CLEVELAND, OH--(Marketwire - June 7, 2010) - For the second year in a row, ECRM auctioned off the last School & Office event registration on eBay to benefit the Kids In Need Foundation. With bidding beginning at $16,950, the cost of a full planning session, one manufacturer was willing to bid $40,000 to attend the industry's largest school and office event.
The winning bid was made by Cyber Clean, a manufacturer of a unique cleaning solution for non-mechanical cleaning. "This auction enabled us to take advantage of an excellent business opportunity and benefit a superior cause," explained Alan Sutton, president of Cyber Clean. "ECRM has always provided an efficient platform for us to meet with so many retailers in a condensed time period. For Cyber Clean, it is completely worth the $40,000 donation."
Interested manufacturers had the opportunity to place their bids from Wednesday, May 26th to Wednesday, June 2nd. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the winning bid will be donated to the Kids In Need Foundation, a non-profit organization with the mission to ensure that every child is prepared to learn and succeed by providing free school supplies nationally to students most in need. The Kids In Need National Network of Resource Centers includes 24 facilities that allow teachers from low-income schools to obtain free school supplies for their students.
Sutton elaborated on how ECRM's events differ from typical trade shows, "ECRM represents a totally unique forum to have one-on-one time with key retailers in the marketplace. Other shows can cost more money in the long run and can be inefficient in terms of meeting key contacts."
While many trade organizations have experienced declined attendance numbers in recent years, ECRM's overall attendance increased twenty five percent in 2009, which contributed to the thirty percent total increase since 2008.
"ECRM is not only a great format for the attendees, but the design of it means the Kids In Need Foundation can attend and speak with the major players in the industry that established our Foundation. Because of our mission, Kids In Need knows what role having school supplies plays in the success of children in the classroom. We can remind the attendees how important their business is to the futures of these children. Attending ECRM is an investment in the future of each attendee's business. The same can be said of donating to Kids In Need. The children who experience success now are more likely to become responsible, employable, self-supporting residents of their communities," said Dave Smith, executive director of the Kids In Need Foundation.
Charlie Bowlus, CEO and founder of ECRM, commented on the company's partnership with the Kids In Need Foundation, "Kids In Need is an amazing organization that we have been involved with for several years. We saw this as an excellent opportunity to raise funds and awareness for the organization. We stand behind their mission and will continue to promote their cause."
ECRM's School and Office show is scheduled for September 12-16 in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information, please visit www.ECRM.MarketGate.com. For more information on Cyber Clean, please visit www.cyberclean.tv.
Contact Information:
Contact:
Maria DiFranco
440.498.0500 x 1136
www.ecrm.marketgate.com