60 Days...

It's been awhile, hasn't it?

It's actually a good thing-the past 60 days have been full of activity, and most of it was actually the good kind. Let's recap, shall we?

• We survived 2010, and we have it exactly where we want it--in the rearview mirror.
• 2011 has begun with a bang. Attendance at PPAI and ASI Orlando was up and the mood was very positive
• Quoting activity started escalating in December, and we actually closed some programs (and this is a VERY positive thing)
• No suppliers exited the channel, and no new threats appeared (that we're aware of-it's always the Unseen Threat that causes the most damage)

So, we're off. There are still structural challenges, and I see no reliable evidence that funding for corporate reward, recognition, or incentive programs has increased in any material way. The major clients in the market are seeing increases to their toplines, but it's coming from lower-margin products (iPads, anyone?) and that isn't a good thing.

I'm relatively bullish--actually, very much more bullish than I was a year ago. That doesn't mean 2008 has returned--far from it--but I see a more bluish tint to the sky these days. I can't cross my toes, but the fingers are very much in that position...


Pete