| HATTERS MEET
IN NEW YORK CITY TO CELEBRATE THE HEADWEAR INDUSTRY
AND ITS FUTURE
I would have said, The 101st Annual Headwear
Association Dinner took place last week in NYC,
but I was afraid that some of you might just
skip over this article. And why is that, you
might ask? Because there is a strange idea floating
around that the Headwear Association Dinner is
just for members, but that is not the case – it
is for anyone interested in furthering the cause
of headwear (or networking with your peers).
Did you know that membership dues to join the
Headwear Association is only $25. That gets you
involved in their PR initiatives and other events
(which are making headway with the media). According
to the Headwear Association they had 46,248 media
impressions for the Hat Day in the Sun last year.
They gave away 3,000 hats in 13 markets. Hatters
got up to discuss how great they felt helping
those less fortunate in the community (giving
is the best recipe for joy).
Other THA events in 2008 were: The Headwear Hall
of Fame and the Headwear for the Homeless. The
Headwear Association also has a new website and
have some great upcoming events for 2009 (Hat Person
of the Year, Every Hat has a Story, Hats for the
Homeless, Hat Day in the Sun (June 20, 2009) and
Headwear Hall of Fame.
The PR Objective of the THA is to create excitement
and generate awareness for all style headwear,
leverage stories and trends for media placement
and receive media attention with special events. “The
THA mission is to promote hat wearing and the headwear
industry throughout the world and foster goodwill
and fellowship among those in the headwear industry.”
My favorite phrase about headwear business was
recited by the great and humble David Broner: “A
rising tide raises all boats.” I assume that
Broner meant that if everyone works together it
will benefit everyone in the hat industry. That
is the reason why it is important to support the
Headwear Association and their mission. Yes, there
is competition, but I think everyone wants to see
more people wearing hats so everyone prospers.
The evening started with a business meeting that
highlighted the accomplishments of the THA. Then
a cocktail party allowed us all to schmooze and
celebrate the folks that make up the headwear industry
(and their friends). There were short speeches
from honorees (Sam Meyer spoke about his time in
the air force – “no one was shooting
at me I was on the ground force,” said the
Patriarch at the podium. He also talked about his
grandfather, who started Meyer’s Hat Box
in 1894 in New Orleans. “During the depression
there were 19 people selling hats on St. Charles
Street and we survived,” said the Hat Retailer
of the Year winner.
Bernard Grossman – who received the Ben
Rosenthal Award - spoke about working for M. Grossman & Son
as a teenager. The company, started by his grandfather
Meyer Grossman, eventually drew Bernard into the
headwear fold. His company (Betmar) was acquired
by Bollman in 1999, but Bernard is still at the
helm. When he spoke there was a twinkle in his
eyes, so we assume that Grossman is enjoying his
lot in life (his wife Lenore is a great lady as
well).
Bob Broner (the outgoing THA President) received
the David Lieberman Award and was honored by his
father (as well as his peers). We can’t say
enough about Broner, who is now at the helm of
his families business, Broner Hat & Glove.
Papa Broner (David) had this to say about his heir
apparent: “The Rabbi’s always told
us to find a good teacher. And I was lucky I had
two – my father Barney and my son Bob. The
family values, honesty and integrity of each of
these two people are exemplary. If you look at
Bob’s wife Kim and his children Josh and
Sarah you will know about family values,” said
Bob’s dad David. Under Bob’s leadership
Broner Hat & Glove has expanded retail venues – and
it’s easy to see why.
It was a great event and one that we hope you
will attend next year on March 18th, 2010.
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The
Headwear Hall of Fame trophy from the THA |
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