Halloween Industry Association Appoints New Officers

The Halloween Industry Association (HIA), a nonprofit trade organization that supports the Halloween holiday business, has announced its Board of Directors for 2009-2010. New appointments include:

• Stanley Geller, president and CEO of Fun World Inc. in Carle Place, N.Y., as chairman
• Marc Beigem, president of Rubie’s Costume Company in Richmond Hill, N.Y., as co-vice chairman
• Scott Emmerman, president of sales for InCharacter Costumes in San Diego, Calif. as co-vice chairman
• Joe Anton, president of Disguise Inc. in Poway, Calif., as treasurer
• Steve Cohen, vice president of The Paper Magic Group in New York, as secretary
• Stephen Stanley, executive vice president, Halloween & Seasonal, at Jakks Pacific Inc., as immediate past chairman.

Initiatives the board will address this year include the new government regulations, exploring developing industry standards and accompanying HIA certification program, and growing membership to engage both large and small manufacturers in the Halloween industry.

HIA holds the International Halloween Show, slated for December 7-10, 2009, in New York. For more information, call (856) 439-0500.

In This Issue: Global influences drive European fashion for fall Manufacturers build in special features to boost sell through Russian themes color specialty fashion this season Plus: Little Steps Fall ’09—fall shoe trends, emerging categories and a Q&A with BBC’s Bob Campbell Coming Next Month: Eco battles the economy—which categories will fare best Earnshaw’s investigates the T-shirt market Lifestyle brands rule the fashion pages Plus: The best new baby shower gifts under $50