SAAGNY News

Thank you for attending the SAAGNY Sip and Schmooze at Cricket Hill Brewery held last evening!

It was a great night and a terrific way to get together with your promo peeps!

Hope you and your promo colleagues will be at future SAAGNY events! 

The June SAAGNY Life has arrived.  Click here to get the latest from SAAGNY.     

                                               

The Power of “1”

From Maine to Chesapeake and Long Island to Pittsburgh we have you covered!  The Chesapeake Promotional Products Association (CPPA), New England Promotional Products Association (NEPPA), Philadelphia Area Promotional Products Association (PAPPA), Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York (SAAGNY), and Three Rivers Advertising Specialty Association (TRASA) are proud to announce the first annual Power of “1” collaboration debuting January 2022.

CPPA NEPPA, PAPPA, SAAGNY, and TRASA, are all members of District 1, one of the seven districts within the Regional Association Council (RAC) which exists to foster communication and cooperation between the regional association community members and with Promotional Products Association International (PPAI). This group is excited to announce their first annual show collaboration amongst all five regionals to be held January 24 -28, 2022.  Each day of the week a different regional and not to be missed educational component will be included in the Power of “1” Tour.  David Kennealey, President, NEPPA, added “I love the fact that the District 1 regional associations are working together to announce this week-long event earlier than ever before. This will allow our supplier partners to strategically plan their show calendars for 2022 to participate in this must-do event.”

“Collaboration is where great things take place. When the Presidents and Executive Directors of these regional associations connected and began brainstorming on how we could collectively bring value, as a group, to all our members, that’s where the magic happened. I am excited to show ALL the members what we have in store, so stay tuned. I am very proud to work with this solid group of professionals who bring a wealth of expertise and talent to the table.” noted Cliff Quicksell, MAS+, President, CPPA who described the process that brought this alliance together.

The first collaboration these outstanding group of leaders had was in 2020, a President Panel Discussion via webinar followed by a second President Panel discussion in 2021.  Mark Colfer, PAPPA President, commented, “The District 1 Executive Directors and respective Association Presidents have been collaborating and wanting to plan something different for 2022.  We are thrilled to announce The Power of “1”– 5 days of events showcasing valuable product and selling ideas, education, and fun.  We look forward to seeing everyone throughout this week in January!” 

Monday, January 24 – NEPPA Winter Show - CT

Tuesday, January 25 – SAAGNY Winter Show - Suffern, NY

Wednesday, January 26 – PAPPA Winter Show - Springfield, PA

Thursday, January 27 – CPPA Winter Expo – Baltimore Area, MD

Friday, January 28 – TRASA Launch into 2022 – Pittsburgh, PA

Collaboration was key for this group of regional association leaders. Tim Wingert, President, TRASA, added “What a great opportunity to join forces amongst our peers in promo. The “Power of “1”,” referring to District 1 (and a play on PPAI’s Power of Two), is a great way to provide value to all our members.  Having our regional associations partnering with this common goal is exciting.  I am looking forward to a renewed focus on education, networking, and relevant shows!” 

Rachel Levin, CAS, President, SAAGNY, added, “Our focus is our promo communities at large and bringing value to our members.  With this idea leading the group, we will ensure a higher success rate of achieving our common goal. Collectively, we will gain much more traction and soar to that common goal.”

Save the dates for the Power of “1” Tour! 

Congratulations

Judah Farkas

2021 Scholarship Recipient

Thank you to all who submitted applications.

                                                                

The IRS recently issued Notice 2021-25 to implement the provision of the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020 which provides for 100% deduction for qualifying business meal expenses incurred between January 2, 2021 and December 31, 2022.

This will be beneficial both for the businesses ( for example, independent contractors, sales people on the road) that have these types of expenses and for the restaurants that are hoping to drive increased spending.  This notice outlines the types of expenses that are covered by the provision as well as its parameters and limits.  Businesses or individuals that have, or expect to have, meal expenses in the next two years should make sure that they are taking maximum advantage of this new provision.   

Click here for the article in PPB Newslink.

Thank you to all who attended the SAAGNY Outdoor Showcase held yesterday at the Crown Plaza, Suffern, NY.  With over 100 distributors in attendance along with 56 suppliers representing more than 100 lines.  

Even through the masks you could see the smiles and enthusiasm for all those that were in attendance.  As the first in person SAAGNY trade show since Covid began,  it was a resounding success.  Although there was some light rain fifteen minutes prior to the show closing, it did not dampen anyone’s spirits.

Congratulations to our raffle winners:

Marcy, Harry Hoffer Advertising

Larry, Take Off Products

Sharon, Nexus Marketing

Melissa, Pacesetter Awards

The April SAAGNY Life has arrived.  Click here to get the latest from SAAGNY.     

                                               

[Cheshire, CT March 26, 2021] Barker Specialty is pleased to announce they are celebrating 70 years in business! The promotional products company was started in 1951 by Gloria and Herb Barker who had a vision that tangible marketing products would one day become a critical advertising medium. Their thought was that useful products, those that can be seen repeatedly, would be a popular way to carry a branded message.

“I am so proud that my parents’ vision has become a reality and the company they started in their kitchen has become one of the premier promotional products companies in the country with nearly 80 employees. While I am saddened Gloria and Herb are not here to share our 70th anniversary, I am thrilled they were both here for our 65th, and we are committed to continuing the wonderful legacy they created.”, says Gerry Barker, President of Barker Specialty.

What started as a desire of Gloria and Herb’s to share in the joy people receive when getting a gift of a promotional item has turned into a thriving second generation family-owned business. In addition, they wanted to create a work environment where respect for fellow employees and clients was paramount. This mentality extended to the greater community where Barker Specialty has and continues to give job and internship opportunities, donations and volunteers to many worthwhile causes and organizations.

Barker Specialty continues to thrive and stand out as a leader in the promotional products industry. With multiple recognitions including most recently the 2020 PPAI Pyramid Award for Technology, Barker Specialty is committed to growing and adapting to offering the best services for our clients for years to come!

About Barker Specialty

Barker Specialty has been the one-stop source for all promotional and marketing needs for over 70 years. We are a service oriented, innovative promotional marketing agency, specializing in promotional products, logo’d merchandise, apparel, premium gifts, awards, tradeshow displays and signage. Call (800) 227-5377 or visit barkerspecialty.com for more information

Industry veteran, Richard Stromberg, CAS, Chairman of StrombergBrand Umbrellas, has passed away at the age of 78.

The Stromberg family has announced with great sadness that Richard Stromberg passed away on March 17, 2021.

Known for his boundless positive energy and enthusiasm, even in recent years while coping with the increasing challenges presented by Multiple Sclerosis, Mr. Stromberg worked every day until his passing. Continuous development of the business and its product line was his focus, as well as directing creative projects and providing his years of wisdom to the StrombergBrand team.

Mr. Stromberg began his career at his family’s retail/wholesale umbrella business, which was founded by his father, Jaye Stromberg, in 1942. He worked his way up from what he fondly described as “chief broom pusher” to assuming ownership in 1967.  From then on, he made it his life’s work to learn more than just about anyone about umbrella production. He wanted to know every detail about stitching, fabric, frames, components, and more -- traveling around the world from France to Italy, the UK, Germany, China, Taiwan, and South Korea to meet and work with top manufacturers. 

After offering his products in the premium market, Mr. Stromberg entered the promotional products industry and exhibited at his first trade show in 1968, in New York City. He was interviewed on his 50^th anniversary in the industry and said: “Before I signed up for that show, I didn’t even know what ‘ad specialty’ was! A neighboring exhibitor filled me in on many details of the industry. I grew to love the business and the people in it.” He was a lifelong supporter and active participant of industry groups and associations, having served on various committees over the years, and earned his CAS designation in the 1970s.

Helen Stromberg, Mr. Stromberg’s wife, who has been with the company since 1981, continues in the position of President. Their daughter, Jennifer Stromberg, assumed the role of company Vice President in 2020, ensuring a strategic third generation management transition.

“Richard has left us with a business that is thriving and with a wonderful team in place to continue operating in his legacy. Those of us who knew him were constantly uplifted by his favorite sayings, which were always ones of optimism: ‘Think positive,’ ‘Where there’s life there’s hope,’ and of course, ‘Carpe Diem.’  We have many things to thank him for, but most importantly, his constant encouragement to push forward, work hard, and believe in ourselves.”

Mr. Stromberg is survived by his wife, four daughters, five grandchildren, and countless lifelong and industry friends.  In addition to his family, friends and work, his passions included reading, history, art, jazz music, astronomy, etymology, billiards, his country home, traveling to warm places, and murder mysteries.

Those that would like to reach out to the family to offer condolences or share memories of Richard are welcome to do so at http://www.legacy.com/Link.asp?I=LS000198135740X. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society  in his memory.