GREAT HEADWEAR MINDS MET IN NEW YORK THIS MONTH

The 99th Annual Headwear Association Dinner on March 15th was a smashing success. Over 125 headwear industry pros (manufacturers, retailers and suppliers) met at Tavern on the Green for dinner, an awards ceremony and collective conversation.

The toastmaster of the event was Don Rongione, Bollman Headwear honcho. Bob Goodman of Just Hats received the Retailer of the Year Award. Goodman spoke about his passion for selling hats - “We try as hard to sell a two dollar hat as any other hat,” – and his excitement for leaving his former career behind – “I give a nod to Tina and Fred (of Village Hat Shop) for giving me a better way to make a living other than building homes in Detroit.” Apparently Goodman was building homes in Detroit, Michigan before he left for greener pastures in Florida.

Gary Rosenthal gave the Ben Rosenthal Award to John Milano Sr. Milano spoke about his formative years selling vacuum cleaners, being a tour guide and about his friendship with Norman Vincent Peale. Milano Sr., who founded Milano Hat Company (and who came to New York with $500 in his pocket) was also a recipient of the Horatio Alger Award. In 2004 Milano Hat Company was sold to Dorfman Pacific.

A pre-dinner meeting was held to discuss the upcoming public relations initiative by the Headwear Association (anyone can get involved). Hat retailer Alvin Lansky suggested that everyone donate five cents from every hat sold and manufactured for a hat ad campaign or PR initiative. (It was food for thought).

There is a lot to do – and the future looks promising - so please inquire about joining one of their committees. The headwear publicity initiative will benefit everyone in the headwear Industry.

HEADWEAR ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT WILSON KING AND HIS LOVELY WIFE	DESIGNER AGOSTINO AND ART GARDNER
JOHN MILANO SR.	MICHAEL KEY PUBLISHER OF CLASSIC STYLE MAGAZINE