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Home » Press Releases » AFIRM Announces Major Trade Show Logistics Benefit
News Release AFIRM Announces Major Trade Show Logistics BenefitFree Service Will Help Exhibitors At All Industry Shows Program Includes Shipping Discounts up to 47% “A Fitness Industry ‘Game Changer’”
SILVER SPRING, MD – April 12, 2010 – AFIRM, the Association of Fitness Industry Retailers & Manufacturers, today officially announced a trade show logistics benefit exclusively for member companies – a program that will deliver cost savings, protection, and peace of mind for exhibitors at all North American fitness industry trade shows. This unique program will, upon the request of the AFIRM member, assign a trade show logistics expert from McCollister’s Transportation to the AFIRM member company for the purpose of assisting the company to navigate the labyrinth of process, rules, logistics, unions, and fees relating to any US fitness-related trade show at which the company exhibits. This amounts to a FREE, on-site trade show coordinator to ensure:
And in case the above benefit is not enough, McCollister’s will also provide trade show shipping discounts up to 47% off prevailing rates for companies that utilize the free Logistics service. Shipping is not a prerequisite for Logistics service. McCollister’s shipping includes contingency planning, satellite and online tracking updates. “This trade show logistics package is an industry game changer,” said AFIRM Executive Director Chuck Leve. “From this day forward the industry will never be the same. This day is Day 1 in the successful quest for manufacturers to gain control of their own trade show destiny.”Leve went on to emphasize that the Trade Show Logistics benefit is not directed at any company or any industry trade show. “This program is uniform and across the board,” he said. “It doesn’t matter the show, the decorator, or the venue. We’ll do the same thing every time – make sure the manufacturers/ exhibitors who are AFIRM members are getting a fair shake. Simple as that.”From McCollister’s perspective, it’s business as usual. “We already are providing this service to several fitness industry manufacturers,” said Gregg Brenner, Director of Sales – Fitness Division and “fitness equipment specialist” for McCollister’s. “At the recent IHRSA Show alone, we saved one company nearly $4,000 and another one $10,000 just by carefully reviewing the materials.” “We’re not faulting anyone,” said Leve. “Trade shows get crazy. People sometimes can’t pay attention. Mistakes are made and they can be costly. The AFIRM program will eliminate those mistakes. The winners are the manufacturers.” The AFIRM Trade Show Logistics program can begin as early as the Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCA) Show May 5-7 in Orlando or Club Industry East in New York over the same dates. AFIRM members exhibiting at either of those events and desiring to access the new Logistics program should contact AFIRM immediately. “With CSCCA and Club Industry East being the same dates, we won’t be able to implement our new program at both shows this year,” said Leve. “We’ll assess the demand for each and quickly determine which show will help the greatest number of AFIRM members.” For further information on AFIRM or the Trade Show Logistics program, please contact:
Chuck Leve, Executive Director
847-480-1818 x5599 (office) www.afirmfitness.org For further information on McCollister’s or the Trade Show Logistics program, please contact:Gregg Brenner, Director of Sales – Fitness Division McCollister’s Transportation Systems, Inc. 450 Kehoe Blvd. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188 262-770-9947 About AFIRM The Association of Fitness Industry Retailers & Manufacturers (AFIRM) is dedicated to developing benefits, products, and services specifically for fitness industry manufacturers and retailers. AFIRM will address fitness industry issues, help raise revenue and reduce expenses on behalf of its members, lobby Congress for pro-fitness legislation, and develop appropriate research. AFIRM will disseminate information through educational events, publish a bi-weekly newsletter for its constituents, and develop money-saving programs for its members. For more information, please visit www.afirmfitness.org. About McCollister’s Transportation A well-respected provider of logistics services to the fitness industry, McCollister’s Trans-portation specializes in Fitness Trade Shows and Traveling Exhibition Management. Our expert and experienced staff works with you to budget, plan and manage your trade show program helping better manage costs and optimize your return on investment. McCollister’s drivers are skilled experts at pad wrapping, cargo bracing and securing, and all facets of documentation. Our expert technicians working the show floor are sensitive to the critical milestones that make your show a success. For more information, please visit www.mccollisters.com. (This site is informational only. Information on the AFIRM/McCollister’s program, including shipping quotes, should be directed to Gregg Brenner at the contact information above.) About SGMA The Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA), the #1 source for sport and fitness research, is the leading global trade association of manufacturers, retailers, and marketers in the sports products industry. SGMA helps lead the sports and fitness industries by fostering participation through research, thought leadership, product promotion, and public policy. More information about SGMA membership and SGMA's National Health Through Fitness Day can be found at www.SGMA.com. |
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