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Dear Members,
What a great time of year. I've always loved the transition from summer to fall. Maybe it's because of the new school year, my wife would say it's because the new football season is starting, but whatever it is, this time of year always feels like a new beginning.
We're fresh off of another IMA Summit and this was one of the best I've ever been to. The location, the schedule and the overall vibe were all fantastic. Several years ago the theme of the IMA Summit was "Collaborate" and I have to say that theme is one that has stuck with us, and one that reverberates through the industry. From the feedback we've received from the IMRA members that attended, I can say that they were all very pleased with the Summit as well.
The big highlight was the introduction of the inaugural class of the IMA Hall of Fame. This class included George Kling, Greg Canose, Karen Renk, and George Delta. They have all spent lifetimes advocating and working for the betterment of us all and it was great to see their many years of hard work and dedication recognized by the organization.
Another IMRA stalwart was honored at the Summit. Our own Pete Mitchell was the recipient of the IMA President's Award. It was wonderful to see Pete recognized for his contributions and participation in our industry. Pete has always been a strong voice for both IMRA and The IMA and has been a big influence on me personally for many, many years.
The Keynote speakers were amazing. Josh Lifrak, the Chicago Cubs Director of Mental Skills Program, put on a heck of a show and there was also a great speaker from the Disney Institute. They were two of the best I've heard in a very long time. They were engaging, funny, and provided very relevant content for the audience.
The IMRA Conference Committee is hard at work finalizing the details for the 2018 conference in Memphis, TN. Though there are still plenty of things to be determined, we're going to have the major details worked out and to you in the next month. Lucky for us, this is Ted's second consecutive conference to chair and based on the success of the 201conference in San Antonio, I think we can rest assured that Memphis will be another home run.
Chris Harrison
National Sales Manager, KleerWest
IMRA President
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2017 IMA Summit Highlights
July 24 - 26 in Orlando, FL
IMRA was well represented at this year's IMA Summit with over 20 members in attendance.
Some positive highlights expressed by IMRA attendees:
- The two keynote speakers were exceptional:
- Gained knowledge about industry trends
- Learned about the IMA involvement as a member of the ISO 9000 task force on Human Capital standards
- Education sessions provided the ability to think beyond the day-to-day and see the industry as a whole
- Saw potential to partner with other SIG members
Among the IMA members recognized at the Summit for various awards, several IMRA members were honored:
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2017 IMA President's Award - Pete Mitchell
Long-time IMA and IMRA member, and IMRA Past President, Pete Mitchell received the 2017 IMA President's Award at the Summit.
He shared that passion with many IMA and IMRA members, including 10 years facilitating the Special Markets Dialogues where manufacturers and reps meet annually to hold robust discussions on issues affecting them. An entrepreneur at heart, Mitchell revamped, expanded and grew incentive programs for many companies at a time when the industry itself was just starting to grow. He also created and operated several businesses before landing at Samsonite.
Mitchell has long been a voice for involvement in the IMA. Shortly before moving into long-term disability earlier this year, he reached out to all IMA members to encourage involvement, continued collaboration and education to "bake a larger pie so everyone gets a bigger piece."
IMA President Sean Roark, CPIM, said he picked Mitchell because of his humor, wisdom and insights, which have made him a valued friend and mentor to me and an entire generation of incentive professionals."Most of us have a small group of significant people in our lives that we consider to have been a pivotal force in our personal or professional evolution. More people hold Pete in this high regard than anyone else I know," Roark explained.
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Inaugural Hall of Fame Award Inductees
Four long-time industry leaders were inducted into the new IMA Hall of Fame at the Summit.
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Greg Canose
With over 35 years of experience in the incentive industry Canose has served as a mentor and leader to many. He made consistent and important contributions to the IMA since its inception, including serving as the first president of the IMA Board of Directors. Canose was an active member of IMRA and the IMA. He was also instrumental in the formation of the IMRA SIG.
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George Delta, Equire
As a co-founder and general counsel of the Incentive Federation Inc., Delta uses his deep knowledge of the industry to monitor federal and state legislation and he works diligently for the best interests of the industry. His accomplishments include his work to avert an industry disaster when OSHA stated its proposed ergonomics rule that safety incentives do no work and lead to under-reporting of injuries, and his extensive work on the protection of I.R.S. Code 274(j). Delta has been active in the incentive industry for over 20 years.
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George Kling, (posthumous)
Over his 50+ years in the incentive industry, Kling is known for having helped many people and brands get started in the industry and for bridging the gap between promotional and premium products. Kling taught distributors how to sell incentives and showed brands how to sell to the advertising specialty market. Kling is a Past President of the Association of Incentive Marketing, a precursor to the IMA. He was a member and advisor of many state and regional incentive and promotional product associations and organizations. Kling passed away in 2013.
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Karen Renk, (posthumous)
Over 18 years ago, Karen Renk envisioned an association that encompassed all aspects of the industry, one that would deliver a united message to the corporate world. To realize this vision, she helped create the IMA and served as its executive director for 14 years. Before forming the IMA, she served as the Executive Director for IMRA. Renk was valued for her support of IMA members and their careers as well as championing the growth of IMA and the incentive industry. Renk passed away in 2014. In 2015 the IMA began awarding the Karen Renk Fellowship Award in honor of her tremendous efforts.
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2018 IMRA Marketing Conference
April 15-17, 2018 Memphis, TN
Mark your calendar as busy on April 15 - 18, 2018 - those are the official dates for the 2018 IMRA Conference in the middle of the action on Beale Street, downtown Memphis.
Look for registration to open on January 8, this is also the date in which you can begin securing space for your sales meetings at the hotel:
170 Lt. George W. Lee Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 334-5900
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The IMA Industry Experts Bureau
Sign up as an expert today
Help the IMA increase awareness and understanding of the business benefits of incentive, engagement and recognition programs. Submit your application to become a member of the IMA's new Industry Experts Bureau. The experts bureau will serve as a resource for people within the industry who are looking for speakers and authors regarding specific topics, and for the public and media.
IMA industry experts will share their knowledge by developing and presenting educational programs and writing articles on a wide range of topics across the incentive industry.
More information available online (must be logged in)
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Marketing: Today's Promotions, Tomorrow's Opportunities.
The IMA and the SIGs have a busy fall season with media stories, promotions and industry events, but no chance to rest because it's also time to start planning for 2018 events!
Fall 2017
IESP President Brant Dolan, CPIM, shared insights on the importance of executive leadership and creating reward experiences with Chief Executive magazine for a Sept. article "The Loyalty Factor: How to use recognition and rewards as a talent strategy and competitive advantage" Chief Executive, one of IMA's media partners, is running more incentive related articles in the Nov-Dec. 2017 issue. Discussions are also underway for 2018 collaboration.
The IMA booth at IMEX America, Oct. 10-12 will have representation from IMRA, ITC and IGCC members, enabling the IMA to provide a unified voice and a broad representation of reward and recognition items and experiences.
The Sept issue of Occupation Health & Safety magazine featured two IMA articles:
- Safety Incentives: Why One Size Does Not Fit All
- It's finding the right blend of motivators that makes the difference between a successful program and one that just bumps along. Read here
- Safety Incentives: It's a Small World, After All - No ethical incentive provider would create a program to discourage reporting-tracking safety issues is an integral part of making a workplace safer! Read here
The IGCC B2B Gift Card Buyer Study is receiving wonderful visibility. Initial posts about the study, posted to IMA social media and shared by IGCC members have reached nearly 10,000 LinkedIn viewers with a record 147 people clicking through to learn more and over 30 people liking, sharing or commenting! Watch for additional posts in the coming weeks.
Winter 2018
PPAI Expo - Jan. 14-18 New this year, the IMRA Lounge will be expanded and placed in the center of the brand pavilion and combined with the IMA/IMRA booths so that staff and volunteers can be available in the lounge throughout the show to provide information and answer questions. We will also have an expanded exhibit space.
ASI Show - The IMA/IMRA Pavilion at the ASI Show continues to grow for 2018! Since 2016, IMA/IMRA have partnered with ASI Show to bring exposure and education about corporate gifts and incentives to the advertising specialty industry. The first two shows are Jan. 2-4 in Orlando and Jan. 24-26 in Dallas. Contact Beth Gordon at (215) 953-3725 or email bgordon@asicentral.com to learn about exhibit opportunities.
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ASI Shows include a Corporate Gifts & Incentives Pavilion
At the
ASI Show, suppliers and distributors have time to speak about client projects so you can get real work done in your few days out of the office.
New in 2018, the New Product Preview to close out Education Day and find only new products before the floor opens. When you're on the floor, look for the red exclamation point that says 'New Product' in suppliers' booths to clearly identify their new product features.
2018 Show Dates:
- January 3-4, Orlando, FL
- January 25-26, Dallas, TX
- July 25-26, Chicago, IL
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Jessica E. Alwan 1998-2017
On September 16, 2017 the daughter of IMRA member Dave Alwan, Echo Valley Meats, passed away. Jessica was at home surrounded by her family.
Read her full obituary
Visitation will be held from 5 - 8 pm on Wednesday, September 20, 2017, at Wright & Salmon Mortuary.
Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 21, 2017, at St. Philomena Catholic Church, with a one hour prior visitation. Fr. David Richardson will officiate. Cremation rites will be accorded.
Memorials in Jessica's name may be made to OSF Almost Home Kids of Peoria, www.almosthomekids.org
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Pelucida Glass Announces New Reps
Pelucida Glass Announces New Reps
Jeffrey Brenner, VP of Sales & Customer Development at Pelucida Glass LLC is excited to announce their newest Rep partnerships.
* All About You Incentives (AL, GA, TN and MS)
* Continental Premium Corporation (IL, WI and NW Indiana)
* Gator Incentives (FL)
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Top Brands Partners with Incipio Group
Top Brands, Inc., a national marketing company and supplier of name-brand merchandise and awards for corporate programs since 1961, announced today they will be partnering with Incipio Group to bring their lineup of brands including Braven Audio, Incase, Incipio and Griffin Technology into the corporate incentive and promotional products market.
"Incipio Group has quickly become an international powerhouse with their incredibly diverse lineup of mobile device accessories, premium quality audio technology and tech-centric travel solutions." said Top Brands owner and CEO, Pam Slavonic. "Technology is always one of the most sought after categories in any incentive program, and we couldn't be more excited for the opportunity to partner with a market leader like Incipio."
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Welcome New Members
Please welcome our new IMRA members! Click on the company name to visit their website.
Primary Member:
New Affiliate Member:
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