PDPA News
From PDPA
Hang in there !!!!!
That might seem difficult to say in these strange times. The last few week I have talked to many professionals, manufactures, distributors and retailers and we are not alone. The third quarter results are again disappointing.
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PDPA Industry/2nd Quarter Report
In 2008 PDPA will bring you the latest industry numbers by quarter. You will be able to track how you business is doing compared to the industry on a whole.
The second quarter had some disappointing news. Home prices posted a record 15.3% drop, continually falling for the last 21 straight months. This is having a negative effect for the decorative arts and faux industry. Consumers with money are holding off projects and not spending.
The unemployment rate holds at 5.5%. The net loss of jobs is 63,000 which is the biggest decline since March of 2003. This month Dow Chemical, which has an affect on our industry, raised prices over 25%. Many companies have also announced huge layoffs. Hang in there, we will be on this rollercoaster ride for a few months.
So this is how we look through the 2nd quarter of 2008:
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Some good news-many of you are telling us that jobs that were on hold are starting to open up.
Nick
New PDPA Benefit
PDPA announces new "Open Decor Buying Group" for members. By the end of July you will be contacted to join our long awaited buying program. Now PDPA members can improve buying power and their bottom line!
The PDPA Education Standards are complete!
After 2 years of hard work the PDPA has completed one of the biggest projects in the history of our industry. Under the leadership of Andre Martinez as the Education Chair, the association has published an Education handbook that will change the way we look at decorative painting. The handbook comes complete with the 2008 Education Standards, a comprehensive list of standard subjects, and a Program building guide. The PDPA is now focusing on accrediting programs that are built using these tools and prove to be in the best interest of the practitioners and students, YOU!.
Welcome our new PDPA Executive Director, Nick Cichielo
An industry veteran of 50 years, Nick Cichielo is the newly appointed Executive Director of the Professional Decorative Painters Association. Mr. Cichielo is coming on board at a very exciting time; the PDPA made great progress with its 2007 initiatives and we are looking forward to a great 2008! Mr. Cichielo has already brokered several fabulous benefits for PDPA members. Projects such as the Historical Publishing Resource and Internet Glossary are getting started and we anticipate a great year under his leadership. Welcome Nick!
SALI votes to become a PDPA partner
PDPA Board President André Martinez presented our association's mission and goals to the SALI board in South Carolina during their mid year meeting in February. The SALI board voted to become a PDPA partner and committed to teaming up to elevate the level of education in the decorative painting industry. SALI is soon to appoint a steering committee member to represent SALI within the PDPA and act as the liaison between our two organizations. "SALI has been a great asset to our industry. This partnership means great things for all decorative painters and shows maturity in our industry that is long over due." says André Martinez.
