Adventures in Advertising Corporation (AIA), held its 11th Annual Convention from July 26 � July 28 at the Omni/CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia. 200 attendees from 112 franchise locations joined supplier representatives and AIA corporate staff for three intensive and enjoyable days. The AIA Convention is an annual event hosted by the company's corporate office based in Neenah, Wisconsin. This year's conference � Atlanta '06 � The Winners Circle -- incorporated a racing theme, immersing participants in a variety of experiences designed to motivate, integrate initiatives and recognize success. The week included an awards gala, a business-boosting supplier tradeshow, CAS/MAS certified educational sessions, fashion show and valuable networking opportunities. "This year's Convention was by far the best national meeting I've seen in this industry. It was a magnificent example of teamwork, where the franchise owners, suppliers, and corporate team came together and produced an outstanding event!" David Woods, President and CEO of AIA exclaimed. "It will certainly be hard to top this next year, but I bet we can do it!" Jeff Poore, AIA Advisory President and owner of Adventures in Advertising/Marketing Works in Birmingham, Alabama, commented, ""Adventures in Advertising continues to be the best investment I have made for my company in its 11 year history. The mid year convention in Atlanta was a great opportunity to sharpen my educational ax, gather new ideas from top suppliers, and glean common solutions from my fellow owners. Great job AIA!" Plans are already well underway for the 2007 Convention. It will be held at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Denver, Colorado from July 25 � 27. During the annual awards ceremony, AIA acknowledges those individuals who have attained exceptional accomplishments within the past year. The 2006 winners are: Million Dollar Club: This award recognizes the Franchise Owner who has billed over $1 million within the past calendar year. 1. Delisa Laterzo � AIA/Promotional Programs, Inc.; Steamboat Springs, CO 2. David Bauer & Howard Libin �AIA/The Marketing Store, Inc.; Tallahassee, FL 3. Traye Fuqua � AIA/VineWorks Marketing; Greenville, SC 4. Christopher "Kit" Jones � AIA/ Platinum Promotions, Inc.; Oregon City, OR 5. Nils & Jill Flanzraich � AIA/Las Vegas; Henderson, NV 6. Brian & Teresa Hallin � AIA/Image Architects; Santa Cruz, CA 7. Kimberly Karp � AIA/KK Promotions; San Francisco, CA 8. Brian & Nancy Hogan �AIA/4logogear.com; Loomis, CA 9. Pam Irle �AIA/Winning Promotions, Inc.; Marietta, GA 10.Mike Simpson & Scott Sweitzer �AIA/S&S Promotions; Branford, CT 11.Neil Aronson � AIA/Premier Promotions; Braintree, MA 12.Neil & Lori Rogers �AIA/Rogers & Associates; Nashua, NH 13.Howard & Linda Tesser � AIA/Marketing Concepts, LLC; Norwalk, CT NO 14.Bill & Diane Swertfager �AIA/Professional Solutions; Katonah, NY 15.Michael & Tina McNulty � AIA/Prime Promotions; Williamsville, NY 16.Mike & Deanne Freestone � AIA/Freestone Design, LTD; Holland, MI 17.John King & Sarah Weg � AIA/LogoMotions; Bellingham, WA 18.Phillip & Linda Bucy � AIA/New South Promotions; Fort Mill, SC 19. Gordie Cherry � AIA/Cherry Promotions; Charlotte, NC 20. Larry Rogers & Cheryl Cohen-Moss � AIA/Highwire Promotion; Lafayette, CA 21. Jim Huber � AIA/Marketing Specailties; Alpharetta, GA 22. Scott & Tessa Fitzgerald � AIA/Adventures in Advertising-Spokane; Spokane, WA 23. Ralph Petty � AIA/Petty Marketing Group, Inc.; Cleveland, TN 24. Jeff & Teresa Poore � AIA/Marketing Works; Birmingham, AL 25. Jeff Michaelson � AIA/2 Cool Promos; Shrewsbury, MA 26. Robert & Shannon Nellis � AIA/Offbeat Productions; Northbridge, CA 27. Kyle, Maria and Thomas Harris � AIA/Diamondback Direct; Marlboro, MD 28. Bruce Crockett & John Rountree � AIA/Solutions, Inc.; Greensboro, NC 29. Wayne Greenberg � AIA/JB of Florida; Tampa, FL Heavy Hitter Award: In recognition of the Owners who have delivered the largest dollar volume order in the previous calendar year. This award acknowledges the extensive efforts required to cultivate the confidence necessary for your client to award you large pieces of business. 1. Mike & Deanne Freestone,AIA/Freestone Design, Ltd, Holland, MI 2. Bruce Crockett & John Rountree, AIA/Solutions, Inc., Greensboro, NC 3. Delisa Laterzo, AIA/Promotional Programs, Inc., Steamboat Springs, CO 4. Angus Garfield, AIA/Action Sportswear & Promotions, Inc., Falmouth, ME Velocity Award: This award recognizes AIA's Top Ten Sales Growth franchises, by percentage of sales growth over the prior year. #10 � Scott Sweitzer, AIA/Beverage Pro, Branford, CT #9 � Douglas & Joyce Tabb, AIA/Tabb Promotions, Germantown, TN #8 � Phillip & Linda Bucy, AIA/New South Promotions, Fort Mill, SC #7 � Angus Garfield, AIA/Action Sportswear & Promotions, Falmouth, ME #6 � Robert & Shannon Nellis, AIA/Offbeat Productions, Northridge, CA #5 � Ray & Betty Steinfeld, AIA/Nutmeg Promotions, Woodbury, CT #4 � Larry & Lisa LaRose, AIA/Wheaton, Wheaton, IL #3 � Bruce Crockett & John Rountree, AIA/Solutions, Inc., Greensboro, NC #2 � Kelly Thornsberry, AIA/Central Valley Promotions, Hughson, CA #1 � Ralph Petty, AIA/Petty Marketing Group, Inc., Cleveland, TN President's Club: This award recognizes Franchise Owners who focus on excellence and lead by example. They consistently strive to be one step ahead and one notch above the competition. Award winners represent Adventures in Advertising teamwork at its finest. Winners serve as mentors to other Franchise Owners and willingly give their time in pursuit of a stronger system. 1. Jim Thompson � AIA/Admaster Creations, Toledo, OH 2. Jeff Poore � AIA/Marketing Works, Birmingham, AL 3. Larry Taylor � AIA/Taylored Promotions, Birchrunville, PA 4. Nancy Sheppard � AIA/Promo FX, Inc., San Antonio, TX 5. Ralph Petty � AIA/Petty Marketing Group, Inc., Cleveland, TN 6. Barbara Butler � AIA/Promotions Remembered!!!, Plano, TX MasterMind Award: The MasterMind Award is AIA's equivalent to PPAI's Golden Pyramid award, which honors the creative use of promotional products in conjunction with innovative collateral material, inventive copy and dynamite design. Add to that the clear objectives, conclusive, positive results and you've masterminded a winning promotion! Mastermind Awards are granted for the Top Client Promotion and the Top Self-Promotion. Client Promotion Winner: Pam Irle, AIA/Winning Promotions, Inc., Marietta, GA Self-Promotion Winner: Kent Dyer, AIA/Tarheel Promotions, Concord, NC From the Heart Award: This award is selected by the AIA system and recognizes a member of the AIA network who is continually giving of themselves for the benefit of the entire AIA community. Larry Taylor � AIA/Taylored Promotions, Birchrunville, PA Unsung Hero Award: This award, voted upon by the AIA system, recognizes a non-management team member of the AIA National Support Center. Krissy Preuss, Supplier Relations Coordinator Heartbeat Award: This award, voted upon by the AIA system, recognizes a management team member of the AIA National Support Center. Guy Dupuis, Director of Sales - West Supplier Awards: The following awards recognize those MVP Suppliers who have consistently demonstrated their willingness to support our Franchise Owners through each step of their selling process. These winners have been thoughtfully selected by the entire AIA system. Best Overall Apparel Supplier SanMar Bodek & Rhodes (runner up) Best Overall Hard Goods Supplier Leed's DigiSpec & Hub Pen (tied for runner up) Best Regional Supplier Rep Wayne Taziri, PremiumWear Best Apparel Customer Service Rep Bess Konersmann, SanMar Rochelle Jones, Bodek & Rhodes (runner up) Best Hard Goods Customer Service Rep Darlene Griffin, Leed's Marcus Taylor, Hit Promotional (runner up) Best Overall Customer Service Leed's SanMar (runner up) Most Innovative and Effective Promotions Bodek & Rhodes Leeds (runner up) Save the Day Award RS Owens Mary Busch The AIA Distinguished Service Award This Award recognizes exceptional leadership and devoted service, above and beyond the call, to the greater good of both AIA Corporation and its franchise owners. Larry Taylor � AIA/Taylored Promotions, Birchrunville, PA Adventures in Advertising is a network of independently owned and operated professional, promotional product and corporate apparel distributorships. The organization currently includes over 300 franchised distributors throughout the United States with total billings of $128 million in 2005. Services that AIA provides to distributors include working capital, a strong technology platform, purchasing power, supplier support, marketing tools, training and education opportunities, back office support and access to strong offerings in the industry. By embracing its core values of integrity, teamwork, customer focus, creativity and diversity � AIA strives to be the partner of choice within the promotional products industry.
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