What can the PPFA do?

Hey Julia-Sorry you didn't sit in; most everyone enjoyed the "theatre" that was Denns and I. And, then, some said the took a lot away from the factual side, too

But may I make an open suggestion?

While it was originally designed for vendors and suppliers a lot of members attended. Any one interested in events like this should contact a Board member or Chapter leader to see if we can help

I, for one, would have figured a way to get you a "backstage" pass

Any one wanting to learn and participate ought to have a seat in the room

Ask for help; you'll be surprised, I'll betcha.

I was there early but do not remember anyone checking names

There were quite a few "retailers" there
 
Well, Bob, I think Julia did the right thing in accepting the response she was given. I personally can't imagine trying to worm my way in someplace I was not only not directly invited but then told I was not welcome. If the PMAI/PPFA wanted Retailers there, then they should have made it easy and open for them to get in. If they really didn't want them, there should have been no way for them to get in.
 
I belonged to the PPFA over 20 years ago for a short time, but dropped out because of a personal conflict with a past chapter president.


Wow! It really is a small world after all.

You didn't belong to my chapter did you? It wasn't 20 years for me though, more like 4 1/2.
 
David-

Sometimes a simple courteous gesture is meant as simply a corteous gesture

I am certain that if you heard a client say that they were not treated as well as they would have liked that you didn't say "Next time, call me and I'll see if I can help"

Hey guys-It's been a long time since the flare up; thing you'll ever get over it
 
I just received an e-mail from Sheila at the PPFA about the discussion at first being for suppliers only. How's that for support from your professional organization? I just posted yesterday!

You can bet, the next time a session like this is offered, I'll RSVP and if I'm told it is full, I might just show up anyway to see if there might be a seat. Or phone a day before and double check availability.

Thanks, Bob for your suggestions. While I won't muscle my way in, I might just call you to see about "pulling some strings". I have no problem sitting on the floor for such an important discussion.

Regards,
Julia
 
Hey Julia-I wish you had; it would have been great to meet you, too

That's alright, Dave, I took your comment a a criticism, too

And, I'm certain that you would have responded in a similar manner had it been your outfit

That's why we are in th epsitions we are in, huh?
 
The Smart Store

Is anyone else on this forum in the Bay Area going to the Nov 27 meeting from 10-2? The date is a bit awkward--start of Christmas season, but I'll fight morning traffic and go because I want to know what this is all about. I read the PPFA mag. description but still don't really get it. I also see that The SMART group leader, Dennis C. who is giving the SF presentation is also setting up The SMART store at PMA, combining Scrabooking, Photo, and Frames. ?? Photo looks very slick. Store of the future?

We have one scrapbook shop in Berkeley, a large one in an upscale shopping aera on 4th st. Rents must be high. Owner says she is doing well. I paid a visit a couple of weeks ago and was amazed at the size of the place--all full of stickers, paper, and scrapbooks. Who knew? I don't have a lot of Creative Memories people come in the shop to frame thier pages, but I do keep a basic set of CM tools on hand in case someone needs to make a deckled edge or something. I could see this woman's store carrying basic ready made frames and having a photo kiosk. Is this the SMART store? I don't have room to add any more add-on lines.

This idea seems to be about marketing rather than the SMART store, but I'm curious. All will be revealed I guess.
 
Hey Kirstie-Make the meeting

It's much more about marketing than scrapbooks

My biggest obstacle during this entire drill was that I had my focus way too narrow-that being "What is in it for me, a picture framer, and how can this help me instantly"

When you get beyond that (and some won't) you may easily see the dynamics and then focus on "How can I benefit from any of this"

You will be fine and it will be worthwhile
 
Hey Kirstie-Make the meeting

It's much more about marketing than scrapbooks

My biggest obstacle during this entire drill was that I had my focus way too narrow-that being "What is in it for me, a picture framer, and how can this help me instantly"

When you get beyond that (and some won't) you may easily see the dynamics and then focus on "How can I benefit from any of this"

You will be fine and it will be worthwhile

Of course it will! Meet fellow framers, learn more about marketing, and free lunch.:D
 
Worth attending? Agenda revolves around scrapbooking

I rsvp'd for an 8 hour meeting in SLC (4 hour drive) that sounded like it was going to revolve around the smart group then got an e-mail changing the agenda to classes about scrapbooking and one hour out of four kind of touching on the idea of co-op advertising. I think I'm going to skip it and hope that Vegas will give me the knowledge I need to make it work here in little ol southeast Idaho.

Anyone who has attended have any words to the wise?
 
I have had two messages about the same meeting in SF which I am signed up for on 11/27. My flyer said nothing abut PPFA, only memory and photo markets. A separate letter from PPFA talks about a concurrent PPFA meeting at the same location. I have an hour drive each way, first in rush hour traffic, but will try to make it to report back and see what's on the horizon. Indeed, it is a bit confusing.

Kirstie
 
It hurts to read a G member state as fact "They have built a strong structural organization out of one that was corrupt, crumbling, and all but dead."
Many of them are gone now,the past volunteer leaders and hired staff, gone to that " big box " in the sky. Some have gone on to mundane endeavors like trying to save the planet. Some just smile, with their memories of a job well done and count the days. And some of us are still here, reading, listening and learning. We choose to defend the honor of those you would impugn, by implying they were " corrupt "! Organizations cannot be inherently corrupt.If by definition you meant, " changed for the worst by mistakes " or " changed for the worst ", I could almost forgive the implication. The words used here like "crumbling " translate to " financial collapse ", and "all but dead " translate to " impending bankruptcy ". These words may be words many of our peers are facing today. Are they corrupt by your standards?
The past and present PPFA have been led and managed by honest staff and dedicated volunteers, many of them brilliant visionaries. They mold an industry with a goal toward betterment and growth of that industry for the common good. Member or non-member alike !
" Belonging "??!! It just helps pay the bills and keep this extremely valuable industry organization alive for all of us in this industry. It allows all of us to be participants in determining our positive future! Sure you can do it on your own. " Knock yourself out "!
Tom
 
Tom:

Your commentary is a bit cryptic, since we do not know who you are or what has been your role in PPFA's past. Your credibility would be better if you were properly introduced.

PPFA's history has been very good at times, and dozens of selfless volunteers have done some very important work for this industry over a couple of decades. As one of those volunteers, I appreciate your recognition of that fact. The PPFA certification programs, framing competitions, classes, and business operation benefits have always been among the best available to framers. Still are.

PPFA suffers to this day with the mismangement -- and yes, corruption -- that occurred during one president's reign in the mid-90s. According to some credible reports, that SOB nearly did bankrupt the association. It never has recovered, really.

Also according to some credible reports, PMAI literally saved PPFA in the takeover. The Opryland fiasco might have burned the last of PPFA's bridges to framers if PMAI had not come along. The fact that those many selfless volunteers remained faithful does not offset the opinions of members who feel, to this day, that PPFA is not worthy of their time, attention, and money.

PMAI has changed everything, but perhaps the nay-sayers are too far gone to give PPFA another look. Or perhaps they take some perverse pleasure in attempting to defeat an organization that could be a significant contributor in reshapng the industry.

Would anyone deny that the custom framing industry needs reshaping? Would anyone please suggest a better course of action than working together in that effort? And would anyone please suggest a better entity for bringing framers together for the purpose?
 
About a year ago we started a mission to form a PPFA chapter in Minnesota. After posting on HH and the Grumble we could only find 8 who expressed an interest. PMA said we needed 15.

During that time a local supplier had an nice open house event and a round table breakfast meeting. My framing manager attended and brought up the idea of a a local chapter. A collective groan went up in the room. Everyone had a bad memory of PPFA from a decade ago.

We weren't into framing 10 years ago so I don't know what happened and my own experience with PPFA has been good.

Doug
 
Jim
Sorry about " cryptic ". I do not want to spawn controversy! I just felt I had to respond to a broad brush statement of incrimination to some dedicated people.
PS. I hope I am not your S.O.B. I've taken a lot of heat for a lot of things over my 48 years in the industry ! A lot of it unjustified and explainable.
Have a good night. I have an early morning meeting tomorrow, PMAI/Smart marketing. Still learning and willing to serve.
Tom Pavlock
 
No, Mr. Pavlock, you certainly are not the SOB I referred to. He was an infamous Executive Director, not a President as I mistakenly labeled him earlier. He left the industry in tar and feathers, and I doubt anyone in framing will ever hear of hm again.

It's unfortunate that so many framers still harbor a bad opnion of the association, even after all these years, because of one man's devious misdeeds.
 
As one who has paid PPFA dues for many years, I have noticed a definite change. Decades ago we just kept the membership so that we could have the sticker on the door and hopefully increase our credibility. We were not privy to any serious problems because we weren't active in the organization. There were no groups in San Francisco, and we were not interested in leading one. We often wondered why we were paying dues to an organization that didn't seem to have much to give us. In the last few years I have noticed a big change. More visibility, a web presence (even before PMA) where we were listed, a much better magazine, now a more professional web site, and professional conventions that we now plan to attend. I am looking forward to PMA and to learning more about what the PMA/PPFA alliance has to offer us. I can only see it getting better from here on.
 
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