Insider T-ball, anyone? After years in the Dallas Expomart or whatever that thing is alongside the highway into town, and a moribund stint in Orlando, the Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association is disbanding their trade show, conceding defeat to the organizers of the rival ABC Kids Expo.
“For years, our association has been almost singularly identified with the annual trade show," said JPMA Chairman Andy Keimach, who then tried to spin the loss of their primary reason for existing in a brave, half glass full kind of guy way: "...when in fact the most important contributions we have made have been in the area of product safety and regulation." In related news, the JPMA reported that crib bumpers have been proved to be totally safe.
See the full press release after the jump if you want, but seriously, why?
Previously: But If I'm Selling Crib Bumpers, They MUST Be Safe
JPMA REEMPHASIZES FOCUS ON SERVING INDUSTRY
MOUNT LAUREL, NJ, FEBRUARY 9, 2007 –The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) is pleased to announce it has reached a definitive agreement with the managers of the ABC Kids Expo (ABC) that will enable the industry to have a single show beginning in the fall of 2008, which will be managed exclusively by ABC.
In response to member input and as a result of this agreement, the JPMA Board of Directors will now be able to engage the full scope of the Association's resources in achieving their strategic plan, which is 100% aligned with the Association’s mission and today's industry needs.
For more than 44 years, JPMA has stayed true to its mission of advancing the interests, growth and well-being of the juvenile products industry through advocacy, public relations, information-sharing and business development opportunities. Going forward, JPMA intends to strengthen these efforts and pursue a variety of strategic initiatives including:
* Increasing consumer awareness of and demand for JPMA members’ products
* JPMA Product Certification Program awareness and expansion campaign
* Continued support of charities through such programs as First Candle’s Campaign For Cribs
* Continued expansion of the only industry statistics program which tracks sales, trends and distribution channel information
* The establishment of an ongoing process to ensure current membership benefits have a competitive advantage over alternatives, and consideration for adding additional benefits such as consulting and referral services
* Positioning JPMA as the #1 resource for prenatal to preschool safety issues and advocacy
“For years, our association has been almost singularly identified with the annual trade show when in fact the most important contributions we have made have been in the area of product safety and regulation,” remarked Andy Keimach, JPMA Chairman. “We look forward to reemphasizing our focus on the future growth of our Association and all JPMA has to offer our members, consumers and the industry as a whole.”
“The industry has made it clear that they want one annual trade show,” commented Robert Waller, Jr., JPMA President. “We continue to work full steam ahead preparing a spectacular and successful 2007 International JPMA Show and we look forward to working with our members to get the most out of their trade show and other promotional opportunities in 2008 and beyond.”
The 2007 International JPMA Show will be held April 23-25 at the Orange County Convention Center, South Complex, in Orlando, Florida. The exhibiting companies list continues to grow daily and with online registration open only a few weeks, JPMA is already seeing great attendee support. JPMA expects a sell out show.
The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association is a national trade organization of more than 350 companies in the United States, Canada and Mexico, representing 95% of the growing $7.3 billion industry. These companies manufacture and/or import infant products such as cribs, car seats, strollers, bedding, and a wide range of accessories and decorative items.
For more information about JPMA or the 2007 International JPMA Show contact: 15000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054; phone: 856-638-0420; fax: 856-439-0525; e-mail jpma@ahint.com or visit the Web site at www.jpma.org.
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CONTACTS:
Amy Chezem
Communications Director
Phone: 856-638-0420 ext 4480
E-mail: achezem@ahint.com
Jamie Dunn
Communications Manager
Phone: 856-638-0420 ext 4420
E-mail: jdunn@ahint.com
