Distributor News

PROMOTIONS EAST, scheduled for June 5-8 in Atlantic City, N.J., will bring back the 5K run on the Atlantic City boardwalk, on Wednesday, June 8 at 6:30 a.m.

Michael Teahan, like his father, mother, and uncles before him, is a small business owner. The 52-year-old has spent most of his adult life running his own businesses: a restaurant, a coffee bar and various companies involved in the espresso machine business.

Philadelphia-based Promo Marketing magazine, the source of product and marketing information for distributor sales professionals, announced the finalists for the 2011 Supplier Excellence Awards.

Small business owners say they are finally getting some good news in a slow-burning economic recovery. Across the U.S., lenders are increasing their commitment to America's entrepreneurs, and in turn small businesses are beginning to hire once again.

Because of the Small Business Jobs Act, which was signed into law by President Obama in September 2010, the Small Business Administration was able to approve $9.1 billion in small business loans between October 1 and December 31 of 2010, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Manufacturing activity probably increased in April for the 21st straight month, but at a slower pace than in March.

Economists forecast that the Institute for Supply Management's index of manufacturing activity will drop to 59.6 in April from 61.2 in the previous month. That would be the second straight drop, a sign the manufacturing sector is cooling off after expanding in February at the fastest rate in nearly seven years. A reading above 50 signals expansion.

Leaderpromos.com is proud to launch its newly renovated website with updated features that build upon the company's dedication to easy, worry-free promotional product shopping.

Last week, PPAI announced a hosted-buyer initiative for The PPAI Expo 2012. How will having end-buyers on the show floor affect your business?

Americans may be surprised to learn that the United States is still the world's number one manufacturer, accounting for 17 percent of global manufacturing output, but down from 25 percent in 2007 before the Great Recession.

A new study from Forrester reveals that business-to-business marketing budgets are up 6.7 percent, with technology firms driving the growth. B2B marketers say that lead generation and brand awareness are among the top reasons to increase budgets.

The Forrester survey, relayed by MarketingProfs, reveals that B2B marketing budgets are on the rise after years of cuts. The average 6.7 percent increase is led by 17 percent increases from tech-service companies.

A new website enables users to search for promotional products made exclusively in the United States. Stephen Ropfogel, MAS, promotional product account executive for HALO Branded Solutions, has launched www.USAmadepromotionaladvertising.com to make it easier to find American-made items.