that earn students credits for working in the field with local contractors, or programs that have attempted this with either high-school students, veterans and ex-convicts that have been tabled due to budget cuts. Some posters shared that they have spoken at classes at their vo-tech schools or churches. David Rothberg of LATICRETE noted that the compa- ny holds a masonry/tile trade day at its Connecticut facility for local state trade school students with hands-on demos and information on available opportunities, and offered its help to support such an effort. And Ken Ballin, of Skyro Floors in Tuckerton, N.J., got fired up and sug- gested, “I’ve already sent a message to a teacher friend of mine about putting a ‘tradesman (and women) night’ together and it will go to administration this week. I encour- age all to do the same. Let’s brain- storm and get some ideas together. Let’s stop complaining about what’s happened in the schools and do something. There’s no time like the present and there’s no better reason to do something for our kids.” Let’s think about it. And do some- thing about it. Is there an oppor- tunity at a technical school, high school, community center, church, synagogue, mosque or spiritual center to organize or participate in a career night for trades people and technical workers to come together to expose kids making decisions about their future to the possibil- ity that a trade might be the ticket to a lucrative, fulfilling future for them; something that would never be in danger of being outsourced or automated? Everyone is busy; everyone is tired at the end of the day. But hopefully, you have some enjoy- ment and pride in the work you do, and would like to see our trade continue. I’d love to hear the ideas you come up with and actions you are taking to promote our trade and ensure there is a new generation of skilled craftspeople to carry it for- ward into the future. Write to me at the email below! God bless, Lesley lesley@tile-assn.com EDITOR'S LETTER –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– T i l e I n d u s t r y M a r k e t i n g T i p s FREE MARKETING REPORT IN UNDER 30-MINUTES! TILE INDUSTRY AD AGENCY How would you like a to help with everything? What areYOU DOING TO MARKET YOUR COMPANY? REPUTATION MANAGEMENT WEBSITES MOBILE WEBSITES BRANDING VIDEO ON-HOLD MESSAGES 800.789.4619 www.omgnational.com IMAGE IS EVERYTHING, DON’T SETTLE FOR ANYTHING! 101 MARKETING TILE INDUSTRY 16 TileLetter | July 2017