Fall is Time to Get the Party Started

While clubs in many areas of the country are winding down after a busy summer, savvy club operators know that "the second season" is about to begin. Holiday parties have long been a great source of income for clubs, and they can also be a great source of pride and goodwill among members.

Virtually all of your members have some involvement in a holiday party. Whether it's an office party, a family tradition, or a charity event, it's important that your members are aware of your club's ability to provide a high-quality holiday experience.

Once you have your parties booked, the next step is to make sure you have all the supplies you'll need to be successful. Edward Don & Company is a great place to start. From stainless steel chafing dishes, to elegant china, glassware and flatware, Don has it all.

If you're going to be hosting many events, be sure to stock up on table linens, cocktail napkins, and chafing fuel like Don's wick and gel fuels. More parties means you'll need to order more cleaning supplies like Don Frisk™ Dish Detergent, Don Mir-O-Spray™ Multi-Surface Cleaners, and Don Surefit™ Trash Liners.

The back of the house will also see more activity. Don's selection of fry pans, steam table pans, bowls, and serving utensils will help keep your kitchen operation running smoothly. And don't forget about cutlery and cutting boards for improved efficiency and sanitation.

When it comes to the big celebration on New Year's Eve, be sure to have party favors ready for all participants. Don carries a large selection of party packs that include, hats, tiaras, horns and beads.

Ask your Don Representative to see the Don Holiday Values Advisor for more party supplies, or check out the Edward Don & Company website at www.don.com.

The Black Diamond Assortment is perfect for Black & White parties.	Don fuel comes in any style and size you need.

Gift Cards Just in Time for the Holiday Season

Not only does TBTI provide ATM machines that pay you and help keep your customers on-site, they also produce first class, professional gift cards. Generally, the cost of the cards ranges from $.15 to $.40 depending on the features that are integrated in its design and production; but you have the opportunity to convert your credit card processing account to TBTI and receive the gift cards at no cost!

TBTI will analyze a typical monthly statement to see if they can truly save your property money. They will determine if they can meet or beat your current rate and fee structure. If so, TBTI will recommend that you switch to their service and your facility will receive custom designed gift cards at no fee for the life of the account. You will receive new POS terminals that have the gift card software program already installed and activated. There is no charge for this custom feature and your gift cards will automatically interface with this new terminal.

Getting started with TBTI is easy. There are just a few simple logistics to set up, and the unit is typically up and running the same day that it's delivered.

TBTI can customize an ATM to reflect the theme and décor of your property. For instance, custom-made cabinetry can be placed over the machine to blend in with the aesthetics of your location. Club branding features can be added to the ATM or cabinetry to ensure that it matches the professional atmosphere of your club.

"The ATM program has been an invaluable service to the Diplomat Country Club in Hollywood, FL. It is very convenient for our members to get cash without having to leave the facility. TBTI has done a wonderful job in keeping us running for nearly 10 years."

Will Geisell, Procurement Director
Starwood Hotels and Resorts

The ATM has many benefits for members and management alike:

• Additional disposable money to be spent on-site. Studies show that 65% of all cash acquired from an on-premise ATM gets spent at location.
• Reduces credit card processing fees when cash is utilized instead. Rather than lose money with a credit card terminal and pay VISA, your guests can use the ATM and have VISA pay you. It seamlessly reverses the trend of losing money by utilizing a different transaction method.
• Reduce bad debt. Checks and bounce and compound expenses when banks tack on additional fees.
• Additional cash on-hand promotes increased impulse sales because the money has already been deducted from each customer's account. In the consumer's mind, this money is already spent and they are more likely to purchase additional items.
• Keeps customers on-side instead of leaving to find an ATM machine.
• Convenience for your members is always appreciated.

For further program information or to take advantage of the gift card opportunity, contact Paul Schumack at 877-860-5266.

The Specter of Food Inflation Is Back

Two years ago, the world was gripped with prospective supply shortages thanks to a combination of rocketing demand from emerging countries, and tightening supply as farmers turned wheat fields over to bio-fuels. But then along came the recession, and commodity prices plummeted down - and out of the headlines.

Today - however - the price of wheat, oil, and corn are soaring; but this time the picture looks murkier. Old fashioned supply and demand is still at work, but there are fears that wild rumors and speculation will continue to drive up prices in 2011. The price of milk, cheese, chicken, beef, pork, and associated products are all expected to rise because the industry has been hit by soaring animal feed prices, a shortage of silage, and poor harvests. Food inflation is closely linked to overall inflation, and some in the industry have warned it could push the economy towards a "double-dip" recession.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts that CPI food prices will rise 3.7% in 2011, up from a 2.8% increase in 2010. Higher farm feed, commodity, and energy costs are the leading factors behind higher food prices.

Commodity prices have surged because:

• Demand for corn for bio-fuels is competing with food and feed for acreage
• Global food grain and oilseed supplies are low due to poor harvests and trade embargos of increased exports
• Rising incomes in emerging economies have changed eating habits
• Input costs are at all-time highs (corn, soy and wheat)

Higher energy costs increase transportation, processing and foodservice costs too. None of these causes are likely to disappear in the short run and they may, in fact, become more prominent. The irony is that now - with mandated bio-fuel programs - the lack of free trade is creating inefficient uses of globally available crop lands for production, pushing prices higher than they would be otherwise. It is difficult to predict exactly what will happen, but the hope is that increased demand may generate a substantial supply response that moderates prices over the next few years.

In the meantime, VGM Club is aggressively sourcing and contracting to mitigate any increases. As has become evident in recent months, high costs continue to ripple through our food supply chain, contributing to a rise in the price of basic foodstuffs such as bread, milk, pasta, eggs and meat. The bullish impact of higher commodity costs is translating into higher prices at the wholesale level for a majority of the food items that are represented by the PPI (Producer Price Index). Extremely large increases (vs. a year ago) were recorded for a number of items, including pork (+57%), vegetable oil (+24%), chicken breast (+22%), cheese (+19%), dairy (+27%) and beef (+11%). The similarity among these items is the price of the underlying commodity behind each of these has risen even more dramatically. As we move forward, the key factors to watch include production levels, recovering demand, the value of the US Dollar and the potential rise in feed prices.

VGM Club continues to take practical steps to minimize and soften the blow of high food prices and to maximize the benefits for our members. While the predicted spike - 4% weighted average - will make us all wince, it compares favorably to the double digit inflation peak expected in center-of-the-plate proteins and dairy for the next six months.