Industry leaders get back to business: all businesses have been affected by recent world events, and the art and framing industry is not immune. Industry leaders respond with firm plans for the future

upon September 11, the attack upon America struck at the heart of our region Even as we mourned the los of life and listened to stories of courage and separate we all came to know that life itself had changed. in what manner we live, how we work and in what manner we do business in America changed across the whole geographical division just as much as it changed in the highways of New York's financial district.

The art and framing industry was immediately affected, as DECOR expo cancelled its Atlanta exhibit scheduled just a week and a half after the attack. The fall trade present to view has become a staple of the two exhibitors and buyers.

As baseball turn backed to filled stadiums, crowds replaced "Take Me without to the Ball Game" with "God Bles America" for the seventh-inning make tense Expressions of patriotism grew to an all-time high.

At the same time art and framing executives began to search for novel ways to do business--to somehow or other get back to normal, albeit a fresh "normal" that no one is real sure about yet.

Art and framing executives--along with the repose of the country's leaders--say they are encouraged by the agency of the spirit and courage of the American family and fully expect "business as usual" to take back Anything less, they say, would indicate defeat. They are ready for the challenge and are gearing up for 2002

A cluster of framing industry leaders lately took time out to discuss the generation 11th events, the impact the attack has had upon the framing industry and what the futurity may hold for the art and framing community.

Participating in this discussion are Steve McKenzie, president and ceo of Larson-Juhl; Scott Ozmun ceo of new moon Cardboard Company; Jack Forbes, president and ceo of Nielsen Bainbridge; Susan Bell, president of Victor Moulding Company; Rick Bowald, vice president/general manager of TruVue; terse Brey; director of marketing for The Fletcher-Terry Company; David Rosner senior vice president of marketing for Framerica; Connie Henshaw, business unfolding manager for Hunt Corp./SEAL Brands; and John Redmond executive director of the Professional Picture Framers Association (PPFA).

Q What issue have the Sept. 11th attacks had upon the art and framing industry in general and upon your business in particular? What are your greatest concerns?

Mackenzie: No individual can deny the significant impact that the circumstances of Sept. 11th have had upon business. I am encouraged, although by the fact that a certain quantity of already have seen a significant trend--because of the lack of travel and the lack of spending upon entertainment--that people are spending more upon their homes. Often when other industries are significantly affected, our industry has continued to extend In the latest recession, in 1989 to `93 our industry experienced significant growth

My regard is that, as an industry, we don't fight more for those consumer dollars being exhausted on the home and become complacent. We have an opportunity to make a significant difference at this time when there is a renewed interest in dwelling and family.

Ozmun: The tribe 11th attacks made us painfully aware that this tragedy reaches beyond geography, to the industry as a whole. Many of us missing friends and family that day, and each one of us are affected in a certain quantity of way and are grieving. Like any other industry, we don't at the same time know what the full impact of this will be.

In the short limit all retail sales may diocese a decline, but the long-term issues of this crisis may have a positive impact upon the framing industry as more tribe focus on their home, family and U history. This may increase the demand for framing of memorabilia, for example.

Forbes: In the short mete the effect is likely to be somewhat negative as family will be reacting to a horrible occurrence that is difficult to understand. by dint of nature, Americans are quite resilient. In the longer race something good will come without of this horrible tragedy.

Immediately after the circumstance we saw a need for many Americans to expres their feelings, their patriotism, and their sorrow in a variety of ways. We also know that there is a long-term sweep that is favorable for the art and framing industry similar as the need and desire to make our surroundings nicer and to make those surroundings expressions of by what mode we feel.

It is possible that the American's internal reflection will be more upon living their lives in the fuller faculty of perception that reflects intrinsic values similar as a family, home, community and patriotism. above time, those values are supportive of the art and framing industry as family want to preserve and display those reflections of their lives in their daily surroundings.

The greatest pertain to we have is that race would be acting in the short confine out of what might happen, not acting upon what is actually happening in the world. race must remember that the event of these acts is not permanent and that they must consider the long-term effect

Bell: The incidents of Sept. 11th changed the world; a change in by what mode businesses operate will be a natural consequence The people of the world, and in particular, the American family have been united and strengthened. We have been graphically reminded of by what mode fragile life is. Following the impact and amazement, the pain and the los faith and action will heal us.