As SGMA continues to focus its efforts on communicating significant industry news to its membership, the In Brief newsletter will be now distributed on a weekly basis. Since In Brief will be seen more frequently, SGMA will reduce the number of stories in each issue so that it remains a newsletter which is a reflection of its title.
SGMA Reports PHIT Bill Introduced in Congress
SGMA Public Policy
SGMA is pleased to report great progress on legislation to encourage increased physical activity in America. Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI) has introduced the Personal Health Investment Today Act of 2009 (PHIT) in the U.S. House of Representatives. The PHIT Act would change current federal tax law to allow for the deduction or use of pre-tax dollars to cover expenses related to sports, fitness and other physical activities. SGMA lobbied for the PHIT Bill in March during National Health Through Fitness Day.
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Obama Administration Concludes China is NOT Manipulating Currency
SGMA Public Policy
On April 15, the Obama Administration’s Treasury Department sent its first semi-annual report to Congress on foreign currency practices. The report determined that China was not manipulating its currency for purposes of gaining an unfair trade advantage. In reaching that determination, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner pointed to the 16.6% appreciation in the renminbi since last June and steps China has taken recently to improve its exchange rate flexibility.
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SGMA Membership Met with NCAA & NFHS to Discuss Rules Changes
SGMA Education
On April 22, more than 50 representatives from 30 SGMA member companies gathered in Indianapolis to meet with officials from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and the NCAA to speak about rules changes for high school and college sports. Those attending included SGMA member companies that make team sports products, representatives of the NCAA, and the editors of the NFHS Rule Committees for each sport played at the high school level. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss rules changes and how that could impact gear, clothing, footwear, and accessories. The goals of the conference were to provide an opportunity for the members of the rules making body and the industry to become acquainted; determine the best ways to develop and implement rule changes that affect equipment; work on ways to communicate rule changes to the industry, team dealers and retailers prior to their implementation; and discuss ways to communicate in advance concerning issues pertaining to possible rules changes.
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'Legal Eagles' From Sports Industry Met in Southern California
SGMA Education
On April 14, SGMA's Legal Task Force hosted its annual Litigation & Risk Management Summit in San Diego at the San Diego Bayfront Hotel. At this year’s Summit – sponsored by Exponent (www.exponent.com) – attendees discussed trends and future challenges that the sports and fitness industry expects to face – both foreign and domestically – in the not-too-distant future. Topics on the agenda ranged from CPSC issues to current trends in litigation to foreign product insurance challenges. The program preceded the Defense Research Institute’s 2009 Product Liability Summit. Next year’s event will be held on April 6, at the Fontainebleu Hotel in Las Vegas. Contact SGMA’s Jan Ciambor (202-349-9422 or jciambor@sgma.com) for details.
SGMA's Participation Figures Reveal Positive News
SGMA Research
While the U.S. economy suffered in 2008, many sports, fitness activities, and recreational endeavors actually had a good year. Activities which had 'statistically significant' growth in 2008 over 2007 were step aerobics (up 21.0 percent), ultimate frisbee (up 20.8 percent), backpacking (up 18.5 percent), surfing (up 18.2 percent), and racquetball (up 18.1 percent).
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Sales of Sports 'Stuff' Slowed in ’08 -- SGMA Optimistic About Future
SGMA Research
According to SGMA’s Manufacturers Sales by Category Report (2009 edition), the U.S. sporting goods industry (at wholesale) was a $66.3 billion business in 2008 - a 3.2 percent drop over 2007 when sales were $68.5 billion. Last year, team sports outperformed all other aspects of the industry; sporting goods equipment sales were down slightly; team uniform sales were steady; and running was the No.1 category for athletic footwear. Click Here for a news release summary of the report. Click Here to order the report.
SGMA's Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Update Conference Call
Washington, DC
Wednesday June 17, 2009
1 pm EST
Join SGMA and our Legal Task Force this June for a conference call on the latest CPSC and Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) Developments.
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Tailgating Satellite Media Tour
TBA
Friday, Aug. 28, 2009
Do you want television news coverage for your product? If so, then sign up for a TV Satellite Media Tour (SMT) by SGMA. During an SMT, SGMA is able to reach the general public through their local (and some national) television morning news programs.
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SGMA's 2010 Litigation & Risk Management Summit
Las Vegas
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
On Tuesday, April 6, 2010 SGMA's Legal Task Force will be hosting our annual SGMA Litigation & Risk Management Summit in Las Vegas at the Fontainbleu Hotel. Further details will be provided as they're made available.
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