CONFIDENTIAL: MARCO Business Report

I know you might be thinking... "Yes, this is just what I need... somebody else talking about the economy"... NOT!

Watching the CEO's of several of the world's largest hotel chains on CNBC over the past couple of weeks, I can't help but turn up the volume to hear what they are saying about occupancy rates, especially for business travel and meetings. (Of course, we supply meeting stuff and more meetings = more meeting stuff!)

And across the board, things are improving... not back to 2006-2007 levels but at least getting better. More business travelers are booking rooms and holding meetings. This is a good thing.

Just like they watch occupancy rates, I watch orders for critical meeting products... my "business barometer" items are badge holders and badge ribbons... every day I watch the number of orders and the quantities ordered.

So, here is the (highly confidential :) ) MARCO Business Report: Orders for both badge holders and badge ribbons are up double digits over last year, however, quantities per order are down slightly.

Conclusion #1: There are more meetings going on but from these numbers, looks like the number of attendees could be down slightly.

Conclusion #2: Or buyers are playing it closer to the vest when it comes to quantities... trying be sure they don't end up with money tied up in items they did not use.

Shameless selling point: You can play it very close to the vest on these meeting essentials because you have a whole slew of "You get it tomorrow!" items right here at MARCO that can indeed be in your hands tomorrow.

So, if you are uncertain about the quantities for your upcoming meeting and need to play it close to the vest, go ahead. You can get backup stock tomorrow on dozens of meeting essentials.

Need to lighten the mood? Try our Fun Ribbons... a pack of 100 assorted "chuckle producing" ribbons are only $19!