Sorry I've been awol for a few days but like you I am knee deep in PMA and CHA Show preparations.

I've also been shaking alot of trees to see what kind of new product comes out. I should have had a lot more press releases come in by now. I had hoped to share a bunch of new products before the show,but I can't share what I don't have.

Please Vendors- share your new product info- I don't stand on ceremony- just send me a good photo and a few sentences on what you like about it and we'll take it from there!

You know that British Airways commercial where the guy shouts "Where is everybody?" that's what it feels like right now. Not alot of communication happening which tells me folks are maxxed out on show prep.

I suspect manufacturers are introducing fewer new products and lines at this show. I think this conservative approach is merited in light of the economy but also the fact that retailers simply cannot keep up with new product introductions at the old velocity.

Fewer good lines means less choice overload... think of a diner menu versus one at a fine restaurant.  Hard to choose on the 12 page diner menu. But the fine restaurant offers you the chef's best choices- much easier to make a successful choice.

 Thanks to all you scrapbook product chefs helping retailers make decisions about products that will have a little longer life span. Now THAT's good.--Beth