• January Recap
• Call for Entries
• Website Update
• Social Media Basics
• Accolades
• Officers, Committees
• Newsletter Contributions
• Did You Know?
• Member Minutes
• Market Dates

AFIA seeks member contributions for this newsletter. If you have information to share with membership and the industry at large, please contact Executive Director Ron Poling at rpoling@afia.net,

AFIA
P.O. Box 420244
Dallas, TX 75342-0244
T: 214.742.2747
F: 214.742.2648
E: rpoling@afia.net
© 2010

The Dallas Market Center is one of the few market centers that provides networking opportunities and programs of specific interest to buyers. Take the time to make your customers aware of these valuable assets, available at little or no cost!

Important Reminders for You and Your Buyers

Incentive Customer Prospects
Be sure to watch for the list of buyers being brought in on incentives for June. You will receive this information in May via e-mail. This is your opportunity to reach out to these potential customers and make appointments and send them information about your company.

Big Cash Giveaway Continues in June
Be sure to encourage your customers to show their orders at the AFIA table during June market so that they have a chance to win cash Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the show.
 

 

Dallas Total Home and Gift Market
March 25, 26, 27, 28, 2010
June 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 2010
September 11, 12, 13, 2010

January Total Home & Gift Market Attendance Surges Ahead
– More buyers, more orders at first market of 2010 –

Dallas Market Center, the world’s most complete wholesale marketplace, reports that its recent Total Home & Gift Market showed a strong increase in attendance as buyers sought a higher volume of merchandise to fill depleted inventories. Attendance included buyers from all 50 states and 53 countries.
 

read more...

National Product Search Contest Call for Entries

Dallas Market Center, the world’s most complete wholesale marketplace, announced a call for entries for its national product search contest – The Next Big Thing. Three finalists will show their products in front of more than 50,000 attendees during the upcoming Dallas Total Home & Gift Market being held June 23-29, 2010.

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New AFIA Website

The new AFIA website is up and running. While the website has changed the address remains the same: www.afia.net. The website not only provides a resource for information about AFIA, it also includes several areas for member participation.

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Social Media Marketing - An Overview for Newbies

The Fab Techno Lab held in the Internet Lounge at the January Holiday & Home Expo was a huge hit. Hosted by J Schwanke, Host of JTV and CEO of uBloom.com; J gave Facebook and Twitter beginners some first steps to getting a social media presence started on the Internet.

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January 2010 Best of Show

Dallas Market Center, recently announced the winners of the January 2010 Market Best of Show Awards. Recipients were recognized during the recent market and were judged by leading industry and visual/design experts. Best of Show judging takes place twice a year during the January and June Dallas Total Home & Gift Markets. Winners feature booth or showroom displays that are creative, fresh and innovative.

AFIA members of the January 2010 Best of Show winners are:
International Floral & Gift Center
1st floor – California Floral & Home
2nd floor – Direct Export Co., Inc.

New Officers and Committee Members Elected

New AFIA Officers
Chair: John Nielsen, Galt International, Inc.
1st Vice Chair: Reilly Tucker III, Direct Export Co., Inc.
2nd Vice Chair: Danny McDonald, Regency International
Secretary/Treasurer: Cathy Malcom, Craig Bachman Imports, Inc.

New AFIA 2010 Steering Committee Members
Reilly Tucker III, Direct Export Co., Inc.
Danny McDonald, Regency International
Alfred J. Fearon, OIC International, Inc.