It's that time again...

We leave for Chicago next weekend--the Motivation Show is upon us. And as it approaches, there's a lot to consider. To wit:

• The business didn't die this summer. It wasn't exactly Robust, but those who thought we'd be doomed will not see their vision come to pass.
• The market continues to surprise and amaze me. Opportunities are still there.
• Some new ideas are about to be unveiled. Something approaching a Unified Solution for incentive program developers is being bandied about (I have to confess I don't know much about how it works, except that allegedly it does)
  
• The Associations are working on some new stuff (which I'm bound by NDA not to discuss publicly) that could change the paradigms of what Associations do for their members.
  
• Branded suppliers are already looking ahead to January, when PPAI unveils its Grand Experiment, the "brand." pavilion at Expo. Over 50 Brands will show up there to see if there's an audience for a Brand-centric experience at a promotional products convention.

None of these things are cure-alls for the ills that ail us--the "iffy" commitment of many Brands to the channel, the continued erosion of our business by outsiders (Amazon, etc.), the challenge for merchandise suppliers caused by Retailer-issued Gift Cards, etc. But 0ne thing is clear--the market seems to be big enough to accommodate us all for the time being.

I have ongoing concerns about our Rep population--can they continue to represent 20 suppliers on 5% and make it? If not, they have to become customers as well and this presents a challenge to the message they deliver to the reseller community as a Rep. I hope everyone does as well as Stu Birger has done over the years--he's managed to create a strong rep group in addition to a reseller operation while not antagonizing the customer community.

Speaking of Stu--those who predicted that the acquisition of his company by Maritz would precipitate a mass exodus of his manufacturers were not correct. The jury's still out here--and there are real issues--but so far, so good. Who knew Maritz could be a good rep?

And my company, Samsonite, will manage the Show without one of our team--Alice Cannon was a victim of Musical Corporate Chairs in August. She now has Samsonite (and, unfortunately, the Incentive Market) in her rear-view mirror and is off to sing the praises of a jewelry company based in Boston. It's our loss, and by that I mean the market's--we need all the smart, passionate people we can find to make our market more meaningful to our organizations.

The Booth Number is 1415--Do the Mae West thing and "come by and see me"...


Pete