Email news for the shoe traveler community
April 12, 2007
Welcome to "WSTA Online," the electronic newsletter designed to keep you up to date on news, WSTA activities, career opportunities and more.
Save money on your taxes! WSTA presents Aaron Bloom, a CPA tax specialist, who will present a one-hour seminar on Sunday, July 29, 2007 (the day before the WSA Show) entitled, “Tax Saving Tips for the Shoe Traveler.” This custom program for shoe travelers will be presented at both 10:30 am and 3:00 pm to help fit it into your schedule. Aaron has all the areas where you as a shoe traveler can save time and money on your taxes. He not only will do the presentation but give you a handout that has easy-to-follow check lists as well as the top 10 ideas for cutting your tax costs.
The program will be presented in the LVCC so it is close to you on set-up day. As a benefit of membership, WSTA has kept the cost at only $20 for members and this includes the “Shoe Travelers’ Tax Savings Handbook.” Click here for more information and the registration form. Sign up now, enrollment is limited.
Dressy Items Fuel 2006 Apparel and Footwear Sales
The "dressing up" trend is seen as one of the factors fueling the growth in the U.S. fashion market, both footwear and apparel, according to a release on March 6 from the NPD Group, a retail and consumer information firm.
In women's apparel, dress sales were up 7%. Men continue to buy more suits as the unit volume is up 6.2% for 2006. Men's fashion footwear year end numbers continue to support the "dressing up" trend seen in men's apparel. Sales in the dress category were up 19.3% over 2005. Women's fashion footwear year end numbers also complement the dressing up trend seen in the apparel numbers, with evening shoes posting 13.5% growth.
"To truly fuel growth, department store, other retailers, and manufacturers need to pay careful attention to consumers so they can meet the demands of the marketplace and offer a unique and exciting merchandise mix that connects with their customers," said Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst. (NPD March 6, 2007 Release)
WSTA Features & Benefits – What’s Important to YOU!
You know what you were thinking as you went through the questions in WSTA’s recent member survey. WSTA’s Board thought you’d also like to know what other WSTA members thought. This second article focuses on WSTA’s members’ views regarding features and benefits of belonging to WSTA. More information from the survey will follow in upcoming editions of WSTA Online.
Members were given the opportunity to rank WSTA’s features and benefits as they exist today along with thoughts about future features. Features are programs/services/products that WSTA provides – benefits are the personal connection between the organization and the member. For instance, access to the WSA show is a feature of WSTA. The benefit is making show registration easy and less of a hassle for Shoe Traveler members!
Not surprisingly, members are looking for features that will help them be more successful in their careers. The highest rated features were:
- Industry links or show/event information
- WSTA being a voice to the industry regarding shoe travelers' needs, purposes and role
- WSTA influencing state governments regarding issues of interest to travelers
- WSTA working with Two Ten
- Access to benefits such as insurance
- Training on ways to increase business success
As you can see from the other articles in WSTA Online, WSTA is proceeding with the development of programs and services to meet members’ needs. “Data from the survey will help us prioritize our programs/service development," says Gina Berman, WSTA President. “We want to be smart about how we spend our resources – As a young organization.”
Members believe that WSTA understands the unique needs of shoe travelers. The needs of the industry are complex – ranging from access to benefits to training on how to enhance shoe travelers’ business skills. Up to this point, WSTA has worked on benefit development. While the Board will continue to broaden the benefits/discounts we make available, work will also be done to provide education and training for travelers. Broadening the organization’s offerings will be a challenge. But your membership organization is up to it!
Next issue: What you told us about YOU!...
Your Current Board of Directors
WSTA Online will feature one current Board member in each issue. Feel free to contact them with your ideas. Board contact information can be found here.
| Term Expires: | October 2007 |
| Committee: | Membership/Benefits & Services Committee and Investment Committee |
| Lines: | Red Wing Shoe Company |
| Territory: | IL, OH, IN, PA |
I was born a poor child in Detroit, MI. Well, the "born in Detroit" part is true. I am the third generation of Armbrusters to be a part of the footwear business. My grandfather and my father supported their families through being a wholesale representative in the shoe industry. I have been a wholesale rep for 25 years and am taking care of my family the same way. Because of this, I feel it is important to give back to this industry, to make sure it is a great way for others to take care of their families. I have been self-employed, a company employee, and had my own agency. I have sold men’s, women’s, children’s, and athletic footwear as a representative for different companies. I have been on the Board of Directors of Michigan Shoe Travelers for many years. By working my way through the offices I have been able to make a positive difference for my fellow travelers. I have joined the other Board Members of WSTA to help make a difference for all of us in this quickly changing business. We have the desire, the knowledge, and the funds to do many positive things for our WSTA members. You and I can have an impact on future generations in the footwear industry through working together and being a member of WSTA. - Tom Armbruster
Nominations Reminder
Please submit names of travelers (or yourself) to the Nomination Committee for 5 Board of Directer positions that will be open this fall. You still have until April 30, 2007 to submit names to WSTA. Click here for details.
WSTA has just posted on its website an entire series of great articles on careeer development. These 20 articles are categorized under 4 key topics: resumes, job interviewing, career decisions, and job transition.
For example, do you know the Ten Keys to a Dynamite Resume? This is just one of the articles. To sample this article, click here. To see the complete list of articles and get free member access to the entire series, click here.
WSTA extends a big thank you to Susan Proffitt, President CEO of Profitable Solutions who wrote and provided these articles to WSTA. To learn more about Profitable Solutions, the executive search firm click here.
WSA Update
For all the latest from WSA including information on registration for the next show (July 30 through August 1, 2007), visit www.wsashow.com. Read all the latest news at www.WSAToday.com. Check out the travel desk for hotel rates for the next show.
WSTA Member Registration for WSA Now Open
WSA has now opened the registration for WSTA members. To pre-register for the upcoming WSA Show online as a WSTA member, please click here. Registration can also be done via fax or regular mail. See details at www.wsashow.com.
August 2007 WSA Show Exhibitor Listing Information
All WSA exhibitors should have received an email from WSA requesting contact, brand, and product information updates that WSA makes available online, as well as in the printed directories. If you are responsible for handling the update, you need to follow through the steps listed in the email. If you are not responsible, you may still want to contact the vendor/s you represent and remind them.
If you have any questions regarding this important procedure, please contact John Osako at 818-379-9479 or josako@wsashow.com.
The Age of Online Shoe Shopping
Online footwear sales almost doubled between 2004 and 2006, compared with a 16% growth in overall shoe sales during the same period, according to research from the NPD Group. More consumers are buying their shoes online because they enjoy the convenience of finding odd sizes in stock, and e-tailers are getting more sophisticated with their e-newsletters and online marketing campaigns. (NRF Smartbrief 3/26/2007)
Two Shoe Travelers Seriously Injured in Accident at Logan Airport Boston
Two members of the Etonic sales team, Kevin Leonard and Daniel Kass, were severely injured on March 30 by a cab while unloading baggage in the roadway at Boston's Logan Airport. No other information is available to WSTA at this time.
Please Update Your Record!
If you have changed your email address or cell phone number, or have changed or added lines, please update your WSTA record. Just go to www.shoetravelers.org and click Update Your Records under the Membership menu. It takes only minutes and helps us stay in touch with you. Thank you!
WSTA Mission Statement
The World Shoe Travelers Association (WSTA) is a membership organization whose goals are to represent, and to significantly improve the abilities and well-being of, traveling sales representatives who work within the footwear and related goods industry. WSTA's primary activities include providing its members with information, education, benefits and services, and networking opportunities with fellow members, vendors and other key players in the footwear industry.
Send Us Your News!
Do you have news to share with colleagues about yourself, your business or your employees? The WSTA network loves to be in the know. Please send us your news!
Send announcements to WSTA Online at info@shoetravelers.org, and we’ll let the network know.
This email newsletter is provided as a service to members of the World Shoe Travelers Association. Content does not necessarily reflect the opinions of WSTA, its members, its Board of Directors or its staff. Any use of trademarked names is in an editorial fashion intended to benefit the trademark owner, with no intention of trademark interference. For a WSTA membership application, or to check out the benefits of membership, please email us at info@shoetravelers.org
Mailing Address: WSTA, 7150 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite G, Columbia, MD 21046-1151, Fax 410-381-1167.
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