We learned a great deal about the Fundraising Industry from this leading Association and its membership who welcomed us with open arms and warm hearts. We left with some new contacts and some orders that have begun to filter in for Fall 2012!
From Florida we traveled then to Atlanta for their PTO Show where we met School PTO Officers, Teachers, School Principles and a large number of Magicians?!? Turns out that the most creative of these performers incorporate some solid teaching moments into their acts and are often invited into our schools! There, the Shoe Fresheners were a tremendous HIT with everyone who saw them. We collected a lot of business cards and these great folks were moved by our Mission as well as our Fundraising Program which was drastically different (In a good way!) from other offerings presented in this tradeshow.
Most recently, we found ourselves at America's Mart for thier March 2012 Gift and Apparel Show which was attended by about 5,000 Retail and Boutique Buyers from all over the USA. Placed in-between two girls from Canada selling Handmade Jewelery and a man who has invented noisemakers for Sporting Events, we were able to meet and great Buyers from areas as diverse as Gift Shops in Hospitals to Wineries who had Gift Shops in thier Lodges. We met Florists, Tourist Shop Owners, people who sold small bisquits made out of "GRITS" (You may have to contact a "Southerner" to explain that specialty to you) and a Vacuum Cleaner Salesman who places himself somewhere between a Tire Salesman and a Used Car Salesman.
The Mission was very well received amongst this group of discerning Buyers and so was our Product! Special thanks to two of the most special folks we met at this show... Sandra Williamson- Manager, Volunteer Services at Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital in Jacksonville, FL who purchased products to be placed in their Gift Shop and Connie Hamann of Weingarten Vineyard in Ste.Genevieve, Missouri! Visit these folks if you are in thier area, they can tell you all about our Mission and our products!
We'll post pictures to the Ability Nation Facebook Page and if you haven't visited our Ability Nation Channel on YouTube lately you should check it out! There are some new Videos there that will blow you away! Thanks for your support of our awesome Mission and for your purchase of our products manufactured by Americans with abilities unrecognized. We appreciate you and applaud you for supporting our worthwhile cause.
