Laura and Ami attended the ISTD’s Disco Freestyle and Rock and Roll conference on Sunday. IDS have exhibited for many years, but was the second year that Ami took part in the classes which she thoroughly enjoyed. Highlight of the day was learning the Thriller routine with Gary Lloyd - Choreographer and Director of Thriller Live. Laura was on hand to give advice and promote IDS, also handing out the ever popular goody bags to over 150 guests.

How exciting! For the first time ever International Dance Supplies is exhibiting in Atlanta as part of the UDMA Dance Resource and Costume Show.

Our USA advisor Carrie Molay will be on the booth and she very much looks forward to meeting you there and handing out some of our fabulous goodies. Have a great show!

We recently launched a range of Pineapple clothing in the new catalogue, and I am pleased to say that it has proved so popular with our customers that we have already bought some new styles and colours. Following requests made in our recent on line survey we have also added Children’s sizes to the range.

Visit ids.co.uk to see the collection.

Anne Walker has been re-elected to the Advisory Board of UK retail trade body The Catalogue Exchange (CatEx).  This is a not-for-profit organisation serving businesses in the catalogue and online retail community. It currently has more than 220 member companies on board, including Next Directory, Joules Clothing, Boden, Cath Kidston, Sainsbury’s and the British Heart Foundation.  As a board member, Anne will play a vital role in the ongoing and future development of the growing organisation. Board members are regularly called upon to share their expertise and knowledge, particularly at CatEx’s national and regional events throughout the year. They are elected by the members themselves, who were invited to vote in the recent board elections.

Anne says: “I am delighted to have been re-elected to the board of the Catalogue Exchange as I feel it is imperative that B2B businesses have some representation on the board. I also feel that as the owner of a Westcountry business, I can fly the flag for the many SMEs in this sector in Devon and Cornwall – an area that is so often overlooked.”.

 Anne Walker will be joining other influential entrepreneurs on the board such as Nigel Swabey, Scotts & Co (President) and Tim Curtis, Lands’ End (Deputy Chairman).

I recently spent a great half day at a photoshoot in London. But this time I was on the set instead of fussing around with products and models!

I am taking part in an incentive to provide role models and mentors for girls and young women. More details here as they are available! However, I had a great time meeting other successful women in business as well as enjoying the pampering session with a stylist who added some glamour to us all for the shoot.

Here’s a sneak peek of my outfit (sadly just on loan for the shoot!) as well as one of the great all female “crew”.

IDS makes a series of star turns in true theatrical style and joins the social calendar of the South West’s must have magazine… Devon Life.  Britain’s celebrity dance master, Wayne Sleep, led the way with Anne Walker on a whistle stop tour of IDS’s headquarters for its 2010 Catalogue launch… yet taking the time to sign autographs was much appreciated by IDS’s customers, family and friends alike.

Read the article in Devon life @  http://devon.greatbritishlife.co.uk/article/wayne-sleep-launches-new-book-catalogue-24660/

Sunday saw me in Wigan for the official relaunch of Freestyle Dancewear which has been transformed into Pointes Dancewear. An amazing transformation has taken place resulting in a fabulously enticing pink heaven of a shop! Owners Laura and Chris Blackburn are specialising in the fitting of pointe shoes and are aiming to attract customers from around the north west.

The Grand Opening was performed by Francesca Filpi of The Royal Ballet Company who had spent the day teaching locally for CLB Productions also run by Laura and Chris.

This weekend has seen the start of the new term for many dance schools and the shops have been busy too. It’s also a time of “new beginnings” for some businesses.

On Saturday I was the guest of Janet Moon Academy in Paignton where I cut the ribbon on their new premises. Although Jan has taught for many years this is the first time she has had her own studio so there was great excitement. After the ribbon cutting the students performed some numbers from a recent show. Good luck to Jan and her assistant Ami for the future!

What a brilliant day we had! After weeks of gloomy weather the sun broke through as Wayne Sleep stepped off the train and we had a glorious afternoon!

Customers, suppliers and staff packed into the bulk warehouse to watch Wes perform the worlds first choreographed version of Thriller in a forklift before the catalogues were unveiled by Wayne who, as you can see, couldn’t wait to start flicking through the new Diamond Book. Wayne then entertained us with stories from his long and amazing career. Thank you Wayne for joining IDS once again and sharing “Precious Little Sleep”.

Your catalogue should be with you very soon!