Email news for the shoe traveler community
March 30, 2007
Welcome to "WSTA Online," the electronic newsletter designed to keep you up to date on news, WSTA activities, career opportunities and more.
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 first article focuses on how WSTA members feel about the association today. More information will follow in upcoming editions of WSTA Online.
The Haefer Group, an independent association consulting firm, analyzed responses received from more than 20% of WSTA members, a strong response rate which indicates that the responses are actionable.
Since WSTA is a fairly new organization, the survey asked what motivated members to join the organization initially, and what motivates members to continue to participate. It should come as no surprise to learn that access to the WSA show is the single most important reason that members join and retain their membership (55.23% and 53.28% respectively). It may be surprising, however, to learn that an intangible benefit was the second highest reason: to support the traveler community within the industry. The third most cited reason for joining and retaining membership was another intangible benefit – to add to the collective power of shoe travelers. According to The Haefer Group, these two responses are unusual, because intangible benefits don’t usually become important factors until members have a longer history with their organization.
Almost three-quarters of members believe that WSTA is an association that understands the unique needs of shoe travelers. That said, only 57% of members say that WSTA’s mission and goals are clear to them (click here for WSTA Mission Statement). So, there is obviously work to be done: WSTA needs to make clear what the Association is doing for shoe travelers -- and why. The Board has begun to explore how our communications tools, specifically including our website and our electronic newsletter, can best be used to do so.
The best news from the survey is that member support for the organization is strong. Fully 89% intend to renew their membership, 74% would recommend membership to a fellow shoe traveler, and 68% say that they are satisfied or very satisfied with their WSTA membership. While that last number is a pleasing positive one, the Board intends to raise it even higher over the course of the next few years by building programs and services that meet members’ needs.
“The Board of Directors was very pleased to see such a healthy response rate to the survey,” says Gina Berman, WSTA President. “We intend to use member feedback as a guideline for the direction of the organization. I would like to publicly thank our members both for their feedback and their confidence in WSTA. WSTA Online will continue to be a primary tool to report our solid progress in meeting the unique needs of our segment of the industry.”
Next issue: Membership Features & Benefits – Your Interests...
Amy Carickhoff and Mary Stanton
Metro NY Travelers Grow March Show
The Boot & Shoe Travelers Association of New York (B&STA) recently ran their first full-season all-booth show at the New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center in Edison, NJ.
Retiring B&STA show coordinator Mary Stanton, who has administered the show since 1972, was honored for her contributions during a special reception on March 19, where Stanton (pictured, right) introduced her successor, Amy Carickhoff. (pictured with Stanton).
WSTA executive director Bill Boettge spent March 19 at the show, meeting with most of the travelers who attended. He thanked members for their support of WSTA and explained to prospective new members the many benefits WSTA offers. “Being at a show, meeting travelers one-on-one is an excellent way to let shoe travelers know what WSTA can do for them,” Boettge said.
Danny Lakin, Chairman of The B&STA Show Committee is very supportive of WSTA and along with Mary and Amy helped make the WSTA visit very successful.
For more information on this show and the dates of their next show, see the show listings on WSTA website or 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 as well. See details at www.wsashow.com.
WSA Buyer List Now Available
As a WSTA member, you are entitled to a WSA buyer list for your territory at no cost.
- A request form must be submitted to WSA (click here for form)
- Only names in your territory are free ($150/1,000 names beyond territory)
- Only available in Excel spreadsheets (via email)
- February 2007 buyer list is only available through July 16, 2007
- Normal requests are fulfilled within a week; however, since the list was just made available, it may be a longer time period over the next few weeks.
IRS Auto Mileage Rate
The IRS standard rate for business auto mileage in 2007 is 48.5 cents per mile for business miles driven. (2006 rate was 44.5 cents.)
China Sends U.S. Two Billion Pair
For 2006, China sent the U.S. two billion forty-three million pair, for market share of 86.2%, up 6.2% in volume from 2005.
Total dollar sales from China were $13.6 billion, up 9% with the average unit value at $6.66, an increase of 2.7% over 2005.
Vietnam passed Brazil as the second largest provider of footwear to the U.S. in 2006 with a market share of 3.6%, with its shipments increasing by 34%. Brazil accounted for 2.8% of the U.S. market and shipments fell by nearly 16%. (U.S. Department of Commerce)
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 2008 |
| Committee: | Nominations and By-Law Committee |
| Lines: | Martino of Canada, Propet USA |
| Territory: | Midwest |
Nominations Reminder
Please submit names of travelers (or yourself) to the Nomination Committee for one of 5 Board of Directer slots that will be elected this fall. You still have until April 30, 2007 to submit names to WSTA. Click here for details.
NRF Poll Predicts Strong Spring Season
Consumers polled by the National Retail Federation last week plan to spend 11% more this year on spring dresses, swimming suits, and Easter goods in preparation for spring break and the upcoming holiday. The NRF also reported 36.8% of consumers will be shopping at department stores, up 22% from last year. (NRF Smartbrief 3/20/2007)
Penney's Comeback Story Reveals Lessons for Retailers
J.C. Penney Co., which has been chronicled by the Harvard Business Review and major news media for its return to glory, reported its 15th consecutive quarter of rising same-store sales last week. Retailers looking to make their own comebacks may take note of Penney's keys to success: cutting costs, centralizing buying, improving the merchandise, rebuilding the brand and changing corporate culture.(NRF Smartbrief 2/26/2007)
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.
No part of this newsletter may be reproduced in any manner without the express permission of WSTA.