Learn How to Improve Your Web Sales
from MSA
Join MSA on Sept. 24, 2009, from 1 - 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time for an exclusive members-only 90-minute e-commerce webinar from Amy Africa featuring practical, real life solutions you can implement immediately to boost your Web sales. Amy Africa wowed 2009 MSA Conference attendees with her direct, no-nonsense e-commerce advice. We just had to have her back for more. More     

See Who's Exhibiting at the MSA Expo in Austin
from MSA
The 2010 MSA Expo in Austin, TX, will feature exclusive vendors with unique merchandise tailored to the needs of buyers at museums, aquariums, zoos, botanic gardens, libraries, performing arts centers and other cultural institutions. There are still booths available -- but don't wait too long -- the 2009 Expo sold out early. You can view a current list of exhibitors here. More    

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Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act

CPSC Eases Tracking Rule
from NewsInferno.com
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission commissioners have just unanimously voted for draft statement approval for specific "good faith" compliance. Playthings.com reported that the compliance will allow manufacturers credit for good faith regarding tracking label requirements that will be mandated by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act that is effective this August. More    

Obama to Nominate Northup for Consumer Safety Post
from The Lexington Herald-Leader
President Barack Obama announced that he would nominate former Republican U.S. Rep. Anne Northup of Louisville to fill one of two new commissioner spots being added to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. More    

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Holiday Shopping is Tricky to Predict; Retailers Trim Orders
from USA Today
Retailers are bracing for another weak holiday season -- or not. A recent survey by the retail trade publication RIS News showed only one in six retailers believe this holiday season will be worse than last, but more than 85 percent said "weak customer demand" will be their biggest challenge. Consumer insights firm BIGresearch reports nearly a third of consumers say they plan to spend less than last year, and less than 3 percent say they'll spend more. More    

Product Showcase: ChemArt Our artisans have perfected the making of an ornament. Like the White House Historical Association, many museums and historic organizations work with ChemArt to create a unique ornament to sell, to use to raise funds, as a thank you or to commemorate a special event. Let us help you today. More info

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Museum of Arts and Design to Open Pop-up Wine Bar
from Art Daily
The Museum of Arts and Design will open a new pop-up wine bar, MADCrush, that combines the best of food, design, and wine. "MADCrush is a project that combines many of our interests as a museum," said Holly Hotchner, Nanette L. Laitman Director of the museum. "In our exhibitions and programs, and now with our wine bar, we explore new design trends as they emerge." More    

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California State Parks to Close
from California Travel & Tourism Commission
California State Parks (California Department of Parks and Recreation) is preparing to close as many as 100 parks as a result of significant budget cuts. The department estimates a total 21 percent budget cut over two years ($51.6 million). More    

Travel 101: How Can You Help Small Museums Survive?
from Examiner.com
So much of the world's history is told in short stories, told by community museums, restored homes, and local landmarks. When times get tough, small museums can find themselves in a precarious spot. How can they maintain financial security and protect the exhibits and artifacts they have in their care? More     

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How Online Research Fuels In-store Sales
from WA Today
Recent research from the Australian Centre for Retail Studies reveals that across a range of product categories, 50 percent of shoppers research online before heading to the store to complete their purchase. For retailers, the implications are clear. Engagement happens long before a customer enters your store. More    

The High Cost of Overexertion
from Retail Merchandiser
Overexertion injuries are among the most costly and disabling work-related injuries in the United States. According to the 2007 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index, overexertion injuries were responsible for $12.7 billion in direct costs to U.S. employers in 2005 -- more than any other type of injury. More    

Six Strategies Retailers Are Using to Expand Their Facebook Networks
from Retail TouchPoints
Providing the ability to reach some 250 million users, the Facebook platform has been established as a pot of gold for retailers, and some are taking full advantage of its offerings. More     

Five Web Design No-Nos to Avoid
from Ecommerce-Guide.com
Every Web designer starts out with plans to make an effective and enjoyable browsing experience for their site visitors. Unfortunately, the gap between intention and outcome often ends up a lot wider than intended. Simple mistakes can make your Web-site an annoying experience for visitors when it should be anything but. Here are the five worst Web design no-nos to avoid at all costs. More    

Business Twitter 101
from Retail Merchandiser
Twitter is approaching the B2B market from a slightly different angle with its newest edition, Twitter101 -- the microblogging platform recently launched to help businesses learn how to take advantage of what customers want when they want it. More    

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What American Shoppers Won't Give Up
from Forbes.com
There's no question that consumer spending has slowed to a crawl. But that doesn't mean you -- or your neighbors -- have stopped shopping. Indeed, discretionary spending is alive and well. Yet what we're spending that extra income on today is vastly different than what we were buying a year ago. More    

Why Some People Don't Shop Local
from Cleveland.com
As it turns out, it's not always about the money. Most of us understand that smaller stores may have to charge more for products, but there are other factors that turn shoppers off. Some comments were dead-on, others expect too much of a small operation, but all were thoughtfully worded critiques. More    

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Recession Fuels Attendance of Artist Sites and Historic Homes
from The Art Newspaper
Just when the withering economy is shrinking art, antiques and design sales, there is a rise in attendance and interest in historic homes and artist sites in both the US and the UK. "Staycations" in the U.S. seem to be driving attendance at some National Trust properties. More    

Niche Names Top Craft Retailers
from National Jeweler
Niche magazine has announced the winners of the 2009 Niche Top Retailer Awards, an annual program that recognizes craft retailers who are committed to fair business practices and to growing and strengthening the North American craft community. Earlier this year, professional fine craft artists throughout the United States and Canada nominated nearly 600 galleries, retail stores, arts nonprofits, museums and guilds, and more than 200 applications were submitted for consideration by a jury of craft industry professionals. More    

Tough Times Turn Some Museums into Road Shows
from Delaware Online
With the state in the midst of the worst recession in decades, even schoolchildren's field trip hot spots have landed on the chopping board. In an effort to trim budgets across the board, state officials have turned to Delaware historical and cultural sites, closing two museums and cutting hours at others -- including one now open just one day a month. The changes will save Delaware $269,000 a year, but will cut back on the public's opportunity to see some of the state's collections and sites, many of which are classic field-trip stops for elementary school children. More    

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