News

The Gift and Home Trade Association (GHTA), the industry’s leading non-profit trade association, has announced its 2011 Give Back Program, sponsored by Mud Pie, which will take place at the 9th Annual GHTA Conference, held at the Red Rock Casino and Resort in Las Vegas, Nov. 17-19.

The GHTA has partnered with Three Square, a non-profit organization that provides fresh and non-perishable food items to charitable organizations working to end hunger all over Southern Nevada. The 2011 Give Back Program will take place on Thursday, Nov. 17 and volunteers from Zappos will join ‘Team GHTA.’

“The GHTA believes in the importance of giving back by continuing to seek out and partner with worthwhile organizations where we see a need,” said Beth Lang, GHTA chairman of the board. “It has become an important part of our conferences over the past few years and a core value of the GHTA as an organization. The ‘Give Back’ days give all of us a chance to be part of something bigger than ourselves and our own companies – it’s a win-win for everyone.”

“Mud Pie is happy to sponsor this worthy cause and be a part of GHTA’s ‘Give Back’ program,” said Fred Pannek, Mud Pie president. “We invite all GHTA members and industry friends to join us as we make a difference in this region of the country. Feeding our hungry children will enable them to better learn and ultimately become a part of their own ‘give back’ program in the future.”

GHTA member volunteers will be transported to Three Square in the morning of the 17th, where they will be assigned to work on one of three projects. Some volunteers will assemble backpacks for the organization’s “Backpack for Kids Program.” This program provides thousands of children with food-filled backpacks each Friday, ensuring they receive three square meals a day throughout the weekend, when they’re not in school.

Participants will eat lunch at Three Square, where they will hear from the Zappos ‘PEACE’ team on the importance of incorporating philanthropic efforts into your company culture as well as the extraordinary support the company provides to non-profits worldwide. Following lunch at Three Square, participants will tour Zappos, a well-known and leading online shoe and apparel company based in Nevada. Zappos staff will share information about their company culture and their operations.

“We have planned an extraordinary day for GHTA conference attendees, thanks to the generosity of Mud Pie’s sponsorship,” said Diane Carnevale Jones, GHTA executive director. “Members will have an opportunity to make a difference in a city where hunger is at epidemic levels. And, they will receive a rare glimpse of the inner workings of Zappos, a company that is known nationally for running a wildly successful business.”

The 2011 GHTA Conference, which will be held at the Red Rock Resort and Spa, Las Vegas, Nov. 17-19, invites sales representatives, manufacturers and other industry resource suppliers to network and share best business practices, while learning from national keynote speakers and various breakout sessions.

For more information, visit www.giftandhome.org.