Regulators Grant Partial CPSIA Reprieve
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has voted to delay the enforcement of certain third-party testing rules related to items used by children until February 2011, a postponement of one full year. The decision means manufacturers won't be required by law to hold compliance certificates showing their products have been independently verified as safe. "The extension of the stay was needed in order to give the agency more time to promulgate rules important to the continued implementation of the CPSIA and for the agency to educate our stakeholders on the requirements of those new rules," wrote CPSC Chair Inez Tenenbaum, in a statement.

The rules, outlined as part of the controversial Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), were originally intended to go into effect in February 2009, but the enforcement has been delayed twice – once until February 2010, and now another year to February 2011. Legislation has called for the independent verification of products to take place at a lab recognized by the CPSC, creating concerns over costs. The CPSIA applies to all products that may be used by children who are 12-years-old and under.

While the decision grants a reprieve for third-party certification, it does not provide a blanket stay for lead-related testing. For example, bicycle helmets, bunk beds and infant rattles must still be independently tested starting on February 10, 2010. Among other provisions, the CPSIA limits lead content in children's products to 300 parts per million (ppm), down from 600 ppm. However, the CPSC has not specifically defined what items are subject to the rules or how often companies will have to test their products for lead, lead paint or phthalates.

Hurricane Line Merges With Belpromo
Effective January 1, the Hurricane Line/La Belle Time Inc. (asi/66010) will fully merge its operations, staff and equipment with Miami, FL-based supplier Belpromo (asi/39552), the companies have announced. The Hurricane organization will take over Belpromo's daily operations, managing a total workforce of nearly 500 people in a 350,000 sq. ft. facility. "We both had really good years in 2009," said Alan Tabasky, vice president of the Hurricane Line, in an exclusive interview yesterday with Counselor. "We got to the point where we needed more space to grow and this opportunity presented itself."

According to Tabasky, every employee from the Hurricane Line and Belpromo will be retained in the merger. Tabasky also says that Hurricane's revenues grew by about 40% this year and Belpromo's sales increased by about 95% in 2009. At least for the near future, the Hurricane Line and Belpromo will maintain separate ASI numbers and Web sites. "Our goal is to increase sales by 40% next year," Tabasky says. "Together, we'll be able to offer services we weren't able to offer before. Our machines are cutting edge, our production capabilities are improved and we'll be able to have more inventory."

Per the deal, the Hurricane Line is merging operations solely with Belpromo, which is a subsidiary of Bel Inc. As the parent company for several businesses, Bel Inc. also operates Discountmugs.com, which sells directly to end-users. However, there will be no affiliation between the Hurricane Line/Belpromo and Discountmugs.com. "Discountmugs.com has nothing to do with Belpromo," says Amin Rahman, president of Bel. "The companies are run by different people, there's different accounting software and a different space." Rahman says Bel Inc. will continue to operate its ceramic, paper and decal businesses. "This was the time for us to let Belpromo go," Rahman says. "There is good synergy between the companies and we're going to let the Hurricane Line grow the business. I won't be involved in the daily operations."

Sunshine Provisions Move Forward In Senate Health Care Bill
After achieving a 60-40 procedural vote for its version of the health care bill, the U.S. Senate is moving toward a Christmas Eve final vote this week on passage of the legislation. Included in the sweeping health care bill are the provisions originally laid out in the Physician Payments Sunshine Act (S-301), which has been folded into both the Senate and House of Representatives versions of health care legislation.

The provisions call for transparency in all payments that companies make to doctors. Once a company exceeds $100 in payments to a doctor or health care facility, it will have to disclose further payments or gifts in a national database. This broad rule in the bill pertains not just to pharmaceutical companies, but to any "manufacturer of a covered drug, device, biological, or medical supply." And the new law states that the term applies to "any entity which is engaged in the production, preparation, propagation, compounding or conversion of" those types of products. The bill does, however, make exclusions for "educational materials that directly benefit patients."

Tuesday Morning Radio Show Live On The Air
Every Tuesday morning from 10:30 a.m. eastern time to 11:00 a.m., a team of ASI editors debate the most important topics facing the industry. We also, of course, offer our own off-beat look at the market. This morning, we provided a preview of education at The ASI Show in Orlando in two weeks, debated the dumbest business moments of 2009 and looked at the hottest new products in the ad specialty market for 2010. Plus, we even took calls from audience members singing their favorite holiday tunes.

If you missed the show, don't worry. A recording is now available at www.asicentral.com/radio. And, don't forget to join us next Tuesday, December 29, for our year-end broadcast. Go to www.asicentral.com/radio at 10:30 a.m. eastern time and give us a call at 215-953-4979. We want to hear from you!

ASI Launches New Wireless Affiliate Program
ASI announced yesterday that it has signed an agreement with Sprint for ASI members to receive discounts on wireless services and equipment. ASI members can now receive 13% off on select wireless plans for company accounts and 8% off for individual plans. Further, Sprint is offering significantly discounted prices on phones and devices, with no mail-in rebate requirement for company-liable accounts.

"ASI searched for over a year for the right wireless offer for our members and we're thrilled to have selected Sprint for its call quality, service coverage and commitment to emerging technologies," said Dale Denham, senior vice president of ASI. "Sprint's 4G network is rapidly growing and ASI is the only industry organization delivering real wireless savings."

Sprint will be exhibiting at The ASI Show in Orlando, January 3-5, to explain the program and help distributors, suppliers and decorators sign up. For more information on the wireless savings program through Sprint, go to www.asicentral.com/sprint.

The Joe Show: 2010 Hot Products
This time of year, Counselor Managing Editor Joe Haley is on the prowl for the hottest new products available in the market. In this episode of The Joe Show, he shows off some new items for 2010 that suppliers have recently sent to him. Check out the video, and grab your nearest pen and notepad to jot down ideas on the coolest new items for 2010.

Click here to see this 2010 new-products edition of The Joe Show.

Call For Entries: Counselor Product Design Awards
Counselor magazine is looking for innovative products for its Product Design Awards competition. Suppliers are invited to nominate their favorite eye-catching products in the following categories:

In order to enter, please submit the following three items: 1. A sample of the product. (We recommend that the product be exclusive to the supplier that is submitting it, although this is not a requirement.); 2. A quick description of the product, including any special features; 3. The category that the product should be considered for. There is a limit of one submission per category, per company. All submissions will be judged on the following areas: design appeal, functionality and the ability to attractively feature a logo (when appropriate). Winners will be featured in the June issue of Counselor.

Please send all entries to: Karen Akers, Awards Editor, Counselor Magazine, 4800 Street Road, Trevose, PA 19053. Questions? E-mail Karen Akers at kakers@asicentral.com. Please note that only products from North American suppliers will be considered and that submissions will not be returned unless specifically requested.

Introducing ASI Show Live
The ASI Show Live is making its debut at The ASI Orlando Show – if you're not going to be at the show this year, you can watch select New Distributor Success courses and the 2010 Fashion Show LIVE at www.asicentral.com/asishowlive.

Be part of the action, even if you're not able to attend the show. Watch these courses and events live at www.asicentral.com/asishowlive:

New Distributor Success Track
Sunday, January 3
Ad Specialty Sales Overview: The Nuts and Bolts of Success
David Blaise, Top Secrets of Promotional Product Sales
8:30-9:30 a.m. EST

10 Proven Ways to Get Your First Customers
Rosalie Marcus, PromoBizCoach.com
9:45-10:45 a.m. EST

Inside the Mind of the Advertising Specialties Client
David Blaise, Top Secrets of Promotional Product Sales
11 a.m.-Noon EST

ASI's 2010 Fashion Show
Monday, January 4, 5-6 p.m. EST

New Course Available on ASI Education's Online Learning Center 
Be sure to register at http://www.asicentral.com/asionlinelearning for some exciting new courses available exclusively to ASI members. Brought to you by ASI Education, Online Learning is the newest and most convenient way for distributors to get educated. Here are some of the courses from our New Distributor Success Track available now:

NEW
Building Profitable Client Relationships. In the advertising specialty industry, 75% of the average distributor's revenue comes from repeat clients. That's probably because it costs anywhere from five to eight times more to gain a new customer as opposed to retaining the ones you have. In this course, we'll explore ways to build profitable client relationships. This includes: tactics to turn one order into repeat business by building a positive relationship with your client; how to creatively reach out to clients; and how to patch things up when you've made a mistake.

Course Track: New Distributor Success
* Nailing Down the Basics

ASICentral: How Well Do You Know Designers?
Everyone knows pop icon Gwen Stefani ... lead singer of the 90's band No Doubt, successful solo recording artist, wife of Gavin Rossdale, mom. But did you also know she designs clothes?

Of course you did! But do you know who she's designed clothing for? A-ha! Bet you know a lot of designers, but the brands they've worked for might not be so obvious. So, we've come up with a game that tests your knowledge of designers. Introducing the ...

Take the challenge now!

Got questions, comments or any type of feedback regarding anything ASICentral, don't hesitate to contact us at feedback@asicentral.com. Also, follow ASICentral at .

In The News
Boundless Network (asi/143717) has announced that it grew its revenues by 40% in 2009.

Brandelope (asi/41544) has announced that one of its products was recently featured on the Ellen Degeneres Show as part of the program's holiday giveaway promotion. The company's marketing envelope was used by Norwegian Cruise Lines to deliver gifts to the studio audience.

Bullet Line (asi/42424) will be changing its name to "Bullet" in 2010. The company is celebrating its 30-year anniversary in 2010 by also launching a new logo and tagline.

Commotion Promotions (asi/166010) was chosen as the top promotional company for the 12th consecutive year by readers of Ranking Arizona magazine.

Full Line Specialties (asi/199688) announced that Sam Singh has become the 100% owner of the company. Singh's ownership now completes Ken Ehman's succession plan.

Newton Manufacturing Company (asi/283300) has announced that its employees donated $285 as well as two grocery carts of food to the local Salvation Army. Newton also sponsored 45 children and their families as part of the St. Nick's Christmas Club "Adopt an Angel" program.

Quality Certification Alliance announced that five more suppliers have completed the organization's accreditation process. They are: Broder Bros. (asi/42090), Dard Products Inc. (asi/48500), Gordon Sinclair (asi/57800), Prime Resources Corp. (asi/79530), Sweda Company LLC (asi/90305).

People On The Move
Calibre International LLC (asi/43442) has named Michael Leigh its new president.

ASI SHOW

THE FIRST SHOW OF THE YEAR IS TAKING PLACE JANUARY 3-5 IN ORLANDO
The first show of the year and biggest event on the East Coast, The ASI Show Orlando (January 3-5, 2010), is just a few weeks away. Featuring 700+ top suppliers, best-in-class education, around-the-clock networking and a free Keynote by General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), there is no better place to kick-start 2010.
Register today at www.asishow.com for The ASI Show Orlando. ASI distributor and decorator members can receive up to $100 toward a hotel room.

FREE REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR ASI DALLAS IS JANUARY 4
The ASI Show is bringing its innovation and fun to the Lone Star State on February 1-3, 2010. ASI distributor and decorator members can attend for free when they register by January 4. Be prepared for your strongest sales year ever by attending The ASI Dallas Show, featuring 600 leading suppliers, thousands of new items, more than 55 free education sessions, a free Keynote on social networking and daily networking.
Register today at www.asishow.com for The ASI Dallas Show. ASI distributor and decorator members can receive up to $100 toward a hotel room.

SEE MOST OF THE TOP 40 AT ASI SAN DIEGO
Timed in the first quarter, The ASI Show San Diego (February 24-26) will deliver the products, services, ideas and strategies you need to launch 2010 with a bang. Featuring leading suppliers, such as BIC Graphic, Prime, Hit Promotional Products, Bodek and Rhodes and Sweda, cutting-edge education and non-stop networking, ASI San Diego will be a sales-building event like no other.

The three-day schedule includes a number of exciting events, including the Gala Celebration at Stingaree Nightclub and a free Keynote by motivational guru Tony Robbins.

Register for ASI San Diego at www.asishow.com. ASI distributor and decorator members enjoy free admission and can receive up to $100 toward a hotel room.

A BRAND-NEW EVENT FOR WOMEN IN THE AD SPECIALY BUSINESS
Excitement is building for the ASI Women's Summit, taking place May 4, 2010 at the Millennium Broadway Hotel in New York City from noon-3:30 p.m. Designed for women in the advertising specialty industry, the ASI Women's Summit will provide a lively environment to develop new relationships while discussing new business approaches with colleagues. The action-packed afternoon schedule will include a networking reception, luncheon and two Keynotes by real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran and Rosalie Marcus, The Promo Biz Coach™.

Register at www.asishow.com by March 31 and pay only $149.

Follow The ASI Show on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook today!

The following are the dates and locations for The ASI Show in 2010:
Orlando: January 3-5
Dallas: February 1-3
San Diego: February 24-26
New York: May 4-6
Chicago: July 13-15

Plus, don't miss the ASI Advantages Roadshow, the industry's #1 traveling show. Visit www.advantagesroadshow.com for the complete schedule!