Suttle-Straus Connected Mail Clients Qualify for 2021 Postage Discounts – Two Ways to Cash In

As direct mail companies like Suttle-Straus are embracing the integration of technology and direct mail, United States Postal Service (USPS) is doing its part and running a postage discount program for 2021.

What does this mean for Suttle-Straus clients? From March 1^st to August 31^st the USPS lets all US-based direct mail companies qualify for 2% off eligible postage costs when coupling their clients’ campaigns with emerging and advanced technology.

The use of technology is a proven force in the marketing landscape for today’s savvy marketing professionals. This promotion will build upon previous promotions and continue the USPS strategy of encouraging mailers to integrate direct mail with technology to improve effectiveness and maintain relevancy.

The Suttle-Straus Connected Mail solution combines direct mail with digital technologies like call tracking, Facebook and Instagram social media advertising, Google display ads, mail tracking and website retargeting.

“We are excited to offer our customers this USPS promotion discount on their Connected Mail campaigns,” said Rob Hanks, Salesperson and Certified Mailpiece Design Expert at Suttle-Straus. “Omnichannel campaigns that integrate direct mail and digital channels deliver better results and return on investment – and now they can get discounts too!”

Last year, Suttle-Straus introduced its Connected Mail service that includes the USPS Informed Delivery program. In an effort to build recognition and usage of this product, the USPS has added it to its 2021 postage discount program. Any mailing to go out with Informed Delivery from September 1^st to November 30^th 2021, will also qualify for 2% off of postage costs.

“Informed Delivery is the best thing to ever happen to direct mail, providing the business owners a way into the consumer’s email inbox on the same day they receive a direct mail promotion,” said Maeghan Nicholson, Marketing Director at Suttle-Straus. “We at Suttle-Straus strive to keep direct mail relevant and aim to make it the most effective marketing channel by integrating other technologies that track and enhance the overall campaign. We see Informed Delivery as an essential piece to this puzzle.”

For more information on Connected Mail, visit www.suttle-straus.com/connected-mail.

About Suttle-Straus
Suttle-Straus provides comprehensive marketing solutions including creative design, print, mailing, fulfillment, distribution, displays, signage, and promotional products. We create customized brand portals to allow corporate teams to print-on-demand and manage their marketing fulfillment across a network of users. Through long-term, collaborative client partnerships, Suttle-Straus delivers marketing solutions that help our customers win.

Overture Forums Panel Discussion: The COVID-19 Vaccine and the Black Community

For the next Overture Forum on MON, MAR 29, 7:30 PM, we are excited to have a distinguished panel of doctors and public health experts provide perspectives about the coronavirus vaccine as it relates to the Black community and beyond.

Panel Members:

· Aaron Perry, president & CEO of Rebalanced-Life and Wellness Association of Madison

· Dr. Sheryl L. Henderson, MD, PhD, pediatric infectious disease specialist – UW School of Medicine and Public Health

· Dr. Jasmine Zapata, MD, MPH assistant professor, researcher and educator in the UW Dept. of Pediatrics with an affiliation with the UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research

· Dr. William Hartman, MD, PhD, principal investigator for the UW COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Program (Adult and Pediatric Programs), principal investigator for the UW-Regeneron Monoclonal Antibody (Antispike) Clinical Trials, assistant professor of anesthesiology, School of Medicine and Public Health and medical director of UW Health Pre-Op Clinic – School of Medicine and Public Health

Moderator: Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings, professor emerita, University of Wisconsin-Madison and former Kellner Family Distinguished Chair in Urban Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Curriculum & Instruction

Please join us for this free forum, open to the public.

WATCH THE FORUM

Keller Real Estate Group Starts Construction on $25 Million Downtown Landmark Development

New Gateway for Downtown Madison
Keller Real Estate Group Breaks Ground On a $25 Million, Multi-Family Housing initiative “Avenir”
A transformative development for the corner of West Washington Avenue and Bassett Street

Upscale Project includes 96 apartment homes, 2,000 sq. ft. of specialty retail, 100 heated indoor parking spaces, 100+ bike parking spots and a Bike Maintenance Station for residents. Completion slated for April 2021.

Madison, WI—March 1, 2021—-Keller Real Estate Group (Keller) has started construction on the $25 million AVENIR, a mixed-use development with 96 apartment homes and 2500 sq. ft of ground-floor specialty retail space on 510 West Washington Avenue. The six-story AVENIR will transform a prominent and formerly underutilized ¾ acre downtown site, into a vibrant multi-family residential community that will create a signature gateway to the downtown and add much needed density to the existing stock of quality housing. Nine inefficient and outdated rental properties , owned by Keller, were demolished to make way for the project. The upscale AVENIR, (named for the future or time to come), includes studio, one-, two-and three-bedroom apartment homes and is slated for occupancy in spring of 2022.
Ald. Mike Verveer, 4th District, who represents the area, applauded the AVENIR development for embracing the Mifflandia Neighborhood Plan (adopted in 2019) in shaping its design and for creating an iconic benchmark project to help guide future initiatives:

“As one of the first significant development projects since the Mifflandia Neighborhood Plan was adopted, Keller’s AVENIR is a standard bearer in expressing the criteria and vision outlined in the plan and a genuine testament to the hundreds of neighborhood stakeholders who actively participated in that important process.”

Alder Verveer added: “The AVENIR will be an enduring asset in beautifying and animating the West Washington Avenue corridor, and act as a catalyst for thoughtful development initiatives that are steered by the Mifflandia Plan in the future.”

The 6-story AVENIR takes advantage of its expansive site with an open H -shaped layout and features white brick construction that rises up through the first four floors. Herringbone patterned bricks will highlight the window spandrels. The stepped back upper two stories of the building will be clad with a lightweight, medium grey cement board siding and accented with black metal window frames and balcony railings. Generous building setbacks, recessed and cantilevered balconies, tall windows, rooftop terraces, a series of walk-up apartments and canopied entrance ways all modulate the scale of the AVENIR complex.

An inviting ground floor corner storefront space at AVENIR will be designed with glass and transparent materials to engage bypassing pedestrians. Along the street corner, an 18” raised terrace will provide outdoor gathering and dining space, further animating the street. Landscaping plans will sensitively preserve large existing trees and a newly planted double tree canopy will help create a special sense of place for the neighborhood.

The AVENIR is conveniently located within a few blocks of the Wisconsin State Capitol, the Overture Center for the Arts, and the Kohl Center on the lively Washington Avenue Corridor that is home to over 40 businesses, including locally owned specialty restaurants, retail outlets and fitness studios. Residents of the AVENIR will enjoy a host of amenities including an outdoor elevated terrace and lounge that includes a conference room, a grill station , outdoor seating and dining and a shaded trellis area overlooking West Washington Avenue; a yoga and wellness center, secure package delivery, 100 heated underground parking spaces, over 100 enclosed bike parking spots and a bike repair station.

Sustainable elements incorporated in the AVENIR design will include “green” roofs on the 2nd and 5th floor roof terraces, CO and NO2 gas detection in the enclosed garage for intelligent exhaust air and make-up air control, and a 92% + efficient central domestic hot water system. LED lighting will be utilized throughout, including occupancy sensors in public spaces and the parking garage.

Construction and permanent financing for the $25 million AVENIR is being provided by the First Business Bank. The general contractor for AVENIR is VJS Construction Services, a family -owned company founded in 1947, and headquartered in Pewaukee, WI. Madison, WI-based Potter Lawson, Inc. an award-winning architecture, planning and interior design firm established in 1913 is the architect of record.

About Keller Real Estate Group
A trusted regional developer and property manager recognized for high qaulity and enduring projects, Keller Real Estate Group was founded in Madison,WI in 1950, and maintains offices in a historic 1931 Art Deco building at 448 W. Washington Ave.The company’s roots and capital investments in downtown Madison are deep with award winning mixed use projects such as Bassett Walk, City Place Apartments, Tuscan Place, and Washington Court and Wilson Bay that have helped strengthen and revitalize the Bassett Neighborhood. Keller Real Estate Group https://www.kellerrealestategroup.com/

Barrier-Breaking Olympic Medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad Will Discuss Her Experiences as an American Muslim Athlete and Changemaker

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 19, 2021

Contact Information:
Shauna Breneman, Communications Director
Email: sbreneman@wisc.edu

BARRIER-BREAKING OLYMPIC MEDALIST IBTIHAJ MUHAMMAD WILL DISCUSS HER EXPERIENCES AS AN AMERICAN MUSLIM ATHLETE AND CHANGEMAKER

MADISON – Fencer and Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad made history in 2016 when she became the first American to compete for an Olympic medal while wearing a hijab and the first American Muslim woman to win an Olympic medal.

Muhammad will discuss diversity and activism in sports and how her identity as a woman of color and an American Muslim impacts her within the male-dominated sports world during a free, virtual, live event, called “Breaking the Olympic Standard: A Conversation with Ibtihaj Muhammad,” hosted by the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Distinguished Lecture Series (DLS) Committee on March 10 at 7:30 p.m. CDT.

WUD DLS invites all, including those not affiliated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, to attend this free event. Those interested in attending can register here to receive the event livestream link in an email.

Muhammad says that fencing, the sport in which she earned her medal, found her. She played many sports throughout her childhood, including tennis and track. However, she found her mother often had to modify her uniforms by adding long trousers or long sleeves to follow her values and Muslim faith.

Then, one day, her mother drove by a local high school, and she and Muhammad saw fencing, which included uniforms that would need no alterations. At the age of 13, she tried fencing and found a sport that she loved and that would not compromise her values.

While she enjoyed fencing, she recalls moments when she was told she did not belong in her sport. She hopes that her accomplishments in fencing will help challenge misconceptions. Muhammad believes that sports can change the world.

In addition to her bronze Olympic medal, the Duke University graduate also won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2014 Senior World Championships, and she holds four bronze Senior World medals.

Muhammad’s other accomplishments include but are not limited to launching a fashion brand, called LOUELLA BY IBTIHAJ, with her sisters; being named one of the 2016 “TIME” 100 most influential people; and authoring the book “The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family.”

Mattel also created a Barbie doll in her likeness. The doll is the first Mattel Barbie doll to wear a hijab.

The company’s description of the doll includes the following: “As a brilliant athlete, entrepreneur and inspiration to girls who never saw themselves represented, Ibtihaj is not only celebrated for her accolades but for embracing what made her stand out. Ibtihaj is honored as a Barbie™ ‘Shero,’ a woman who has broken boundaries to inspire the next generation of girls.”

“Ibtihaj Muhammad has accomplished history-making feats while never compromising who she is and what she believes in,” said Caoilfhinn Rauwerdink, WUD DLS Committee associate director of marketing and outreach. “Attendees of this discussion will undoubtedly leave inspired to overcome whatever challenges lie before them.”

WUD DLS hosts lectures by experts to encourage thought-provoking conversations. WUD includes 11 committees and six Wisconsin Hoofers clubs that program thousands of events each year.

Those interested in attending the Committee’s upcoming event can register here.

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About the Wisconsin Union Directorate Distinguished Lecture Series Committee

The Wisconsin Union Directorate Distinguished Lecture Series Committee contributes to the educational experience of University of Wisconsin–Madison students, Wisconsin Union members and community members by bringing engaging and influential people to campus. Founded in 1987, the series aims to expose the campus community to a diverse and vibrant array of people, backgrounds, and ideas. Learn more: union.wisc.edu/dls.

[Note: Click here to download a photo of Ibtihaj Muhammad. Photo provided by Keppler Speakers.]

To read this release online, visit union.wisc.edu/about/news/ibtihaj-muhammad.

CEC Announces the Return of its Business Technology Conference in 2021

Celebrating 75 Years of Technology & Innovation: Past, Present, and Future

Hiawatha, IA (Feb. 16, 2021) – CEC (Communications Engineering Company), a nationally recognized technology solutions provider and systems integrator in the Midwest, is excited to announce the return of its popular Business Technology Conference (BTC) on October 21 at the Doubletree in downtown Cedar Rapids, IA.

BTC will help CEC close out a year-long celebration of its 75^th anniversary by connecting Iowa and Wisconsin business leaders to new and relevant technologies, demonstrations, and innovative ideas to improve communication, collaboration, and safety. With a theme of 75 Years of Technology & Innovation: Past, Present, and Future – the conference will be an opportunity for organizations to assess their technology foundation, learn about trends, and work on their technology vision and roadmap.

“BTC has grown into a regional event where customers can experience the latest technology,” states Randy Montelius, CEC VP of Technology. “The single day format makes it easier to fit into their schedule and provides a unique platform to hear first-hand how peers are meeting the challenges of today’s world.”

CEC’s trusted technology partners—leaders in AV, fire and security, healthcare communications, IT, and two-way communications—will also be onsite to update attendees on the technology set to support digital experiences and new ways of working (NWOW).

CEC’s Business Technology Conference has become a must-attend event for technology decision-makers in hospitals and long-term care settings, schools and campuses, manufacturing facilities, and corporate offices. In 2021, the event returns as one way to honor the past, talk about the challenges of the present, and plan for what’s to come.

The valuable information unveiled at this year’s BTC won’t be found anywhere else in the Midwest. Attendees can use what they learn to stay one step ahead of the rapidly changing technology landscape.

For more information, visit www.cecinfo.com.  

About CEC

CEC employs more than 300 professional and technical staff in eight locations in Iowa and Wisconsin. The company offers solution design, integration, and technical services specializing in audio/video, fire and security, healthcare communications, IT, and two-way communications. Focused on creating world class technology experiences, the CEC team partners with clients to understand their businesses, tailor solutions, and plan for future technology needs. Visit www.cecinfo.com.

About BTC

Now in its 13^th year, CEC’s Business Technology Conference (BTC) provides free education for technology influencers and decision-makers. The free event delivers several tracks of education sessions, showcases the latest technology from trusted technology providers, and supports networking among professionals across the Midwest.

Media Contact: Angie Worrell, aworrell@cecinfo.com, 319.731.1245   | #BTC2021