The Best Is Getting Better! The best event for the industry’s buyers and sellers to gather continues to be the International Formalwear Association’s (IFA) Annual Convention & Trade Show. Why? Because the IFA Expo strives to improve each year by offering exciting, new features for its exhibitors and attendees. And Expo29 is no exception. In fact, the enhancements for this year’s Expo, held Saturday, September 11- Monday, September 13, 2010, are exceptional!

IFA Expo29 is collocating for two days with the Las Vegas The Market: Bridal, Formal and Prom Show
(Sunday, September 12-Wednesday, September 15), adding not only a brand-new dimension to the show, but an additional 1,000 buyers to the 450 booth show. More buying power, more customer prospects!

IFA Expo29 is expanding to a three-day trade show (Saturday, Sunday, Monday), increasing the exhibit hours by nearly one-third. That’s 33 percent additional value, too. More time equals more opportunities for showgoers!

IFA Expo29 is moving to a new home: the Rio All Suites Resort. With its 2,500 guest rooms and exhibit space, it’s a perfect place to stay, conduct business and to socialize as well. More opportunities tonegotiate, mingle and interact with customers, suppliers and peers!

In addition, IFA Expo planners will conduct:
A tailored orientation session for specialists attending Expo for the first time;
Industry-specific educational seminars aimed at improved business results;

The IFA Annual Meeting, where members will hear about the latest issues, programs and services being addressed; and The Annual Cocktail Party & Awards Ceremony, the industry’s leading networking event of the year.

Our businesses continue to change and shift rapidly, and IFA and Expo29 are evolving right along with it. As a member of the formalwear marketplace, you need to experience this year’s show to be in step with our dynamic industry.

One thing that isn’t changing is IFA’s mission to serve the industry and to sponsor the best possible event for the individuals and companies who are actively engaged in the market.

Indeed, the best is getting better and we encourage you to make plans now to participate in the Saturday, September 11-Sunday, September 13, 2010 Expo29 at the Rio All-Suites Hotel in Las Vegas!

Sincerely,

Ken Pendley
President
International Formalwear Association
303-549-2755 or kenpendley@formalwear.org.

The Best Is Getting Better! The best event for the industry’s buyers and sellers to gather continues to be the International Formalwear Association’s (IFA) Annual Convention & Trade Show. Why? Because the IFA Expo strives to improve each year by offering exciting, new features for its exhibitors and attendees. And Expo29 is no exception. In fact, the enhancements for this year’s Expo, held Saturday, September 11- Monday, September 13, 2010, are exceptional!

IFA Expo29 is collocating for two days with the Las Vegas The Market: Bridal, Formal and Prom Show
(Sunday, September 12-Wednesday, September 15), adding not only a brand-new dimension to the show, but an additional 1,000 buyers to the 450 booth show. More buying power, more customer prospects!

IFA Expo29 is expanding to a three-day trade show (Saturday, Sunday, Monday), increasing the exhibit hours by nearly one-third. That’s 33 percent additional value, too. More time equals more opportunities for showgoers!

IFA Expo29 is moving to a new home: the Rio All Suites Resort. With its 2,500 guest rooms and exhibit space, it’s a perfect place to stay, conduct business and to socialize as well. More opportunities tonegotiate, mingle and interact with customers, suppliers and peers!

In addition, IFA Expo planners will conduct:
A tailored orientation session for specialists attending Expo for the first time;
Industry-specific educational seminars aimed at improved business results;

The IFA Annual Meeting, where members will hear about the latest issues, programs and services being addressed; and The Annual Cocktail Party & Awards Ceremony, the industry’s leading networking event of the year.

Our businesses continue to change and shift rapidly, and IFA and Expo29 are evolving right along with it. As a member of the formalwear marketplace, you need to experience this year’s show to be in step with our dynamic industry.

One thing that isn’t changing is IFA’s mission to serve the industry and to sponsor the best possible event for the individuals and companies who are actively engaged in the market.

Indeed, the best is getting better and we encourage you to make plans now to participate in the Saturday, September 11-Sunday, September 13, 2010 Expo29 at the Rio All-Suites Hotel in Las Vegas!

Sincerely,

Ken Pendley
President
International Formalwear Association
303-549-2755 or kenpendley@formalwear.org.

Have you been like many of the stores across the country and renting about every color you have? Talking to owners across the country the popularity of multi color dresses this year has given greater options for tie and vest combinations.

Getting Your Tuxedos Back

The age old issue of getting tuxedos returned on time is a big issue with prom. The prom generation is definitely made up hugely of a group of kids that are used to instant gratification. The amount of lead time when many of them used to order tuxedos was a month –two weeks in advance of the prom date. Now, you are lucky to have them think of what they need to wear to prom much further out than a week! That same laid back attitude can also be part of the level of importance to them on getting them returned.

Getting ready for this week still depends on getting tuxes back from LAST week. With many of our members being small businesses that depend on all tuxedos being returned promptly, a late tux can hold up 3 or 4 orders for the next week! TEXT them…. This generation communicates with their fingers and a cell phone.

Most of the kids are happy to give their cell number when they rent the tux. The response to a text message is quick. Many of them have told me they do not listen to the messages left on voice mail, yet they read ALL text messages. If you are not comfortable with this form of communication, let one of your prom employees handle this each Monday.

First with sending a reminder of when the tux is due, then following through from there. It is also less intrusive for those ones that slip through that are returned but somehow did not get checked in. Good LUCK! Let us know what works for you . editor@formaltimes.com. 

Read a great article from Dr. Lawana Gladney on keeping your priorities in order especially important right now!

Have you been like many of the stores across the country and renting about every color you have? Talking to owners across the country the popularity of multi color dresses this year has given greater options for tie and vest combinations.

Getting Your Tuxedos Back

The age old issue of getting tuxedos returned on time is a big issue with prom. The prom generation is definitely made up hugely of a group of kids that are used to instant gratification. The amount of lead time when many of them used to order tuxedos was a month –two weeks in advance of the prom date. Now, you are lucky to have them think of what they need to wear to prom much further out than a week! That same laid back attitude can also be part of the level of importance to them on getting them returned.

Getting ready for this week still depends on getting tuxes back from LAST week. With many of our members being small businesses that depend on all tuxedos being returned promptly, a late tux can hold up 3 or 4 orders for the next week! TEXT them…. This generation communicates with their fingers and a cell phone.

Most of the kids are happy to give their cell number when they rent the tux. The response to a text message is quick. Many of them have told me they do not listen to the messages left on voice mail, yet they read ALL text messages. If you are not comfortable with this form of communication, let one of your prom employees handle this each Monday.

First with sending a reminder of when the tux is due, then following through from there. It is also less intrusive for those ones that slip through that are returned but somehow did not get checked in. Good LUCK! Let us know what works for you . editor@formaltimes.com. 

Read a great article from Dr. Lawana Gladney on keeping your priorities in order especially important right now!

By Dr. Lawana Gladney

When we think about the challenges of trying to keep it altogether, it can be overwhelming. I mean after all, there are only so many hours in the day and so much energy that you have to get things done. According to a recent article by the company Diversity @ Work, fifty eight percent of all employees feel that the pressure of work detracts from their family and personal life.

With that being said, the issues of work life balance are not gender specific. Often we think that this is a topic that only affects women, but research is finding that men are challenged with balance as well. Work/life balance covers a range of workplace issues, including flexible work practices such as job sharing, telecommuting, part-time options, and programs for working parents, mature age workers and programs enabling corporate volunteerism.

When it is all said and done, there is more stuff at the end of the day than there is time. How did things get so incredibly busy? In this day of technology that is meant to make things more convenient and efficient for us, it appears as if we even have less time. When you add up the hours in a day and at least one third of the day is spent on the job, no wonder we have never have enough time.

Because of the fact that family and personal life can detract from work which in turn decreases productivity, many companies are recognizing the importance of this issue and are looking to help their employees work better by restoring balance to their lives. Companies are doing more to help employees by offering flexible work time and other benefits.

While that is great and I am glad that there is awareness and action steps are being put in place in many industries, the change really takes place with you. How can you take control and manage your life? There are some steps that can help to restore balance and bring order to our hectic schedules.

Step One - Decide what you really want your life to look like. Ask yourself; are you happy with your life?
The answer to that question will determine what you need to do. If you answered yes, you are way ahead of the majority of the people. That means that you have actually been able to create the kind of life that you want. If you answered no, then you have to make some changes.

Step Two- Write down your ideal life. What would that look like? How many hours a day would you spend doing what? Of course, we all would like to spend most of our days lying in a hammock by the beach, or skiing down the mountains, but try to include some productivity. For practical purposes, include a life with your current job so that we can focus on how to manage your current situation.

Step Three- Write down your current life style. Include your job, family and other activities and how much time is spent on each one. Break it up into the number of minutes/ hours spent.

Step Four - Compare your ideal life to your current life. How far are you away from your ideal life? What do you need to do to get closer to living the life you want?

This is just the beginning of the evaluation process. In order to balance and manage your life it requires constant adjustments. It is worth the daily effort, in order for you to live your best life.

Dr. Lawana S. Gladney
Psychologist, Speaker, Trainer, Author

By Dr. Lawana Gladney

When we think about the challenges of trying to keep it altogether, it can be overwhelming. I mean after all, there are only so many hours in the day and so much energy that you have to get things done. According to a recent article by the company Diversity @ Work, fifty eight percent of all employees feel that the pressure of work detracts from their family and personal life.

With that being said, the issues of work life balance are not gender specific. Often we think that this is a topic that only affects women, but research is finding that men are challenged with balance as well. Work/life balance covers a range of workplace issues, including flexible work practices such as job sharing, telecommuting, part-time options, and programs for working parents, mature age workers and programs enabling corporate volunteerism.

When it is all said and done, there is more stuff at the end of the day than there is time. How did things get so incredibly busy? In this day of technology that is meant to make things more convenient and efficient for us, it appears as if we even have less time. When you add up the hours in a day and at least one third of the day is spent on the job, no wonder we have never have enough time.

Because of the fact that family and personal life can detract from work which in turn decreases productivity, many companies are recognizing the importance of this issue and are looking to help their employees work better by restoring balance to their lives. Companies are doing more to help employees by offering flexible work time and other benefits.

While that is great and I am glad that there is awareness and action steps are being put in place in many industries, the change really takes place with you. How can you take control and manage your life? There are some steps that can help to restore balance and bring order to our hectic schedules.

Step One - Decide what you really want your life to look like. Ask yourself; are you happy with your life?
The answer to that question will determine what you need to do. If you answered yes, you are way ahead of the majority of the people. That means that you have actually been able to create the kind of life that you want. If you answered no, then you have to make some changes.

Step Two- Write down your ideal life. What would that look like? How many hours a day would you spend doing what? Of course, we all would like to spend most of our days lying in a hammock by the beach, or skiing down the mountains, but try to include some productivity. For practical purposes, include a life with your current job so that we can focus on how to manage your current situation.

Step Three- Write down your current life style. Include your job, family and other activities and how much time is spent on each one. Break it up into the number of minutes/ hours spent.

Step Four - Compare your ideal life to your current life. How far are you away from your ideal life? What do you need to do to get closer to living the life you want?

This is just the beginning of the evaluation process. In order to balance and manage your life it requires constant adjustments. It is worth the daily effort, in order for you to live your best life.

Dr. Lawana S. Gladney
Psychologist, Speaker, Trainer, Author

In the last issue I asked manufacturers what they had in stock ready to ship during this peak season when “we” want what we want NOW!

Lisa Perez wanted everyone to know Jean Yves has In Stock in good numbers and broad size scale range:

Coats- Basics 1 & 2 button Notch, Shawls and Peaks in Black and White
Savoy Wht with black trim and all black
Mirage Black and White
Pants: Basics in Black and White
The new slimmer fit Twilight trouser
1-800-428-6849

Reading this after hours and want to place your order? Email Peter at paleman@jyfwi.com  you will get a confirmation of order the next business day.

In the last issue I asked manufacturers what they had in stock ready to ship during this peak season when “we” want what we want NOW!

Lisa Perez wanted everyone to know Jean Yves has In Stock in good numbers and broad size scale range:

Coats- Basics 1 & 2 button Notch, Shawls and Peaks in Black and White
Savoy Wht with black trim and all black
Mirage Black and White
Pants: Basics in Black and White
The new slimmer fit Twilight trouser
1-800-428-6849

Reading this after hours and want to place your order? Email Peter at paleman@jyfwi.com  you will get a confirmation of order the next business day.

Offered For Sale
Friar Tux Shop Anaheim CA offers for sale
Gateway Black & White Square Toe Shoe 500 pairs good condition
Men’s size 6.5 – 16 very balanced scale $ 3.00 /pair
Contact – Vincent Lombardo 714 932 1098 or 714 635 4775

Offered For Sale
Tuxedos:
Black Double Breasted Jackets (shawl & notch)
Silver Spirit Jackets, Tail coats, pants, cummerbunds and bow ties
White Shantung Dinner Jackets

Vest and Tie collections:
Philip Stewart mandarin collar vest in Black only
Hudson full back vest and bow tie in Black & White only
Celebrations full back vest in Platinum only
Barrington full back vest in Silver only
Citi-Lites full back vest, bow ties and windsor ties in Black, White, Ivory, Platinum, Ruby, Hunter, Plum, Celedon, Premier Teal, Violet, & Desert Blue
Celebrity Paisley full back vest, bow ties, and cravats in Black, White, Silver, Champagne, Sage, Heather, & Desert Blue
Double take full back and backless vest and bow ties in Black, White, Ivory, Black & White, Sunlight, Taupe, Red, Ocean Blue, Plum, & Hunter
Phaze full back vest and bow ties in Black, White, Ivory, Platinum, Gold, Burgundy, & Eggplant
Silhouette high cut vests and bow ties in Black, White, Ivory, Black & White (Silver), Gold, Hunter, Burgundy, Navy
Renesance Paisley vests and bow ties in Black, White, Ivory, Red, Silver & Gold, Burgundy & Gold, Navy & Gold, Hunter & Gold, Purple & Gold
Genesis Paisley low cut vests in Black, White, White w/ Black trim, Black & White, Charcoal, Kelly Green, Royal Blue, Azalea, Peach, Purple, & Teal

All Styles can be viewed at http://www.bunnytuxedos.com/html/discontinued.html

Thanks,
Stacey Nelson
Bunny Tuxedos
3956 30th Street SW
Grandville, MI 49418
(616) 538-1760
www.bunnytuxedos.com
customerservice@bunnytuxedos.com

Friar Tux Shop Anaheim CA offers for sale
Gateway Black & White Square Toe Shoe 500 pairs good condition
Men’s size 6.5 – 16 very balanced scale $ 3.00 /pair
Contact – Vincent Lombardo 714 932 1098 or 714 635 4775

Offered for Sale

Button machines for sale 600.00 each
Black 100% Luxe Microfiber shirts for sale new in packages M-5- 29, M-7- 24, L-3- 17, L-5 - 31 , L-7 -9 total 110 new black shirts, $ 10.00 each Marty 716-994-1449
After Six Canterbury 1 Button Peak 3 Boys thru 16 Boys, 34S thru 50S, 37R thru 60R, 40L thru 60L, 42Xl thru 50Xl, total 88 coats Brand New with joker Tags still on coats 40.00 Each

Marty's Formal Wear
5548 Main Street
Williamsville, NY 14221

Business phone 716-633-8656
cell phone 716-994-1449
marty@martysformalwear.com  

Offered For Sale by Trish’s Formal Affair
A Large number of hanging vest and tie boards for displaying fullback vests and smaller ones for bow ties.

 
Oscar de la Renta Contour I 2Btn Coats All in Very Good Condition $25 a Coat or $20 each to take all!

$15 backless vest with bow tie (if avail) $10 each set to take all!
"Freedom"
"Citi Lites"
"Versailles"
"Sunsets"(All Backless) various colors.

Wanted to Buy
Fill in After Six Coats
White Avalons
Black Roma II
Black Prado 3 button

A customer called and inquired about these vests and the information to call them back was mislaid. Feel free to call again. Busiest week of prom is done!
Call for complete scales on items for sale and further information on all:
985-543-0043 Ask for Trish
Trishtux@gmail.com  

Wanted to Buy
I need your used basic coats to sell to a choir. Looking for Notch or Peak 1 or 2 button black coats. Used is what I sell to them but they cannot be used to death. Will buy complete lines for the right price.
Lee

Tuxedos by Lee
tuxbylee@comcast.net  
801-916-3077

Wanted to Buy
Looking for Mirage jackets also
tangerine enchantment Windsor ties
call sal 504-340-4544
J&L FORMAL

Wanted To Buy
Lord West Crown Collection Tone on Tone striped pants.
Please call Rick Merlo 519-966-8899
email size range to rcmerlo@merloformals.com

Wanted To Buy
Needed: basic tuxes, black and white.
Also need equipment for warehouse.
Contact Pete Reems
Reems Formal Wear Thomaston, Ga. 30286 or e-mail pawpete56@yahoo.com

Offered For Sale
Friar Tux Shop Anaheim CA offers for sale
Gateway Black & White Square Toe Shoe 500 pairs good condition
Men’s size 6.5 – 16 very balanced scale $ 3.00 /pair
Contact – Vincent Lombardo 714 932 1098 or 714 635 4775

Offered For Sale
Tuxedos:
Black Double Breasted Jackets (shawl & notch)
Silver Spirit Jackets, Tail coats, pants, cummerbunds and bow ties
White Shantung Dinner Jackets

Vest and Tie collections:
Philip Stewart mandarin collar vest in Black only
Hudson full back vest and bow tie in Black & White only
Celebrations full back vest in Platinum only
Barrington full back vest in Silver only
Citi-Lites full back vest, bow ties and windsor ties in Black, White, Ivory, Platinum, Ruby, Hunter, Plum, Celedon, Premier Teal, Violet, & Desert Blue
Celebrity Paisley full back vest, bow ties, and cravats in Black, White, Silver, Champagne, Sage, Heather, & Desert Blue
Double take full back and backless vest and bow ties in Black, White, Ivory, Black & White, Sunlight, Taupe, Red, Ocean Blue, Plum, & Hunter
Phaze full back vest and bow ties in Black, White, Ivory, Platinum, Gold, Burgundy, & Eggplant
Silhouette high cut vests and bow ties in Black, White, Ivory, Black & White (Silver), Gold, Hunter, Burgundy, Navy
Renesance Paisley vests and bow ties in Black, White, Ivory, Red, Silver & Gold, Burgundy & Gold, Navy & Gold, Hunter & Gold, Purple & Gold
Genesis Paisley low cut vests in Black, White, White w/ Black trim, Black & White, Charcoal, Kelly Green, Royal Blue, Azalea, Peach, Purple, & Teal

All Styles can be viewed at http://www.bunnytuxedos.com/html/discontinued.html

Thanks,
Stacey Nelson
Bunny Tuxedos
3956 30th Street SW
Grandville, MI 49418
(616) 538-1760
www.bunnytuxedos.com
customerservice@bunnytuxedos.com

Friar Tux Shop Anaheim CA offers for sale
Gateway Black & White Square Toe Shoe 500 pairs good condition
Men’s size 6.5 – 16 very balanced scale $ 3.00 /pair
Contact – Vincent Lombardo 714 932 1098 or 714 635 4775

Offered for Sale

Button machines for sale 600.00 each
Black 100% Luxe Microfiber shirts for sale new in packages M-5- 29, M-7- 24, L-3- 17, L-5 - 31 , L-7 -9 total 110 new black shirts, $ 10.00 each Marty 716-994-1449
After Six Canterbury 1 Button Peak 3 Boys thru 16 Boys, 34S thru 50S, 37R thru 60R, 40L thru 60L, 42Xl thru 50Xl, total 88 coats Brand New with joker Tags still on coats 40.00 Each

Marty's Formal Wear
5548 Main Street
Williamsville, NY 14221

Business phone 716-633-8656
cell phone 716-994-1449
marty@martysformalwear.com  

Offered For Sale by Trish’s Formal Affair
A Large number of hanging vest and tie boards for displaying fullback vests and smaller ones for bow ties.

 
Oscar de la Renta Contour I 2Btn Coats All in Very Good Condition $25 a Coat or $20 each to take all!

$15 backless vest with bow tie (if avail) $10 each set to take all!
"Freedom"
"Citi Lites"
"Versailles"
"Sunsets"(All Backless) various colors.

Wanted to Buy
Fill in After Six Coats
White Avalons
Black Roma II
Black Prado 3 button

A customer called and inquired about these vests and the information to call them back was mislaid. Feel free to call again. Busiest week of prom is done!
Call for complete scales on items for sale and further information on all:
985-543-0043 Ask for Trish
Trishtux@gmail.com  

Wanted to Buy
I need your used basic coats to sell to a choir. Looking for Notch or Peak 1 or 2 button black coats. Used is what I sell to them but they cannot be used to death. Will buy complete lines for the right price.
Lee

Tuxedos by Lee
tuxbylee@comcast.net  
801-916-3077

Wanted to Buy
Looking for Mirage jackets also
tangerine enchantment Windsor ties
call sal 504-340-4544
J&L FORMAL

Wanted To Buy
Lord West Crown Collection Tone on Tone striped pants.
Please call Rick Merlo 519-966-8899
email size range to rcmerlo@merloformals.com

Wanted To Buy
Needed: basic tuxes, black and white.
Also need equipment for warehouse.
Contact Pete Reems
Reems Formal Wear Thomaston, Ga. 30286 or e-mail pawpete56@yahoo.com

“Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. That is where the fruit is!”
~H.Jackson Brown Jr.~

“Do the best you can in every task, no matter how unimportant it may seem at the time. No one learns more about a problem than the person at the bottom.”
~Sandra Day O’Connor~
 

“Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. That is where the fruit is!”
~H.Jackson Brown Jr.~

“Do the best you can in every task, no matter how unimportant it may seem at the time. No one learns more about a problem than the person at the bottom.”
~Sandra Day O’Connor~
 

The opinions expressed by the authors do not reflect necessarily of the Association of  International Formalwear, its officials, directors or personnel. Each author is the unique person in charge of her or his content.

The opinions expressed by the authors do not reflect necessarily of the Association of  International Formalwear, its officials, directors or personnel. Each author is the unique person in charge of her or his content.