The Bulletin: Aug. 29

Source: LIFE



• 8 great Labor Day weekend getaways (CNN) (Pictured)
• Christmas in August? Why families are celebrating (KBOI)
• Canadian members had it and U.S. members could lose it (IDA)
• Detroit: A Perfect Example of Main Street Culture (Main Street)
• Pret A Manger starts Christmas in August with carol tunes (New York Post)

 

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Waterbury, Connecticut

 

Downtown Decorations was approached by the city of Waterbury to transform their downtown fountain into a “winter fountain.” We designed and fabricated a custom animated fountain to give an eye-catching pop to the area. We started by taking precise measurements of the fountain itself as well as reviewing the drawings for the construction of the fountain. We then designed a custom horse collar bracket that would fit around the top of the fountain and be held in place with weights. The arms of the fountain connect to the collar using a compression sleeve with bolts, and attach to another bracket at the bottom of the fountain. We designed a custom lighting pattern using cool white and blue bulbs to mimic cascading water and added a custom animation controller to command the effects. For more on our commercial Christmas lights, click here. More photos after the jump.

Canandaigua, New York

 

Check out these photos of our banners and decorations in beautiful downtown Canandaigua. The city of just over 10,000 people is located on the northern end of Canandaigua Lake, the fourth largest of the Finger Lakes, and the hometown of Wegmans CEO Danny Wegman. Each year, the city holds a large Christmas outing, urging residents to support local retailers during the holidays. Downtown Decorations supplies the merchants association with banners, banner enhancers, pole apps and lights for the big celebration. More photos after the jump.

Notes from the VP: Christmas Creep and August Creep

I feel like as soon as fall hits, the conversation turns to Christmas Creep, and by default, Halloween Creep. This is the phenomenon in which every year retailers roll out Christmas ads and merchandise a few days earlier and earlier, Christmas parties start spilling into November, and Santa Claus is out before Thanksgiving. All that being said, there is another disturbing trend that’s happening that is near and dear to my heart -- August Creep.

I’m a beach fanatic and a chaser of the Endless Summer -- ironic for a guy in my line of work. I’ve started to notice fall creeping into August more and more. Preseason football is on, and people are talking about apple picking and pumpkin beer. Summer is a precious gift and we’re killing it far too soon.

Recently, the following article on the subject came out in the WSJ: http://on.wsj.com/19C16Gd. It’s great reading for any lover of summer.

We’ve got 10 days left before the unofficial start of football, cider, and pumpkins. Have you summered properly?

Garrett Peterson
Vice President
Downtown Decorations, Inc.
 

Wegmans

 

Are you one of the thousands of self-described Wegmans groupies? We are! We like Wegmans so much that we provide holiday décor for one-quarter of all Wegmans stores. Each year, we adorn the facades of the stores with large 8 ft. and 12 ft. LED lit wreaths that feature 6 ft. bows and a variety of ornaments. Shoppers in the Rochester, Binghamton, Ithaca, and Buffalo areas can look forward to seeing our decorations in a few months. For now, check out some pictures from an install we did last year at the Johnson City location.

 

 

 

 

Made in America

Downtown Decorations, Inc. is proud to announce that a majority of our goods are now being made in America. We believe that by keeping these manufacturing jobs here, we can help the American economy grow and create opportunities for future generations. We also think it is important to support safe working conditions, child labor laws, minimum wage restriction and product safety standards.

We believe that the quality of our American-made items are exponentially better than their foreign counterparts. Some of the items that we make here in America include garlands, which are traditionally made in Asia, and trees, which most décor companies import from overseas. Currently, the following items are made right here in America:

·         Cascade Wreaths

·         80% of garlands, including pine branch, colored, and specialty

·         50% of bows are now domestically produced

·         All banners

·         Adirondack pine trees

·         All pole decorations

 

Right now, we work with manufacturers located in Vermont, Minnesota, Oregon, Colorado, California and New York.

 



In addition to higher quality products, domestic manufacturing helps to reduce the carbon footprint. We no longer have to ship the products from halfway around the world, which reduces the need for fossil fuels to transport them.

Having our goods produced in America also makes it easier for our customers. Items can be made on demand, which reduces and nearly eliminates running out of stock when critical last minute orders are placed.

We can also control the quality of the product. We can ensure that only the highest quality materials and methods are being used to produce our goods. For example, the garlands we make here in America are superior to ones made in China for the following reasons:

·         The film used to spin the garland is a heavier weight in thickness as well as from a higher quality film. This reduces fading and makes them more crush resistant.

·         The center core wire is domestically produced as well and spun thicker for durability. We also used galvanized wire throughout to nearly eliminate potential rusting in high-use winter environments.

·         Since garland is spun on demand, we can customize it for our customers. This includes colors, tip counts, sizes, and shapes. If a customer wants purple and silver garland, we can just dial the machine in and spin away.

  

 

Downtown Decorations, Inc. is committed to manufacturing our products in America. It is exciting for us to join the ranks of businesses that are buying and selling American, and put our dollar back into our economy.

 

Notes from the VP: Finding inspiration in everyday objects

 

When designing Christmas décor, we try to take movement and elements from everyday objects that we see around us. Our custom work ideas can come from anything we see, and we try and keep our eyes peeled for inspiration. One of these items has been the chandelier. Very simple and almost common, it lends itself perfectly to overhead décor or even to ground décor. We, of course, put our own holiday spin on it but the shape and form remain the same.

Garrett Peterson
Vice President
Downtown Decorations, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

 

Take a look at these stunning photos of a project we did in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The client wanted a more modern and unique take on Christmas decorations so we created a grand illuminated sculpture. The “tree” is 14 ft. tall. To learn more about our sphere trees, click here. More photos after the jump.

Guayaquil, Ecuador

 

For the third year in a row, Downtown Decorations will be installing complete décor packages in four malls in Guayaquil, Ecuador! The city of Guayaquil is the largest and most populous in Ecuador, with around 3.75 million living in the metropolitan area. We are extremely excited about this project and began shipping products to the malls this week. If you happen to be in Guayaquil this holiday season, be sure to stop by any of the malls – Entrerios, Norte, Sur or Ceibos – to see our décor. And if you can’t make it to Guayaquil, check out some photos of this year's pre-production and last year’s finished displays after the jump.

It's Destiny

The holiday decoration installation at Destiny USA is complete!  The wells are filled with custom banners, ginormous 3-D snowflakes & twinkling ice light curtains. 

Patrons are bustling about doing their last minute holiday shopping & Christmas is in the air.  Next time you're at the mall in a panic searching for the perfect gift, take a second to glance up & be amazed.

Let it Snow

The pictures are starting to roll in & the holiday decor looks great!  Kathy's client at Poughkeepsie Plaza said:

Hi Kathy,

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the snowflakes!!! We have had so many compliments!!

Thank you!

 

 

They've also got some holiday swag going on:

It's looking like a glamourous Christmas-thanks Kathy!

You Don't Smell Like Santa...

You smell like beef & cheese!
 
Santa got a brand new home at Shoppingtown Mall this year.  He doesn't sit on a throne of lies (a quote from Elf, I'm sure this is the real Santa, look at that beard), he sits on a velvet, custom made bench!

 

Look at that hedge fencing & the glitter boxes!  The bow toppers were hand made by our little elves.

The Downtown Decorations workforce is a little too old to visit Santa, but I know we all wish we had a photo shoot with him.  How does he keep those gloves so clean?

 

What's on your wish list this holiday season?  I'll be interviewing Santa's helpers throughout the next few weeks to see what they're looking for under the Christmas tree.  I'm sure everyone just wants world peace.

 

 

Hurricane Michael

Last week while everyone was preparing for Thanksgiving, our very own Michael Desorbo was busy bringing the Christmas spirit to Ocean City, New Jersey. 

Mike drove in with a Suburban filled with velvet bows & ready for a big installation.  He was sick as a dog as he strung up mini lights on bushes & garland on poles.  He sprinkled his holiday magic all over the city & made it home in time for the Thanksgiving meal. 

Mike was a real trooper-it's going to look like a winter wonderland once it starts snowing!

Construction Banners and Signage!

At Downtown Decorations - We LOVE construction! A very popular product line of ours are construction banners and signage. Possibly the single best way to spread the message of what is being built, when it will be ready, its purpose, and who is supporting the project.

We are always excited to support our clients in marketing their projects and highlighting their capital investments - check out the great looking construction banners seen throughout the campus of one of the nation's foremost educational hospitals in the nation!'

To learn more about construction signage, banners, and fence wrapping - contact the signage experts at Downtown Decorations:  877.369.6332

Banners for your Downtown Main Street

It's not everyday that you drive through a small town and are pleasantly surprised by their attention to creating a warming and welcoming atmosphere for both its citizens and visitors. One of our clients in Tennessee recently had us design some custom light pole banners to enhance their downtown appeal. Wow - we were shocked when we saw how significantly the downtown environment was enhanced. Kudos to our friends in TN for caring so much about how their main street looks and feels, but more importantly for their commitment to their citizens and all of the visitors they welcome with open arms each year.

To learn more about custom light pole banners printed on either a Sunbrella fabric or durable vinyl, please call the experts at:  1.877.369.6332

Do you place more importance on interior or exterior decorations?

Wow - This is a great exterior holiday decor display!

The debate has lived on for decades. However, recent research suggests that exterior decor may have a greater impact on a property's bottom line. Drawing visitors into the property, forcing them out of their vehicles, encouraging them to explore, etc. etc. - exterior decorations are "front cover" of your book. They say not to judge a book by its cover - but in terms of holiday decorations and consumer psychology - the more visually appealing the exterior of your property - the greater likelihood that a consumer/visitor will want to "explore" to find out what might be visually stunning that they are missing. It is this eternal and subconscious search and desire to see more, that translates into creating an experience and memory. It is with the creation of this positive experience that consumers often unbeknownst to them "agree" to return. Not only to return - but to tell everyone they know about how pleasant, festive, and fun the property and decorations were.

Giant tree (beautifully ornamented and lit), Giant ornament stack, Custom topiaries, Architectural lighting, Building front wrap (to look like a present with blue bow), Standalone props, Lighting galore, etc, etc.

Kudos on a job very well done!

Contact the experts at Downtown Decorations to learn more about designing and implementing a completely custom decor package to accent your property, create a welcoming and festive holiday season, and drive the bottom line with greater numbers of visitors, return visitation, and higher average spends. Trust experiential marketing, trust decor done right, trust the experts. Downtown Decorations, Inc.

Phone: 1.877.369.6332
Email: info@downtowndecorations.com
Web: www.downtowndecorations.com

Wow! That's one BIG inflatable hanging ornament!

Now, we know it's tough to wrap our heads around - but the holiday season is QUICKLY approaching and we are already in the midst of preparing some of our larger decor packages!

Have you ever seen a 14ft tall 6ft wide hanging Christmas Ornament?  We are preparing a large decor package for a client in South America - this brilliant hanging inflatable ornament surrounded by stunning custom draped banners will delight visitors in the central atrium. To learn more about similar innovative and creative decor concepts contact the experts at 1.877.369.6332. We look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you to ICC for sending along this great pic of their new banners!

Another happy client :) We have been working double shifts the past two weeks in order to produce all of the banners for the upcoming FALL SEMESTER! Can you believe it's time to start talking back to school?

For more information or to get started with a custom banner project please call the light pole banner experts at Downtown Decorations:  1.877.369.6332

ICSC New England Idea Exchange Conference - Visit with VP Garrett Peterson at Booth #335!

Are you going to ICSC's New England Idea Exchange in Boston, MA this upcoming week (July 16-18) at the Convention Center?

Vice President Garrett Peterson will be exhibiting at Booth# 335. He is eager to share some of the latest and greatest in light pole banners and commercial holiday decorations - stop by to say hello and learn more! Contact us toll-free at: 877.369.6332 to set a specific time to meet!

http://www.icsc.org/apps/meeting_display.php?meeting=2012NE

Holiday Season 2012 is Quickly Approaching - Check out a new contemporary wreath chandelier design!

Wow - with the July 4th holiday now behind us - we are beginning to ramp up production for the upcoming 2012 Holiday Season - we cannot believe it is upon us already! We thought we would share a photo of one of our latest creations. A clien...t contacted us needing white overhead wreath chandeliers, but with a traditional red and gold ornamentation theme.

The picture below shows a newly produced wreath chandelier undergoing mid-production quality control testing and evaluation. Before any order goes out the door - we make sure that it not only meets the clients expectations, but also exceeds industry standards in terms of manufacturing and safety specifications!

Are Your Patriotic Banners up for July 4th?

Happy July 4th!

Wishing all of our clients, contacts and friends (and all of their loved ones) a safe and enjoyable July 4th! P.S. - We hope you have all of your patriotic banners and flags up!
 

The Lone Star State LOVES Downtown Decorations! Thank you to a very happy custom banner client!

Example of a great looking dual banner setup - Patriotic on one side and Branding on the other - thank you to our very happy client!

A pic of some great looking dual banners sent to us by a very happy and patriotic client! Have you installed your patriotic banners for the July 4th holiday yet?

College and University Banners for Fall 2012

College and University Banners

Prepare for the Fall 2012 Semester by Getting Started Today - Call the Experts at:  877.369.6332

Wow - it's June 25th and we are already in Back to School Mode!

The fall semester kicks off anytime from the second week in August through the second week in September for colleges and universities throughout the US. In order to get those... campuses up to top condition we are eager to announce our Fall 2012 Banner Sale for College and Universities. Contact us today to learn more, get started, or take immediate advantage of 2012 Fall Semester Savings.

Don't wait until August - call the experts at Downtown Decorations today at: 877.369.6332

Start a Banner Program like South Bend

Check out South Bend Indiana's latest publication detailing their banner program. A great example for municipalities nationwide - also important to mention that many municipalities and downtown associations also role a degree of fundraising into their programs to cover part if not all of their investment. Great exposure and curb appeal!

http://www.downtownsouthbend.com/downtownbannerdisplayprogram.pdf