The Oscars, Grammys, and Emmys. Much anticipated and highly visible, these awards celebrate excellence in the entertainment industry, captivating millions of viewers around the globe each year.

At the other end of the spectrum are the countless awards handed out throughout industry, business and academia that also promote excellence in a given field. Decidedly less recognized and in some cases obscure, they share with their glitzier counterparts a common element: they matter. The awards are important.

Why? No matter the field, people want and need recognition for their work. Beyond that, awards help to inspire other people to do their best, driving innovation and standards forward with each passing year.

Three-time UNIVATOR winner Perfection Uniforms agrees. "Winning the UNIVATOR three consecutive years means the bar is continually raised in terms of who we are, what we do, and how we do it," says Miranda Brock, marketing manager. "It gives us an edge in that it keeps us on our toes."

Awards can even change how people think. Consider the case of last year's Academy Awards Best Picture winner, Slum Dog Millionaire. Going largely unnoticed when released, the low-budget sleeper became an overnight sensation when it took home the top prize, earning millions for investors and launching the careers of several unknown actors.

New York, New York, December 28, 2010 - The Public Safety Council of the North-American Association of Uniform Manufacturers & Distributors (NAUMD) is now accepting submissions for its newly named “NAUMD Public Safety Uniform of the Year Awards,” a program that recognizes excellence in the design, development and production of public safety and law enforcement uniforms in North America, and the manufacturers and uniform companies who make and sell them. 

With the assistance of public safety members of the IACP SafeShield & Uniforms & Footwear Committee, the formerly named NAUMD Best Dressed Public Safety Awards was revised to meet the needs of 21st century organizations. NAUMD member firms, as well as their department customers, are cordially invited to submit their programs. 

For over 30 years this annual competition has emphasized the importance and value of professional, neat, well fitted, and immediately identifiable uniforms for all concerned in the vitally important role of public safety and law enforcement.  The awards acknowledge a dedication of the association’s uniformed professionals to meet the exacting needs of today’s public safety marketplace and first responders’ challenges. 

In general, people prefer doing business with companies who attire their employees in uniforms, according to several recent studies.  Respondents believed uniform wearers to be more trustworthy and credible, professionals with the ability to get the job done. “In law enforcement, a visible, impressive uniformed presence on the street, at a mall, or other institution can also work to significantly allay the public’s fears, bringing more business to the establishment,” notes NAUMD President Richard Lerman.  “Uniforms, therefore, are an integral part of public safety work, and calling attention to the importance of uniforms, and the role our members play in their creation, is the driving force behind this competition.”

NAUMD members in good standing may submit one or more customers for consideration of a Public Safety Uniform of the Year award.  Public safety departments may also submit their programs, so long as they secure an NAUMD sponsor. Programs must be in current use within North America, and members or their customers must submit the required photographs and materials in order to be eligible.  In addition, members must agree to send a company representative to the winners’ awards banquet, should they be selected for an award.

Winners of the 2011 Public Safety Uniform of the Year Awards, presented by the NAUMD Public Safety Council, will be announced Sunday evening, May 1, at a new awards banquet and reception honoring the winners.  The event will be presented during the association’s annual convention and exposition, which will be held April 29-May 2, 2011 at the Renaissance, Orlando at Sea World.

Judging Criteria:

Submissions are judged by a set of criteria designed to recognize excellence in the development and design of the multi-faceted programs required by 21^st century public safety organizations, and include the following:

Entries can either be mailed or submitted electronically via the association’s website, www.naumd.com .  The deadline postmark for the Public Safety Uniform of the Year Awards is February 15, 2011.  For hard-copy entry materials, visit www.naumd.com and the “Vital Download” or “Public Safety Industry” section.

About NAUMD

The North American Association of Uniform Manufacturers & Distributors (NAUMD) has served as the voice of the uniform and image apparel industries since 1933. Its 500+ members include manufacturers, designers, producers, and retailers of uniforms, as well as those who produce products and services for the industry at large.

The NAUMD works to protect the interests of its members through a series of advocacy, education, and public relations campaigns intended to arm members with the tools needed to retain and capture business in a global economy. The association has authored a number of position papers and has an extensive library of information from which members can further their understanding of the uniform marketplace.  NAUMD also conducts a series of professional development seminars both in the United States and Canada, and hosts an annual convention and trade show where attendees can source products, learn about the latest trends, and gain practical, take-home knowledge to better run their business.

You can take advantage of NAUMD’s programs and benefits by becoming a member.  Learn more by visiting www.naumd.com, or by calling 212.736.3010.

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NAUMD's 79th annual convention will be held March 9-12, 2012, at the Rio All Suites Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas. Much has changed since that first convention seven decades ago, including the NAUMD show itself - the format has been updated and expanded to better reflect 21st century marketplace realities – but the convention still remains the best place to network, source products, learn about the latest trends, and gain practical, take-home knowledge, making it THE GO-TO Place for Face2Face Marketing in the Uniform & Image Apparel Industries.

But don't just take our word for it. Here's a glance at the highlights:

Exhibits: More Hours, More Face2Face Time

Whether exhibiting or just attending, the two-day trade show at NAUMD offers one of the best ways to get in front of a lot of customers, prospects and vendors in a relatively short amount of time. And in 2012, exhibit hours have been expanded, giving you more time to find precisely what you need.

If you're wondering why you should make an investment of time and money when you can read and learn about anything these days at home on the internet, keep this in mind: you still have to have some idea what you're looking for in order to find it. The NAUMD show is your chance to find that "shiny new thing" you didn't even know you should be looking for: a new technology, design, option – something that could potentially help your business in a way you hadn't even thought about. In these competitive times, NAUMD could give you the edge you've been looking for.

This holds true for the exhibitor as well. The NAUMD show gives you the opportunity to not only show your product or describe your service, but also create that all important first impression. Of course, you don't always have the opportunity to go into as much detail in your presentation as you would like, but exhibiting opens the door for future communications -- a door that sometimes is very difficult to get your foot into.

If you've exhibited in the past and are on the fence about 2012, think about what that might say to your current customers who expect to see you there. And your competition might use your absence to their advantage.

You will never meet more people interested in your company and what it does than you will at the NAUMD trade show, and this is true for both the exhibitor and attendee. Show hours for the 2012 convention are:

• Saturday, March 10, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

• Sunday, March 11, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Expanded Business Education & Certification: A Higher Standard

What began at last year's convention will be expanded in 2012. The NAUMD Certificate Education Program will provide uniform industry executives of member companies with a challenging and highly rewarding sequence of educational sessions designed to maximize their effectiveness and professionalism.

Taken at the convention or during the mid-year conference, participants will accrue course points towards the achievement of a "Bachelor Certification" in several specialties: Image Apparel, Public Safety, Sales and the Military; graduates will be recognized throughout the uniform industry as outstanding practitioners in their areas of specialty.

Each session will be taught by industry insiders, academics and leaders throughout the business community. The extensive curriculum includes the following:

• Customer engagement: drive business success by driving customer and employee trust

• Making the list: Building sales with GSA and other government entities

• It's a hit: winning ecommerce and social media strategies to position your business for growth

• Tales from the back room: inventory management best practices

• Understanding today's manufacturing process: from the supply chain to the factory to fabric selection to the store, what it takes to fulfill a uniform order

• Building a winning bid: the do's and don'ts to success

• Converting leads into sales – finding new customers; keeping old ones

• Sale Force Management – getting the most from your sales team

Plus, they'll be market forecasts and current industry statistics for both the public safety and image apparel segments.

Nowhere else will you find so many sessions specific to your business in one place at one time, suitable for management, store owners, executives, sales managers and other industry personnel.

Nor will you find this level of professionalism at any other trade show seminar. To ensure a quality experience, NAUMD has contracted with the Center for Executive Development (CED), an organization dedicated to the effective use of executive education in the training of senior executives in corporations across all industries and size ranges. CED provides a resource for the development of executive programs, as well as a platform for the healthy exchange of ideas among all participants.

Why Get Certified? Is this a gimmick? NAUMD Certificate Education Program is an important business development strategy for those looking to gain an edge in a hyper-competitive environment. Certification demonstrates a commitment to, and compliance with, the highest industry standards and may open the door to new markets. Certification lays the groundwork for your becoming a world-class resource to your customers, colleagues, and company. It's a validation of your skills, and demonstrates your expertise and proficiency in the latest technology and solutions.

More than just your run-of-the-mill convention seminar, NAUMD Certificate Education Program is a value-added service – for you, your company and your customers.

So skip the pool, and join us for this truly innovative program.

Networking Opportunities Galore: Sure, you can connect with colleagues via email or social media, but why not establish yourself through some good old-fashioned networking?

You'll find plenty of opportunities at the 2012 convention. From group meals to the education sessions to the new opening reception on the Exhibit floor, you're guaranteed to make the contacts you want to meet. There's ample time throughout the schedule for circulating and schmoozing. And don't forget to speak to as many people as you can while waiting in buffet or bathroom lines - you never know who will turn out to be a great contact!

Look for more information on the 2012 convention in future editions of NAUMD Industry News. To register, click here; to exhibit, click here. Learn more about the NAUMD and its activities by visiting www.naumd.com .

The acquisition of Galls earlier this month left suppliers and customers of the public safety provider wondering the same thing: "What does it all mean?"

In terms of the relationship between Galls, its customers and suppliers, little is expected to change. "It's business as usual," said Larry Dismukes, president of Galls. "We've shown that you can raise the bar on service by offering a total service solution to the pubic safety market. We will continue to do so with the full encouragement of CI Capital."

In case you missed it, Galls was bought by CI Capital Partners, a private investment firm specializing in buyouts of middle-market companies. A middle-market company is typically defined as those with annual revenues between $10 million to $500 million; in the past 12 months, Galls had revenue of $163 million. CI Capital Partners acquired Galls for an undisclosed sum from food service and uniform company Aramark.

As pubic safety departments across the country struggle with shrinking budgets brought on by the economic downturn, the deal between Galls and CI Capital almost seems counter-intuitive. Not so, insists Tom Ritchie, Managing Director at CI Capital Partners. "Galls is an exceptional company and is the best known in the market," he said. "The deal is good no matter the challenges of the economy."

The market's structure also contributed to the decision. CI targets industries that are ripe for consolidation and seeks to substantially scale businesses through organic growth and acquisitions. "That space is a fragmented one. Those two elements are a great combination for our investing style."

The deal gives Galls an excellent opportunity to expand, a possibility that was limited within the confines of the giant Aramark. "We were one of the smallest businesses that Aramark owned, and weren't always at the forefront of their growth plans" says Dismukes. "CI sees us as a significant piece of their portfolio."

Dismukes envisions growth into other sectors besides public safety, transportation being but one of several markets that the company intends to focus on. He cites the Chicago Transit Authority as an example of how Galls will grow organically vs. acquisition. "We partnered with Fechheimer and just won the contract, opening two new service centers in Chicago to better service the customer" Dismukes adds.

And what does this all mean to the existing Galls management? Are any changes in the works? CI's Ritchie doesn't believe so. "As we come to know the business and the people at Galls, we couldn't be happier with the team," he says.

"Any company will always challenge itself to find the best team to grow," adds Dismukes.

Galls specializes in selling public safety equipment through its catalogs, Web site, sales teams and nine retail stores spread in Kentucky, California, Illinois and Texas. To learn more, visit www.galls.com . Go to www.cicapllc.com  to learn more about CI Capital.

The NAUMD's Postal Committee traveled to Washington last month to meet with Supply Chain Management, the purchasing arm of the USPS. The Committee presented a new approach for administering the program designed to significantly reduce administrative expenses and provide the USPS with transparency to every transaction – a change that would include the adoption of cloud-based software by licensed postal vendors.

While the agreement to meet was considered positive - it was the first between the two parties since the USPS suspended communications due to their interpretation of the Sarbanes Oxley Act, the outcome of the meeting was less than certain. Because of this, the committee is working on many options it could pursue going forward to retain and improve the current distribution system.

In an interview with NAUMD Industry News, the committee's chairman, Roger Heldman, labeled the meeting constructive, noting that representatives from Supply Chain Management (SCM) were "engaged" and "interested in ideas for reducing costs." The committee has identified $5 million in transactional costs that could be eliminated from the current program if the new approach is adopted by USPS.

Since the inception of a cash allowance in 1955, the NAUMD has enjoyed a healthy working relationship with USPS and its unions, collaborating with its customers on uniform redesigns that have enhanced and strengthened the image of the nation's letter carriers and window clerks.

But the lack of communication in recent years has helped fuel rumors that the current program would be awarded to a sole or limited number of suppliers.

Another driver surrounds a prequalification solicitation recently sent to prospective suppliers. When questioned whether this would ultimately lead to the issuance of an RFP, Supply Chain Management was somewhat vague. "Essentially, they're uncertain if an RFP will be issued," says Heldman. "It depends on their review of the responses to the prequalification solicitation and the feedback they receive from other stakeholders."

The cash-strapped postal service is eager to reduce costs. Its financial woes are well documented: Mail volume has plunged in recent years by 25 percent, and postal revenues have gone down at the same time. In a hearing on Capitol Hill last month, Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe told lawmakers that the postal service is "at the brink of default" and could run out of cash as early as next summer and may no longer be able to make good on its contracts.

With the agency expected to post a $9 billion deficit this year, Donahoe said he would like to cut more than 100,000 postal jobs that are covered by no-layoff clauses in union contracts, as well as eliminate the agency's mandatory annual payment into employee health benefits.

"Our proposal offers the postal service real savings while preserving the integrity of a program that has well served postal employees for years," notes Heldman.

Equally important to a struggling economy, the proposal saves jobs. The dissolution of the multi-vendor system could cause the elimination of countless domestic manufacturing jobs and harm small businesses, further exacerbating the effects of the recession.

What's Next?

In light of the uncertainty that still looms, the postal committee is considering its next steps to persuade the USPS that continuing the current program with the improvements outlined at the September meeting best serve their needs.

Currently, it is in the process of reaching out to the various stakeholders in the program. "A more proactive approach that includes the vigorous participation of the entire licensed vendor community may also be required," says Heldman. "Everything's on the table."

NAUMD Industry News will continue to track this story, and report on developments as warranted.