Primaloft and Downlite Raised Thousands with Support Your Dreams Campaign

On October 1^st, 2009, in recognition of the National Domestic Violence Awareness month, we and our partner DOWNLITE launched the Support Your Dreams campaign designed to support women and children making the transition into a new life away from the fear of domestic abuse.

We are touched by the support we received from the public. Thanks to everyone’s help and efforts, we were able to raise thousands of dollars in cash and product donations, going directly to selected shelters in Albany, NY and Cincinnati, OH and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Everyday in the news we hear about cases of domestic violence, so now that October is long gone, let’s continue our support to the victims of domestic abuse. Check out the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence website to see how you can help.

PrimaLoft® Rolls Out 2010 Sponsorship Campaign

The PrimaLoft team spent most of 2009 trekking the globe to connect with brand partners, retailers and consumers. Through our sponsorships of world-class athletic competitions, retail events and consumer festivals, our team enjoyed demonstrating how PrimaLoft insulation keeps outdoor and winter sports enthusiasts warm, dry and comfortable.

Now we're looking forward to the New Year and are excited to announce our 2010 sponsorship campaign, which includes The North Face Masters Series, The Ouray Ice Festival, The Adirondack Backcountry Ski Festival, The Backpacker – Get Out More Tour, and The Banff Mountain Film and Book Festivals among others.

If you find your way at any of these events, stop by the PrimaLoft stand to find out more about PrimaLoft Insulation Technology products.

Some of the event dates that PrimaLoft will be part of in 2010 are:

- The 15th Annual Ouray Ice Festival to be held January 7-10 in Ouray, Colorado is the biggest climbing festival in North America, featuring world-class ice climbing athletes and clinics.

- The 14th Annual Adirondack International Mountaineering Festival hosted by specialty outdoor retailer, The Mountaineer on January 15-17 in Keene Valley, NY, features world-class alpinists who speak and lead instructional clinics on ice climbing, mountaineering, snowshoeing and avalanche awareness.

- The North Face Masters 2010 series presented by PrimaLoft® gathers big mountain snowboarders from around the world. Event dates: Snowbird, Utah, January 22-25, Crystal Mountain, Washington, February 9-12, and Kirkwood, California, February 25-28.

- Adirondack Backcountry Ski Festival, hosted by specialty outdoor retailer The Mountaineer on March 6-7 in Keene Valley, NY, offers instructional clinics on back country skiing and guided tours led by local mountain guides from the Adirondacks.

- The Backpacker Magazine-Get Out More Tour is a one of a kind cross country mobile tour that visits over 70 retailers in 30 states to educate consumers about the skills and equipment they need to Get Out More! Tour dates run from May through November.

- Banff Mountain Film and Book Festivals is an international film and literary competition featuring the world’s best footage and literature on mountain subjects.

Banff Mountain Film Festival Reel Featuring PrimaLoft

Check out the 2009/2010 Banff Mountain Film Festival Intro reel - featuring PrimaLoft!
The video includes clips from adventures films that were shown at the festival. Amazing!

PrimaLoft Team Back from the Banff Mountain Festival

The PrimaLoft team returned from the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival that was held from October 31 to November 8 in Banff, Alberta, Canada.

The Festival offered the PrimaLoft team an opportunity to meet hundreds of passionate outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers from around the world, and spend time with some of its valued PrimaLoft partners.

“We saw some incredible outdoor action films and Ultra Marathon Man Dean Karnazes’ live presentation was an inspiration to all of us,” says Diane O’Connor, PrimaLoft Manager Marketing Communications.

This year’s Banff Mountain Film Festival competition received 277 entries from 28 countries and the Book Festival received 101 entries from 10 countries. The 2009 Film and Book Award Winners were announced last weekend.

The Festival’s best films are now on a worldwide tour. Check out the PrimaLoft website for a complete listing of screening locations.

News from PrimaLoft - Italy

Congratulations to our colleague in Italy for successfully accomplishing her first horse show!


Last weekend, Chiara Bressan, a Customer Service Representative, for PrimaLoft in Italy competed in her first horse show in Casale Sul Sile (Italy) and won two rosettes as prize.



Job well done, Chiara, and thank you for sending your photos!

Sweet Dreams Donation Drive at Albany International, Perth, Ontario

Albany International Corp. colleagues in Perth, Ontario, Canada, got creative to conduct Sweet Dreams donation drive within their plant.

"Our team dressed up in pajamas and slippers to raise awareness for the PrimaLoft Support Your Dreams campaign," says Joanne Whittle, Human Resource Manager, Perth. "We have already surpassed our goal with one week left!"

The Perth plant has partnered with a local domestic violence safe house called "Interval House" and set a targeted goal of $1,000 of clothing value for their drive. They have collected both new and gently used clothing for adults and children staying at Interval House and trying to leave abusive situations.

"We also have a cash donation, which we will use to purchase a few PrimaLoft pillows for the shelter," adds Whittle.



(Sweet Dreams donation drive at the Albany International plant in Perth, Ontario, Canada. From left to right: Judy Meraw, Cindy Lewis, Ann Siebel, Joanne Whittle, and Cheryl Smith dressed in their pajamas to raise awareness)


There's still time to join them in supporting the cause. Until the end of October, go to www.supportyourdreams.org to purchase PrimaLoft bedding at a discount, and 20% of the proceeds from the sales on this site will be donated to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

PrimaLoft on Facebook

PrimaLoft Insulation Technology and PrimaLoft The Luxury Down Alternative are now on Facebook. Become a fan and make sure to share the links with your friends!

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Get Out More Tour and PrimaLoft at Kittery Trading Post in Maine

Last weekend, Randy and Sheri Propster from the Backpacker's Get Out More Tour made a stop at the Kittery Trading Post retail store in Maine.




Check out what they had to say about PrimaLoft insulation...

PrimaLoft Partners with Banff Mountain Film & Book Festival, and North American Tour

PrimaLoft announced it will be a sponsor of the 2009-2010 Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival, and North American Tour. The 34th Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival will be held October 31 through November 8, 2009 in Banff, Alberta, Canada. The festival is an international film and literary competition featuring the world's best footage and literature on mountain subjects.

Join PrimaLoft in celebrating this year's best films and books and stop by our booth, where Randy and Sheri Propster, from the Backpacker Get Out More Tour, will represent the PrimaLoft brand. Take the PrimaLoft challenge and enter to win an exclusive Banff Mountain Film Festival jacket insulated with PrimaLoft.

The festival award winners will be announced by the international jury on Sunday, November 8, 2009.

Immediately after the festival, a selection of the best films entered will go on a tour. Check out the tour stop schedule.

PrimaLoft Team Visited Get Out More Tour in Kingston, NY

Last Saturday, October 3rd, Backpacker Magazine's Get Out More Tour made a stop at the Kenco retail store in Kingston, NY. Hosts, Randy and Sheri Propster, shared tips and advice from their personal outdoor experiences. They also presented the latest in outdoor gear and apparel, including the benefits of using a PrimaLoft-insulated sleeping bag.

The PrimaLoft team was there to support Get Out More Hosts. "Sheri and Randy are dynamic presenters," said Diane O'Connor from PrimaLoft. "They packed so much interesting information into a one hour presentation. I left there inspired to start backpacking!"

PrimaLoft and DOWNLITE Launch 'Support Your Dreams'

Today, October 1st, starts the National Domestic Violence Awareness month and the launch of the PrimaLoft and DOWNLITE Support Your Dreams campaign, designed to support women and children making the transition into a new life away from the fear of domestic abuse.

Throughout the year, PrimaLoft and DOWNLITE, will donate hundreds of PrimaLoft pillows to the Equinox Domestic Violence Shelter in Albany, NY, and the Cincinnati YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter. The first donation to each shelter was made this morning to mark the beginning of the campaign.

To complement the Support Your Dreams pillow donation, PrimaLoft, its Albany International Corp. colleagues, and DOWNLITE will conduct Sweet Dreams donation drives through the month of October. Nighttime items such as twin sheets and blankets, pajamas, robes and slippers will be collected and donated to local shelters for adults and children in hopes that their stay is more comfortable.

You can help PrimaLoft and DOWNLITE support victims of domestic violence through the ecommerce site, SupportYourDreams.org, where during the month of October a limited edition Support Your Dreams PrimaLoft pillow and other PrimaLoft bedding, will be available for purchase at a 10 % discount. Additionally, 20% of the proceeds from the sales on this site will be donated to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Other ways you can help:

** In Albany, NY **
Equinox will host a public Sweet Dreams donation drive for the women and children who reside at Equinox safe houses
Where: at its 95 Central Avenue, Albany, headquarters
When: October 1st to October 31, 2009
What: donations of new or gently used nighttime items like twin sheets & blankets, pyjamas, robes and slippers

** In Cincinnati, OH **
The Cincinnati YWCA will also host a public Sweet Dreams donation drive for the women and children who reside at YWCA Cincinnati domestic violence safe houses
Where: YWCA of Greater Cincinnati - 898 Walnut Street, Cincinnati
When: October 1st to October 31, 2009
What: donations of new nighttime items like twin sheets & blankets, pyjamas, robes, and slippers

Get Out More Outdoor Experts to Present in PrimaLoft's Backyard

Since April 2009, Backpacker Magazine and PrimaLoft have brought the popular Get Out More mobile tour to outdoor specialty retailers. So far, the tour has stopped at more than 45 retail stores across the country to offer expert advice and inspiration to hikers, campers, and outdoor lovers alike.

In a 60-minute seminar, Get Out More hosts, Randy and Sheri Propster, share their outdoor experiences and present the latest in outdoor gear and apparel, included PrimaLoft-insulated sleeping bags and outdoor products. On Saturday, October 3rd, they will be in PrimaLoft's backyard at the Kenco store in Kingston, NY, to offer tips and advice on how to gear up for the outdoors.

Event details:

What: Backpacker's 2009 Get Out More Tour

When: Saturday, Ocotber 3rd - from 2pm to 3pm

Where: Kenco - 1000 Hurley Mountain Road, Kingston, NY 12401

Free and open to public

PrimaLoft Bedding at New York Home Fashions Market

During next week's New York Home Fashions Market, PrimaLoft luxury bedding, including pillows, comforters and blankets, will be featured at the Downlite showroom (in New York City).

New Appointments at PrimaLoft

Albany International announces organizational changes at its PrimaLoft division:

Diane O'Connor has been promoted to Manager Marketing Communications. Prior to her new position, she was the sales and marketing coordinator for the company. Diane has fifteen years of experience in public relations, marketing, and communications and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the State University of New York at Oneonta. She continues reporting to Eileen Berner, Sales and Marketing Director.

Victoria Lee is now replacing Diane O'Connor as Sales and Marketing Coordinator. Victoria has been with PrimaLoft since 2006 as the administrative assistant. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design from the Sacred Heart University in Fairfiled, CT. Victoria Lee reports to Diane O'connor.

The PrimaLoft team welcomes Trish Maloney as Admistrative Assistant. She was previously the human resources administrator at Precision Flow Technologies in New York. In her new position, Trish will provide support to the PrimaLoft sales, marketing and customer service teams. She reports directly to Eileen Berner.

Announcing Winners of the PrimaLoft "Get Hammered" Compression Challenge

Jenny Willben from Outdoor Sports Guide magazine and Chris Neary from Vertical Source are the two winners of the PrimaLoft "Get Hammered" Compression Challenge that was held a few weeks ago at he Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City, UT.

At the show, the PrimaLoft team invited Outdoor Retailer attendees to the booth to take the 'Get Hammered" compression challenge and learn more about the most compressible continuous filament insulation - PrimaLoft INFINITY.

The event was a great success. More than 70 participants, including retailers, manufacturers, and media, tested their strength by taking the challenge.

Our winners, Jenny Willben and Chris Neary, will receive an Eastern Mountain Sports Boreal sleeping bag insulated with PrimaLoft INFINITY.

Congratulations to PrimaLoft Western Territoy Manager - Russ Angrignon!

Big cheers to PrimaLoft Western Territory Manager, Russ Angrignon, and his wife, Delena, who survived the very challenging 75-miles trail running event, The North Face Canadian Death Race, co-sponsored by PrimaLoft.

The race that was held last weekend in Grande Cache, Alberta, Canada gathered about 1,200 elite racers. Among them, there were 215 teams of 3 to 5 persons that entered in the Team category, with 187 teams finishing the race within 24 hours. In the Solo category, out of the 231 individual racers who participated 73 were able to finish the race.

Not only did Russ and Delena complete the race in less than 22 hours (out of 24 hours required) but they placed extremely well - 34th and 35th respectively! Delena placed 3rd in her age category and Russ 11th. Both ran the race unsupported and had to bring extra water and enough food to carry them through the entire 24 hours of the race.

"Participating is an accomplishment in itself," says Russ Angrignon. "Finishing provides a unique sense of self confidence, but most importantly there are truly amazing friendships that are formed amidst an atmosphere of challenge."

Congratulations Russ and Delena! What an inspiration you are!

PrimaLoft® Defies Death at 2009 Canadian Death Race

PrimaLoft® - Insulation Technology™ is co-sponsoring the 2009 Canadian Death Race with long-standing partner The North Face.

The Canadian Death Race is being held this weekend (August 1-3) in Grande Cache, Alberta, Canada. It is one of the world's toughest adventure race where over 1,100 elite racers run (in solo or in relay team) non-stop for 125 km (75 miles) over challenging terrains...and they have to complete it under 25 hours!

As a co-sponsor of this trail running event, PrimaLoft support will be seen on racer bags and t-shirts. Race officials and staff will be wearing the famous TNF Redpoint Optimus Jacket (insulated with PrimaLoft) with the Canadian Death Race and PrimaLoft logos embroidered. More co-branded jackets will be given as prizes and auction items during the event.

Let's cheer and show our support to PrimaLoft Western Territory Manager, Russ Angrignon, and his wife, Delena, who will compete in this event - both in the solo category.

Best of luck to both of you!

Successful OR show for PrimaLoft insulations and yarns

Last week, PrimaLoft exhibited at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Salt Lake City, UT to present retailers, manufacturers and media with the latest and greatest in insulation and yarn technology.

Highlights included:

* the introduction of 7 new sleeping bags from The North Face - all insulated with our new continuous filament insulation - PrimaLoft INFINITY. The bags will be available in spring 2010.

* PrimaLoft Merino Blend Yarn - a blend of Merino wool and PrimaLoft fibers for base layers and garments such as socks, sweaters and accessories.

* 100% PrimaLoft Yarn - made of PrimaLoft micro denier polyester fibers offers superior softness and comfort. Base layer garments made with 100% PrimaLoft Yarn are ideal for activities such as skiing, hiking, running, golf and cycling in all climates.

* the "Get Hammered" Compression Challenge booth party on the first night of the show was a great success. Winners of the challenge will be announced soon...

The PrimaLoft team also welcomed David DePodwin at the show. DePodwin is the manager of The North Face Soho store who won a trip to the OR show at the PrimaLoft appreciation reception held in New York City last month.

PrimaLoft received great publicity in trade publications including an interview with PrimaLoft Sales and Marketing Director, Eileen Berner, and a feature on PrimaLoft INFINITY in the the first issue of OR Daily. 100% PrimaLoft Yarn was featured in the Product Picks section of OR Daily - Day 3 (page 52).

What a great show!

PrimaLoft® Insulations and Yarns To Be Featured at Outdoor Retailer Show - Booth # 39043

PrimaLoft® is exhibiting at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market trade show next week (July 21-24) in Salt Lake City, UT - Booth # 39043.

Come by the booth to meet the PrimaLoft team and check out what's new with PrimaLoft insulations and yarns.

Don't miss the PrimaLoft booth party on Tuesday July 21st (first day of the show) from 5pm to 6pm. Join us for drinks, prizes and take our "Get Hammered" Compression Challenge with PrimaLoft® INFINITY, the most compressible continuous filament insulation.

See you at booth # 39043!

PrimaLoft® Selects Winner of Trip to Outdoor Retailer Show

Outdoor and home retailers who recently attended the PrimaLoft® appreciation reception in New York City had a chance to toss their name in a hat to win a free trip to the Outdoor Retailer trade show.

David DePodwin, store manager of The North Face Soho store, was the lucky winner and will join the PrimaLoft team as its guest at this summer’s Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City, UT.

“I’m thrilled to have an opportunity to attend OR this summer,” said DePodwin. “I’m looking forward to reconnecting with coworkers and outdoor industry colleagues and I’m very grateful to PrimaLoft for this opportunity.”

Eddie Bauer First Ascent Features PrimaLoft Insulation

PrimaLoft^® - Insulation Technology™ has been selected as a key component of Eddie Bauers' new First Ascent line. The line was developed and field tested by renowned mountain guides and climbers including Peter Whittaker, Ed Viesturs, Dave Han, Melissa Arnot, Seth Waterfall and Chad Peele. PrimaLoft insulation is used in the Serrano Jacket, Igniter Jacket, Igniter Pant and Guide Gloves. Read more...

Backpacker magazine featured a special preview of Eddie Bauer's First Ascent line. Climber guru, Peter Whittaker, who helped develop this performance line gave Backpacker magazine a sneak preview on his layering system, including PrimaLoft-insulated Serrano Jacket and Guide Gloves. Check out the video...

PrimaLoft Welcomed Media and Retailers to its Winter Wonderland

On June 3rd and 4th, PrimaLoft® - Insulation Technology™ hosted a media event in New York City to present consumer and trade media with the fall/winter 2009/2010 collections of PrimaLoft-insulated outerwear, gloves, footwear, sleeping bags, accessories and luxury bedding from leading brands. Many thanks to all our partners who participated with their latest products.


We had a great turnout from a broad range of trade and consumer media representing: O, The Oprah Magazine, Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Modern Bride, National Geographic Adventure, Family Travel Forum, Field & Stream, Home Textiles Today, Shape, Footwear News, Hospitality Design, Footwear Plus, Outdoor Life, and many more.

On June 3rd, we also hosted an appreciation evening for PrimaLoft retailers in the New York and Metro area to thank them for supporting the brand. Retailers were invited to meet the PrimaLoft team, learn more about PrimaLoft products and preview the fall/winter 2009/2010 PrimaLoft products from our partners. Thank you to all PrimaLoft retailers for making the past year such a success!