SAAGNY News

The SAAGNY Foundation  has awarded its two annual scholarships:

Celine Ghanbury, daughter of Shawn Ghanbury, Abbasoft Technologies

             Joshua Merkin, son of Mike Merkin, Hit Promotional Products

The competition was extremely strong this year, as it is every year, and the judges had a difficult time reaching their decisions.  These scholarships are awarded annually.  Join me in congratulating our winners and applauding the efforts of all of our applicants.

Congratulations Sean Kurtzman, Midnite Snax, for being named to ASI's 2018 Hot List - one of the new stars shaking up the promo market with their ambition, empathy, and passion to be the very best.  

Click here for the full article.

SAAGNY HOSTS RECORD SETTING SUMMER SHOWCASE

The Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York (SAAGNY) hosted their sixth annual Summer Showcase for promotional products distributors and their clients yesterday.  The event attracted a record number of exhibitors, distributors, and end-user clients. 

Traffic on the show floor was brisk from the time the show opened at 10:30 am until it closed at 3:00 pm.  End-user attendance increased nearly 15% from last year and has more than doubled since the show began.  Distributor attendance increased 15% from 2017, with over 650 attendees at the show in total.  The show floor was slightly reconfigured this year to accommodate additional exhibitors and sold out with a total of 80+ supplier and multiline representative companies occupying 140+ tables, up from 115 tables in 2016 and 120 tables last year.

“Another record year for the SAAGNY Summer Show”, said SAAGNY President John R. B. Cudahy, CAS of Prime Line. “We are thrilled that this show continues to exceed our expectations. The continued support we receive from our supplier and distributor members makes this an amazing event.” 

Over 200 distributor sales people representing over 80 companies had clients in attendance at the show, which included a “Best In Show” display, featuring favorite items from exhibiting suppliers, a gourmet lunch for all in attendance, an ice cream cart for a sweet afternoon treat and gift bags for the end-users, filled with promotional products from more than 10 exhibiting suppliers.

Remarked SAAGNY Executive Director Donna-Jean Plante: “It was gratifying to see the hard work of the volunteers, board, and staff come together to make this show another successful SAAGNY show.  I look forward to seeing even more distributors and more of their clients at next year’s event.”

Congratulations to our raffle winners from the SAAGNY Summer Show!

Supplier - Gary Schwartz, Cutter & Buck

Distributor - Meryl Harwood, A Creative Idea

Client - Guest of Sandra Reda, Geiger

SAAGNY was on the road today visiting Chocolate Inn.  This factory tour coincided with the second day of Promotional Products Work! Week.  

Today was a great opportunity for the distributors in attendance to see Chocolate Inn and all its products being made and what they can do for clients.  

Thank you to all who attended!

SAAGNY took a tour of the Southern Hemisphere with WINE!  Thank you to all who attended the event last evening - including a couple of past SAAGNY Presidents.

What a great night to be in CT for a Wine Tasting at Total Wines & More!

It was a wonderful opportunity to mix and mingle with new colleagues and old ones and sharing ideas and issues.

Thank you Fairytale Brownies for the yummy goody bags!

Great day for all who attended the tour of the S & S Distribution Center in Robbinsville, NJ.  

Last night 25+ industry colleagues went to Topgolf Edison for some fun and mixing and mingling with old friends and new!  Join us at our next golf event, the Lenore Goldberg Memorial Golf Outing, June 11, 2018.  

It is with sad news that we report the passing of Fred Black, All Types Advertising a long-time SAAGNY volunteer and member.  The Funeral will be Wednesday, April 11, at 11:00 a.m. at the Montebello Jewish Center, 34 Montebello Road, Suffern, NY  10901.  

Below is a short piece written by Joel Schaffer, MAS, Past SAAGNY President, about Fred Black.

I’m saddened that Fred Black finally listened.

When I began my real active service to SAAGNY around 1990, Fred Black had already established himself on the Board, on committees, etc. His footprint was everywhere. As my service grew and he left the Board, he never let go of SAAGNY. His activity continued with one relentless pursuit. He was the keeper of the by-laws. When a Board made a decision, he was there to check it against the by-laws. When it was time to change or amend the by-laws he either sat on or led the team that did it. I called him a pain and often said ...” go away”, but, in reality, I knew how important his contributions really were. Nobody, simply nobody else cared as much as Fred. SAAGNY will document his long record of service, but not his intellectual contribution. SAAGNY today owes Fred Black a thank you. SAAGNY today needs to show youthful volunteers and potential volunteers how one person can mean so much to an organization for over 40 years. 

I’m sorry you finally listened, that wasn’t exactly how I meant it. Rest in peace my friend and friend of all SAAGNY.