s Chief Revenue Officer, publisher and — most importantly — my handler; and the one and only Mary Ellen Nichols, director of marketing at Bodek and Rhodes. Seriously, who’s more vivacious than Mary Ellen???
Trade Only executive vice president Bob Hechler (left), who delightfully calls me his favorite “strumpet,” and Logomark’s Nicholas Rubin. I just met Nicholas for the first time earlier this month at the SAAC Show, and he literally burst into verse upon being introduced to me, serenading me with a song from Grease. Kid. You. Not. (His voice, incidentally, is strikingly good.)	(From left): Grapevine Designs’ Janie Gaunce; PPAI president/CEO Paul Bellantone; and Shepenco’s Natalie Townes, who’s also a PPAI board member and one of my BFFs. A word about Mr. Bellantone: We’ve both been in the industry for 15+ years and have always been friendly. But when my Mom was sick two summers ago and I had to take a leave of absence from work for two months to be in Tampa to take care of her, Paul, who follows me on Twitter, would periodically check in with me just to make sure I was okay. And for that simple, classy gesture, he will always have a special place in my heart.
(From left): Activate’s Fred Parker; Sunrise Identity’s Mitch Mounger (more on him later…) and BDA’s Rick Rayl at dinner the first night of PPAI’s NALC.	(From left): BDA’s Rick Rayl; Bag Makers’ Christopher Duffy and HALO Branded Solutions’ Jamon Heller.
Oh, my. Look at these three amigos. Where they go, fun and wackiness follow. (From left): Gateway/CDI’s CONRAD FRANEY (in all caps because he is such a larger-than-life presence who’s as loud as I am!), PromoShop’s Memo Kahan (love, love, LOVE him!) and Norwood/BIC’s Dave Saracino, the only man I know who has a drink named for him. Have you ever had a “Saracino”? Trust me: It’s delightfully refreshing yet surprisingly potent…. A lot like its namesake.	WorkflowOne’s suave Roger Burnett (left), a member of this year’s Counselor Hot List, with everyone’s favorite frequent flier and social media guru, Jetline’s Dana Zezzo.
The fabulous Natalie Townes and David Nicholson, president of Polyconcept North America, who she refers to as “The Rock Star.”	Good Lord, it’s Randy Chen (left), owner of Impex and, as he calls himself – being 6’2” — “the Great Wall of China,” here with PromoShop’s Memo Kahan.
	Let me say this with all seriousness and my hand to God: I have never taken a photo as freakin’ funny as the one you’ll see below. Some people, in our wonderful land of freedom and liberty, utilize picket signs to show their support for crucial societal issues affecting us all. So, in the grand tradition of those who choose to exert their First Amendment right to peaceably assemble, BIC’s Dave Saracino and Sunrise Identity’s Mitch Mounger fight for an inherent need we all have, regardless of political party…
Sweda’s Scott Pearson (left) and Logomark’s Nicholas Rubin. I call Scott “Giggles” because he has the Best. Laugh. Ever. It’s downright infectious, I tell ya!
WorkflowOne’s Roger Burnett (left) and Russ Mogell, owner of Seven Sourcing. Russ and I, in our wild, youthful heyday, both used to frequent the beach town of Avalon, NJ, with our friends and would regularly see each other late night out at the bars. One of us now acts like a grown-up and no longer engages in such behavior, while the other is still a weekend libertine in Avalon. Would you like to place bets on which one’s which?	Shepenco’s Natalie Townes and the fabulously fun Tiffany Tarr from Distributor Central. After dinner on the first night of PPAI’s NALC, a bunch of us found this awesome bar on Bourbon Street with a rockin’ cover band and – wait for it – a mechanical bull. Of course someone from our group of crazies rode the bull… Any guesses?
Bodek and Rhodes’ Marc Held and the omnipresent Mitch Mounger. Earlier in the evening, Marc was named as one of PPB’s Rising Stars – an honor he truly deserves. Who doesn’t adore Marc Held???	Natalie Townes and Randy Chen… It was at this point in the evening, about four hurricanes in, that Natalie’s and Randy’s shirts started to make me dizzy.
Oy. This may be the least attractive photo of me ever taken– I look swollen and sweaty… like a pasty Snookie. However, I’m posting it because it also contains Mr. Martin Varley, owner of Trade Only, who was delightfully charismatic and made me LOL that evening.	My boys!!! (From left): Dave Saracino, Memo Kahan and Gateway/CDI’s Chuck Fandos. A word now, about my pal Chuckles: As the industry volunteer who was the point person behind this year’s PPAI NALC, he had a Herculean and time-consuming task – I know, because I’m very involved in the planning of ASI’s Power Summit. Events like this do not come together overnight and require a lot of organization and hard work. Chuck did it all, including handling speakers who were a pain in the ass and a nervous wreck (read: Me), deftly and with aplomb. To him, I raise a glass on behalf of everyone in attendance and say, thank you for a job so well done. You rock, Chuckles.
I did tell you that someone in our group would have the cojones to ride the bull in the bar in which we all converged on Bourbon Street after dinner the first night of the event, right? Well, meet CJ Schmidt, vice president of sales for Hit Promotional Products and our very own rhinestone cowboy. Not only did CJ manage to stay on the bull for a respectable amount of time, but when he did fall, he landed with the grace of a gymnast dismounting. It was beyond impressive (especially because it was 1:00 a.m.).	On day two of the NALC, we were all on our own for dinner, and Rich Fairfield – my boss at ASI – and I were graciously invited to join Natalie Townes, Mary Ellen Nichols and some others. It was fantastic, and Mary Ellen, as only she can, acted as host, asking each dinner guest questions like, “What would your ultimate last meal be?” and “What would you do if you had $10 million?” Here’s Rich with Prime Line’s phenomenal Paula Shulman, who just celebrated 30 years with the company.
Here’s my pal Lauren Fox (left), with the EME Event, posing with Natalie Townes.	(From left): SAGE president David Natinsky, Natalie Townes, and Danny Sirmon, president of Zebra Marketing Corp. What do I love about this photo? That David is holding Natalie’s coconut-shaped purse so she can pose pretty. You’re a trooper, David!
Mary Ellen and Rich, and Paula and Natalie, at our dinner at SoBou, a hot, new restaurant Mary Ellen found for us. Full disclosure: During dinner, I chose not to drink because I knew I had some “homework” to do for my NALC presentation on the history and future of the industry with Chuck Fandos the following day. At one point, Natalie, so flummoxed that I was only drinking Coke, declared it “unnerving … like one of the signs of the apocalypse.” Indeed. Fear not, as Natalie can attest, I made up for it the next night…
Roger Burnett (left) and my beloved Craig Nadel, president of Jack Nadel Int’l. I wrote about Craig in my previous blog from the SAAC Show, and was just thrilled to see him twice in two weeks. For him — one of my quirky, eccentric favorites — I’d walk through fire.	Gemline president Jonathan Isaacson (left) and Craig Nadel.
PPAI’s Paul Bellantone, the host with the most, and JNI’s Craig Nadel.	Prime Line president Jeff Lederer and Freestyle Marketing’s stunning Caryn Stoll.
Here’s me, with Prime’s Jeff (or “Jeffy,” as I call him) Lederer (left) and Gemline’s Jonathan Isaacson. A moment, now, about Jeff Lederer: Jeff and I are friendly enough, but by no means would I say we know each other well. However, in the span of 30 seconds, Jeff Lederer dissected my personality with such laser-precision that my jaw literally flung open like a nutcracker doll. What did I learn? That still waters do indeed run deep, and Jeff Lederer is one of the most insightful people I’ve ever met. Also, I’m not nearly as mysterious and enigmatic as I’d like to think I am. Kudos to you, Jeffy.	At one point, as a bunch of us were standing on a balcony on Bourbon Street throwing beads to passersby, I saw something out of the corner of my eye, at first flying lazy circles and then making a beeline directly for us. It was a bug the size of a pterodactyl, which landed on the leg of CJ Schmidt’s shorts and stayed there for about 45 minutes, just, ya know, hangin’ out. Jeff Lederer tried to flick it off with his card, but CJ admonished him. “Let him stay. He can be our mascot.”
Not convinced I looked appropriately “festive” for Bourbon Street, Gemline’s Jonathan Isaacson cajoled a guy to lend me this boa and then snapped this photo of me. I look possessed by the spirit of Dionysus, and it’s one of my favorites…	(From left): PCNA’s David Nicholson, Gemline’s Jonathan Isaacson, Freestyle Marketing’s Caryn Stoll and Hit Promotional Products’ CJ Schmidt, cavorting on a bar’s balcony on Bourbon Street.
(From left): The delightful Caryn Stoll, Jonathan Isaacson and Jessica Hutwelker from Match-Up Promotions. Big congrats to the usually-staid Mr. Isaacson, who managed to get more beads than anyone in our group! ; )	Jeff Lederer and the adorable Jessica Hutwelker.
Freestyle Marketing’s Caryn Stoll and Sunrise Identity’s Mitch Mounger.	Hit’s CJ Schmidt and PCNA’s David Nicholson. The last time David and I cocktailed together it was at the end of April for his birthday, and we were drinking tequila while wearing sombreros in godforsaken Guangzhou, China. Note to David: If we’re going to keep drinking together in venues outside our home state of PA, I vote for Key West next!
SAGE’s Jarod Thorndike, shown here with SnugZ’s Brittany David. Jarod and I had never really spent much time together until this night in a bar on Bourbon Street, but I’d always heard awesome things about him. Having met him, I totally get it and concur wholeheartedly.	Here’s me and the divine Miss David. So awesome is she that she insisted, upon noting that I didn’t look so great in the first photo taken of the two of us, that we pose for a do-over. Thanks for getting my back, Chickie! ; )
Do you know Michael, from Continental Plastic Card? You should. He is just a howl !
And now, as we get to the end of this slide show of NOLA-infused craziness, I’d like to propose an award, given to the one person whose performance was so off-the-charts fantastic that he or she embodies both the professional – and partying – best of the industry. The award, perhaps a golden martini glass, could travel from ASI, PPAI, SAGE, EME shows, whatever – and be passed on to each event’s winner, like the Stanley Cup. And so, for the PPAI NALC, I nominate Sunrise Identity’s Mitch Mounger as the MVP. Not only did he have the best response to a question while on a panel during the day (Moderator: “What’s your secret for running a successful company?” Mitch: “Don’t be a dick.”), but I submit to you the photo of Mitch to the right, shown with Shepenco’s Dan Townes (a Hall of Fame MVP) and me. PRICELESS. All Hail Mitch Mounger!
	The perfect ending, courtesy of a photo from PCNA’s David Nicholson. After a hugely-successful and wildly-fun three days, Gateway/CDI’s Chuck Fandos (right), who was so integral in the planning and execution of PPAI’s NALC, and CONRAD FRANEY leave Bourbon Street one last time. “Thank you, and good night!”

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Monday
August 13, 2012

The SAAC Show: Sunny Days, Wild Nights in Long Beach, CA…

Filed under: Editorial, Fun, Travel

Hi Everyone,

I’m just back from the 33rd annual SAAC Show in Long Beach, CA, and it showed, yet again, why it’s one of my favorite shows of the year. I haven’t been able to attend for the past three years due to the schedule of my magazine deadlines, but decided, to hell with it — this year I was going, not only because I love the overall vibe so much, but to support my pal Craig Reese, this year’s SAAC president and a partner at Counselor Top 40 distributor Jack Nadel Int’l. I had the good fortune of celebrating my birthday during the show, and I couldn’t have picked a better place, surrounded by my wild, wacky, loony, libertine friends in the industy. Next I’m off to New Orleans (Wow. Za.) for the PPAI North American Leadership Conference. More next week from there… For now, enjoy these photos below and a big congratulations to Nancy Phillips, SAAC’s excutive director, and the entire SAAC team for an amazing job. Next year’s SAAC Show will be held from August 7-8 (www.thesaacshow.org).

Cheers!

— Michele

Look at my pretty girls! On Monday night, Missy Kilpatrick (left), Candace Hershey and I went to dinner at the fabulous Italian restaurant L’Opera. Good food, great wine, fantastic friends and a waiter with a personality large enough to stop traffic. What more could you ask for in a night?	Missy, who has traveled many, many times to Italy, brought home these little ampules of Grappa, packaged in a compact, cigarette-like case. Trust me: What they lacked in size they made up for in punch. I happily threw one back, and then another. Soon after, my eyes began to water and I swear that my frontal lobe collapsed. Lesson? If anyone offers you Grappa in tubes that look like amyl nitrates, politely decline with a “No, grazie.”
Following PPAI’s insightful and informative Supplier Forum, held during the SAAC Show, SAAC president Craig Reese (left) joined suppliers Murray Siegel (center) from Towel Specialties and Rich Carollo from Lion Circle at a cocktail reception. Murray has a special place in my heart because we both share an almost obsessive love of the Barry Levinson movie, Diner. Rich Carollo and I had just met for the first time, but proceeded to go on a bender of epic proportions later that evening (scroll down for that tale …). And Craig Reese? Well, he and I go way back. True story: One time many years ago at a show overseas, Craig and I were having drinks with some other people from the U.S. industry when I noticed that a woman – let’s call her Sparrow – was eyeing Mr. Reese up and down in a, shall we say, lascivious way. I leaned over to Craig and imparted this insight to him: “Sweetie, that lady is looking at you like she’s just come off a hunger strike and you’re a goddamn porkchop!” From that day on, Mr. Reese’s nickname became, and remains to this day, “The Porkchop.”	Two of my favorites, the always-connected Dana Zezzo from Jetline (left) and Harris Cohen, owner of the just-certified “Made in the US” supplier All in One. When I’m close to throwing a hissy fit in an airport due to some snafu, I think of Dana’s tweets about his traveling travails and take a deep breath. He gives “road warriors” a good name.
(From left): Matt Malone and Fred Antonini with Flexible Innovations, shown here with The Fabulous Natinsky Boys, SAGE’s David and Eric. You’d be hard-pressed to find two nicer guys …	Here he is, the Godzilla to my Mothra. Bay State Specialties’ Michael Moore is, hands down, one of my favorite industry characters. Though we see each other at many shows over the course of the year, we limit our revelry together to precisely one night annually, at the ASI Orlando Show. Why? Because our consumption is so copious, our antics so Rolling Stones-esque, we’re convinced we’d have to check ourselves into a Betty Ford-like facility if we made it a regular occurrence. Want proof? At the Palm restaurant in Orlando this past January, we may or may not have stolen a golf cart, jumped into a fountain and drank $300 worth of tequila. Allegedly.
Me and my bevy of blondes! (Clockwise from bottom): 99centPromos’ Kim Horton; ASI’s Karen DiTomasso; me; Dard’s Stacey Horton and Dard Design’s Bonni Shevin-Sandy.	At each show I attend, I try to meet three new people. At this year’s SAAC Show, I exceeded my goal – and how lucky am I that two of the people I met were these cuties, brothers Keven and Jason Azevedo, decorators extraordinaire who own Matteo Studios. Take my word for it: You’ll be hearing a lot more about these guys! (www.matteostudios.com).
The always-gracious and gregarious Stacey Horton (left), with my beloved friend, Bonni Sandy. I stand in awe of Bonni’s wit, wisdom and ability to be the voice of calm in a sea of industry kooks. And as if I didn’t need another reason to love her, we just discovered that we share a favorite song: “Winning,” by Carlos Santana. Every time I hear it now, I’ll think of her.	My Bravo Boys!!! If you’re on the hip social circuit in the industry, then you’ve been lucky enough to be invited to my boys’ super swanky, ultra-elite party during the PPAI Show in Vegas. Or, you know them from their uncanny talent for being friends with all the best, most fun people in the business, or their presence by the pool at the Hyatt in Long Beach, for “Greyhounds by the Pool Day” (FYI: A Greyhound is a mix of Grey Goose and grapefruit juice – the perfectly refreshing summer cocktail!) or their jobs as de facto ambassadors at the PPPC Show in Toronto in January, welcoming all the U.S. out-of-towners. Either way, to know Brian Starke (left) and Greg Livings, owners of the Toronto-based awards supplier Bravo, is to love them, as I have for years. I’ve been lucky enough to stay at their cottages in Canada and to have had some of the best meals of my life with them. Perhaps more importantly, they taught about the sublime joy of visiting Tim Hortons. They are, quite simply, the best.
Lion Circle’s Rich Carollo (left) and “Jetline Joe” Hoffman. And now, without further ado, some words about Rich Carollo: I always knew who he was, but had never met him in person and was unfamiliar with his company. Not anymore. Anyone who can make me howl with laughter and go drink for drink with me has a special place on my roster of colorful industry crazies. There’s a famous story about the first time Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison – two legendary Dionysian hellraisers – met. After consuming enough cocktails together to drop a horse, Janis hit Jim over the head with a bottle of her beloved Southern Comfort. The Lizard King’s response? “God, I love that girl!” Similarly, as we made our way back to the hotel from the Auld Dubliner, Rich Carollo picked up a green apple and hurled it past me, just missing my head. “You’re the best!,” he giggled as we parted, like boozy ships in the night. And that, my friends, is how Rich Carollo became one of my favorite people ever.
As my birthday fell during the SAAC Show, some friends got together and threw me the best celebratory dinner ever, spearheaded by Dard’s Stacey Horton and Bonni Sandy. Words can’t express my appreciation for their gracious gesture. The night, filled with excess on a multitude of levels, had a cavalcade of wacky characters in attendance – some old, beloved friends and some new ones – the perfect mix for a birthday soiree. (From left): Matteo Studios’ Jason Azevedo; me; Taylor’s Tommy Donlin (all hail the Donlin Brothers!); ASI’s Meghan Bogarde; Matteo Studios’ Keven Azevedo; Dard Design’s Bonni Shevin-Sandy; 99centPromos’ Kim Horton; awesome multiline rep Daniel Sacks; Bravo’s Brian Starke and Dard’s Stacey Horton.	“Jetline Joe” Hoffman (left) and multiline rep Daniel Sacks, from West Coast Branded Solutions, who accompanied me to the Auld Dubliner. A word about Daniel: As two musicians serenaded the bar’s patrons with awesome songs, Daniel danced with a girl and – hand to God – flipped her completely upside down and in the air with such dexterity, someone should give that boy a Mirror Ball trophy. Seriously, ladies: If you see Daniel at a show and feel the overwhelming urge to emulate the scene in Dirty Dancing where Johnny pulls Baby out of the corner and lifts her over his head, Daniel’s your guy.
The Hyatt hotel in Long Beach that’s connected to the convention center was recently renovated, and all the rooms now have this surrealist art and these Dali-esque hands jutting out from the walls, each enticingly holding a green apple, as if to tempt guests – a la Adam, Eve and the Biblical garden of good and evil. It’s a fine idea in theory … The problem is that when you have people from our gimlet-soaked industry wobbling back to their rooms, glass hands get ripped from the walls, and broken and wax apples get hurled at people’s heads — hypothetically. The moral of the story? People in the industry who are out after 2:00 a.m. should roll themselves in bubble wrap as a preventative measure. Just sayin’.	Awww. It’s my beloved Craigs! I already gave a shout-out to The Porkchop (Craig Reese, right, this year’s SAAC president and a partner at Jack Nadel Int’l.), but allow me to wax poetic about Craig Nadel, JNI’s president. The second person I met in the industry 15 years ago, Craig and I became friends right away and have stayed so over the years. I always say that if I had to pick three industry people with whom to be stuck on a desert island, Craig would be one of them. But here’s something maybe a lot of people don’t realize: He is, without question, one of the smartest and wittiest people I’ve ever met, and – more importantly – one of the few people I know who literally doesn’t have it in his DNA to bullshit. What you see with Craig is, delightfully, what you get.
The SAAC team did a fantastic job with their cocktail reception and wine-tasting event, held on the lawn outside the Hyatt. The weather in Long Beach is so mild and beautiful it was delightful to be outside.
The lovely Kim Swanson, an account coordinator with JNI, and Bob Kritzler, the company’s CFO. Think all CFOs are boring numbers wonks? Then you haven’t met Bob … What a howl!	Meet Sara Scott (left) and Libby Dubay, two super-cute account execs with JNI.
I love this photo (thanks, Allison!) of me and my BFF Craig Nadel. What do we talk about when we’re together? The validity of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s stance on being a strict Constitutional constructionist, the pros and cons of EBITDA and – lest you think we’re really, really nerdy — which characters on Battlestar Galactica we think are hot.	Ross Silverstein (right), president/CEO of Counselor Top 40 distributor iPROMOTEu, and his omnipresent consigliere, Pat Caccamo (love him!). Of Ross’s many talents, “throwing parties that end all parties” may be at the top of the list.
The one and only Stanley Appleman of Get Smart Promotions in Sherman Oaks, with the lovely Melanie Schneider of the distributorship Creative Concepts in Menifee, CA. A new friend, Melanie clued me in to the medicinal secret for never having a hangover again. And for that piece of shared wisdom, she has my undying gratitude.	My old friend Michael Bistocchi, who runs Clegg Promos – one of the companies on this year’s Counselor Best Places to Work list – graciously invited me to a party he threw to celebrate the company’s 25-year anniversary. Here he is on the right with company owner, Tim Clegg, who – on the evening I took this photo – was simultaneously celebrating his 50th birthday and waiting for his wife to give birth!
Do you know my pals Dave Leskusky, publisher of Promo Marketing magazine, and his colleague, Meghan Defrancesco? You should – they are too, too fun and just awesome to hang out with.	Here’s Michael Amar, Clegg’s senior vice president of finance, and his beautiful wife, Lydia.
Tim Clegg, Michael Bistocchi and Bob Levitt, with BrandSavvy.	Michael Bistocchi, with the woman at Clegg who has the dual daunting tasks of keeping him focused and in line, Malia Anderson. She is formidable!
The awesome folks at Jack Nadel Int’l. had a spectacular party on the rooftop of the Hyatt Pike Hotel (awesome job, Debbie Abergel!), and hosted their local employees and top suppliers. My Craigs (Nadel and Reese) each gave speeches that were as sincere as they were heartfelt, thanking everyone for their support.
iPROMOTEu held its annual Supplier Palooza at the Auld Dubliner bar, which has turned into the party to see and be seen. The reason why half the people in attendance or exhibiting at the SAAC Show on Thursday were hung over was due to their presence at this event the previous night. Here are the lovely Missy Kilpatrick and Dard Design’s Bonni Sandy making an appearance.
Craig Nadel and Missy Kilpatrick, whom he calls “one of his favorites.”

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Tuesday
July 24, 2012

ASI Chicago: Hot Time, Summer in the City

Filed under: Travel

Hi Everyone!

I just got back from an epic trip to Chicago to spend time with my girls Sharon Biernat (Creative Promotions), Jill Albers (Shumsky) and Natalie Townes (Shepenco/Shelbyville Pencil and a PPAI board member) and attend the ASI Chicago Show, one of my favorites. The show was great but, as always, it’s what happens after hours that always piques my interest. Let’s start with the heat. The weather in Chicago was hot — like safari-on-the-Serengeti hot. But that didn’t stop the vikings in our industry from behaving like the raging rock stars they are.

What follows are tons of photos from my six-day stint in Chi-Town, filled with Valhalla decadence. For the next two weeks, until the SAAC Show, I’m putting myself in self-imposed lockdown to dry out, consuming nothing that’s been distilled, fermented, grown or harvested… Just sayin’.

Look forward to seeing you all in Long Beach early next month for SAAC (www.thesaacshow.org), where I’ll be attending to support my pal Craig Reese from Jack Nadel Int’l., the current president. SAAC has a place near and dear to my heart as “Greyhounds by the Pool Day” (set-up day) is one of my favorites of the show season. 

Enjoy the photos and see you all soon!

Cheers,

M

PS: Bonus game: Let’s see how well you know the girls! The first person who matches the correct quote with the sassy lass who said it wins a $100 gift card. Post your guesses below!

__ “We were all born with two kidneys … why not two livers?”

__ “Why does Shenanigans always reek of regret and disgrace?”

__ “I’m a natural blond … in my soul.”

__ “We’re like the stoned Sex and the City.”

a) Natalie Townes

b) Sharon Biernat

c) Jilly Albers

d) Michele Bell

The weekend before the ASI Chicago Show, Shepenco’s Natalie Townes (left), Shumsky’s Jill Albers and I flew into the Windy City to spend a few days as guests of our pal Sharon Biernat of Creative Promotions. Sharon and her husband, Bob (All Hail, Bob!), own a fabulous townhouse on the block between the majestic Lake Michigan and the dueling dens of iniquity, The Lodge & Shenanigans. Did we have a time? Sharon, Jilly, Natalie and I — the Wrecking Crew — did some damage. And there may or may not have been a night cavorting with sailors. Yep. Sailors. Too. Much. Fun.
Looking for a fantastic place for dinner in Chicago? Try “Q,” a swanky spot specializing in down-home barbeque. Having never had a “hushpuppy,” this chica is now a fan of deep-fried dough, not to mention fried green tomatoes and pickles steeped in seasonings. Word of caution: The mint juleps were to die for, though just below morphine on the “render you immobile” litmus stick. Here’s Sharon and Natalie (photo on left) and Sharon and her husband Bob — who has the most sublimely dry wit ever — at Q.
Have you ever been to The Lodge, the bar on Division Street in Chicago? Let me end the suspense for you: It hasn’t won any James Beard awards and has exactly “zero” Michelin stars. With a dark, dank atmosphere akin to your grandparents’ wood-paneled basement, it has all the allure and charm of a VFW hall. However — and this can not be overstated — I adore this place! There’s something about its dive bar skeeziness that appeals to my more degenerate side. This is one of the many nights during our six-day stay in Chicago that Natalie, Jilly, Sharon and I planted ourselves at The Lodge like lawn darts. Here’s Natalie and Jilly (photo on left) and Jilly and Sharon enjoying the highbrow ambiance.
Ever hear the one about the guy who walked into a bar with a bottle of booze stuck to his head? Yeah, well, on this night at The Lodge, it actually happened. Ladies and Gentlemen, meet Can Head, apparently a worldwide phenom (he’s been on The Ellen DeGeneres Show!) whose claim to fame is that cans and bottles stick to his skin. Now, lest your first inclination be to mock, Can Head has a Facebook following, his own agent and an “ambassador.” If I hadn’t seen it, I wouldn’t have believed it — a full bottle of liquor stuck precariously on the back of his shiny head, and cans and random patrons’ cellphones stuck to his body. Only at The Lodge could one see such top tier entertainment.
Here’s Jilly and the famed Can Head. One day, Jilly’s children will look back at this photo and have so many, many questions for their Mom…
There’s a naval training base in Chicago and on this particular night in the city, sailors blew through town like pollen. Tucker, a particularly accommodating seaman, let Natalie and Jilly wear his jaunty little cap.
ASI’s Sean McGuigon (left), an account executive with the Supplier Internet Sales team, and Gene Rahill, aka, “The Strutter,” ASI’s director of Digital Advertising. If you’ve never seen Gene’s gait, it is something to behold — much like John Travolta’s iconic on-screen entrance in Saturday Night Fever.	(From left): ASI’s president & CEO, Tim Andrews; ASI’s vice president of supplier sales (and my work husband), Ron Ball; and ASI’s Canadian emissary Fred Oesen (or, the Prime Minister, as I call him) after ASI’s supplier sales meeting at the Hilton, before the start of the ASI Show in Chicago.
(From left): ASI’s senior vice president of professional development & editor-in-chief, Melinda Ligos; ASI’s executive director of education and editor of Stitches magazine, Nicole Rollender; and Kathy Huston, editor of Advantages magazine, doing those weirdo fish-face trout pout poses ‘Tween girls do on Facebook.	(From left): Colin Graf, ASI’s marketing director for supplier membership and digital advertising; me and Andy Cohen, editor of Counselor, at Kitty O’Sheas in the Hilton Hotel on Michigan Avenue — a place I spent way too much time while in Chicago. (How do I know? Multiple wait staff greeted me by name as the week wore on… Oy.)
Fred Oesen and Ryan David, ASI’s supplier sales rep extraordinaire for the Canadian market.	My girl Jilly is 6′ tall barefoot and she loves to rock her high heels, which can bring her to the Glamazon height of 6’3″-6’4″. Here she is with Fred Oesen, who’s standing on a chair just to get the height advantage.
(From left): ASI’s Barbara Ambrose, executive assistant to Rich Fairfield; Lauren Marshall, team leader for ASI’s digital ad operations; Suzanne Izzo, ASI’s digital advertising manager; and Krista Taylor, ASI’s Supplier Internet Sales account exec. Love, love, love these ladies!	Alistair Mylchreest, CEO of the UK-based Sourcing City, with whom ASI just announced a strategic alliance, along with PSI (http://www.promoalliance.com/); Counselor editor Andy Cohen and Advantages editor Kathy Huston. We all adore Alistair and he fits right in with our crazy crew.
A visitor from the UK with Alistair Mylchreest, meet Kiran Somaiya with Sunray Import based in England. Kiran was beyond sweet and charming.	Two of the most well-known and hilarious celebs in the industry, Shepenco’s Dan Townes (left) and Newton Manufacturing’s Jay Donlin. Years ago, I was with Dan at dinner one night at the Palm restaurant in Dallas for the ASI Show when he picked up a 10-oz. side of beef from his plate and hurled it at the unsuspecting man next to us. Horrified, I shrieked, “Dan!!!” “Relax,” he replied with his slow Tennessee drawl and without missing a beat. “That’s my friend Jay Donlin, and that’s how we say hi to each other.” True story.
Jay Donlin’s lovely wife, Kathy, Sharon Biernat and Natalie Townes in Sharon’s kitchen at Chez Biernat. Fact: Kathy Donlin has the most breathtakingly blue eyes I’ve ever seen.
My pal Eric Johnson (“E” to you and I), owner of Halls & Co./IDLine, with his daughter, Erin. Erin and her brother, Colin, used to appear in magazine ads for the company when they were little kids, so it’s so cool to have watched them grow up and now work in their Dad’s booth at trade shows.
ASI managing editor, my editorial “handler” and star of The Joe Show, Joe Haley, sporting an item he found on the show floor. He looks like a Mexican wrestler, “Numero Zero.”	Shumsky’s Jilly Albers and her “new favorite person,” Sourcing City’s Alistair Mylchreest.
Jilly Albers and the one and only Brian Hiner, a legend in the Chicago promo industry. Brian has always reminded me of Alec Baldwin — just as funny and equally as memorable. He rocks!!!	My pals Devin Piscitelli (left), owner of Aakron Rule, and Brad White, vice president of Counselor Top 40 distributor Boundless Network, at the awesome PromoKitchen party. Are you familiar with the term duende? Brad has it in spades…
Roger Burnett, sales manager for Counselor Top 40 distributor WorkflowOne, shown here with his pal Jilly Albers. Roger was named as one of Counselor‘s “Hot People to Watch” in its just-released August issue.	The always gracious Mark Godsey (left), owner of Counselor Top 40 supplier Gold Bond, and CJ Schmidt, vice president of sales for Counselor Top 40 supplier Hit Promotional Products, and one of the best guys in the industry.
One of my all-time favorites, the enigmatic Scott Siegel, owner of R.S. Owens, shown here at the PromoKitchen party with a pal. Scott is so cool in that hip, urbane kind of way it should come as a surprise to no one that he just returned from running with the bulls in Spain. Truly, in more ways than one I would describe him as “Hemingway-esque.”	(From left): Jetline’s Dana Zezzo, Aakron Rule’s Devin Piscitelli and Gold Bond’s Mark Godsey at the PromoKitchen party held at the muy caliente Mexican bar Zapatista’s in Chicago.
My girl Sharon Biernat with ASI’s president & CEO, Tim Andrews, at one of Ron Ball’s famed client dinners, this time at the amazing Capital Grille. I call Ron’s dinners the “Bar Mitzvahs” because there are always a ton of people and they are too much fun. All that’s missing is people being hoisted up in chairs singing Hava Nagila.	Two new friends who attended Ron’s dinner, Miro Turcaj with the distributor One Source Group in Canada and the lovely Ellen Star, with St. Regis Crystal. They were so delightful and excellent dinner companions.
Oh, holy hell: Look at this crew! (From left): Anico Int’l Plush’s Larry Sitten, Points of Lights’ Scottie Nussinow, Illini’s Sabrina Wilt and Chrissy Ocheltree, Logomark’s Damian Want and Points of Lights’ Reagan Holm.	There’s a wildly entertaining book called Hellraisers about the legendary, libertine times of Richard Harris, Richard Burton and Peter O’Toole. Meet our industry’s version of the triumvirate of questionable behavior! ; ) (From left): Larry Sitten, Scottie Nussinow and ASI’s Ron Ball, the host with the most.
Jill Albers with Joshy Goodelman (left), vice president of sales for Liqui-Mark and a member of this year’s Counselor Hot List, and Points of Light’s Scottie Nussinow.	Randy Seltzer (left) and Roee Tadmor of Tekweld. Hand to God, at the next show we both attend, Roee, you and I will cocktail like jetsetters!
Another new member of this year’s Counselor Hot List, Taylor Tadmor, owner of Tekweld, and My Sharona, Sharon Biernat, at “Uncle Ron’s Bar Mitzvah Dinner.”	Awww. This photo makes me smile… Here are my friends Tim O’Boyle and Jamie Raynor from JournalBooks. We always try to have dinner together once during the Orlando Show to kick off the ASI show season and once during the Chicago Show to end it. Love them both to the depths of my soul…
Back story: Poor Brad White. He was inches from a clean getaway, leaving the Counselor Hot Party at the Crimson Lounge in Chicago, when Natalie Townes (left), Sharon Biernat (right), Jilly Albers and I literally kidnapped him, threw him into a cab and made him party with us at The Lodge. I think he had Stockholm Syndrome by the end of the evening…	Good Lord. I look like Lady Mayhem from the House of Chaos. (From left): Sharon Biernat, Jilly Albers, Natalie Townes and me, on our last night together, hanging out at The Lodge. A few of our conversations were so surreal, hilarious and racy, I need some brain bleach just to think clearly. Cheers to the girls for the best weekend ever!
My pal Brett Hersh, owner of Admints/Zagabor, shown here with Cory Schroepfer, who owns the multiline rep group, Bridge Marketing.	One of the hottest on this year’s Counselor Hot List, Jeff Hinds, sales manager at Rainkist, with Jilly Albers, late night at Shenanigans.
The illustrious Ross Silverstein, president/CEO of Counselor Top 40 distributor iPROMOTEu, with Shepenco’s Natalie Townes.	At every show I attend, I try to meet three new, fun, cool people to add to my list of industry friends: These two made my list in Chicago! Meet Jeff Wheat (left), national salesperson for AlightPromos (http://www.alightpromos.com/), and Chris Camarella, owner of the company. Search these guys out at the next show you attend — they are fantastic!
Admints’ Brett Hersh and my gal pal Sharon Biernat.

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Tuesday
May 22, 2012

ASI NYC: Getting Our Gotham On…

Filed under: ASI Shows, Fun, Travel

Hi Everyone!

Hope you’re all doing well and getting ready for a spectacular Memorial Day weekend. Me? I’ll be in my Happy Place — Avalon, NJ (the sunny place for shady people!) — acting like a libertine heathen with the rest of my beach-going pals. Can. Not. Wait.

With the ASI NYC Show in our rear view, I’ve compiled some of my favorite pics from the festivities surrounding the three-day event. And oh my, were there festivities…  Special shout-outs to: Boundless’ Brad White, who taught me the plausible deniability involved with the use of just one word, “allegedly”; Jetline’s Megan Erber, whose lust for life is infectious; my ASI colleague Jake Krolick, who has all the virtues and vices I admire; and my beloved BFF, Polyconcept’s Michael Bernstein, who just happened to be in town and left an interesting event to come have drinks with me at 11:00 one evening. When he shines the bat light in the sky, I drop what I’m doing and go.

Read on for scads of fun photos, and see you next at Promotions East in Atlantic City from June 4-6.

Cheers!
— M

Here’s me and my pal, Craig Nadel, president of Counselor Top 40 distributor Jack Nadel Int’l. Craig was in town to visit JNI’s New York office and nicely invited me to dinner with him and his team. Craig is one of my oldest and closest friends in the industry. Know the “if you were stuck on a desert island, who are the three people you’d want with you” game? Craig is #2 on my list, after Polyconcept’s Michael Bernstein. Why? He’s whip-smart, hilariously funny and delightfully eccentric. First, he once bought a gorilla suit, “because everyone should have one”; Second, he is obsessed with Roombas, those battery-operated floor cleaners; Third, one year in Vegas, he taught me how to play blackjack and insisted upon using his own money to do so; and lastly, he tells me he likes being my friend because we can talk about “all the fun stuff” — the industry, politics and sex. “If you knew anything at all about sports, Michele, you’d be perfect,” he says.	My BFF, Craig Nadel, account executive David Frank and Jeff Jacobs, vice president and partner at Jack Nadel International.
The lovely Lauren Goldrich and Dan Aronesty, account execs with JNI. There was nothing about the company’s New York team that didn’t impress me. They are fan-tastic!	Lisa Danzinger (sitting), Stephanie Kraut and the fabulous John Batista, who – the next time I’m in NYC – is on my list to spend more time with. He is a hoot!
Ron Ball, ASI’s vice president of sales and my Work Husband, famously takes groups of friends and clients to dinners when he’s at a show. We call these his “Bar-Mitzvah Dinners” because they’re big, raucous and tons of fun. In New York, he took his group to Del Frisco’s. Here he is with Kathryn Cumming, with the innovative Canadian distributor Top of the Line Sportswear.	My pal Scottie Nussinow from Points of Light with Samantha Gotlieb, marketing director for iPROMOTEu.
Larry Abels, chairman of the board for Selco Watch Co.	The guests at Ron Ball’s NYC dinner at Del Frisco’s.
Kathryn Cumming and my pal Melissa Cantor, with Poly-Pak. If you don’t know Melissa, you should. She’s always smiling, always happy and always a delight. Love her!	All in One’s Shantel Strong and the always-awesome Pat Caccamo, iPROMOTEu’s senior director of business development and, as I call him, Ross Silverstein’s consigliere.
(From left): Liqui-Mark’s Josh Goodelman (“Joshy,” to his nearest and dearest) and The Fabulous Tadmor Boys – Taylor and Roee – from Tekweld.	Mary Bostwick from Delta Apparel and the illustrious Ross Silverstein, president/CEO of Counselor Top 40 distributor iPROMOTEu.
Here’s my old friend Eric Johnson, owner of Halls & Co./IDLine, or “E,” as I call him. E is my reality check at trade shows, as he always gets a chair for his booth so I can slink over and we can catch up on industry craziness.	How cool is this? Activate! Promotions & Marketing (formerly Bluegrass Promotions) held a Supplier Appreciation Party at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square, complete with open bar and hors d’oeuvres. I love this, because it’s so rare that suppliers get their due; however, I’m not surprised that the Activate folks held this event – they are class personified.
Jeff Lederer (left), president of Counselor Top 40 supplier Prime Line, with the one and only Billy Booe, vice president of business development at Activate! Billy (who puts the “Boo” in “booze”!) is like a human disco ball – add him to any party and it becomes that much more fun.	Social media guru Dana Zezzo and the perpetually-sardonic Joe Hoffman, with Jetline. Dana recently joined the company, which is lucky to have him – he is a marketing phenom!
ETS Express’ president, Sharon Eyal (left) and Fred Parker, president of Activate! At the Counselor Awards banquet, held at the famed Cipriani Midtown, Sharon was presented with the Supplier Family Business of the Year award for ETS’s phenomenal growth and stellar reputation with distributors (see his award presentation and acceptance speech here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njlKCzIH30w), and my old friend Fred Parker was lauded with the prestigious Distributor Entrepreneur of the Year award. Fred was one of the very first people I ever profiled for Counselor magazine some 15 years ago, and since we’ve met, he has always been hyper-prolific in the areas of innovation and creativity. I just adore him, his lovely wife, Amy, and his whole team at Activate! Click here to see Fred’s award presentation and acceptance speech at the Distributor Entreprenuer of the Year at this year’s Counselor banquet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj1vBA4GInc.	Look at this group! Industry bon vivant, BIC/Norwood’s Dave Saracino, with his colleagues: the beautiful Lori Bauer (center) and respected industry veteran Eileen Lynch (what a nice surprise to see her!) at the Activate! party.
Industry legend and vice president of sales at J. Charles Crystal, Fran Ford (left), and the incredibly charming Alfred Brand, the Wizard of Oz behind the curtains at Activate! At the Counselor Awards, Fran was presented with this year’s Marvin Spike Lifetime Achievement Award. Upon the award’s announcement, Fran was greeted with a standing ovation from everyone in the place. Why? I maintain that Fran single-handedly mentored half the people in the room full of heavy-hitters. Click here to see his award presentation and acceptance speech at the Counselor banquet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCF4Y46Cgxs.	Fran Ford and CJ Schmidt, vice president of sales for Counselor Top 40 supplier Hit Promotional Products. Equal parts smart and crazy fun, CJ is one of my favorites.
CJ Schmidt and the gorgeous Jennifer Grigorian, vice president of marketing for Hit. Jenn and I marvel that we have known each other for 15 years and maintain that we were about 16 when we started in the industry. ; )	Ash City’s vice president of sales, Chris Clark (left), and Logomark’s vice president of sales, Brian Padian. I have the utmost respect for these two, because their respective bosses – Garry Hurvitz and Trevor Gnesin – are as wicked brilliant as they are characters.
Photographer extraordinaire Lyall Ashton (left), and one of my favorite ASI colleagues, Jake (“Jakey” to his pals) Krolick, creative director of our marketing department. Jake herded me out of the Activate! party and took me to a dive bar in Brooklyn, to see an awesome live band with some select industry pals (photos ahead). Spoiler Alert: There Will Be Booze.	(From left): Jetline’s Dana Zezzo and Joe Hoffman, shown here with ASI’s managing editor Joe Haley and editor-in-chief and senior vice president of professional development, Melinda Ligos.
ASI’s Joe Haley (left) and Activate’s Billy Booe. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone more extroverted than these two…	Joe Haley and Prime Line’s beloved Paula Shulman, vice president of sales.
The gregarious Fran Ford (left) and Billy Booe.	ASI’s Melinda Ligos and Counselor editor Andy Cohen. I love Andy because his sarcastic smirks and snarky comments may even exceed my own.
Activate! president Fred Parker, shown here with ASI’s Melinda Ligos and Andy Cohen.	No sleep til Brooklyn! Here’s the group Jakey Krolick put together for his foray into Brooklyn to see some live music at dive bars. Our merry little band of revelers (clockwise): Raffi Najarian with Bey-Berk International, Boundless Network’s Brad White, ASI’s Jake Krolick, Jetline’s Megan Erber, ASI’s Barry Melito and World Wide Line’s Steve Rone.
Bey-Berk’s Raffi Najarian with the effervescent Megan Erber from Jetline.	Here’s me and my girl, Megan. Backstory: We met for the first time last year at ASI’s Dallas Show, holding court at the bar at The Palm. We became fast friends, as there is nothing about this chica I don’t adore.
The night we were in Brooklyn, it was pouring rain. Did Megan care? Nope. This girl’s joie de vivre knows no bounds. She merely danced in the rain and exclaimed, “I love the taste of rain in my mouth!” Love, love, love her!	Here’s my friend Jeff Hinds from Rainkist. Isn’t he the cat’s meow?
ASI’s Joe Haley, star of The Joe Show, models a blinking fedora he found in an exhibitor’s booth – an item destined to make an appearance on The Joe Show.	Brad White (left), vice president of sales for Counselor Top 40 distributor Boundless Network, shown here with Kris Robinson, chief sustainability officer and executive vice president of Counselor Top 40 distributor PromoShop.
K-Rob & C-Rob! Kris Robinson and his stunning and charming wife, Carolyn.	Chuckles in the house!!! Here’s my pal Chuck Fandos, CEO of Gateway/CDI (left), shown here with BIC/Norwood’s Lori Bauer and my new favorite person, Tom Savio, president of Counselor Top 40 distributor Caliendo-Savio Enterprises (CSE). What. A. Pistol. At the Counselor Awards banquet held at the jaw-droppingly beautiful Cipriani Midtown, I hosted the Best Table Ever with these three, Brad White, Kris & Caroline Robinson and John & Sara Papa with John Michael Associates. Too much fun…
Dave Saracino (left) and Chuck (“Chuckles”) Fandos. If the industry has a Rat Pack, these two are Frank and Dean.	The delightful John & Sara Papa, two new friends I met at the banquet. Seated next to me at dinner, I couldn’t have asked for nicer and more interesting conversationalists.
CSE’s president Tom Savio, who accepted my offer to be a panelist at this year’s ASI Power Summit in Naples, FL (www.asicentral.com/powersummit). Can Not Wait to spend more time with him!	The Meeting of the Loudmouths (says the female loudmouth): Boundless’ Brad White (left) and ASI’s Joe Haley. These two could talk the ears off corn, as my mother would say…
(From left): CSE’s Tom Savio, Boundless’ Brad White and PromoShop’s Kris Robinson, all with their Counselor Top 40 Distributor awards.	One of my all-time favorites, Jim Hagan (left), president of Counselor Top 40 supplier Sweda, here with Gateway/CDI’s Chuck Fandos. Did you ever know someone who, by just seeing them, induces miles of smile? That’s my reaction when I’m with Jim Hagan…
(From left): BIC/Norwood’s Dave Saracino, Hit’s CJ Schmidt and Gateway/CDI’s Chuckles Fandos.	The awesome Mike Riddle, sales director at Counselor Top 40 distributor WorkflowOne, shown here with my colleague Joe Haley.
(From left): Three of the best guys in the industry, PromoShop’s Kris Robinson, Sweda’s Jim Hagan and BDA’s Jay Deutsch. A word, now, about Jay: Every time I see him, he just cracks me up and, while I’m normally the one bestowing nicknames on people, he’s got one for me: Rona Barrett. Love, love, love ya, Captain Invisible. ; )	Have you ever met the Honorable Prime Minister of Canada? Well, here’s the industry’s version, Fred Oesen, with another beloved industry veteran, Mary Sells.
The amazing and famous Cipriani on 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan, decorated for this year’s Counselor Awards banquet.	One of the coolest and most fun chicas at ASI, Supplier Internet Sales rep Krista Taylor.
My BFF Jakey Krolick, who always looks like a rock star in his photos.	The expression on my colleague Colin Graf’s face just slays me. Colin is the director of supplier marketing at ASI, and more importantly, someone I’ve given the nickname El Diablo.
Activate!’s Fred Parker, this year’s Distributor Entrepreneur of the Year – in the best photo ever – with ASI editor-in-chief Melinda Ligos and Activate!’s Alfred Brand.	ASI’s president/CEO, Tim Andrews, sporting his jaunty ASI hat during the last hour of the show. I recently celebrated my 15th anniversary as an editor with the company and Tim sent a hand-written note to my house that was so touching, it nearly brought me to tears. Seriously.

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Monday
May 7, 2012

The Asian Gift Shows: The Good, The Bad & The Skeezy

Filed under: Asia, Fun, Travel

I'm back from Asia, slightly jet-lagged but no worse for wear. For those of you who follow me on Twitter (@ASI_MBell), you probably have a sense of my feelings on the shows I attended (read: Canton Fair = Awful; Hong Kong Gift Show = Awesome). But there are a few thoughts I'd like to convey, lest anyone accuse me of being vague.

At each entrance to the Canton Fair in Guangzhou, China, a very somber, perfectly postured Chinese soldier stood in full regalia. By the end of the first day of this hellish show, I was ready to throw myself at his feet and beg to be put out of my misery.	The main entrance to the Canton Show, which draws over 100,000 international attendees during its three phases at the end of each April.
Here’s my boss, Rich Fairfield, ASI’s publisher and executive vice president, with Rob Spector, owner of Spector & Co., one of the largest and most respected suppliers in Canada, at the Canton Show. Poor Rob… Every time he saw me on the show floor, I wailed at him like a crazy woman about how much I loathe that show. He exhibited the patience of Job with me.	The best, and prettiest, booth I saw at the Canton Show, for a supplier of housewares. By decorating their exhibit area with foliage and white lights, it looked like an enchanted forest.
Rich Fairfield, of whom I’m so fond, could eat Chinese noodles and dumplings (from questionable origins, mind you) every day of his life. Me, not so much.	Brace yourselves: While at the aforementioned Canton Show in Guangzhou, I, Rich and Alan Lee, our wonderful colleague based in Hong Kong, had lunch. I am not an adventurous eater at all, and shied away from anything but the basics while in Asia, sticking to white rice. Alan, however, embraces his culture and eats all sorts of exotic fare. When he cracked open this one-year-old (yep) egg, I happened to have a mouthful of rice — which I then promptly spit all over Rich, gagging in the process. I don’t know about your boss, but I thank God that mine is so laid back that he actually laughed til he cried, despite the fact that I hurled on him.
While in Guangzhou, I received a delightful e-mail from PCNA’s enigmatic president, David Nicholson, asking me to join him and his team, who would be going out that evening to celebrate his birthday. Of course, I jumped at the chance. What I didn’t know at the time was that a river of tequila and sombreros would be involved. Here’s the whole group — members of PCNA, PFConcept (the company’s European arm) and its World Source sourcing team. They were such wonderful, fun people I even thought well of them the next morning, when — in the cold, hard light of day — my eyelashes were stuck together and I was begging for a quick and painless death.	Here’s me with PCNA’s president, David Nicholson. I have no idea what we’re looking at off camera, but would hazard a guess that it’s my dignity and restraint.
PCNA’s David Nicholson (left) with Rodolph Garnier, director of sourcing for Polyconcept GBS, based in Shanghai.	(From left): Peter Healy, PCNA’s vice president of product development and sourcing; AJ Dickson, category manager; Diane Gerken, assistant category manager; and Mindy Hoffman, category manager for PCNA. I had never met any of these people before that night, and they were just awesome. Special props to Diane, who was the youngest of the group yet acted infinitely more mature than those of us in an older demographic, and Peter, who had the singular distinction of making me laugh so hard that I snorted vodka through my nose. Good times.
A moment now, about Jeff Brown, PCNA’s senior vice president of sales & marketing: Every time I get to spend time with Jeff, I enjoy him even more — he’s one of the most entertaining conversationalists I’ve come across in the industry. He’s shown here with the lovely and talented Heather Smartt, product category manager for Bullet. While Heather’s last name is perfect for her, Heather Sassy would be equally apropos. ; )	In addition to the multitude of talents David possesses in the business arena, he has one of the steadiest pours I’ve ever seen and kept the tequila flowing during his birthday celebration. That tequila looks innocent enough, doesn’t it? The next morning, though… Hoo Boy. You just want to heave yourself into a coffin and shut the lid.
Here’s the whole group, celebrating David Nicholson’s 42nd birthday at a fun bar in Guangzhou, China. Truly, being with this amazing team was the highlight of this leg of the trip. (Where’s my sombrero, you may ask? Stuffed under my chair, with my willpower…)	Here’s one to make my Mom proud, with a sombrero around my neck, kissing a bottle of Jose Quervo.
Do you know my Joshy Goodelman (left)? Well, you should. He’s the vice president of sales for the NY-based supplier Liqui-Mark Corp., and is the cat’s meow. Here, he’s with his BFF Taylor Tadmor, owner of Tekweld and one of my new favorites (I call him the “Crazy Israeli” — he rocks) and Jacky Chan, who runs Taylor’s China office. “Jacky has a team of four people that go out to the factories that we use to do quality control,” Taylor says.	This is the view of the harbour in Hong Kong, from my room at the W Hotel. Once I got to Hong Kong, my mood improved dramatically.
The welcome display at the main entrance of the Hong Kong Gifts & Premiums Show.	When I asked Rich Fairfield to go stand next to this plush QR code mascot for the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, he looked at me with such disdain it was as though I asked to drain his marrow. “I don’t like fuzzy walking mascots… they freak me out.” This from the man who’ll eat skeezy dumplings from vendors in the streets of China.
My boys!!! [Insert teenybopper squeal here] Oh, let me count the ways that I adore Polyconcept’s Yann Leca (left) and Michael Bernstein. A large part of the reason why I made the trek (a 16-hour flight each way) to Asia was to spend time with them. So gleefully giddy was I to be with them, that Rich is considering paying them just to travel with us to keep my bitchiness at bay.	I just love who you randomly run into when traveling overseas. While at an Italian restaurant with my Polyconcept pals, I spotted Bill and Sharon Miller, distributors from BCG Creations in Canada, who I had met at a dinner last year at the ASI Dallas Show. They are quite the fun characters…
Here’s PCNA’s Jeff Brown (left) and Rodolphe Normandin, director of marketing and product development for PFConcept, Polyconcept’s European arm.	Meet Rob Brandegee (left) of too-cool-for-school company, Littlearth, and Patrick Tornqvist, president of OneSource IML (learn more about them here: www.osiml.com). These two are at the top of my “get to know better and party with more” list, as the look on Patrick’s face leads me to believe he’s got quite a few fabulous stories to tell.
Polyconcept CEO Michael Bernstein (left), Steve Kaufman, the president of Creative Design & Marketing Inc., (is it me, or does he look like a young Albert Brooks?) and Rob Brandegee, who’s been friends with Michael for years. The CEO of Littlearth, Rob’s company is a licensee for the NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA and collegiate teams (check out his site here: www.littlearth.com). Rob was rocking a hoop earring, lots of Keith Richards-esque bracelets and a Jim Morrison slithery-come-hithery vibe, so I anointed him with the nickname “The Sexy Pirate,” which is how I shall refer to him henceforth.	Me, with my brother-from-another-mother, Michael Bernstein. One of the first people I met in the industry nearly 15 years ago, my affection for him knows no bounds. So comfortable am I with him, that he has the distinction of being one of three people in the industry who’s seen me barefoot (no stilettos!) and without makeup. Eeesh.
Here’s me and my beloved Yann Leca, or “Shakira,” as I call him. Why? If you ever saw him dance, you’d know. His hips don’t lie.	One of my favorite couples ever, Philippe and Martine Varnier. So gracious and charming are they, that they had me to their home in Paris for dinner a few months back, and it was one of the most enjoyable meals I’ve had in quite some time. Monsieur Varnier, who recently stepped down as Polyconcept’s CEO, has a special place in my heart and is so charismatic, his aura has an aura.
Meet my friend Allon Todres (right), shown here with his business partner, Conor O’ Donovan, who run a sourcing company and they are awesome! Click here for more information: www.theODMGroup.com.	One of my great regrets at this year’s Hong Kong Show is that everyone’s schedule was so busy, I didn’t have a chance to cocktail with the fabulous and hilarious Bryan Peach (left) and Bert Prevoo, who run the Corporate Gifts Association of South Africa (www.cgasa.com). They are men after my own liver, and I look forward to hanging out with them and embracing our inner-libertines together the next time we’re all in the same city. Cheers, Guys!
Michael Freter, managing director of the PSI Show, which is held every January in Düsseldorf, Germany.	If you’ve never met the Tangle Man (aka Richie Zawitz), you’re really missing out. Here he is (right) with his son, Nick, in their fun and phantasmagorical booth at the Hong Kong Show. Richie is the creator of the famous Tangle toy (www.tangletoys.com) and is one of the most unique characters I’ve ever come across. A true San Francisco-based hippie, he also says “groovy” more than anyone I know.
A view of Hong Kong from the ferry to Kowloon.	Two of my favorites! Gene Geiger and Jo-an Lantz, who were in Hong Kong for their annual WAGE (World Advertising Gift Exchange) meeting, graciously made some time to have drinks with Rich and me. The WAGE group is really cool because there’s one distributor who gets voted into the group from more than 15 countries across the globe. Geiger has been the designated US member for years, and this year, Jo-an is president of the group. You go, Girl!
Here’s the always-awesome Steve Levschuk, president of Toronto-based Talbot Marketing and WAGE’s Canadian member, and Tatiana Zaragoza, whose company is the WAGE member from Spain.	Oh my Lord, it’s Randy Chen, who — at 6’2″, 220 lbs — is the other Great Wall of China! The loquacious Mr. Chen, the straw that stirs the industry cocktail, acted as tour guide and translator for Brett Hersh, who visited the Asian shows for the first time. Truly, he couldn’t have been in better hands and Randy knows everyone in China through his importing company, Impex, which does product sourcing, warehousing and safety testing for suppliers. Love, love, love these boys.
Liqui-Mark’s Joshy Goodelman (left) and ASI’s Rich Fairfield, relaxing at the Grand Hyatt after the Hong Kong Show.	Rich Fairfield and Brad Gnesin, who handles sourcing for Counselor Top 40 supplier Logomark, at dinner at Tango!, an Argentinean steakhouse in Hong Kong.
Here’s Maggie Wheeler, vice president of new product development for Logomark, with the one and only Trevor Gnesin, owner/president of Logomark, and me. Never one to suppress his opinions, the only thing in rarer form than him that evening was my filet. If the industry were a movie and we were casting “crazy CEO with a big heart and bigger mouth,” Trev-ah would get a callback.	And last but certainly not least is my girl Bonni Sandy, president of Dard Design. Bonni has been attending the Asian shows for years and knows her stuff down cold. She is simply one of the smartest — and sweetest — people I know. Great seeing you, Sista!

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Friday
January 27, 2012

ASI Orlando: Big Crowds, Balmy Weather & Beaucoup Bon Temps!

Filed under: ASI Shows, Editorial, Fun, Travel

Hey Everybody!

Try not to drop your jaws like Nutcracker dolls, as I’m actually posting two blogs in one week! 

The last one regaled you with all the delicious details of the fabulous PSI Dusseldorf Show; this one is way closer to home — ASI’s Orlando Show, which was off-the-charts crazy busy and tons of fun, with the weather sunshine-filled and in the mid-70s (which those of us on the East Coast just covet at this time of year…).  My favorite part? The optimistic, forward-thinking, sunny mood everyone was in — drastically different (and much better) than shows three years ago.

So, without further delay, take a moment to scroll down and peruse my fairly extensive Rogues Gallery of industry raconteurs, luminaries, superstars and hurricane force hell-raisers (aka, All My Favorite People). Sometimes, as is the case here, the photos tell the story far better than I could. ; )

Cheers, and more soon from my upcoming trip to France on February 5th, for the CTCO promo products show (www.salon-ctco.com/en ) in Lyon.

Can. Not. Wait.

— M

A word about the BrandFuel boys: Robert Fiveash and Danny Rosin (shown here, doing their signature move, the “Tebow Plank”), co-owners of the NC- and VA-based distributorship, have been friends since they were kids — which makes them similar both in origin story and capacity for cocktail-fueled fun to The Stones’ own Glimmer Twins, Keith and Mick. As stunningly talented (I worship at the altar of their self-promo campaigns) as they are humble and gracious, I just think the world of them. Click here to see a mini-profile on Robert and his workspace from ASI’s supplier magazine that I edit, Supplier Global Resource.	(From left): I don’t use the word “beloved” often, but truly, that’s how her clients and industry friends feel about Kellie Claudio, vice president of sales for Counselor Top 40 supplier Sweda, shown here with Paige Millard (fact: if you’re really a show road warrior, who doesn’t know and love Paige???), Sweda’s trade show manager, and the lovely Lauren Anselmo, Sweda’s sales operations coordinator.
(From left): Here’s my colleague (hence, much-beleaguered) Joe Haley, managing editor of our magazines and star of ASI’s The Joe Show, with the always-delightful Kathleen Milbier, who heads up the sales efforts for the CA-based supplier Skinit (check out their awesome items here: www.promo.skinit.com) and one of my industry faves, Brad White, vice president of sales for Counselor Top 40 distributor Boundless Network. I’ve branded the extroverted Brad with the moniker “Captain Loudmouth,” which is ironic, of course, since the level of audio coming out of my trap at any given time is a fearsome thing that could make one’s ears bleed.	(From left): The vivacious Candace Hershey, shown here with my pal Vicky Tirpack, Midwest regional manager for Promo Marketing magazine, and her hilarious and awesome colleague, Meredith Edelman, Northeast regional manager for Promo Marketing. Is it me, or do they — a redhead, a blonde and a brunette — look like the industry’s own Charlie’s Angels?
I’d like to tell you that this photo of my editorial colleagues (from left) C.J. Mittica (Wearables‘ editor), Larry Basinait (ASI’s research director), Melinda Ligos (senior vice president/editor-in-chief) and Joe Haley was taken in this blurred fashion to be aesthetically edgy. In fact, I think I still had the shakes from all the Riesling I drank at the PSI Düsseldorf Show.	Why do I love this photo? Not only because it features one of the nicest guys in the industry — Mark Graham (center), owner of the Canada-based distributorship Right Sleeve Marketing (winner of last year’s Counselor Distributor Entrepreneur of the Year award!) — but it just cracks me up that Dana Zezzo (left), ProTowels’ marketing guru and industry gadabout, and ASI’s Joe Haley (right) were clearly Separated at Birth!
Here’s Scott Anderson (left), national sales manager for Counselor Top 40 supplier Polyconcept North America, with One of My Favorite People Ever, PCNA’s Steve Gelernter, known the world over as “Stevie G.”	PromoKitchen, a group of whip-smart and very marketing/social media-savvy suppliers and distributors (the “Chefs”), held a slammin’ soiree at a Greek restaurant in Orlando called “Taverna Opa,” which was fabulous! This is one of the sultry sirens who greeted guests at the door. Learn more about PromoKitchen at www.promokitchen.com.
PCNA’s celebutante, Stevie G, with one of the hostesses at Taverna Opa.	A crowd shot from the rollicking PromoKitchen party at Taverna Opa in Orlando.
So at one point at Taverna Opa, the exotic Greek hostesses roused the crowd at the PromoKitchen party to join them for some on-the-bar dancing. The first two to leap at the offer? ProTowel’s gregarious Dana Zezzo (right) and ASI’s Jake Krolick. Hands up: Is anyone shocked by that? Anyone? (Crickets… Crickets…). And that’s why I love them!
Two words that describe the looks on the faces of BrandFuel’s Robert Fiveash (left) and ASI’s creative director of our marketing department, Jake (or “Jakey,” as we call him back at the home office) Krolick: Mayhem. Imminent.	Two of my favorite ASI colleagues, Jakey Krolick (left) and Colin Graf, marketing director of supplier services. Love, love, love them!
Meet Alex McKenzie (left), a distributor salesperson with Masterwork Custom Wholesale Signs — who used to play for the Seattle Seahawks and the Atlanta Falcons — here with The Funniest Person in the Industry, Glen Colton, owner of the GA-based distributorship Seville Marketing. Glen and I have known each other for 14 years, and he has the distinction of making me laugh so hard that I cry every time I talk with him. He is a HOWL…	Aakron Rule owner Devin Piscitelli, who was also at the PSI Show in Düsseldorf I attended earlier this month, is someone I’ve only recently gotten to know — we always moved in different circles throughout the industry, though I’d always heard how great he is. And truly, he lives up to the hype. Smart, inquisitive, engaging and slyly sardonic, I enjoy him more every time I see him and look forward to getting to know him better.
Here’s my colleague (and designated “handler”) Joe Haley, modeling two creepy masks: one of Spiderman’s nemesis, the Green Goblin (shout-out to Nerdville!) and one of Gary Busey (see photo to the right), as he poses with ASI’s IT saviors, Jason Cissorsky (left) and Jim Talone. We all agreed, hands down, that Busey is way more shudderingly frightening.
Holla! to Mary Ellen Nichols, one of the most effervescent and bubbly personalities in the industry, shown here with ASI chairman Matthew Cohn (center) and the salesperson everyone loves to love, Bodek and Rhodes’ Marc Held.	Counselor Top 40 supplier SanMar won the Best Booth award for an apparel company, and here’s my friend John Lindgren, marketing manager for SanMar, who was integral in the booth’s snazzy, retail-inspired design.
For the first time, ASI presented Best Booth awards to exhibitors, based on attendee text voting. Spirit Awards’ self-created, stadium-style booth took the prize for Best Booth over 10′ x 10′. A fairly new supplier, Babble Text, won among the booths that were 10′ x 10′.
Hollywood may have Brangelina, but in our industry, we have “Mardine,” the impossibly-attractive industry celebs that are Pacific Coast Golf’s Mark Hobbs and PromoBiz’s Nadine Panetti, two of my favorite pals.	Having dinner with Jamie Raynor, my dear friend from JournalBooks, is like being able to relax with someone you can feel supremely comfortable with — she is the definition of grace and equanimity.
My pal Jason Emery, vice president of sales at Counselor Top 40 supplier Logomark and someone who was on Wearables magazine’s “Best Dressed” list in 2011 — a title he lives up to in spades every time I see him.	I just had to snap this photo of CJ Schmidt, someone I adore, right before his company Hit Promotional Products won the Distributor Choice award for Best Keytags & Luggage Tags.
Rarely do I take a photo of someone that captures their personality as much as this one does, of my BFF Tim O’Boyle (“Ringo,” to his nearest and dearest…) from JournalBooks. Something about the glint in his eye and smirk on his face just makes me giggle.	Ah, my dear friends Pete Gleason (left) and Christopher Duffy, with Counselor Top 40 supplier BagMakers, who won a Distributor Choice award for Best Shopping Bags. I’ve known these gentlemen since my wild heyday in the industry (Yep… I used to be worse. Swear. To. God.), and remember with perfect clarity how Christopher, at a party during the PPAI Show in Dallas one year, carried me around on his back — like an organ grinder with his yappy little pet monkey. Good stuff.
Do you know the awesome folks at Counselor Top 40 supplier, Broder? You really should, and I’d recommend starting with Ken Seidl (left) and the ever-charming Chris Blakeslee, who are as super-nice as they are whip-smart about industry apparel. Here they are with my editorial colleague C.J. Mittica, editor of Wearables magazine.	Every year at the Orlando Show, two colleagues of mine at ASI on the Supplier Sales team — the very gracious Phyllis Mutnick and Suzanne Rozick — hold a celebratory dinner-to-die-for at The Palm, for their clients who’ve won and were finalists in the Counselor Distributor Choice Awards. They’re kind enough to invite me along to host a table of guests, and each year, I’m lucky enough to have David Byrne (left) and Jason Grindall from Graphco Line sit with me. The antics ensue soon after… ; )
You know you’ve “arrived” when your visage has been drawn on the famed walls of The Palm, alongside legends and luminaries. Here’s ASI’s president/CEO signing his image at The Palm in Orlando.
Love, love, love these two: Vantage’s Ira Neaman and Bodek and Rhodes’ Mary Ellen Nichols.	Back story: At the aforementioned annual dinner at the Palm, I met Michael Moore, whose family owns Bay State Specialties, last year for the first time. Thirty minutes and four martinis between the two of us later, I was in shock and awe. Oh, Holy Hell: He’s the male me. I only get to hang with him once a year, at this dinner in Florida, and when we do, our cocktailing and subsequent antics have been described as “When Godzilla Parties With Mothra.”
Take a good look at this photo: This is your face on Patron shots. Michael Moore and I, cavorting at The Palm (after which, we may or may not have jumped in a hypothetical fountain and then taken a theoretical golf cart for a joyride…).	Here’s the fabulous Dan Jellinek, vice president of Counselor Top 40 supplier (and 2012 Distributor Choice award-winner!) Magnet LLC, with the most fun couple in the industry, this side of Dan & Natalie Townes: Janet & Bill Korowitz, who run Magnet. So awesome are they, that I actually flew to a show once just to hang out with them. They’re like F. Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald, without the darkness. “Hilarity was right up their alley, with pandemonium just around the bend…”
ASI’s creative marketing director, Jake Krolick, posing with the models he hired to tout ASI’s new SmartSales service.	How fitting to end this blog with a photo of my illustrious “work husband,” Ron Ball. Our boss, Rich Fairfield, claims that though he loves us, we are his “two most unmanageable employees.” Really? I just don’t get why… ; )

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Tuesday
January 24, 2012

PSI Dusseldorf: A Divine Time (With Lots of Wine) on the Rhine

Filed under: Editorial, PSI Shows, Travel

Well, hello and welcome to a new year, my little revelers and libertines!

I just returned from two back-to-back shows — PSI Dusseldorf and ASI Orlando — each of which was off-the-charts awesome in its own right. First up, PSI Dusseldorf:

Europe’s largest ad specialty trade show, PSI Dusseldorf welcomed 993 exhibitors — a record number for the show and a 16% increase from last year — and 16,167 visitors to the three-day event.

PSI, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, is kind of like the ASI/PPAI of Europe, producing the trade show, publications and analysis of the European marketplace.
 
“According to the recent forecast by Zenth-Optimedia, one of the world’s largest media agencies, the worldwideadvertising market presents itself in a very robust condition in 2012, in spite of the crisis of the euro and stock exchange slumps, with a predicted 1.8% increase for Western Europe and 2% growth for Germany,” said PSI Managing Director Michael Freter, during the show’s kickoff press conference.

ASI’s president and CEO, Tim Andrews — invited by PSI to speak on behalf of the U.S. market — told the international group of VIPs in attendance at the opening event that ASI’s quarterly surveys of its supplier and distributor members have shown eight consecutive quarters for growth. “We expect 2011 will show an overall increase for the industry in the 5%-7% range – for an expected total of about $18.4 billion – about a billion dollars more than in 2010,” Andrews said.

Also announced at the opening press conference was the first Europe-widestudy on the advertising efficiency of promotional products, conducted by the Association of the German Advertising Industry (GWW). “With total sales of approximately 3.5 billion euro, the promotional products industry in 2011 succeeded once again in increasing from the previous year, when sales of approximately 3.4 billion euro had been generated,” said Patrick Politze, GWW chairman. “Over a period of two years, the promotional products industry recorded an increase of almost 16% compared to the 2009 crisis year.”

In addition to having to-die-for booths and the delicious tradition of serving cocktails and food in each booth, the PSI Dusseldorf Show has become a hallmark for showcasing new design, packaging and color trends, all of which tend to get exfoliated to the North American ad specialty marketplace.

ASI also held a panel discussion on the topic of how European companies can penetrate the U.S. market and vice versa. Tim Andrews asked questions of panelists Michael Bernstein, CEO of Polyconcept’sEuropean supplier group (PFConcept), Michael Nick, CEO of Senator, and Maurizio Castelli, CEO of Lediberg.    

Nick pointed out that, having attended trade shows in the U.S. and Europe, one notable difference is the amount of time distributor attendees spend in exhibitors’ booths. “Here at PSI, visitors to the Senator booth spend approximately 45 minutes discussing business; in the U.S., distributors just wish to be scanned and maybe will spend a minute or two in the booths. It’s a completely different way of doing business.” Bernstein noted that for European companies interested in doing business in the U.S., the two keys are speed of product delivery and avoiding the tendency to “over-promise and under-deliver.” “In Europe, five-day turnaround is considered fast; in the U.S., many of our orders at Polyconcept North America are produced and shipped in a day.” Rod Brown, president of US distributor Made To Order, who was in attendance at the event, said that while the Polyconcept companies in the U.S. — Leed’s, Bullet Line and JournalBooks — have exceptional products, it’s the company’s superior, streamlined operations that he and his company really depend on. “The fact that they do what they say they’re going to makes all the difference,” he said, echoing Bernstein’s point about the advantages of having such streamlined business operations.
Maurizio Castelli, whose leather journals and day planners are sold in the U.S., noted the importance of being true to one’s brand and focusing on the company’s core business. “To concentrate on being a market leader in your niche category is so important,” he said.

The other major news from the show is that for the week of January 9, Germany ran out of Riesling. Why? ‘Cause I drank it all. ; )

Next year’s PSI Dusseldorf Show will be held from January 9-11, 2013. Go to www.reedexpo.de for more information. Will I be there? Check out the photos below and you’ll know the answer. A resounding “Hell to the YEAH!”

Cheers and more on Monday with photos from the ASI Orlando Show (and oh my, were the PromoKitchen peeps in rare form at their party … Love them!).

— M

Did you ever play that game, “If you could pick three people from the industry to be trapped on a desert island with, who would they be?” Well, meet #1 on my list: Michael Bernstein, PFConcept’s CEO. Michael and I have been friends for 15 years, and he’s like my brother (some people actually see a resemblance). I once flew across four states just to have pizza with Michael; to revel in his sardonic wit and whip-smart banter, I’d fly a lot farther for a lot less.	Here’s the uber-bright and super-talented Jo-an Lantz, executive vice president of Counselor Top 40 distributor Geiger. Did you know that she’s been at Geiger since she was 19 years old? She started as a bookkeeper and worked her way up through the ranks. When I first started in the industry 15 years ago, Jo-an was kind enough to mentor me; I’m proud to say over the years that she’s become one of my dearest friends in the industry.
Here’s Michael Woody (left), president of International Marketing Advantages and a past Counselor International Person of the Year, and Bjorn Harenstam, his partner who handles the European market, at the PSI Show, accepting their Oscar for Most Charming Guys Ever! Quite a few people at the PSI Show commented on how much Michael resembles Richard Gere …	Rich Fairfield, ASI’s executive vice president and publisher (and, most challenging of his job descriptions, my boss), gamely poses with two gigantic Teddys at the airport in Nuremberg. I like how the bear on the right looks perpetually stunned — similar, ironically, to Rich’s expression when traveling with me.
Hans Jakop Burkens, head of PFConcept’s sales in the Netherlands (left) and Michael Bernstein, CEO of PFConcept, the European arm of Polyconcept. Michael, whose family founded Leed’s and who was, for years, its CEO, recently reentered the industry and moved his family from Pittsburgh to the Netherlands to helm PFConcept. One of the most brilliant, talented and capable people I know, the company could not be in better hands.	Please — for the love of God — if you’re ever in Sweden, look up Christian Nystrom, who runs the Swedish office of PFConcept, shown here with Michael Bernstein. In equal measures hilarious, dynamic and super knowledgeable on the European marketplace, he was one of my favorite people to spend time with on this trip to PSI. Also, an as aside, his ability to consume cocktails rivals my own and has earned him this nickname from me: The Swedish Fish. Love him!
(From left): Miranda Rodenberg, one of PFConcept’stop salespeople and a woman with so much personality that her aura has an aura, here with Christian Nystrom and Michael Bernstein. If I lived in Europe and bought ad specialties, I’d want Miranda as my rep, as she is known for her rabid devotion to her clients.	ASI’s president and CEO, Tim Andrews, was invited by the management of the PSI Show to address the international press and VIPs at the event’s opening ceremonies. During his speech, Tim discussed the similarities and differences between the U.S. ad specialty market and that of Europe. Similarities? An emphasis on product sustainability; differences? Europe is much more focused on the design elements of a product, while the U.S. concentrates on speed-of-light turnaround time.
This year is the 50th anniversary of PSI, so it was a great honor to have the show’sfounder and industry legend, Walter Jung (left) in attendance with the ever-awesome Hans-Joachim (Hi-Jo) Erbel, who oversees the PSI Show currently. What a fantastic legacy Walter Jung started and nurtured, and what a fabulous caretaker for that vision Hi-Jo is.	Walter Jung (left) and ASI’s Tim Andrews, at the opening press conference kicking off the 50th anniversary of PSI and the start to its 2012 show.
Matthew Cohn, ASI’s vice chairman, jumped behind the podium after the press conference, showing that he’s never met a mic he didn’t like. ; )	ASI’s Tim Andrews and Matthew Cohn, overlooking PSI’s trade show floor.
As I was snapping this photo, I remember thinking, “Oh, Holy Hell: Three of my favorites all in one place — how lucky am I???” From left: Sweda president Jim Hagan, PFConcept CEO Michael Bernstein and Sweda’s vice president of merchandising and marketing, Scott Pearson. Did I giggle like a schoolgirl with these three around me? Yep, so much so I should have my own Disney show…	The PSI Show doesn’t have education events like our U.S. shows do. However, in conjunction with PSI’s 50th anniversary, ASI put together a panel discussion on how to sell into the U.S. marketplace. Here’s Tim Andrews, moderating that discussion, with panelists Maurizio Castelli, CEO of Lediberg (which sells into the U.S. as Castelli); Michael Nick, CEO of Senator and PFConcept’s Michael Bernstein.
(From left): Michael Nick, CEO of Senator (love, love, love him!); ASI’s Tim Andrews; Lediberg CEO Maurizio Castelli (I could listen to him say my name with his Italian accent for days …) and PFConcept’s Michael Bernstein.	Here are two people I’m always happy to see, regardless of the country I’m in — the very charming and fun Paul Bellantone (left), PPAI’s president, and David Natinsky, CEO of SAGE. Two of the smartest cookies in the industry, I always enjoy chatting with both Paul and David. (Note: I think Paul’s eyes were closed in this photo because he was thinking, “Oh God, no… I’m on Michele’s blog again…” LOL!)
Maurizio Castelli, CEO of Lediberg, and the one and only Missy Kilpatrick, quite the industry celeb in her own right. Missy handles all the sales and operations of Castelli in the NorthAmerican marketplace, and they’re very lucky to have her with them indeed. She is such a luminary in the U.S. marketplace, she practically hauls the sun around with her.	At dinner one night aboard the PFConcept ship they bring in for staffers, execs, top clients and friends to stay on at the show each year (seriously, they dock it right on the Rhine, across from the convention center in Düsseldorf), I got to bask in the fabulousness of The Most Suave Man Ever, Philippe Varnier (right), Polyconcept’s chairman of the board, shown here with Polyconcept North America’s Jeff Brown (left) and Rodolphe Normandin (center), PFConcept’s very sweet marketing and product development director. Fact: Sometimes, when Philippe is talking to me with that mesmerizing French accent of his, I have to mentally snap back to attention and focus on what the hell he’s actually saying.
Here’s my pal Missy Kilpatrick– so cute, SO fun — who partied with me one night on the PFConcept boat, with my friend Frank Driessens from the tres cool Netherlands-based supplier company Big Bang International. Truly, the next morning at an 8:00 a.m. breakfast — having just gone to bed at 4:30 a.m. — I was mentally begging for a quick death. Then I remembered something Oscar Wilde was fond of saying: “Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast.” And with that, my friends, I have my new mantra.	Missy, surrounded by the European cuties from the supplier company Big Bang. Hand to God: That really is the name of their company (www.bigbanginternational.com), and they really are as awesome and fun as they look.
Why did I have a hangover that burned with the intensity of 10,000 suns one morning? Meet Francois Vehoeven (left), who runs Big Bang Int’l., shown here with Serge de Warrimont, who really does look like that (no Photoshop needed for him!). I only see Francois once a year, at the PSI Show aboard the PFConcept boat, but that’s enough for me, because his ability to entice one to excess is downright Dionysian, I tell ya! He should walk around with his own theme music, like the opening chords for “Sympathy for the Devil.” ; )	Meeting Yngve Blomstrom (left) and Michael Englund, from the phenomenal company Sporrong, left me impressed and dying to know more. Their company was founded in — wait for it — 1666 (not a typo!), and it’s been in continual operation since then, crafting custom-made metal products. Click here to learn more about them: www.sporrong.com.
Me, with the stunning Cecile Tall, PFConcept’sgeneral counsel, who’s as smart as she is fascinating. I was fortunate enough to have Cecile seated next to me at dinner one evening, and had a delightful conversation with her.	Here’s Jeff Brown, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Polyconcept North America, someone whom I profoundly enjoy because he gets my humor and I get his. Sometimes, when we’re in a group, I look at Jeff and know exactly what he’s thinking …
A new friend, Chris McKee, who heads Geiger’s corporate sales division. A completely engaging conversationalist, Chris is one of those people who makes you feel instantly at ease.
Michael Bernstein and Tim Andrews, at dinner on the PFConcept boat. The PFConcept folks were fabulously gracious hosts to the ASI and Geiger teams.	ASI’s Rich Fairfield, Geiger’s executive vice president Jo-an Lantz and ASI’s Tim Andrews relaxing on the PFConcept boat after a memorable and fantastically fun dinner on the PFConcept boat in Düsseldorf.
Tim Andrews, ASI’s president/CEO, isn’t exactly Michael Phelps in the swimming arena and not so fond of being on water. Consequently, dining on the PFConcept boat, though fabulous, made him a tad twitchy. Cut to the ever-ready Monsieur Varnier, who grabbed one of the ship’s life preservers for Tim to use as an “accessory.” It was, as you can see, the hit of the night.
Geiger’s Jo-an Lantz and Polyconcept’s Philippe Varnier, two of the most fascinating and charismatic people I know in the industry, combining at the PFConcept dinner for some mega-watt star power.	Meet my friend John Lynch, an American who owns Lynka, the largest ad specialty company in Poland, where he lives. John is on the editorial advisory board for Supplier Global Resource, ASI’s magazine for industry suppliers that I edit, and is one sharp guy. Love him to death, and not just because he brings me a bottle of Polish vodka every year at the PSI Show. ; )
And winning the prize as my Favorite New Friends are Alistair Mylchreest and Liz Young from the U.K.-based company Sourcing City, with whom ASI just announced a strategic alliance. (Learn more about them here: <a href=”http://www.sourcin

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Friday
November 11, 2011

ASI’s 5th Annual Power Summit: After Hours!

Filed under: Travel

Well, hi there Everyone!

Am I the only one who is freaked out and flummoxed that it’s mid-November already? The good news? For the last five years, the beginning of November has signaled ASI’s Power Summit, a three-day meeting of some of the best and brightest minds in the industry. One of ASI’s most popular events (second only, I think, to the annual Counselor banquet or the raucous Counselor Hot Party) it has become a must-attend event for many in the industry, who carve time out of their busy schedules to take part in informative panel discussions and massive amounts of networking with colleagues. Having attended every Power Summit, I’ve seen first-hand how important it is for suppliers and distributors, competitors and colleagues, to honestly communicate about our collective issues — only by doing that will we start to caulk some of the industry’s cracks.   

My favorite parts of this year’s Power Summit? Seeing my pals Terry McGuire (HALO), Jilly Albers (Shumsky), Josh Ebrahemi (Jack Nadel Int’l.) and Stephanie Leader (Leader Promos) square off in a Marketing Smackdown panel, led by ASI’s senior vice president and editor-in-chief, Melinda Ligos. Briefed with a very abstract promotional concept only two hours before taking the stage, these marketing geniuses had to face off against each other and vie for the winning promotion to help an anonymous women-owned sneaker company with its wellness program. Though their promotional concepts were all completely different (which was interesting), their presentations were nothing short of brilliant. The winner (the always-hilarious Terry McGuire) was chosen from text messages sent in real-time from the audience — too cool.

Also, a shout-out to Magnet’s Bill Korowitz (love, love, love him!) and Teresa Moisant of Moisant Promotional Products, two of the liveliest — and funniest — people you’d ever want on a panel, and they were phenomenal, along with Jason Robbins of ePromos Promotional Products Inc., in the Great Industry Debate, moderated by my colleague Dave Vagnoni, senior writer for Counselor magazine.

Lastly, a big thanks to my friend Dov Charney — CEO of American Apparel — who blew into the event on the last day like a little, wiry bat out of hell, all jacked up on caffeine — to join the last panel discussion of the event, “Meet the Counselor Power 50,” moderated by ASI’s vice chairman, Matthew Cohn. Dov and I have been friends for over 10 years and trust me, few people in the industry know how chronically eccentric and bat-crap crazy he can be more than I do. On the flip side, he’s also one of the most brilliant marketers and innovators I’ve ever come across, and a true entrepreneur and visionary. He’s like the industry’s own Lord Byron: wickedly talented, but mad, bad and dangerous to know. What can I say? I’ve always had a soft spot for the weapons-grade weirdos. ; )

On that note, and without further adieu, enjoy this collection of photos of some of your favorite industry luminaries, drinking in the fun, sun (and Grey Goose). Hope to see you at next year’s Power Summit, from November 11-13 in Naples, FL. (www.asicentral.com/powersummit)

Cheers!

— M

These are the jaw-dropping views from the deck bar at the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel, CA. Overlooking the Dana Point surf break — one of the best in the country — there were a minimum of 50 surfers (my favorites, second only to drummers!) on the water every day. I’ve spent worse days than basking in the glow of this Elysian panorama.	Another view from the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel, CA
This is Barbara Ambrose, executive assistant to Rich Fairfield, ASI’s executive vice president and publisher. We LOVE her at ASI, as she is nothing short of amazing.	Did you love ASI’s Power Summit? Here’s a big reason why it’s such a success: Meet Sat Mamuels (as we call him), ASI’s event planner extraordinaire. It is a Herculean task to handle the voluminous amount of details involved with an event like the Power Summit, and Sat does it all with professionalism, triple-snapping style and a wit that takes my breath away, he makes me laugh so hard.
ASI president/CEO Tim Andrews, Rich Fairfield, ASI’s Editorial team and other key members flew into Cali early and enjoyed a fabulous dinner at Watermarc, one of best restaurants in Laguna Niguel. The food, company and Blackberry-infused cocktails were to die for. On the left: Executive Director of Operations for the ASI Show, Cheryl Childers; Rich Fairfield, Barbara Ambrose, Sat Mamuels, Stitches’Editor and ASI’s executive director of professional development, Nicole Rollender and ASI Education Manager, Kerry Boderman. On the right: Tim Andrews, ASI’s vice president of digital experience, Rob Watson and ASI Senior Vice President of Professional Development & Editor-in-Chief, Melinda Ligos.	The night before ASI’s Fifth Annual Power Summit kicked off, company president/CEO Tim Andrews hosted a dinner at the Ritz Carlton for ASI’s staff in attendance. Here are some of my favorite colleagues (from left): Vice President of Distributor Services, Dan Dienna (I dare you to make him laugh — he’s got the funniest girly giggle ever); Barbara Ambrose; Manager of Digital Advertising, Suzanne Izzo; and Supplier Sales Marketing Manager, Colin Graf, who took all the amazing event photos you see on ASICentral.
(From left): The lovely Krista Taylor, one of ASI’s clients’ favorite supplier sales reps; Rob Watson (love, love, love him!) and Melinda Ligos, who oversees the cuckoo’s nest that is ASI’s editorial department.	(From left): Melinda Ligos, Tim Andrews and Nicole Rollender enjoy some pre-dinner cocktails.
(From left): Counselor senior writer Dave Vagnoni, who MC’d the Power Summit event and did a damn fine job doing so; Kerry Boderman; ASI’s executive director of research, Larry Basinait and Counselor editor Andy Cohen.	Trade Show Manager for the ASI Show, Amber May (left), who celebrated her birthday just as the Power Summit was kicking off, got some help celebrating from her girlfriend, Lindsay Troncelliti.
(From left): ASI’s Marketing Communications Manager, Kate Malone; Amber May; ASI Marketing Director of Membership Services, Jack Flohr; and Cheryl Childers.	Tim Andrews and Barbara Ambrose, enjoying some downtime before the Power Summit officially opened.
The always-gregarious Dana Zezzo, shown here with the plush towel with the Power Summit logo that his company, Pro Towels Etc., supplied to event attendees, who coveted them.	Dana Zezzo and Dan Weisberg of the distributor Branded Solutions in Pittsburgh.
(From left): Texas-based (hil-arious!) distributor Sean Roark of Promopros Inc.; whip-smart Ottawa-based distributor Raman Agarwal of Akran Marketing; ASI’s executive vice president of distributor services, Dan O’Halloran and Jim Thompson, owner of Graphco Line. Super, super nice guys!	The very enigmatic Joanna Grant from Affinity Express, one of ASI’s best affiliates.
(From left): Kevin Nord, owner of Pro Towels Etc.; Dana Zezzo; and my girl Jilly Albers, from the Ohio-based distributor Shumsky. A word now about Jilly: At events like this and trade shows we both attend, Jilly shares my room … and the rock star, libertine antics follow henceforth. As I’m fond of saying, I don’t have any sisters, but if I did, they’d be Jilly and our pal Sharon Biernat (missed you, Shar!), of Creative Promos in Chicago!	David Woods (left) president of Counselor Top 40 distributor AIA and CONRAD FRANEY, president of Counselor Top 40 distributor Gateway/CDI. Why did I put his name in all capital letters? BECAUSE EVERYTHING HE SAYS IS VERY LOUD AND IT JUST CRACKS ME UP!!! His business partner, Chuck Fandos (missed you, Chuckles!) calls him “Foghorn Leghorn” and if you know CONRAD, it is apropos.
(From left): Vice President of Sales for Counselor Top 40 supplier Sweda and a dear friend of mine, Kellie Claudio, CONRAD FRANEY, and one of my all-time favorites, Sweda president Jim Hagan.	At my table for the Power 50 dinner during the Summit, I was lucky enough to have quite the cast of industry characters, including Galaxy Balloons’ Terry Brizz and Shepenco’s Dan Townes. Needless to say, there was tons of hooting and hollering at my table.
One of PPAI’s newest board members (she’ll do an excellent job!), the luminous Natalie Townes (left) from Shepenco and Jilly Albers.	One of my oldest — and closest — friends in the industry, Craig Nadel, president of Counselor Top 40 distributor Jack Nadel Int’l. (left), shown here with my pal Jason Grindall from the Arizona-based supplier, Graphco Line. Jason was present during my one and only appearance on an Advantages’ road show tour (there were cocktails…and there were fireworks in a field… Oy.) and we lived to tell the tale.
Here’s my girl Jilly with Josh Ebrahemi, the top sales rep for Jack Nadel Int’l. Both Josh & Jill (who did not, incidentally, go up a hill…) graciously allowed me to put them on our “Marketing Smackdown” panel at the Power Summit and they — along with their fellow panelists Terry McGuire from HALO and Stephanie Leader from Leader Promos — KILLED it!!! At the ages of 28 and 31 respectively, Jilly and Josh are the future of the industry.	Jilly with one who could be accurately described as the industry’s mayor, the Honorable Fran Ford. I think it’s fair to say that a high number of people in the industry have been mentored by and taken under Fran’s wing — and they’re all the better for it. Fran’s company, J. Charles Crystal, supplied the Power 50 and golf awards and they were stunning.
Vice president of business development for Counselor Top 40 supplier Norwood & BIC Graphic North America, Dave Saracino (left) with Memo Kahan, president of Counselor Top 40 distributor PromoShop. Fun fact about Mr. Saracino: In quite a few bars in certain cities across the U.S. the bartenders actually know — from memory — how to make a “Saracino,” a drink named after our industry friend. LOVE that! If this industry had a Rat Pack, he’d be the Chairman of the Board. Like Sinatra, Dave’s the straw that stirs the cocktail.	Memo Kahan with the always-charming Paul Lage, president of Counselor Top 40 supplier Gill Studios. Want to know the epitome of California Cool? Spend some time with Memo… He has such an effortless joie de vivre and chill insouciance, your blood pressure will drop 10 points just by standing next to him.
Terry Brizz and Dan Townes with BrandFuel’s co-owner, Robert Fiveash. In a recent profileI wrote about him, I compared him and his longtime business partner and childhood friend to Keith and Mick. I stand by that statement, on a multitude of levels. Truly, it’s no surprise that BrandFuel is consistently named to Counselor’s Best Places to Work list, based on their employees’ feedback — that’s how much they rock.	After the Power 50dinner, everyone gravitated to the bar for some after-hours high-level discourse. And that’s the story I’m sticking to. Here, we see Pro Towels’ Dana Zezzo with Glen, one of The Fabulous Hersh Boys.
Shumsky’s Jilly Albers with BamBam’s Dan Taylor, one of our favorites in the industry. If we gave out Mr. Congeniality Awards, Dan would get one.	Industry celeb Brett Hersh and a member of this year’s Counselor Hot List, the always-dazzling Anita Emoff from Shumsky/Boost Rewards.
CJ Schmidt, vice president of sales for CounselorTop 40 supplier Hit Promotional Products, shown here with Sandy Gonzalez, president of the distributorship Made to Order. Much like Shumsky’s Jill Albers and Jack Nadel’s Josh Ebrahemi, CJ represents the next generation of our industry — a very good thing.	My BFF Craig Nadel with Aakron Rule’s owner/president, Devin Piscitelli, someone I’d always heard of but never met. Having finally gotten to spend time with him at the Power Summit, I can say that he’s just as delightful as I’ve been told.
Shumsky/Boost Rewards’ Jilly Albers and Anita Emoff, shown here with a very happy Dana Zezzo.	(From left): Craig Nadel, Tim Andrews and Josh Ebrahemi.
Here we have Paul Bellantone, an industry veteran and PPAI’s newly-installed president/CEO, and Tim Andrews, ASI’s president/CEO. My opinion? The industry couldn’t be in better hands with these two at the helm. I was thrilled to have Paul attend this year’s Power Summit, as I’ve known him for years and have always found him to be beyond gracious.	Two of apparel’s best — Ira Neaman, owner of CounselorTop 40 supplier Vantage and Glenn Oyoung, COO of CounselorTop 40 supplier Tri-Mountain/Mountain Gear, such a classy guy!
Two of my favorite people in the industry, David Nicholson — president of CounselorTop 40 supplier Polyconcept North America and the person (along with his colleagues Philippe Varnier and Yann Leca) named #1 on this year’s CounselorPower 50 list — and Ira “the Yoda of Wearables” Neaman. Too Kooky To Be Believed Fact: The heads and/or founders of FOUR Counselor Top 40 suppliers are from Pittsburgh and went to the same high school: Jeff Kramer, who founded Bullet Line; Tommy Bernstein, who founded Leed’s; Bill Korowitz, the owner/president of Magnet LLC and Ira, who owns Vantage. What are the chances of THAT??? Throw Pro Towels’ owner Kevin Nord and Branded Solutions’ Dan Weisberg (both from Pittsburgh) into the mix and you’ve got what has to be the breeding ground for industry success stories!	And last but not least, we have Jetline’s vice president of business development, Joe Hoffman — always one with miles of smile and ready to have some fun. I’m always telling Joe that when I’m in a certain mood, I can be like a lawn dart at a bar — I plant roots and never move. I don’t think he believed me until after the Power 50 dinner, but he sure as hell does now! ; )

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