February 2007

Dear Members:

"Make it Pay!" is the theme of this year's ARA International Awards Market. To say that the 2007 event will be our industry's "biggest and best ever" is an understatement. With more than 40 educational seminars, hundreds of supplier exhibitors, and several thousand attendees, this show will have it all.

On your way into the exhibit hall, you will pass two important components of our show. The first is Products Showcases that feature many of the latest products and services from ARA supplier companies. You will also see an area dedicated to the Awards and Recognition Industry Education Foundation (ARIEF) Silent Auction, featuring many great silent auction items that you can place bids on.

For those new to the industry, a "Welcome Session for First-Time Attendees and Future ARA Volunteers" will be held at 11 am on February 22, the show's opening day. Stop by and say hello. This session is a great way to become acquainted with the benefits of ARA membership.
New additions to this year's show are three educational sessions in Spanish. (We are hosting an "international" show, after all!) If you're looking for something more relevant to your business, attend ARA's "Solutions Clinics" for laser engraving and sublimation and have your questions addressed by a panel of industry recognized experts. While on the show floor, take in a "Quick Tips" seminar to learn a new trick or technique, or to learn more about the new ARA online Buyers Guide.

Headlining this year's Awards Gala, which takes place Friday, February 23 at 7 pm, is "The Rat Pack," a trio impersonating legendary Vegas entertainers Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, and Frank Sinatra. Also make plans to join your fellow members on Saturday morning for the Annual Member Breakfast and Annual Meeting. George Hedley, the featured speaker for this session, is a business building expert and author of The Business Success Blueprint series.

During the show, stop by the Association Center to learn how ARA can help you stay "Ahead of the Curve" in your business. On behalf of the ARA Board of Directors, thank you for attending. If there is anything we can do to make your experience more enjoyable, please see a board member or one of our staff.

Ahead of the Curve

Rich Zydonik

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Reserve a Table for the ARA Gala!
You're aware that the ARA Awards Gala Friday night at the ARA International Awards Market is the hottest ticket in town. In addition to top-notch entertainment—The Rat Pack—we will be honoring the industry's best and brightest. If you'd like to reserve an entire table for all your friends and coworkers, please use the form found HERE. Individual tickets can also be purchased by calling us at 800/344-2148. See you there!

ARA Product Contest in Las Vegas
Feeling proud of your professional accomplishments this year? Why not showcase your work in the ARA Awards Contest? Want to show off your booth this year? Enter it into the booth contest. Click here to register. Deadline for submitting an entry for the 2007 ARA Awards Contest is February 9.

Be a Judge in Las Vegas
ARA is looking for attendee volunteers in Las Vegas to serve as judges of the best new supplier catalogs and supplier booths. If you can donate your time, please contact Matthew Burnett at mburnett@connect2amc.com.

Education Advocates Needed for ARA East Coast Awards Market
Education Advocates introduce seminar speakers at ARA events using a provided script. It is fun, easy and a great way to get involved in your association and support the ARA education program at the 2007 ARA East Coast Awards Market in Atlantic City (March 15–17). For more information, please contact ARA Education Manager Daniel Weinstock at dweinstock@connect2amc.com.

ARIEF Silent Auction in Las Vegas
The Awards and Recognition Industry Education Foundation (ARIEF) is hosting its annual Silent Auction during the 2007 ARA International Awards Market. All proceeds from the auction benefit ARIEF. If you or your company is interested in donating an item, please contact Sara Nakon at snakon@connect2amc.com or call 847/375-3680. ARIEF exists solely to provide financial assistance to students affiliated with ARA-member companies who wish to pursue an education in any field of their choice. This one-time merit award is applied directly toward tuition expenses. A list of some of the items to be auctioned appears in the February Recognition Review.

Customized Shipping Discounts for ARA Members!
Through a unique partnership, ARA has made it easy for members to save on all types of shipping services. We've teamed up with the leading transportation providers in the industry, including Yellow Transportation, Roadway Express, UPS Supply Chain Solutions, DHL, USF & New Penn. Whether you ship envelopes, packages, or heavy freight, these carriers have a solution.

• Save at least 52% with Yellow Transportation and Roadway Express on North American LTL freight
• Save 20% on international air freight and 45% on heavy North American air freight with UPS Supply Chain Solutions
• Save up to 25% with DHL on express air, ground, and international services
• Save at least 52% with USF and New Penn on regional, next day less than truckload freight services throughout the U.S. and parts of Canada regional next day less than truckload

To take advantage of your ARA member benefits, or to find out how much you can save on your next shipment, call your shipping benefit consultants at 800/MEMBERS (636-2377) x303. For more information about the ARA Shipping Program, visit www.1800members.com/ARA.

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February 15–17, 2007
CorelDraw Boot Camp
Cave Creek, AZ
800/736-8973

February 21–24, 2007
2007 ARA International Awards Market
Las Vegas Convention Center
Las Vegas, NV
800/344-2148

March 12–14, 2007
CorelDRAW Boot Camp
Cave Creek, AZ
800/736-8973

March 15–17, 2007
2007 ARA East Coast Awards Market
Atlantic City Convention Center
Atlantic City, NJ
800/344-2148

April 12–14, 2007
CorelDRAW Boot Camp
Cave Creek, AZ
800/736-8973

April 19–21, 2007
CorelDRAW Boot Camp
Cave Creek, AZ
800/736-8973

May 3–5, 2007
Awards and Custom Gift Show
Fort Worth Convention Center
Fort Worth, TX

June 7–9, 2007
Awards and Custom Gift Show
Charlotte Convention Center
Charlotte, NC

July 12–14, 2007
Awards and Custom Gift Show
Baltimore Convention Center
Baltimore, MD

August 9–11, 2007
Awards and Custom Gift Show
Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
Long Beach, CA

September 6–8, 2007
Awards and Custom Gift Show
Indiana Convention Center and RCA Dome
Indianapolis, IN

January 14–17, 2008
CorelDRAW Boot Camp Cruise
Miami/Eastern Caribbean
800/736-8973

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In the February 2007 Issue:

ARA Las Vegas 2007: Time to 'Make it Pay!'
You have already made the important business decision to attend the ARA International Awards Market, and you are ready to go to Las Vegas. Now, a little planning is needed before you leave for the show.

More Paragraph Text
Last month Pradhan Balter explored the basics of Paragraph Text. This month he continues his foray into the Paragraph Text mode, with a warning to readers that they'll be here a while.

A Shared Honor
Louisiana Tech University and Southern Methodist Universities receive the "ARA Team Sportsmanship Award" for their efforts to assist hurricane-devastated Tulane University and its football team. Read more...

The Power of Networking
Some people avoid networking opportunities because they worry they don't know how to connect with others. However, networking is one of the easiest ways to develop connections that really count for business.

Web Design with CorelDRAW
During the next few months, Foster Coburn will cover the material you need to know to create Web content in CorelDRAW.

Laser Shopping in Las Vegas
Once again, it's ARA awards show season. That means many of us will be looking at and searching for laser engraving equipment, materials, and products.

Las Vegas Products Showcase
Here's an exciting preview of some of the exhibiting ARA companies, and the awards items and accessories they'll be offering in Las Vegas. Read more...

Military Awards: A Sign of Patriotic Awareness
With more Americans aware of the sacrifices that members of the Unites States Armed Forces make in service to our country, the awards and recognition industry is experiencing increased demand for military-themed awards.

Branding—a New Word for Identity
Whenever a consumer hears your company slogan, name, or sees your Web page template, they associate that image with your company's identity. It's important that the identity is a good one.

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If you're an ARA member with computer access, simply visit www.ara.org, log in to the members-only section using your member number, and select ARA Ask an Expert. Find the topic and expert you're looking for, then ask your question(s). More often than not, the ARA expert will have the solution you need.

? My business partner and I will be attending the 2007 ARA International Awards Market, where we will be shopping around for laser engravers. Can you suggest some machine options that I should be looking out for?

Diane Bosworth responds: Laser engraver options are an important aspect to consider. Much of what you will need depends on what you will be using your machine for. You will want to consider future needs, as well. There are several options available that you will want to consider.

A popular option is Air Assist—an optional attachment on some systems that allows for a constant stream of compressed air to cross the engraving and cutting surface at the point of burn. This process is ideal for deep, clean engraving and cutting. Another is Auto Focus, which allows an automatic lens to focus on the engravable area.

To engrave on curved or rounded surfaces, consider a rotary attachment. This is a device that is used to rotate curved surfaces so that the laser beam still acts like it is engraving on a flat surface. This is used widely for engraving on glasses, vases, bats, and other curved surfaces.

Vector cutting tables are also popular add-ons. These are tables that allow the material to be cut through without the laser beam reflecting directly off the tabletop of the machine into the underside of the material. If you are going to be using your machine to do a lot of vector cutting, you definitely want to consider one of these.

Check with individual manufacturers to find out what other options may be available. In addition, it may save you money to determine which options you really need (or want) and which ones you can live without. Some of the available options can be added at any time and some of these can actually be purchased through aftermarket vendors as well. Good luck on the show floor!

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