Attendance Up at National Catalog Forum; But Should Be More
Ninety-four people attended the fourth annual National Catalog Forum presented by the American Catalog Mailers Association June 21-22 in Washington, D.C. The good news is attendance rose 40%, including 45 first-timers, compared to last year.
The bad news? The figure represents about 2% of the catalogers in the U.S.
“I was surprised that so few of the catalogers in our industry have participated in the ACMA,” says Chris Smith, vice president of ecommerce and catalog for Jockey International. “I am not sure whether the association is too focused — other catalogers may be part of larger multichannel retailers and therefore work with more broad-based organizations — or if it’s an issue of lack of awareness. Either way, if you are mailing catalogs, the ACMA is helping you stay in business.”
ACMA Executive Director Hamilton Davison realizes that his group must draw more members and membership fees to be positioned to keep the cataloger’s voice heard in Washington, D.C. on issues vital to the industry.
Terri Alpert, CEO of Stony Creek Brands, which operates Uno Alla Volta and Cooking Enthusiast catalogs, has attended each of the four National Catalog Forums.
“I continue to be surprised that so few catalogers are a part of this effort which is about nothing less than our collective survival,” she says. “I can’t understand how that can be. Is it lack of awareness? Or a belief that someone else will do the work and pay the bill? As a CEO, I know my company is part of the larger ecosystem of catalog mailers/multi-channel merchants and that we spiral up together or spiral down together. Do other CEOs simply not understand this? If so, how do we change this before it’s too late? This fight needs all of us!”
