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Email news for the traveler
community
Issue 32 - February 7, 2008
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Reminder...WSTA Is Now SATA
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 As was announced in
the last issue of SATA Online, the board voted to change the name
World Shoe Travelers Association (WSTA) to Shoe and Accessory
Travelers Association (SATA).
The new name reflects the growing of the product lines carried by the
shoe traveler as well as the integration of accessory and apparel
lines at the shows and markets and the incorporation of these reps
into our organization. In addition, it helps to eliminate any
lingering confusion between the WSA Show and the shoe traveler.
Hopefully you soon will recognize the new initials SATA and the new
logo as readily as you adapted to WSTA.
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SATA Board Meeting - Looking for Your
Input
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 The SATA Board will be meeting in Las Vegas on February
19, 2008. Is there anything you particularly would like to see on
the agenda? Remember, SATA is your organization, here to serve
you. Are there benefits that you would like to see
implemented? Would you like to serve on a committee? Do you
have specific comments or questions? Click here and send us your
suggestions.
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Membership...Help
SATA Grow and You Will Benefit
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 Did you know:
- Many associations lose 10-20% of
their membership per year through retirement, change in careers,
etc.?
- Over 1,500 shoe and accessory
reps are not yet members of SATA.
To
maintain our effectiveness and our ability to negotiate great benefits
for members, we need strength in numbers. This means that a major
day-after-day activity of SATA has to be membership recruitment.
This is where you as a member come in. YOU are the best
source of new members because you know the organization and you
are in contact with other reps. You also benefit the most
from bringing in new reps:
- The more members we have, the
bigger discounts and benefits we can negotiate for you; and
- You could win a $50 Staple Gift
Card.
So
help SATA reach its goal of bringing in 400 new members this spring.
Click here and we will send you
a packet of membership brochures. Put your name in the upper
right hand corner of the membership application and start passing these
out to your fellow reps who may not be members of SATA. For every
application that comes back with your name on it, we will put your name
in the hat and at the end of April will draw multiple names, each of
whom will receive a $50 Staple Gift Card.
Help your organization grow to the powerhouse it can be.
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In Memoriam
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During
the past two weeks, we have received notification of the deaths of the
following shoe travelers:
Richard Christian
Marc Gmiter
James Traynor
We have listed on our website what we know regarding these
individuals. If you click on their names, it will take you to the
listing.
As a reminder, please send us notification of any traveler deaths when
you become aware of them. Informing others should not have to be
the responsibility solely of a grieving family.
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Visit Our Booth at
WSA and Get The Latest SATA Info
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 The newly renamed SATA will be at the February WSA
Show. We plan on having one booth this year, and it will be at
The Sands. Stop by to say hello and:
- Get your free laminated
luggage tag.
- Find out how SATA can
save you money on hotels, insurances, shipping, and more.
- Meet with Shelley
Shannon, executive director, and give her your feedback and
comments as to what you think about SATA, and what you would like
to get from the Association in the future.
- Find out about some of
our new and exciting plans for 2008.
Also,
don't forget, as an active, paid member of SATA, you are entitled to
one free porter service at the WSA Show. And after the show, you
are entitled to a free buyer list of your territory. If you meet
up with any of your friends at the WSA Show who might not be members of
SATA, let them know what they are missing and direct them our way.
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Next SATA
Education Seminar to Be Held at BSTA in Manchester
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 "Outstanding
seminar!! Kept me interested & motivated the entire time," said T. Brack of Mars,
PA.
After a terrific initial seminar, SATA is working with the BSTA Board
and Danner DeStephano, Executive Director, to hold its next educational
seminar at the Northeast Shoe Expo on Tuesday, March 4. We'll be
in the Frost Room at the Radisson Expo Center from 7:45 a.m. - 8:45
a.m. Come for coffee!
During this initial launch phase of our educational initiative, SATA's
four seminars will include coupons to enable members to attend these
seminars free, so sign up while you can. Click here to download a
registration form and complete and fax it to 410-381-1167.
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Federal
Legislation Having An Impact on You And The Footwear Industry
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Congress
is considering legislation on a number of major issues that could
impact you and the footwear industry, including the economic stimulus
package, bills about China's monetary and import policies, and consumer
safety.
One of the biggest bills for many shoe execs is the bill that would
eliminate some $798 million in duties on low-priced footwear and
children's shoes. Footwear execs argue that the duties are
essentially a regressive tax hurting low- to middle-income families.
At the same time, the industry has to be on guard against congressional
consideration of a bill imposing punitive tariffs on Chinese imports if
China does not raise the value of its currency.
Also up for consideration is product safety legislation and footwear
companies could face some adjustments in their supply chains to meet
stricter regulations.
(FN January 28, 2008. For in-depth coverage of the above, see
current issues of FN)
If you don't have a subscription to FN, click here and subscribe at low
discount SATA prices.
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Why Analysts Are
Bearish on Footwear
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Four
analysts who are footwear industry observers recently gave their
thoughts on why they think it is going to be a challenging year for
footwear. Some of their comments were:
- There is no dramatic
change to what people are wearing and it doesn't seem like there
is anything tremendously huge on the horizon that is going to
change this.
- The consumer is facing
headwinds with energy price increases and the sub-prime mortgage
mess.
- The only broad trend out
there is comfort, and comfort is getting played out. Don't
know where the market is going from here.
(FN
January 28, 2008)
Online editors comment: It seems like one strategy is for
the rep to stress the importance of newness to your retail customers so
that the consumer has a reason to buy. It is not the time to
stick to basics or warmed over versions of the same things.
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Send Us Your News!
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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, ot to check out
the benefits of membership, please email us at info@shoetravelers.org.
No part of this newsletter may be reproduced in any manner without the
express permission of WSTA.
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World Shoe Travelers
Association | 7150 Columbia Gateway Drive | Suite G | Columbia | MD |
21046
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