Plastic Bags Banned In LA County
Supervisors in Los Angeles County, California, have passed an ordinance that bans supermarkets, convenience stores and pharmacies from giving customers single-use plastic bags. The new LA County law, which also requires stores to charge 10 cents for each paper bag, is designed to motivate consumers to purchase environmentally-friendly reusable bags. "Plastic bags are a pollutant," said Zev Yaroslavsky, a county supervisor who voted for the measure. "They pollute the urban landscape. They are what we call in our county urban tumbleweed."

The ordinance, which will go into effect next July, will initially impact 67 large supermarkets and pharmacies throughout Los Angeles County, but eventually the ban will cover 1,000 stores. The law only applies, however, to unincorporated areas, meaning stores in the county's 88 cities, including Los Angeles, will not be affected. Even so, the measure has drawn the ire of critics.

"We believe there are more effective ways of reducing bag litter and waste that do not result in raising grocery costs for families, put at risk hundreds of manufacturing jobs in the Los Angeles area, or require more government bureaucracy," said Tim Shestek, senior director of state affairs for the American Chemistry Council.

In addition to Malibu and San Francisco, which already have restrictive plastic bag laws, California communities like Santa Monica, Marin, San Jose and Santa Clara also are considering full bans. In August, despite the support of the California assembly and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the California senate fell short of passing a statewide plastic bag ban. The author of that bill, Assemblymember Julia Brownley, has said she will reintroduce the measure in the next legislative session.

Last Chance To Vote For Distributor Choice Awards
Every year Counselor magazine honors the best industry suppliers with our Distributor Choice Awards. Of course, we can’t name the winners without you, because these awards are chosen solely by industry distributors.

Voting is now open for the exclusive Counselor Distributor Choice Awards. Please click here to vote in the Counselor Distributor Choice Awards and help us name the best suppliers in more than 50 product categories.

These valued awards will be given out to winning suppliers at the ASI Show in Orlando on January 23, 2011 and in Counselor’s February issue. Your vote counts and we thank you in advance for your participation. Voting ends tomorrow, November 19.

Video Report: Bags In Focus
In this episode of Counselor's Industry Update video, we discuss a new partnership for a Top 40 supplier firm and reveal a new law sure to impact bag sales in California. Plus, why are reusable shopping bags suddenly in the product safety cross hairs? Watch the video to find out.

Click here to see the trends and to watch Counselor PromoGram’s Industry Update.

If you have any news you’d like to see covered on Industry Update or in Counselor PromoGram, please send it to newsdesk@asicentral.com.

Senate Moves To Repeal New 1099 Rules
Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) introduced legislation this week intended to repeal a section of the new health care law that would force businesses to severely increase their 1099 tax reporting procedures. One part of the health reform law that was passed earlier this year dictates that beginning in 2012 businesses would have to report (through 1099 forms) to the Internal Revenue Service any payment of more than $600

Small business groups have protested the measure since it was passed, saying that the paperwork expectations would be too onerous to comply with. Baucus’ bill, called the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act, would halt the new requirement. Other bills that have been introduced regarding this measure have either aimed to increase the minimum amount of payment that would trigger the need for submitting a 1099 form to the IRS or repeal it entirely.

"I have heard small businesses loud and clear and I am responding to their concerns," said Baucus, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, in a statement. "Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and they need to focus their efforts on creating good-paying jobs, not filing paperwork."

The Senate is expected to begin debate on the measure next week, and to schedule a vote on it before the end of the year.

Obituary: Bruce Schoenberg, Brucelli Advertising
Bruce Schoenberg, co-founder of Brucelli Advertising Co. (asi/148960), died on November 10 following a car accident a week earlier in Pocono Township, PA. He was 57.

According to police reports, Schoenberg's car was struck at an intersection by a taxi cab whose driver went through a stop sign. Schoenberg was flown by helicopter to a local hospital, but he eventually passed away because of severe injuries. "What happened to him was so tragic," said Mike Rodin, a close friend to Schoenberg and owner of Iowa-based distributor firm IMPACT Inc. (asi/230181). "Bruce was a larger than life person and it's so hard to put into words how much he meant to people."

Born in northeastern Pennsylvania and a graduate of the University of Scranton, Schoenberg co-founded Brucelli Advertising more than 35 years ago, building the distributorship into one of the most successful ad specialty firms in the region. Schoenberg was also president of Glen Oak Country Club, and he served on the board of Scranton's Community Medical Center. "When I was 16, Bruce showed me the ropes of the industry and he was such an influence on me," Rodin remembers. "He could negotiate. He could sell. He was so charismatic and intelligent. He was a great man."

Schoenberg is survived by his wife, Cyndy, three daughters, Summer, Alexa and Becca, and brother, Elliot. Funeral services were held in the Engle Sanctuary of Temple Israel in Scranton, on November 12. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sara Morris Mitzvah Fund, c/o Temple Israel, 918 E. Gibson St., Scranton, PA 18510.

Podcast: Hot Holiday Gift Ideas
On Tuesday’s ASI Internet Radio Show, the hosts took questions from callers looking for advice on the best holiday gifts to offer this year. Wondering whether gift cards are a better way to go than a holiday party next month? Looking for the most unique client gifts to stand out from the competition during a busy holiday season? Check out this podcast. 

Click here to listen to the holiday gifts segment from Tuesday’s show.

If you’d like to check out a recording of the whole online radio show, go to www.asicentral.com/radio. And, don’t forget to join us next Tuesday, November 23, for our next broadcast. Log on to www.asicentral.com/radio at 10:30 am ET and give us a call at 215-953-4979 or e-mail us at radio@asicentral.com to participate on the show. We want to hear from you.

Plus, mark your calendars for November 30 to join the ASI Radio crew as they welcome former First Lady Laura Bush to the show. Head to www.asicentral.com/radio at 10:30 a.m. ET to listen to the interview.

Distributor Wins Halloween Contest
Counselor recently held its first-ever online competition to honor the best company Halloween Party in the industry. We asked companies to submit their stories, photos and videos to our Best Places to Work Facebook page (www.facebook.com/BestPlacestoWork) describing why their office Halloween party was the wackiest, most entertaining and most creative this year.

After sifting through a wealth of entries – and one of the greatest collections of costume pics you'll ever see – we've chosen a winner: distributor firm CustomInk (asi/173408) takes home our top prize (and $100 gift card) as the host of the wackiest and most fun Halloween Party. In addition to a costume party throughout the day on Halloween, the McLean, VA-based company held a pumpkin carving and painting contest.

And the distributor firm's employees really rose to the creativity occasion – one department came dressed as the cast of Glee and another department got their GTL on and came as the members of Jersey Shore. The company's top costume prize, though, went to the two staffers who came to work that day as the Salahi couple – yes, those famous White House party crashers. "The costumes get more creative each year," says Allyson Ayers, communications coordinator for CustomInk. "I'm pretty sure some people start planning their costume for next year on November 1st."

Click here to see all the pics from CustomInk's Halloween party.

And, to check out all the creative videos and costume images from the various companies that entered the Halloween contest, go to www.facebook.com/BestPlacestoWork.

Are You An Apparel Pro?
Counselor is currently looking for case studies of how distributors have used a variety of apparel items in different client campaigns. Have you sold a t-shirt for a charity walk, a sweatshirt for a school event, or a jacket for a corporate sales incentive program?

We want to speak to you for our January issue. We’re collecting case studies of how clients have implemented a variety of apparel items into different promotional programs. If you’re interested in sharing your stories and being quoted in Counselor’s January issue, please send a brief e-mail to Betsy Cummings at bcummings2368@nyc.rr.com.

New ASI Education Online Course Available
Start working toward achieving your BASI (Bachelor of Advertising Specialty Information) or MASI (Master of Advertising Specialty Information) by taking self-paced, on-demand courses at ASI Education's Online Learning Center. In our newest course, "Eco-Friendly Apparel Facts and Strategies," you'll learn about a variety of eco-truths, key strategies for working with suppliers and customers, and how to sell different eco-categories.  

Click here  to take the course.

In The News
Image Apparel Solutions (asi/62291), based in Wheeling, IL, has joined ASI as a supplier decorator member.

Leaderpromos.com (asi/287087) has announced that Stephanie Leader, owner and founder of the company, was honored with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Small Business Leader Award for organizations with over $5 million in revenue.

Leed’s (asi/66887) announced that it has added 17 new products in drinkware, metal pens and High Sierra business cases with its November product launch.

Senator Promotional Group USA (asi/86390) has introduced the German Koziol line of desktop accessories to the U.S. ad specialty industry.

ASI SHOW

HAVE YOU ORDERED YOUR DISCOUNTED TICKETS TO THE BROADWAY MUSICAL BILLY ELLIOT?
Taking place during ASI New York at the Imperial Theatre on March 22 at 7 p.m., ASI members can purchase discounted tickets to the Broadway musical Billy Elliot.

Reuniting the award-winning team behind the moving 2000 film and featuring the musical mastery of Sir Elton John, Billy Elliot shares the inspiring story of a poor, working-class boy who discovers his passion for dance as his family grapples with adversity. 
  
Winner of 10 Tony® Awards, Billy Elliot has been called "The best musical of the decade" by Time magazine.

Just ONE more reason to attend ASI New York, March 22-24 at the Javits Center! Register today and order your discounted ticket to Billy Elliot. But, hurry ― only a limited number of tickets are available.

Remember, ASI distributor/decorator members can also receive free admission, a free ticket to the Gala at the exclusive 40/40 Club and a free hotel room!*

A FUN VIDEO FROM WAYNE BRADY ON ASI SAN DIEGO!
ASI distributor and decorator members can receive a FREE ticket to Emmy® Award-winning comedian Wayne Brady's private performance taking place at ASI San Diego on May 19! Click here to view a great video from Wayne Brady himself.

Register today for the newest event to service the West Coast. Taking place May 18-20, there is no better place to jumpstart the second selling season than by attending ASI San Diego. As one of the most active regions in the country, California is home to the largest number of distributors and suppliers.

See top suppliers, participate in cutting-edge education and network 24/7. ASI distributor and decorator members can enjoy free admission and a free hotel room.

REGISTER BY NOVEMBER 30 FOR THE ASI WOMEN'S SUMMIT AND SAVE
Register by November 30 for the 2nd annual ASI Women's Summit taking place on February 18, 2011, during ASI Dallas, at the Adolphus Hotel's French Room and pay only $249! (Co-sponsored by Fields Mfg., asi/54100, J. Charles Crystalworks, asi/62985 and Logo Mats, asi/67849) 

You'll have the exclusive opportunity to network with other women professionals in the ad specialty industry, as well as hear a motivational Keynote by former First Lady Laura Bush.

The afternoon schedule will feature registration and networking from noon until 1:30 p.m., where you'll be able to share stories with colleagues while mingling with Mrs. Bush; a sit-down lunch with Keynote from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.; an interactive hot topics discussion from 2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. and an awards presentation highlighting the "Top 10 Women to Watch" from 3:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Click here to register and save. For more information on the ASI Women's Summit visit www.asishow.com. All attendees will receive a free autographed copy of Mrs. Bush's new book, Spoken from the Heart, a New York Times #1 best seller.

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 2011:
Orlando, January 23-25, 2011
Dallas, February 16-18, 2011
New York, March 22-24, 2011
San Diego, May 18-20, 2011
Chicago, July 19-21, 2011

Plus, don't miss the ASI Advantages Roadshow, the industry's #1 traveling show. Visit www.advantagesroadshow.com for the complete schedule and go to www.asishow.com for information on all ASI Shows.