If You're Here You're Helping...A Special Project

This Market the Specialty Sleep Association has partnered with
Relief Bed International and The Salvation Army to make our retailer attendance go an extra mile while visiting the SSA Sleep Pavilion C1565 at the Las Vegas Market. 

Relief Bed will build and deliver one bed per buying group scanned in the SSA Sleep Pavilion with a cap at 500 beds. As a Sleep Retailer, when you walk into C1565 you’ll make a difference in the next emergency/disaster! So, as the tagline states, during the January Las Vegas Market, “when you’re here (C1565), you’re helping.”   

THIS JUST IN… Relief Bed has already answered the Salvation Army’s request and shipped 100 beds to them for fire victims on January 6th. We are already helping!!  Relief Bed agreed to ship beds as needed to The Salvation Army, even if the emergency requiring beds happened before Market.

“The Salvation Army is an extraordinary organization and we are excited to support their efforts,” said Relief Bed International Founder Scott Smalling, “we hope the SSA’s traffic is strong so we can maximize the commitment to the Salvation Army,” Smalling continued.  SSA Executive Director Tambra Jones agrees.  “It is so exciting that our project has already sent beds for a fire disaster to the Salvation Army.  We thank our Sleep Pavilion exhibitors for their support and donations to this project.”

SSA exhibitor donations are the backbone of this project:

Relief Bed will also be on site taking attendee donations to help fund the project.

About Relief Bed:

Relief Bed International has distributed more than 28,000 emergency relief beds since its inception in 2015.  The organization provides innovative and strategically built beds for disaster victims, rural health clinics and to support homeless shelters in North America.  www.reliefbed.com

NEW PRODUCT DEBUTS – IN STOCK AND READY TO SHIP - Eighteen different companies in one showroom - the SSA Sleep Pavilion

I Love Pillow busy at the 2021 Summer Market

This Winter Market the Specialty Sleep Association’s Sleep Pavilion in C1565 is presenting 18 different companies, including TWO international debuts. “The momentum is shifting back to that in-person validation so important in our industry.  People are ready to get back to the excitement that happens at furniture markets.  Retailers are experiencing supply chain disruptions and looking for products they can offer and deliver to their customers in a timely fashion.  Suppliers have rolled up their sleeves and are presenting solutions, ready to get retailers what they need,” said SSA Executive Directory Tambra Jones. 

Making their US debut at this Las Vegas Market in the SSA Sleep Pavilion is the German mattress company EMMA – The Sleep Company.  Emma is one of the largest DTC brands in the world, based out of Frankfurt Germany and operating in 35 countries.  Emma is launching 3 new mattress collections with first to market, cutting edge innovations in a new premium line of beds.  “Emma is excited to introduce its new collections to brick and mortar retail partners across the US” says Scott Smalling, Chief Commercial and Innovation Director.

The second company making their US debut this market is COVESTRO NIAGA B.V., bringing their mattress technology from The Netherlands.  Aimed at sustainability, Niaga® mattress is “designed to use again.” Says Director of Partnerships and Coalitions, Ward Mosmuller, “Niagra is the go-to innovation partner for producers and makers who want to design products for circularity. We set ourselves apart through material stewardship, transparency, and closing the materials loop. So far, our product design principles, material innovations and technology can be found in carpets, mattresses, and furniture panels. By providing transparency on the materials inside and telling consumers how to return their product, we keep these products out of the trash and are therefore fully circular.” 

Together with their partners, Niaga® designs everyday products with clean and infinite materials and reversible connections only. The Niaga® tag makes return easy, which is how they work to  safeguard materials for future generations.  The team at Niaga® envisions a world in which all products are designed to use again, so they don’t end up in the trash. Ever.

SAY YES BEDDING, a woman owned bedding manufacturer is also a first-timer to the SSA Sleep Pavilion, featuring natural fabrics with bright and unique printing designs for toddler, teen and adults . We believe that your bedroom should be as fashionable as it is functional, because it's not just for sleeping, it's part of your home décor,” say CEO and Founder Li Li Kosek.  “We develop our own printing designs and have our assortment made in our own workshop overseas.”
The company offers drop shipping with all current inventory, also do private labeling and OEM orders for both United State and international clients.
We will be presenting our new innovative 100% cotton double layer yarn comforter set . 100% Cotton Twill printed bedding set and duvet cover set. 

There are two more European companies in the SSA Sleep Pavilion.   

Luxury mattress manufacturer BestRest is rebranding with a new name, EUROLUX LIVING LLC.   Eurolux Living LLC will present products from Spain, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland at a variety of features, covers, high tech materials and new price points (from $1299-$12,999 retail).  “As part of this transition I want to mention two new models we are launching,” notes President, Juan Gonzalez.  Naturalia's "Elite Collection" brings together luxurious Italian fabrics and foams, with perfectly engineered German Pocketed Coils and MicroCoils, Swiss essential elements infused in our aromatherapy Avent O2 layer and finely crafted Spanish materials.   The “Multisens System” of German MultiPocketed Coils has 1,250 independent tempered steel multi-coils packed in individual fabric pockets that make it one of the highest quality designs.

Following a successful August debut, Spanish-made BEDLINE will be in the SSA Sleep Pavilion represented by industry veteran, Scott Frisch of Discover Sleep.  Bedline is a leading manufacture platform beds, headboards, and mattresses in the EU. “We feel there’s a great opportunity for products made from Spain in the USA market. We are particularly excited about our line of platform beds with storage that are designed for the e-commerce market.” said Ernesto Galan, CEO at Bedline. “Hector Alcantara, our General Manager sees a bright future ahead for our product line in the US market,” said Frisch.   Bedline offers a very wide selection of quality platform bases with a unique storage feature. This market they will featuring our motorized model that makes storage even easier.

BAXTER BIOHEALTH dba Anti Aging Bed® is introducing a new technology mattress to accompany their AntiAging® Anti Oxidant and Far Infrared mattress covers.  Pioneers in Zero Gravity® bed frames and the innovators for the Med Bed technology, Baxter BioHealth has secured contracts for a high-quality, European comfort mattress. Says company president John Baxter, “Our new Baxter BioHealth mattresses work in concert with our Anti-Aging and Anti-Oxidant mattress covers by utilizing the latest mattress technologies, including an ultra-thin patented and eco-friendly graphine micro-layer.  Graphine is the world’s thinnest, strongest, and most conductive material for maximum heat-dissipation therapeutics.”

These mattresses also utilize the latest in ceramic technology where an extra-thin layer provides a superconductive material which works in conjunction with the nano-silver threading woven into our patented Anti-Aging and Anti-Oxidant mattress covers.  This combination of technologies makes strong strides in minimizing cell-destroying free-radical cell growth and increasing the better-grounded anti-oxidant conductivity, which releases the body’s inflammation and cellular aging.  The first Anti Aging® cover revolutionized sleep technology with Anti Oxidant® and Anti Aging® bed covers that promote good sleep by balancing the free radicals that reduce inflammation and has a natural calming effect. The Far Infrared adds to the benefit with increased circulation and healthier cells. 

Cinch Sleeper’s LumbarMax frame

Organic Sectional from TFS Natural Home

W.Silver IdealFrame

I LOVE PILLOW | I LOVE MATTRESS is enthused to introduce its new Perfect Fit Mattress and Pillow products. Says Managing Director, Bill Bush, “Our proprietary memory material combined with our 4 in 1 design provide the ultimate sleep experience.  We listened to our retail partners and customer feedback to provide a simple and effective sleep system with increased consumer satisfaction.”.

CINCH SLEEP SYSTEM from UFP Industrial offers the convenience of an easy-to-assemble foundation kit that requires no tools, takes less than 10 minutes to assemble, and can ship via standard delivery services.  With several options from exposed wood to upholstered frames with legs, there is a foundation kit for every level:
Studio - fully upholstered components with covered Slat-Pack
Classic - fully upholstered components with uncovered Slat-Pack
Studio Platform - fully upholstered components with legs 
LumbarMax Level 1 - wood components with lumbar supports and fitted pullover cover

TFS NATURAL HOME, by The Futon Shop, offers natural and organic furniture made in America in stock ready to ship. TFS Honest Sleep mattress and pillow line offer 20 mattresses, toppers, and pillows made with natural and certified organic fibers horse-hair, wool, cashmere, camel, cotton, PLA, supportive cores in coconut, hemp, and latex as well as micro coils. TFS natural and organic sofas and sofa beds are made with the same ingredients as our mattresses in modular units, sectionals, loveseats, chairs, and sofas as well as Hemp platform beds with or without headboards. TFS President Suzanne Diamond says, “Come see our Spring lineup.”

There are several great options for adjustable bases in the SSA Sleep Pavilion. 

W.SILVER PRODUCTS will present its complete line of adjustable beds, bed frames and high rise platform bases on display. “We have product in stock for immediate delivery” says Sales Manager Brent Polunsky. 

SLEEP SOLUTIONS will offer custom container programs for Adjustable Bases or partial direct shipment from their warehouse facilities to your door. They will feature their Rocking Base, Hi/Lo Lift System and a few new surprise introductions. 

SLEEP & BEYOND invites retailers to their show space for 100% organic and natural cotton and wool bedding.  They are a 3rd generation family-owned bedding manufacturer with fair trade and sustainable factories located in Kyrgyzstan “The Switzerland of Central Asia”, England, Belgium, India, Pakistan and China.

Retailers visiting the SSA Sleep Pavilion will also see chest beds from ARASON ENTERPRISES, hemp mattresses and pillows from CANNABEDS, organic pillows from COOLIST, Top-of-Bed products from ELECTROPEDIC/BODY SENSE, and disaster relief opportunities from RELIEF BED.

Simple Head to Health Strategies to Overhaul Your Life

Guest Blog by Lucy Reed of Gig Mine

A healthy lifestyle isn’t just about eating well and working out every so often. To ensure you’re getting the most out of your health practices and enhancing the quality of your life, you need to prioritize a holistic approach to well-being. Yep, we’re talking head-to-toe, top-to-bottom, inside-to-outside. In this article we will share straightforward strategies for better health.

Image from Unsplash

Make That Big Change

You know the one we’re talking about - the one big change you need to better your life. Make a literal move from an outdated apartment no longer serving you to a new modern home that provides you the blank slate you need. Or else, make a move of the non-literal type. According to Forbes, over 60% of Americans report being unhappy with their job. If you find yourself in an unrewarding and unfulfilling position, making a career switch can be highly beneficial for your mental health. If you’re planning a change to a career you don’t have training in, go back to school! For example, if you need to learn leadership, decision-making, and operations skills, why not opt for an online MBA? Luckily, online degree programs make it easy to work on your diploma while juggling work and family. Just make sure your online school of choice is accredited and offers competitive tuition fees.

Get Those Zzzs

It’s a cliche for a reason - getting a whole night’s sleep is the ticket to transforming your life. You’ll benefit from increased energy, better mood, and boosted immune system, heart health, and memory. Not to mention, sleep will give you that much-needed R&R you need to tackle each day. If you’re unsure how much you should be sleeping, start keeping a sleep diary. Here, you track the amount of sleep you got each night and how you feel the next day. You should begin to see a pattern of how much sleep leaves you feeling optimized and energetic. Most adults require between 7-9 hours of sleep a night, so use that as your starting baseline.

Prioritize Your Loved Ones

You may not think socializing counts as a healthy strategy, but you’ll be surprised at the world of good it can do you. An active social life is proven to help reduce depression, anxiety, and insomnia. It is also linked to increased energy and a better functioning immune system! If you’re struggling to get out there, find communities and local groups near you to meet new people. Connection through a hobby or activity is always a fail-safe option. If you can’t see people in person due to pandemic restrictions, video calls and online meetings are a great alternative.

Meditate Everyday

Meditation is often represented as an enlightening practice that is too challenging and mystical to truly work. In reality, meditation is simply about pausing from the business of everyday life and taking a moment to ground and center yourself. Whether you meditate in silence, to white noise, music, or spoken word, we believe every kind of meditation is good. It has also been proven to boost mental clarity, improve sleep, mood, and energy. Incorporate some mindfulness and gratitude into your daily meditation practice, and you’ll be ready to take each day as it comes.

Getting started on a holistic health journey can be challenging and overwhelming. But we’re here to tell you that small actions add up to significant change. The key is to keep on keeping at it - consistently and regularly. You’ll be surprised at how much your life changes for the better when you tackle your life head-on.

The Specialty Sleep Association connects suppliers with brands and consumers for a wide range of specialty sleep products. Be sure to check out our blog for more sleep resources, or contact us here for more information today.

Member Spotlight on Bedline: High quality and customer satisfaction has helped us grow.

Bedline, a Spanish maker and EU leading manufacturer of platform beds and headboards, is showing again in the USA for the January 2022 Market. After showcasing in Las Vegas in August 2021 and with excellent feedback received from the US market. Bedline continues innovating and in January will present a product in kit form, with the specific requirements for the US online market, for drop shipping and ease of handling.

The beginning of the brand

Bedline, founded in 1995, has specialized in designing and manufacturing high quality storage platforms beds for European market.
Mission: Bedline is focused on product functionality and constant improvement, besides offering new styles to the market every year.
Philosophy: To fulfill new requirements not only on space optimization, but also having a better sleep experience with an optime comfort and  customer wellbeing.

BEDLINE GROUP has its main manufacturing plant in Alcala de Henares, Madrid with more than 36000 feet.
Through a vertical manufacturing process, the group is constantly working to provide functional and aesthetic solutions.

Vertical manufacturing, from design to delivery, allows quality control and the best customer service.

Bedline has strategically selected an IN-HOUSE manufacturing process, manufacturing from the heart of Europe, with a vertical organization which allows to manage and control all processes efficiently.
Since 1995 Bedline has grown and evolving into the “storage platform bed” leader focusing on storage platform beds and standard platform beds. In 2013, they realized there was a change in the sector, and it was moving towards the selling of products in kits, so that they invested in machinery to set up a carpentry specialized in “storage beds in kit form”.
In 2014, alongside the growth of the group, and new client needs, they decided to increase the plant with 10,000 extra feet of space. Such space would be only for upholstery. With qualified employees, daily training, and dedicated work, they have managed to achieve high production levels with great quality.

Design and innovation in new products

Today’s lifestyle is seeing many people with not enough space for everything to be placed in an organized way. The bedroom is the place where we recover ourselves, a relaxing space, comfortable but also practical, where tidiness and storage allow us to rest correctly. The traditional solution in wardrobes, dresser, or closets is simply not enough space in most cases. Providing new spaces or to make a better use of the existing ones, is the most intelligent decision to solve this dilemma.

Bedline is the expert in spaces for resting and has changed the way storage beds are seen in the market, bringing to the market an improvement not only in styles but providing new patented technologies to make the use, stockage and cleaning of the bed much easier.

Development of new technologies, some of them patented, have revolutionized the market providing a high variety. A good example is the AIR TOP™ which is a great bed which breaths ensuring a better sleep and a longer product life.

Customer satisfaction as the key driver of the business

In such a highly competitive market, customer satisfaction means customer loyalty. Bedline constantly is trying to understand consumer needs, providing best products to be always our customers first. BEDLINE is committed to continued improvement on every level.

Nothing stays the same, everything evolves.

This idea shows the constant innovation of BEDLINE. Nonconformity, to question what is stablished, see everything from different angles, think of what doesn´t exist: this is the true driver behind BEDLINE. Only this can be the starting point to solve issues which no one had thought of and this is how BEDLINE works around its essential pillars: technology, quality, design and innovation.

BEDLINE products are focused to optimize the space and the wellbeing.
The brand is not only storage platform beds, but also different solutions always with great design and comfort.

Attitude of Gratitude 2021

It’s Thanksgiving week in the USA. It’s a time to reflect on the past year, and to acknowledge what we are grateful for. No matter what is happening, an attitude of gratitude makes it better.

• “I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new.”
Ralph Waldo Emmerson
• “Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.”
Vontaire
• “When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see
no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.”
Tecumseh
• “It’s a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for,
you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.”
Germany Kent
• “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now
have was once among the things you only hoped for.”
Epicuris

In the spirit of Thanksgiving week, some SSA members responded to the prompt:
Today I am (or my company is) grateful for/that…….

…I can put groceries in the cart and don't have to think about how to pay for them. I am the cook on Thanksgiving day and I am grateful that I can feed family and friends and that we finally have four containers on the water. When I think about it there are many things that I am grateful for. Jane Arason, Arason Enterprises

…wonderful people like Tambra Jones who stand for decency, good will, and respect for God’s way. Barry Cik, Naturpedic Organic

…we live in a country that we have the freedom to live the American Dream and can be whoever we want to be. Our limitations are only what we put on ourselves. Lynn Kelley, Sleep Solutions

…staying in business, serving our customers and the future is looking brighter than ever. Sarvar Abdullaev, Sleep and Beyond

…being part of a great community of people working to make the planet and our family a safer and happier place! Suzanne Diamond, The Futon Shop

…being able to show our products in such a great market. Sandra Lorenzo, Bedline

…since 1995 , all the smart, innovative and high energy people I've met and worked with through the Specialty Sleep Association (SSA). These folks have been truly special offering vision and determination like no others. Dale T. Read, The Marketing Arm

…health for me and my family in a time when health is the main focus in the times we live in, Juan Gonzalez, EuroLux Living, LLC

…the Sleep & Beyond Dream Team for their generosity and willingness to go above and beyond in helping to make the Sleep & Beyond Company what it is. Butch Craig, Sleep and Beyond

…my first grandchild that came into the world last month and the future I see enjoying time with him. Scott Frisch, Bedline

…your (the SSA) cooperation with me during these covid disruptions. I am sure I am not alone. Ryan Childers, Cannabeds

…everyone in the SSA family is healthy! Steven Wu, Coolist Sleep Technology

Best Teas To Help You Sleep

Guest Blog by McKenzie Dillon, Certified Sleep Coach | Submitted by SLUMBERYARD

If your morning caffeine craving is the main reason you get out of bed, you already know how much of an impact a warm cup of coffee or tea in your hands can have on your well-being when incorporated into your routine. 

Watching the sun rise with your trusty hot beverage by your side is a great way to kick-start your morning, but this is a practice that doesn’t just have to be relegated to the first few hours of your day. Drinking certain teas before bed can have a major impact on your health and your quality of sleep. So, break out your favorite mug, put a pot of water on to boil, and let’s take a look at the best teas to add to your bedtime routine to sleep soundly tonight. 

Brewing Up Benefits

There are several varieties of tea you’ve probably heard of, but did you know that all “true” teas come from the same plant? Camellia sinensis grows primarily in Southeast Asia and its leaves are processed in a variety of ways to bring us black, green, white, oolong, and pu-erh teas. These teas are packed with antioxidants and l-theanine to provide a natural boost of energy and help support your immune system. Herbal teas, or tisanes, are actually not derived from the tea plant but are made with fruits, flowers, roots, and spices from other plants. 

“True” tea or not, this warm beverage can have a myriad of health benefits and the process of making and drinking tea is both relaxing and downright delicious. Tea making can be a meditative process–waiting for the water to boil, gently steeping your chosen tea blend, waiting for the flavors to infuse fully–every step requires patience and precision. 

Inhaling the steam off a mug of tea and filling your belly with warm liquid in the evening can actually have a similar effect to taking a relaxing pre-bed bath or shower. Our bodies have a natural regulatory sleep cycle (circadian rhythm), which is primarily controlled by internal body temperature. When you sleep, your body temperature drops to conserve energy. Heating your skin or core gently a few hours before bed can help to kick start the cool-down process and actively make you feel sleepy. 

In its natural state, tea actually contains more caffeine than coffee. Through processing and dilution, however, a cup of tea usually ends up containing about half the caffeine that your morning cup of joe does. Before bed, though, you probably want to avoid a caffeine kick, so opting for an herbal tea or a decaf blend is the way to go. Below you can read about a few ingredients that are common in sleep tea blends, or can be brewed by themselves to reap several health benefits and induce better sleep.

1) Chamomile

This popular floral tea has a light and crisp vaguely fruity flavor. Its calming properties have made it a staple pre-bed tea, and for good reason. The antioxidants present in chamomile are purported to help reduce the stress hormone, cortisol, and increase serotonin and melatonin levels, which help alleviate stress and bring about sleep. Chamomile’s antioxidants may also help to open blood vessels, making it an exceptional choice for those looking for headache or migraine pain relief. 

2) Lavender

Not just for body lotions anymore, lavender has a myriad of calming properties. Inhaling the sweet scent of lavender has been linked to increased sleep duration and a higher concentration of REM sleep waves. It also helps to improve mood, decrease stress, and is a common natural remedy for anxiety and depression symptoms. When brewed into a tea, lavender tastes floral and mildly sweet with a faint smoky finish. 

3) Peppermint

Cool and refreshing peppermint is a great option for anyone who is kept awake by gastrointestinal issues. The menthol present in peppermint induces bile production in the stomach which aids in efficient digestion and reduces bloating and discomfort. It also has antibacterial properties that, when consumed regularly, can quash bad breath causing bacteria. Drinking peppermint tea before bed or after meals means you might be able to keep that morning dragon breath at bay.

4) Lemon Balm

This member of the mint family has been used to treat insomnia for hundreds of years. By increasing the levels of the amino acid GABA and lowering cortisol levels in the brain, lemon balm provides a calming effect that can boost mood and relieve stress without decreasing cognitive acuity. The flavor of lemon balm is a refreshing and invigorating balance of mint and citrus which helps to soothe restless minds and relax sore muscles. 

5) Valerian Root

This herb is a potent addition to any sleep tea. Valerian actually has mild sedative properties and has been used as an alternative for over the counter sleep aids and anxiety medications for decades. In fact, during WWII, Valerian grew in popularity among British tea drinkers whose nerves were on edge from the constant threat of air raids. Your life does not have to be threatened to enjoy the calming benefits of this earthy and aromatic tea, but Valerian should be used sparingly as it is possible to form an addiction to the powerful brew. 

6) Ginger

A common remedy for nausea and a staple of Ayurvedic medicine, ginger has a variety of health benefits. Whether it is consumed by brewing a sweet and spicy tea, cooked into a variety of cuisines or just chewed on in its raw form, ginger is a dynamic digestive health aid. It enhances the fat burning process of thermogenesis, can ease stomach pain and curbs feelings of hunger, making it a great substitute for your late night snack cravings. 

7) Hibiscus

If you have a sweet tooth that hits late at night, instead of reaching for a glass of wine or a handful of skittles, both of which can negatively impact your sleep, try a sweet and tangy cup of naturally decaffeinated hibiscus tea. Made from the colorful petals of the hibiscus flower, this tea is rich in free-radical fighting antioxidants and minerals which can boost your immune system and reduce your risk of heart disease, liver disease, high cholesterol, and even certain cancers. 

8) Passion Flower

When brewed, this floral tea has a light lilac color and tastes vegetal and grassy with a mild sweetness. With a little bit of honey, it is a light and refreshing drink with abundant benefits. Passion flower contains the flavone chrysin which directly impacts neurotransmitters to boost sleepiness and soothe anxiety. If you are kept awake by restless or anxious thoughts, passion flower has been proven to have similar effects as OTC drugs like Midazolam and Ambien

9) Rose/ Rose Hips

Whether you use the petals or the buds of this thorny flower garden favorite, you’ll experience countless health benefits. Rose hips offer a tart and sweetly fragrant flavor while their petals tend to impart more of a perfumy floral aroma. This plant is chock full of vitamins A and C which have immune boosting and anti-inflammatory effects. Rose can bolster your digestive system and your heart health while also helping prevent rheumatoid arthritis and other painful ailments. Additionally, rose petals can have a slightly hypnotic and sedative effect, helping you drift off to sleep more easily. 

10) Rooibos

Though sometimes called red tea, rooibos is made from the long needle-like leaves of the African Rooibos bush, and bears no relation to “true” tea. Still, this non-caffeinated tisane bears a nutty and earthy flavor profile that places it somewhere between black and green tea. In addition to vitamin C and antioxidants commonly found in teas, rooibos also contains calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and alpha hydroxyl acid. Its benefits range from increasing bone strength to boosting liver health to improving the appearance of skin, among many others. If you aren’t a fan of floral or fragrant teas, preferring a bit more spice and umami, rooibos is a great option for your bedtime tea. Rooibos compliments most spices really nicely, so we recommend trying a caffeine free rooibos masala chai or ginger turmeric blend to ease into the realm of rooibos.

Drinking a ‘cuppa before you brush your teeth can help to significantly curb insomnia and other sleep issues while also providing some power house health benefits. This list is by no means exhaustive, but should be a good place to start when looking for the perfect before-bed tea blend for you. If you are still having issues sleeping, there might be something else impacting your sleep. Whether that is an old mattress or a busted thermostat, we have information available to help you sleep right and sleep tight. 

Spotlight on NCFI Polyurethanes

SSA Members since 2013, independent foam manufacturer NCFI Polyurethanes remains loyal to their roots and values. NCFI got its start in 1964 through a partnership between Dr. Harris W. “Ace” Bradley, who had worked on the Manhattan Project during WWII, and the Barnhardt family. Dr. Bradley was a true polyurethane pioneer, credited with perfecting the single shot pour method most North American foamers use today.

Firsts didn’t stop with the single shot method. In the mid-1960s, NCFI and Bradley worked closely with NASA and another North Carolina based company Dynamic Systems to develop a slow recovery polyurethane foam to provide pressure relief in the seats being designed for our astronauts.  In 1968, NCFI sold that formulation to Dynamic Systems and they continued the development with NASA.  That formulation can be called the starting point for today’s memory foams.

In 2006 NCFI helped start the original e-commerce mattress in a box provider – BedInABox.com.  Their design team helped them create a two-piece core that, to this day, is the market leader in quality and durability.  NCFI’s premium foam core helped this original design to be rated number one overall by SleepLikeTheDead.com. In 2016 NCFI opened their state of the art, automated facility to provide a complete assortment of bedding products from components to fully finished mattresses.  Their modular design allows for production of up to 3,000 units per week, with 2022 expansion plans set to increase that number substantially.  Two years later, in 2018, the circle was complete as NCFI purchased their former partner and brought the Bed In A Box® brand in house.

Today, NCFI Polyurethanes is a leading producer of high quality, performance based polyurethane products, operating in Mt Airy NC, Houston TX, Dalton GA and Columbus MS.  The Mt Airy and Columbus locations specialize in full service bedding offerings including components, toppers, pillows, and fully finished boxed mattresses suitable for E-commerce shipments.

NCFI’s commitment to sustainability is substantial.  The Specialty Division of the business received the EPA’s prestigious Montreal Protocol Award in 2004 for their “outstanding contributions to the protection of the Earth’s ozone layer.” Since 1990 only 554 individuals, companies, organizations, and teams from 54 countries have been honored with the award. Their efforts regarding environmental stewardship and responsibility continue with their current participation with the EPA on lowering HFCs through our new SmartSPF® low global warming potential (GWP) blowing agent spray foam products.

NCFI’s Consumer Division was instrumental in the creation of the CertiPUR-US® standards with representation on both the founding technical and commercial committees.  All NCFI foams offered to the bedding and furniture industries are CertiPUR-US® approved.

Since the introduction of Natural Oil Polyols into the flexible foam industry, NCFI has been at the forefront of maximum renewable content products.  As the only US manufacturer to have a USDA Biobased certification, NCFI leads the industry with their ultra-high renewable content foams.  These foams make up the core of the Eco-Lux® mattress, the most certified mattress on the market and the only complete memory foam mattress to receive USDA BioPreferred® status.

NCFI’s direct to consumer brand BedInABox.com reflects the company’s current abilities to provide a full range of bedding and mattress solutions.  The six bed lineup starts with the opening price point Essential and continues with the Original, the brand’s classic 11” all foam model that started the entire mattress in a box industry.  The Azul® offers industry leading cooling properties, the Tranquillium® is 3 layers of performance foams covered with a cooling Tencel® cover. The Dual Hybrid Mattress™ with two separate spring layers and an industry leading coil and the aforementioned Eco-Lux® round out the line.  All models are available for brick and mortar retail partners and are eligible for private label applications for those looking for high quality products to add to their existing brands.  The entire lineup can be viewed here.

“The SSA was part of our beginning in the sleep products industry,” said NCFI’s Executive Vice President of Consumer Products Chris Bradley. “We secured a small space to test the water back in 2013 and haven’t missed a market since.  While our space needs have grown beyond the SSA, we are still active and see great value in continuing our membership.  The SSA is comprised of independent, innovative and quality conscious manufacturers and companies.  The pretty much sums up NCFI.”

Dan Manning, Chis Bradley and Larry Morris

Member Spotlight: Emma - The Sleep Company

Newest SSA Member and January Showroom Exhibitor is Emma – The Sleep Company. Emma is a founder-managed company and with 1.5 million mattresses sold in 2020 the world’s leading Direct-to-consumer sleep brand. Founded in 2013 by Dr. Dennis Schmoltzi and Manuel Mueller, the Sleep Tech company is headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany, with additional locations in Manila (Philippines), Lisbon (Portugal) and Shanghai (China). In 2020, the company achieved a turnover of EUR 405 million (USD 494.7 million), a growth rate of 170% from the previous year. Being one of the most fast-paced European companies, Emma intends to keep gathering momentum.  In 2022 Emma plans to place a heavy focus on global brick and mortar retail with differentiated products from its online business.

In the US, Emma has hired Sleep veteran, Scott Smalling, to heads its Retail division and lead the US product developments and introductions. Smalling has a long history with first to market innovations and plans to bring many new innovations to the market in 2022 and beyond.

Test Lab at Emma’s HQ Frankfurt, Germany

The flagship product is the Emma® bed-in-a-box, which is currently available in more than 30 countries. The mattress is sold directly to consumers via a diversified customer experience that includes several digital touchpoints as well as about 3,000 stores. The successful omnichannel strategy has been made possible by partnerships with several retailers.

Some Emmies in our HQ, based in Frankfurt (Germany)

 Emma's research and development team is a leader in sleep technology. The team of over 30 people develops innovative products that make a positive impact on people’s lives by enhancing their sleep. In doing so, Emma launched the world’s most advanced smart mattress: the Emma Motion. To scale the business and innovate as fast as possible, Emma’s 700+ team members are constantly creating and implementing new concepts to optimize everything from their global supply chains to marketing and sales. The company keeps its sharp competitive edge by staying agile, discovering pragmatic solutions to challenges, and maintaining a digital mindset. The team celebrates and encourages diversity in all areas: diversity of thought, character, ideas, and background.

The Emma Mission: Awakening the best in people.
To achieve their mission, they are living a unique company DNA. They consist of more than 700 ambitious Emmies (what they call themselves internally) dedicated to sleep and keeping their startup spirit despite growth. They stay agile, non-hierarchical and disruptive and are not satisfied with established, traditional routines. They empower everyone to identify opportunities and take ownership, no matter what their age, position or seniority is. They focus on keeping an entrepreneurial spirit, questioning the status quo and coming up with innovative and disruptive ideas to fulfill their mission.

Dr. Dennis Schmoltzi is CEO and Co-Founder, “Internationalization, diversity and collaboration are deeply rooted within our company DNA. It is anchored in each of our more than 700 ‘Emmies’ – how we call us internally – and the basis for our success. Only through the right mindset of our team members we ensure to stay agile and to drive innovation, day by day, in order to improve sleep worldwide.”

Understanding sleep is Emma’s priority.
They follow a customer-centric approach: they want to understand and learn more about how people sleep and what they need in order to achieve a good night of sleep – in more than 30 countries by now. Therefore, they have a RnD team of more than 30 highly motivated talents is constantly challenging the status quo in order to reinvent sleep.

Manuel Mueller is CEO and Co-Founder, “Our RnD team works every day on proving the value and importance of sleep and translating this into innovative, ground-breaking, and state-of-the-art products that ensure that we are improving sleep – wholistically and worldwide. That´s what our R&D achieves: using their passion for science to fuel a high level of excellence.”

Dr. Verena Senn is a Neuroscientist and Head of Sleep Research at Emma. “Sleep is a natural mood booster. Getting a good amount of sleep each night awakens you to be the best version of yourself by giving your mind and body the time necessary to recharge and awaken feeling refreshed, alert, and in a good mood. Think of achieving optimal sleep (at least between 7-9 hours per night) like charging a battery. When the battery (you) is fully charged, it’ll have all the positive energy and motivation it needs to perform well in all aspects of life.”

Dr. Dennis Schmoltzi
CEO and Co-Founder

Manuel Mueller
CEO and Co-Founder

Dr. Verena Senn
Neuroscientist
Head of Sleep Research

WE’VE GOT THE SLEEP PRODUCTS YOU NEED – IN STOCK AND READY TO SHIP

Eight different companies in one showroom - the SSA Sleep Pavilion (C1565).

This Summer Market the Specialty Sleep Association’s Sleep Pavilion in C1565 is presenting eight different companies LIVE and in-person; and eight different company product displays set up with rep availability via phone or online contact.  “Retailers are experiencing supply chain disruptions and looking for products they can offer their customers in a timely fashion.  The companies who are with us this market have their products in stock and ready to ship, ready to get retailers what they need to satisfy their customers,” said SSA Executive Directory Tambra Jones. 

Brand new to the Las Vegas Market, and debuting in the SSA Sleep Pavilion is the Spanish platform bed company BEDLINE.  Represented by industry veteran, Scott Frisch of Discover Sleep, they are a leading manufacture platform beds, headboards, and mattresses in the EU.
“We feel there’s a great opportunity for products made from Spain in the USA market. We are particularly excited about our line of platform beds with storage that are designed for the e-commerce market.” said Ernesto Galan, CEO at Bedline. “Hector Alcantara, our General Manager sees a bright future ahead for our product line in the US market.”

Storage Made Simple.  “It’s very exciting to bring this novel product to the US,” said Scott Frisch, Founder, Discover Sleep. Bedline has been extraordinarily successful in the EU. There is no doubt about the need for storage in the bedroom. Bedline offers a very wide selection of quality platform bases with a unique storage feature. With the growth of online mattress sales, we feel this will make a great complimentary product for the consumer as it can be shipped in the same way. When you consider the continuing shift in global manufacturing and trade, Spain is becoming a more and more attractive source of furniture products for the US market.” 

The other Spanish-made bedding line in the showroom is luxury mattress manufacturer BESTREST, who will introduce 2 new models this Summer Market; The Harmony and Multisens models.
The Harmony Mattress was designed and developed with the Italian Government for their new "Go To Showroom" in NYC, as part of our new Elite Collection.  It is made with Luxurious Italian components along with German components/technology and finished and assembled in Spain.   It features Natural Memory Foam Technology, Pocketed Microcoils and Pocketed Coils with a Natural Memory Foam Exterior Barrier and other Layers of Advanced Technology.  It is Oeko-tex certified and Antimite.

The Harmony by BestRest

The Harmony's Viscotermic Technology incorporates reactive PCM (Phase Change Material) microcapsules causing the absorption of excess energy (heat) when the body temperature rises. This same energy is subsequently released when the body temperature is reduced, thus maintaining thermal comfort.  The Avent layer incorporates aromatherapy made with key components sourced from the Swiss Alps.
Designed by the best Italian, German and Spanish mattress builders, The Multisens Mattress is for the discerning consumer seeking all the best in a single mattress. In addition to superb comfort and support, the Multisens offers the best in sleep technology that includes Viscometric Comfort Tech for temperature control, 1250 Pocketed Coils, natural viscose, Airfill 100% Hypoallergenic Fiber, Hipersoft foam for perfect firmness, Biocell high density foam, Thermofress fabric for breathability of the mattress and fresh coolness, reversability for winter/summer comfort and memory foam.

Not only are the I LOVE PILLOW | I LOVE MATTRESS products in stock and ready to ship, they ship FREIGHT FREE.  They are showing their full line of Pillows, Mattress Toppers, and their new I Love Mattress Collection. They have Copper-Infused Memory Foam and Hybrids that are all shipped freight-free to your store, or consumer.

With their EZ – Ordering process, they set no minimum order quantities. All their products are available on the EZ – Order Form and are ready to ship as soon as you place your order — available in both drop ship or case-pack delivery.

Returning to the SSA Sleep Pavilion after a bit of a hiatus is UFP Industrial, with their Cinch Sleeper System.  They will be showing these Platform Bed Foundation Kits which are easy to assemble (no tools required) and come in Twin through Cal King sizes. 

The Studio Platform by Cinch Sleeper Systems

There are several great options for adjustable bases in the SSA Sleep Pavilion. 

W.SILVER PRODUCTS will have its’s full line of bed frames and adjustables on display.  “We have product in stock for IMMEDIATE DELIVERY” says Sales Manager Brent Polunsky, “plus I’m a nice guy, come talk to m

The SS45 Isometric by W. Silver

SLEEP SOLUTIONS is celebrating its 3rd year at market introducing New IP innovation and quality Adjustable Bases. They offer custom container programs for Adjustable Bases or partial direct shipment from their warehouse facilities to your door. They supply the best electronics and features at very competitive direct-to-you pricing. They will feature their Rocking Base, Hi/Lo Lift System and a few new surprise introductions.

The Split Head 2 by Sleep Solutions/Sleep In Motion

Made in the USA, ASSURED COMFORT Hi-Low adjustable beds are offered in three unique models, each model offering a different Hi-Low foundation. Signature, Platform and Mobile Series come in twin, full, queen and split-king sizes. Hi-Low beds offer easier transfers from in and out of bed. Offered in a wide selection of headboards and footboards in wood, fabric and metal finishes.  

From the AC Mobile Series by Assured Comfort

SLEEP & BEYOND will be adding 3 amazing products to its collection.
The new 3 inch myWoolly Latex Toppers are made from some of the nature’s purest fibers. Covered in all-natural cotton encasement, filled with two layers of 100% washable wool batting and mix of 100% pure latex noodles and 100% washable woolly puffs in between, this topper will have you feel like you are sleeping on a cloud. Designed for a year-round use and soothing for those who have chemical sensitivities, certain allergies, and/or suffer from certain health challenges. Their Shropshire premium wool offers resilience which provides a natural support system that evenly distributes body weight as you sleep eliminating the pressure points from your mattress. Wool fiber controls and regulates body temperature as it eliminates moisture build up, is breathable, naturally resistant to mold and mildew, and does not contain any flame retardant chemicals.

myTraining Pillow - The ultimate 100% natural and adjustable sleep training pillow. Developed together with health professionals, it is commonly used to help treat a variety of conditions affecting the neck and shoulders.  This wool pillow gently supports the head and neck for better sleep. The soothing support helps maintain the spine in its natural position for a more tension-releasing sleep. Ships in a high loft for easy adjustment.  Fluffy, soft wool makes this pillow plush and comfortable. Adjust the pillow’s firmness by removing wool puffs. 

My Training Pillow by Sleep and Beyond

Steel Grey certified organic sheet set. This remarkably soft, highly breathable, and naturally hypoallergenic sheet set will rival those found in the world’s finest five-star hotels. Woven with high-quality and sustainable organic cotton, it is made using no pesticides and carcinogenic chemicals. Each set is durable, pre-shrunk, and comes in reusable and biodegradable cotton packaging. 

Chest beds from Arason Enterprises, Bio friendly mattresses from Arcusbeds, Hemp mattresses and pillows from Cannabeds, Organic pillows from Coolist, Top-of-Bed products from Electropedic, Organic mattresses, futons and sofas from The Futon Shop, Mattress display units from Select-A-Matt, and Wallbeds fromFor Stellar/Cyme Tech, will all be on display and are open for virtual and telephone sales during market.

For more information about the SSA Sleep Pavilion visit https://www.sleepinformation.org/las-vegas-market-summer-2021

For a virtual tour of the SSA Sleep Pavilion visit https://www.sleepinformation.org/showroom-request

Member Spotlight on BestRest, LLC

Bestrest, LLC is the US Division of family-owned and operated mattress factory called Poligon-Naturalia, headquartered in Spain. Poligon-Naturalia has been designing mattresses and furniture since 1966 for the European and Asian markets. Having become one of the most innovative manufacturers in the world, it’s five divisions in Europe focus on Medical, Hospitality, Retail, Green Technologies and Furniture, Bestrest collaborates primarily with Naturalia, the branch focused on developing the company’s latest innovative technologies.

Poligon Naturalia Factory

Juan Gonzalez, President

Eduardo Bautista came from the factory in Spain to start Bestrest LLC in 2010. After months of analyzing market tendencies and deficiencies in the US market he was able to develop first BestRest model, “Lux by Naturalia”. Asked about the focus of the company, BestRest President Juan Claudio Gonzalez said, “We see the company’s US mission is to create our own unique categories and position ourselves as a beacon of change and innovation. We see so many companies in a race to the bottom and so many brands have diminished their brand’s reputation and the product’s shelf life. We want to bring back the focus on luxury, quality, personalization and uniqueness. Luxury and Earth-friendliness does not need to mean crazy prices. We struggled initially to get traction in the market since we only had the one mattress model, but we realized that mattress retailers were missing diversification and tended to have numerous overlaps in their showrooms. We needed to capitalize on what made us so special”.
BestRest was able to create strong synergies with brands like B&B Italia, Molteni, Dada,  Solesdi,  Gianfranco Ferre, Roberto Cavalli, Boffi, Cote France and many more.  These brands were looking to partner with a company that could deliver luxury levels which matched their own, and a product line that permitted them to offer something special to their clients.  The BestRest green, luxurious and unique mattresses resonated well with this part of the industry.   During this same time BestRest teamed up with what they felt was the most luxurious adjustable base manufacturer in the US market along with a few selective linen manufacturers from Europe.   

Green Planet pillow

Lux by Naturalia

Through their Hospitality division BestRest began projects with the Intercontinental Hotel, Carlyle Hotel, Ritz Carlton Miami Beach and the World Equestrian Center in Ocala.  “We see so many brands developing product lines with higher price points but the industry is missing true innovation,”  Mr Gonzalez commented. “Clients will always be willing to pay higher prices for a mattress if they perceive the value as being higher and worthwhile…but if we continue to repackage the same old mattress in a nicer ticking, we do them a huge disservice.  Clients are smarter and more demanding and they will no longer settle for mediocre. We have encountered some clients that believe everything they read online, but there are many more that are as knowledgeable as we are.  It is our responsibility to guide them and point them in the right direction even if that means they purchase a competitors product”. 
Over the last 4 years BestRest has focused on expanding its product line.  The Green Planet Pillow was the first of many additions, having all the benefits and attributes of the Lux model and offering so much to the consumer.  It was designed using their proprietary Soy-based memory foam with the highest level (almost 50%) of natural components, featuring a winter and summer side made with Cashmere, Organic Cotton and Bamboo.  The pillow is Oeko Tex certified, infused with Aromatherapy, and was designed with the perfect level of weight, density and thickness.   

Thermovisco Mattress

Next to be developed were the Quietud mattress and the Thermovisco mattress. These new models were spurred on by the invitation for BestRest to collaborate in the launch of Vidalta Mexico, the most luxurious residential project in the history of Mexico City. The project required a luxurious mattress on the caliber of the Lux for the Master bedrooms as well as a special type of mattress for the other bedrooms. The Quietud and Thermovisco offered the required beauty and luxury, and since they are double sided mattresses, they had the versatility the project required. The Quietud also included an advanced Pocketed Coil system and the Thermovisco incorporated the BestRest proprietary Ecolife material in line with the company’s sustainable and clean the ocean initiative.
About two years ago the company’s focus expanded their health and wellness initiatives.  The development of their next model, Rejuvenyx, focused almost exclusively on health.  Its Phottex material has been clinically proven to improve the circulation of the blood, reducing muscle aches and pains, increasing collagen levels in the skin and improving the elasticity and firmness levels in the skin.   The Rejuvenyx also uses their proprietary Soy based memory foam to offer the most earth friendly and supportive option in the market.

Rejuvenyx Mattress

Prive Mattress

Natur Mattress

At the end of 2019 the factory launched the Prive and Natur models, designed to be the most luxurious mattresses in the world. Each mattress takes factory artisans about a week to hand make, using the most luxurious materials. The Prive model was designed to be a show piece for high end furniture showrooms. Prive has been awarded the prize for Craftmanship and Innovation at the 2020 International Furniture Fair in Europe.
In 2021 the company was given the opportunity to collaborate with the Italian Government in the development of one of what they report is the most exclusive showrooms in NYC, which will include over 40 of the most luxurious European brands. This project will have direct access to renowned building developers, interior designers and hotel developers in the US. BestRest developed the Elite Collection for this project, incorporating only the best materials from Italy, Germany and Spain. Both the Harmony and the Multisens are part of a three piece collection that make up the Elite Collection. This new collection will round out BestRest’s “perfect combination” of comfort levels and materials, creating a luxury sleeping experience for every consumer. The Elite Collection includes materials that specialize in thermoregulation of the mattress temperature, providing aromatherapy, and giving a unique level of support and comfort.
Best Rest continues its collaboration with the US State Department, working on supplying mattresses for US Embassies around the world.  They have also strengthened their relationships with luxury-focused hotel groups and new retail projects involving numerous A-list celebrities, and which will offer a unique assortment of products in the mattress retail segment throughout the US.   

Harmony

Multisens

The BestRest team continues working closely with their factory to offer the most luxurious, sustainable,  green and relevant product lines addressing the real issues that today’s consumers encounter.  Says Mr. Gonzalez, “It is time that sleepers can “FALL IN LOVE WITH SLEEPING ALL OVER AGAIN. We do not create models as step ups simply for price points.  Our competitors merchandising seems to be at ‘add an inch add $100US’.  Every BestRest model is purpose built and stands on its own with specific features and benefits making it unique.  This is why our branding focus is on the individual models rather than the corporate brand  itself.”   
“Sadly marketing in the bedding industry has become a game of all talk and very little substance”, he continues. “We insure that all of the technologies and innovations we incorporate are proven and offer life changing benefits.  We may not win the advertising game but we will win the hearts and minds of consumers yearning for improved health and sleep.”     
Gonzalez finished with this, “Through Best Rest I have been able to fulfill a dream to make a difference in peoples’ lives and push against the tendencies of the industry.  As a long time entrepreneur I wanted to bring a breath of fresh air and make my own path, the right path that will hopefully shape this industry forever.”

World Equestrian Center

Member Spotlight: I Love Pillow \ I Love Mattress

In January 2009 I Love Pillow began exhibiting in the first SSA Las Vegas showroom, which was located on the 13th floor in C Building. They continue to innovate, develop and expand. We are fortunate to have them with us in Las Vegas now and indefinitely.

THE BEGINNING OF THE BRAND
For over 25 years, we have considered ourselves ‘foam experts,’ engineers who manufacture foam for automotive companies such as Tesla, GM, and Ford — right here in the USA. We have been told our memory foam is unlike any competitors — it is undeniably the softest, lightest, and most supportive foam we have ever felt. After being obsessed with foam for over two decades, we decided to expand our business into bedding products. It was not until we crafted our very first prototype and our owner’s daughter said it best, “I Love this Pillow!” We decided to let the name stick because that is exactly how we want all our customers to feel.

AWARD-WINNING PROPRIETARY MEMORY FOAM PILLOWS, MADE IN THE USA
We pride ourselves on being experts in memory foam. Not only does our Pillow line contain our very own award-winning proprietary memory foam, but it also includes a wide variety of our favorite pillow covers. Whether you sleep hot or cold, we have your new favorite pillow that will be sure to give you Instant Comfort & All Night Support. Our fabrics provide benefits such as actively cooling, the softest microfiber, 300-thread count Tencel, and quality cotton material. All our Pillow Covers are machine washable and guaranteed to last you a lifetime. Thanks to SleepFoundation.org, we have recently been recognized in the following categories and have been given awards for:

Best Pillows of 2020 for Back Pain
Best Memory Foam — Contour Pillow
Best Temperature Control

MEMORY FOAM MATTRESS TOPPERS
We started to expand into Mattress Toppers when we continued to get feedback from customers mentioning they wanted the same comfort and support for their entire body, not just their head. Since we are obsessed with memory foam and are the experts, we extended the brand to I Love Mattress. We took all the same feature benefits of our pillows and designed our Mattress Toppers into a product our customers would love. Now your entire body can rest peacefully on our breathable, conforming, and supportive memory foam that responds to you. Our unique Body Zone® design allows for maximum pressure relief and comfort, plus is CertiPUR-US® Certified.

MEMORY FOAM AND HYBRID MATTRESSES
What first started out as strictly a pillow company, has now transformed into so much more. In the most recent years, we have placed a significant amount of importance behind our product development. From the beginning, our Out Cold Pillow has always been a crowd favorite and that is why we have created our Out Cold memory foam and hybrid mattress line! The collection includes seven distinct mattresses, varying in firmness and actively cooling and copper benefits. What makes us different from any competitor is that both the supportive layers and mattress covers consist of copper and antibacterial benefits. Each mattress cover is removable with a zipper and machine washable. Just like our Mattress Toppers, our Mattresses are CertiPUR-US® Certified and shipped in a box.

FIND YOUR PERFECT FIT
A reason why our customers love our products is because we give them options. With our website’s online Pillow Quiz and Mattress Quiz, we assist our customers in narrowing down their perfect fit. Customers can self-select our products after answering a few questions. Try it out for yourself!

            Pillow Quiz: https://www.ilovepillow.com/pages/pillow-quiz
            Mattress Quiz: https://www.ilovepillow.com/pages/mattress-quiz

OUR PHILANTHROPY
Since the beginning, we have partnered with local companies to help our community and friends in need. We regularly donate all exchanged and returned products to charities such as Humble Design, United Way, and Sharetown. Charities such as Humble Design changes lives and communities by furnishing the homes of families and veterans emerging from homelessness. It is companies like these that assist us in supporting our community and helping spread the love!

Survey Indicates Attendance Ramping Up For Las Vegas

The Specialty Sleep Association conducted a survey last week asking past Las Vegas Market attendees about their plans for the upcoming August 2021 and January 2022 Markets. The results are encouraging.

More retailers said YES to the August Market than no. 46% of the retailers said they are planning on attending, which is up considerably over the past April attendance. An additional 13% are still considering it, and 41% said they would pass on the August event. This translates to between 120 - 150 buying groups indicating they will visit the Las Vegas Market, and indeed, the SSA showroom in August.

The results for the January 2022 attendance projection is even better. Only 12% of the retailers said they would not attend. 66% were a YES and 22% were a MAYBE.

These numbers are very encouraging to the SSA showroom vendors, and to Las Vegas vendors overall. The city of Las Vegas is wide open now, and trade shows and events are coming back with strong participation. “We are looking forward to welcoming more retailers into our showroom this Summer Market. Our vendor participation is up from the April Market, and we have a brand new vendor debuting their European beds this coming Market” said SSA Executive Director Tambra Jones. “We should all congratulate one another for weathering the past year with grace and integrity. We at the SSA will be here to support our vendors and members as they navigate into the next year. Contact me if we can help.”

The SSA showroom has showroom spots available for the upcoming Las Vegas Market. Contact Jones and/or click here for your information.

Tambra Jones
tambra@sleepinformation.org
559-676-8639 mobile

Tips to Better Slumber for Seniors

By guest blogger June Duncan

Photo Credit: Pixabay
June Duncan works with RISE UP FOR CAREGIVERS. She can be reached at june_duncan@riseupforcaregivers.org.

There’s a common myth that as we age, we need less sleep. This misconception likely springs from observations that older individuals seem to go to bed early and wake-up even earlier. That being said, there is evidence to suggest that several health factors contribute to seniors sleeping less. Often, seniors sleep lighter and are more likely to have chronic health conditions, take multiple medications, and be less physically active -- all of which interfere with a good night’s sleep. If this sounds like you, consider taking a few steps to set yourself up for sleep success.

Prepare Your Body for Sleep           
Did you know that our sleep needs remain constant throughout adulthood? That’s right, almost all adults need about seven to nine hours of good quality sleep per night. If you felt your best with eight hours of sleep when you were younger, you need to aim for eight hours or sleep as a senior. One easy first step is to give yourself plenty of time to wind down before bed. For at least one hour, turn off the television and your electronic devices and do something that you find relaxing -- put on some soothing music, have a warm bath, pick up a favorite book, or sit quietly with a non-caffeinated tea or warm milk. Relaxing before bed will not only help you fall asleep, but you’ll also stay asleep. 

Get a Good Mattress
How long has it been since you replaced your mattress? It’s amazing how the years go by and suddenly you’ve been sleeping on the same mattress for 20 years. Older mattresses tend to be less comfortable and can leave individuals feeling sore and poorly rested. A new mattress is a sizable investment, so the Specialty Sleep Association notes doing some research before you start “test-driving” at your local mattress store is important.  
Another idea is to talk to your doctor. They might not be familiar with mattresses but they are familiar with your health and can make suggestions for you to share with the salespeople at the mattress store.  

Diet and Exercise
Improving your overall physical health can go a long way to improve the quality of your sleep. Better nutrition and more exercise ring as true now as it did when we were younger.
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and steer clear of heavy, spicy foods at your evening meal. If you are waking in the night to urinate, limit the amount of liquid you ingest in the evening. Jean Hailes suggests avoiding coffee, chocolate, cola, coffee or other caffeinated products at least a couple of hours before bedtime.   
Walking is an “available to almost everyone” way to increase your muscle mass, prevent bone loss, improve sleep, and improve balance along with a number of other benefits. Many seniors are strapping on fitness trackers and pedometers to track daily steps, distance traveled, and calories burned. As a result, individuals often feel more motivated to get and stay active. Some trackers, like Fitbit, even issue Badges for achievements and encourage users to form groups and communities to spur each other on.   

Home Health Treatments 
There are sometimes health-related reasons you aren’t sleeping well, and a home remedy is in order. For instance, you might have developed GERD, and need to add a wedge-shaped pillow to your bedding. Sometimes it’s something you’ve lived with your whole life, like misaligned teeth. And there are nonsurgical treatments that can correct issues such as a misalignment, like clear teeth aligners.
Clear teeth aligners are designed specifically for you by a dental professional, but they don’t require you to visit an office for routine appointments. This therapy is far less costly than braces or Invisalign, it works quickly, and it’s convenient. How convenient? You’ll want to compare specific treatment options to find the right one for your circumstances; while byte has the fastest treatment time, SmileDirectClub has 300+ physical “SmileShops” nationwide if in-office help is needed. And keep in mind that while they won’t correct every type of misalignment, they are effective in correcting spacing and minor bite issues and can even be used to whiten your teeth. 

When to Talk to Your Doctor
It’s likely that a change in bedtime routine, an improvement in diet and exercise, and a new mattress will improve your night’s sleep; however, any time you have a concern about your health, you should consult with your doctor. As Self explains, there may be an underlying cause for your restless nights and your doctor can diagnose and help treat the problem.  
Getting older doesn’t have to mean less sleep. If you are waking up multiple times a night or have trouble falling asleep, consider implementing a few of the steps above. Your body and your mind will thank you!

June Duncan
RISE UP FOR CAREGIVERS
june_duncan@riseupforcaregivers.org

Member Spotlight: BLU SLEEP - A Visual and Verbal History

Family trip to Italy in 2019 with our sons Alessandro and Stefano. This picture was taken in Amalfi in the countryside.

Imagine yourself surrounded by beautiful and calming ocean views – the sound of the waves lapping at the shore, the feel of the sand between your toes, and the smell of salt water. Looking out, you catch a glimpse of all the vibrant colors of the rainbow – brilliant reds, golden yellows, pastel pinks, sea-foam greens, light lavenders, saffron oranges, and electric blues.

These sensory references encouraged Blu Sleep’s husband-and-wife co-founders, Alex Ciccolella and Elizabeth Dell’Accio, to develop the company’s wellness-oriented sleep products.  Using European engineered Italian colorful foam, Blu Sleep’s pillows and mattresses are made with distinctly unique technology and materials including essential oil infused foam, washable memory foam, water expanded memory foam and foamed gel.

“Some of our best memories were our summer trips to the south of Italy. We were both drawn to the calm and soothing feeling of the water and the sand,” says Dell’Accio. “We wanted to share the experience that brings us back to those beautiful landscapes, culinary experiences, and the vivre of the culture which truly inspired us to create what Blu Sleep is today. Everything from our patented technologies, essential oils, and even the signature ‘blue’ in our logo echo the personal homage we pay to those memories.”

Ceramo is the latest in Blu Sleep's innovation. This ultra-breathable machine-washable foam has a cooling bio-ceramic layer that gives the body benefits of an infrared spa.

THE BIRTH OF A BRAND

Raised in a family of luxury Italian furniture craftsmen, Elizabeth inherited her eye for quality from her parents. Alex, who was educated as a bio-chemist, had the imagination of an inventor, the gift to question standards, and liked to invent new solutions to existing problems. When the two married, the couple realized by bringing their experiences together they opened the door for new business opportunities in the home furnishings industry.

In 1997, before the birth of their children, Elizabeth noticed that baby mattresses, made from plastics that were not breathable or cooling, were not comfortable for infants. The couple worked together to create a new category of memory foam – one that was both breathable and safe – marking the beginning of a journey that would eventually become their life’s work.

 Alex and Elizabeth started Blu Sleep, a latex foam supplier for the mattress industry, in 2006. The company’s principles focused on the belief that advanced chemistry, quality manufacturing, innovation, and strong R & D can improve the way people sleep. Realizing that pillows were an important yet underdeveloped part of the sleep products industry, Blu Sleep shifted its focus to making finished pillow offerings for small manufacturers and retailers which, through private labeling, led to success in their Canadian homeland. When distribution expanded into the United States, the company started selling mattresses and pillows under the Blu Sleep brand.

Our CONFORMA mattress is our most innovative offering that provides luxurious supportive sleep with the best technology Blu Sleep has to offer.

WHEN SCIENCE AND SLEEP MEET

After three years in development, the company’s first breathable and cooling foams were brought to market as the Blu Sleep AIRFLOW pillow. The introduction surprised and delighted industry professionals and encouraged Blu Sleep to partner with Italian foam suppliers to develop innovative products – specifically designed to provide the same kind of restorative and refreshing night’s sleep Alex and Elizabeth experienced during their trips to southern Italy.

“Our products are made with water expanded foams – a process that uses water instead of chemicals to expand our pillow foams for a more natural product,” explains Alex. “Each Blu Sleep offering is designed with Sleep Cool Technology which works by using breathable and heat dissipating materials to keep your body at the perfect sleeping temperature. This technology is specially engineered in our pillow and mattress foams as well as our covers to absorb body heat, keeping you cool all night long.”

CONFORMA wins the approval of even the fluffiest of critics

The company started manufacturing and marketing a whole line of breathable foams that include best sellers ICE GEL and BIO ALOE. These breathable foam and gel products continue to win accolades and praise from editors and industry critics alike. Today, Blu Sleep offers an entire range of sleep products including mattresses as well as accessories.

While many home furnishings companies use foams that produce off gassing, Blu Sleep’s foam pillows and mattresses are Oeko-Tex certificated, which ensures they have been tested for harmful substances and have met all safety standards. Because it uses water as an expansion agent, Blu Sleep’s memory foam, latex and gels are cleaner and more environmentally-friendly. Each product also features an open-cell structure, so they are non-temperature-sensitive ensuring you stay cool as you sleep.

Today, Blu Sleep’s pillow lineup includes memory and gel foam, infused with essential oils including sleep inducing scents such as chamomile, lavender and green tea. While both breathable foams are designed to support both your head and neck, each has its own unique feel. The company’s memory foams are quick responding and envelop you so you feel cozy while the gel foams are more breathable than traditional memory foam and have a softer, bouncier feel.

The company’s breathable mattresses are designed from “the base up” using advance foam technologies to better suit your individual sleep needs. Shaped into adaptive columns, or Air Pods, Blu Sleep’s base foams keep the spine aligned and lets air flow through up and out. Each Air Pod is adaptive and moves independently to conform to the unique shape of the body and pressure points.

Blu Sleep’s husband-and-wife co-founders, Alex Ciccolella and Elizabeth Dell’Accio

PROMOTING BEAUTY SLEEP

With the company’s streamlined logo, Blu Sleep wanted to pay homage to Italy, where its foam is manufactured.  A refreshing blue hue was selected to represent the vibrant ocean water of Southern Italy. On its side, the stylized “B” of the insignia evokes the shape of a plush mattress and pillow and the bold typography marries style with functionality. The new point-of-purchase (POP) and packaging highlights Blu Sleep’s unique construction and materials such as water-expanded foam, essential oils, aromatherapy and breathable fabrics.

Blu Sleep’s branding and marketing campaign focuses on the company’s innovative features and technologies that help transform sleep into  part of a beauty and wellness ritual. Designed to emphasize the spa-like feeling consumers can experience each night on Blu Sleep mattresses and pillows, the company believes the simplified narrative on the POP and packaging tells a visual story to which consumers can emotionally connect.

Blu Sleep began their sojourn with the Specialty Sleep Association in October 2011, when they exhibited in the SSA’s High Point showroom. SSA Executive Director Tambra Jones remembers, “They were part of the SSA’s showroom neighborhood in both Las Vegas and High Point until January 2014 when they opened their own showroom in Las Vegas. We are elated at their success, however we miss them!”

October 2011 in the SSA’s High Point showroom. Tambra’s flip phone has Elizabeth and Alex in the dark - but their product lineup looked good!

Today’s Las Vegas showroom - B960

Las Vegas April Market Wrap-Up

This was one for the record books. COVID19 made its mark on the Las Vegas Market in so many ways, including the postponement from January to April. There was the temperature-taking before entering the Market; the no-badge rule set by the State of Nevada (our phones were our badges, so there was no easy identifying who were buyers or sellers or what…); the stickers on the elevator floors allowing only 5 spots per car, the ghost-town feel of the courtyard between buildings; the masks mandated to be worn (but the level of “askew-ness” was not a seeming issue); and the marked “quiet” that engulfed the entire event.

The Specialty Sleep Association showroom was open with 5 member companies open and present in the room. There were another 9 companies who had their displays in tact, but were available only via phone.

The SSA February survey indicated that about 30% of attendees were planning to attend. There was indeed that number who came through the showroom, with about half of that being buyers. It was a quiet show. Exhibitors in the SSA showroom, and around the market said that the buyers who were there were serious, and the meetings that happened were meaningful. The comments below each photo below show the spectrum of the April experience in Las Vegas.

SSA Director Tambra Jones reflected, “Although it was a quiet market, it was a time to reconnect. Everyone I spoke with was looking forward to the August show, and optimistic about the vibrancy that will come back to the Las Vegas Market. We at the SSA are absolutely optimistic about the return of the vibrancy of the Las Vegas Market!“ On that note, please contact Tambra if she can help you with your August Las Vegas plans. Call or email her at Tambra@sleepinformation.org or 559-868-4287 office / 559-676-8639 mobile.

Brent Polunsky, W.Silver Frames: “Although traffic was down significantly, I believe our traffic met our expectations. The quality of the buyers that went through the space was good, and they were not tire kickers! I met with the right people, and I opened up significant new accounts. I think the market was worth attending for my company.”

Jane Arason, Arason Enterprises: “This was not a good a show from a business perspective. I wish we had skipped it. We did take an order and met a few potential new customers. There is always some positive follow up from the advertising, too. We got to see friends that are out west and that was a plus.”

Butch Craig, Sleep and Beyond: “Sleep & Beyond had a good April 2021 Vegas Market. We launched three new products and the following results speak for the success of the market for Sleep & Beyond. Visitors: 12 companies - Seven States - 24 Buyers- Two Leads. The April Vegas Market was a Dress Rehearsal for the Vegas August 22-26 Market which is only four months away.

There is an old saying! Same song different verse! Success is 80% Showing and 20% Follow Up! Plan your work & Work Your Plan! The Right Frame Of Mind Work Every Time.”

The IMC Mask Patrol Unit

Juan Gonzalez, BestRest: “It was much slower than I expected but iIsaved the trip with my trip thru California.”

Lynn Kelly, Sleep in Motion: “Wish I had skipped not enough there. Wasn’t worth the expense.”

Member Spotlight: Arcusbeds Organic and Natural Mattresses from Europe

The idea for Arcusbeds developed organically (no pun intended!) over several years--the result of personal lifestyle preferences, family origins, career histories and business decisions all coming together in the form of a top-quality, honest, 100% organic and natural bedding product that we are very proud to sell.     

Since childhood, Peter Laurens, Founder and CEO of Baltica Natural Products, LLC, has had a personal preference for using natural, chemical-free materials in everyday life, even when many things we now take for granted, like 100% cotton shirts and sheets, natural toothpaste and the like,  were not easy to find in the mainstream.  Growing up in a family of physicians, he has always been very health-conscious.

While working in international finance in the mid-2010’s, he seized the opportunity to turn this long-lasting lifestyle into a business.  A search for investment deals in Europe turned into a quest to find manufacturers there who operate on ecological principles and share a commitment to making top-quality natural and organic products.  He was joined in the search by a close relative, an orthopedic surgeon and beekeeper in the Baltic States, who contributed his wide expertise in human physiology, the healthcare business and organic farming. 

After looking at many different European companies and business fields, they settled upon organic and natural bedding as the most promising market for a business in which to collaborate.  After finding a top-level producer in Lithuania who shared their vision for ecological bedding and sustainable production, “we were off to the races”, Peter says.  “We took their excellent, existing product as a base and made it even more upscale, designing a dual-sided, robust product with heavy layering of the finest-quality organic and natural materials, including organic wool and organic cotton, organic Dunlop latex and horsehair.  Materials are sourced from certified producers—mostly in South Asia and Europe—and our product is manufactured under very high quality and safety standards.  Arcusbeds has a complex structure that provides lumbar support and incredible comfort at the same time—a combination that can be difficult to achieve, but we have—and the product speaks for itself.” 

Peter Laurens is describing his mattress to Anthony Page in the SSA Showroom during the Las Vegas Market.

Right now, Arcusbeds sells its two flagship models; Organic Classic—a multi-zoned, hand-nested pocket-coil line with two different comfort levels, and Organic Asana—a multi-zoned Dunlop latex line with a split core and three comfort levels.  Both are on display at the SSA showroom at the Las Vegas Market. Arcusbeds has been exhibiting at the SSA for several years now, and it’s the company’s preferred venue for showcasing the products.  The company has designed a fully compressible “mattress-in-a-box” for online sales but for now is concentrating on meeting the needs of upscale, brick-and mortar retailers in North America who are equally devoted to organic and natural bedding.  We invite all readers to visit our virtual showroom, stop at our booth at the SSA (we plan to return for the Summer 2021 show), or drop by one of our retailers’ stores to try out our wonderful products!    

Survey Results: Who's Going to Las Vegas in April?

The Specialty Sleep Association conducted a survey this month to its approximately 4000 person list of industry professionals who have visited our showroom over the past years.

We had a 10% return to provide our data, with about 65% of respondents being retailers.
30% of respondents said YES, they will attend the April Market. 20% said MAYBE, and 50% said NOPE.

This information is important to gauge the number of buyers you might see at the upcoming Las Vegas Market. SSA Executive Director Tambra Jones said, “I sent an email to our showroom exhibitors to let them know our survey results, and what kind of attendance to expect at the April Market. Based on a “normal” winter market for us, the survey indicates we can expect about 130 groups visiting the showroom at this point. That is a significant number, but not what we would expect in a non-COVID circumstance. It’s an iffy time, and there are some companies still deciding whether or not they will participate in April, or wait until the August show.”

There are spaces available for rent in the SSA showroom. Click here for more information and to see the floor plan.

Member Spotlight on Cannabeds Inc.

Cannabeds inc. is a proudly owned Canadian company with their head office located in Toronto.

“We manufacture top quality mattresses with our exclusive Hemp blend which is better for the customer and our environment,” says founding partner Ryan Chilvers.

Chilvers and his partner Chris Gunaseelan have very extensive backgrounds in both retail and manufacturing in the bedding industry.

Ryan has been in the bedding industry since 1992, starting in retail as a salesperson and soon after he was managing retail locations in Canada. He then the made the jump to top 3 bedding producer Serta, as a national sales representative dealing with the top Canadian retailers. Very early on he was promoted to manage all sales in central and eastern Ontario. After about 18 years at this company he changed course and teamed up with his current business partner Chris Gunaseelan to launch Cannabeds inc. in 2018.

Chris has extensive production and manufacturing experience in the bedding industry, he has owned his own factories in Toronto for over 15 years and makes a top quality product. Chris is the owner of Dream Time bedding which is the factory where Cannabeds is also produced.

Dream time is a rapidly expanding Canadian brand that produces foam, pocket coil and traditional spring style mattresses, these are also going to be available in the USA shortly (Cannabeds available now).

An Attitude of Gratitude

By Tambra Jones, Executive Director

Since the Thanksgiving holiday is this week, I sent out a call to our members asking what they can be grateful for, even in the midst of 2020 and its COVID-19 challenges.  The prompt was “Thanks 2020 - you actually brought something of value to me/my company.  Because of you…”
Their responses are below, and I encourage you to read every heart-warming one of them. 

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I will begin.  Thanks 2020, because of you…
I learned how supportive our partners at the IMC and Las Vegas Market really are towards the Specialty Sleep Association.  Our gratitude for our leasing team is exponential, and our showroom is in good shape because of their commitment to our well-being. 
I learned how resilient our SSA members really are.  2020 has been a year of the pivot, and many of us are becoming masters at it. 
I learned about virtual meetings and trade shows.  These platforms have allowed buyers and sellers to meet in spite of social distancing practices, and we are pivoting into the use of a virtual component for our showroom exhibitors in Las Vegas. 
On a personal note, I am so grateful that the SSA is on solid ground, that we can stand strong and that I can stay fully active.  Oh, and 2020 has allowed me to witness the beauty of ZOOM on countless occasions - I wish I had bought stock in it!  Tambra Jones, Specialty Sleep Association

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Thank you 2020.  Because of you… I am happy, lucky and grateful that I do not live alone and that I have work to do everyday. Even though my social outings have been curtailed, I do not feel lonely because I have full days at work where I can talk to our customers, suppliers and the drivers that pick up and deliver our goods.  I have a great husband, Jon, to keep me company at home and at work some days, too. Tonight he will build a fire in the fireplace because it has gotten cold here in Maryland.  Jane Arason, Arason Enterprises

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Thank you 2020 for good health. Our family and staff are in good health. That is not something to take for granted.  For understanding staff that stepped up to the challenge.  For loyal customers. For our pets that keep us company while working at home. That we are a business that keeps moving forward, innovating and evolving even in these challenging times…and good wine to keep us calm.  Elizabeth Dell'Accio, Blu Sleep Products

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Thank you 2020.  Because of you….
I began—taking better care of myself.
I stopped—worrying about ‘little stuff’ that’s really out of my control
I learned—how to blend work and personal life better (since my home is most definitely my office too)
I think everyone in our company became better communicators—especially to customers.  Mark Schwartz, Blue Ridge Home Fashions

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Thank you 2020.  Because of you I began using video conferences to maintain/improve our business relationships.  I stopped my worldwide travels/events and invested that time into the company and working together much better with our internal sales team.  I learned other ways to interact with the market and consumers.  My company is contributing to society by producing masks and medical gowns to help people as much as possible during this terrible period.  Manel Nart, BSensible. 

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Thank you 2020.  Because of you….
I began staying at home 4 days a week.
I stopped going on vacations and dining out with friends.
I learned  how fragile my busines can be because if one employee brings Covid to the office, the office will shut down for a minimum of two weeks.
I/my company is better at living for the moment and controlling the anxiety of potentially catching the virus.  Phil Kraus, Electropedic 

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Thank you 2020.  Because of you….
I began making organic cotton and copper masks in February 2020
I stopped worrying about tomorrow and started focusing on today
I learned that I am not in control, but I can adapt
My company is better at working together as a team.  Suzanne Diamond, The Futon Shop

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Thank 2020 for reminding us that without our health all is lost ! 
Also in the words of Mark Twain in regards to business:  I was seldom able to see an opportunity until it had ceased to be one.
Additionally it is rewarding to be reminded that less can be more…  Mark Miller, Innomax Corp

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Thank you 2020.  Because of you….
We began to find different ways to effectively communicate and connect with customers. Expanding digital presentations and use of technologies to enhance customer interactions.
We stopped putting energy into projects that struggle to move forward and require seemingly endless R&D investment. Maintained focus on core business investing in being great at what we do.
We learned creative ways to navigate through a changing environment. Expanding partnerships and collaborations on projects that may not have been created prior to the pandemic.
Our company is better at focusing on our core priority – the customer journey. Improving communication, service, quality and product offerings to support our customers at every level.  Jim Gutierrez, Latexco

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Thank you 2020.  Because of you the value of what we preach has become all the more acceptable to the public.  We all need to stop using toxic chemicals in our products, and foster healthier lifestyles across the board.  Barry Cik, Naturepedic Organic

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Thank you 2020. Because of you….
We began taking action on new programs.
We stopped wasting time and materials.We learned that communication is key to success. 
Our company is better at internal communication toward a common goal. Rion Morgenstern, Pleasant Mattress

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Year 2020 began with Dallas & Vegas January market being the strongest in 10 yrs.
Then in March 2020, when social distancing and lock down and quarantine became the norm, being very negative cut into the being very positive.  But when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
I learned that technology with the like of ZOOM and virtual online will not go away, but will only become more of the norm and online is the wave of retail.  I will say that Sleep & Beyond has become a company better at surrounding ourselves with great people that understand that working together as a team, knowing how precious orders, new accounts are, and staying with the mission and vision statement.  Keeping customer service a #1 priority for on time delivery and communication, and always making sure inventory is maintained.
Nothing great comes easy. Persistence will make you achieve anything.  Every new day is a day you have never had, make the best of the day and count your blessing daily.  Butch Craig, Sleep and Beyond.

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The sliver lining in the pandemic for me is that it has made me keenly aware to be more thankful, grateful and appreciative for all of the good things in my life. I'm most thankful for the good health of my family and grateful I have a successful business that I have felt pretty safe to work in. Working through the pandemic has helped me maintain a structure and a purpose in life. I have been operating the store, by myself, six days a week since the pandemic started and it has allowed me to get more in touch with my customers and more sensitive to their needs. It reminds me of the way it was when I opened for business in 1975. 
The quiet times in the shop have given me the opportunity to do some showroom planning. If you own or manage a store, you know how difficult it can be to sit alone in the showroom and just think and plan. I've used the time to plan new displays, buy new products and organize the warehouse. I have also updated the signage on our outdoor lighted awning and had the front of the building painted.
My deepest gratitude goes to my customers for they are the ones that have kept me going all these years. I have been deeply moved by their kind and encouraging words and I especially enjoy hearing all of their testimonials about how much they love their waterbeds. My customers have certainly made me feel good about my life’s work.
I had been looking forward to celebrating my 45th anniversary in 2020. I never dreamed I would be doing it with a mask on and now I’m just grateful to still be around.  Lynn Hardman, Southern Waterbeds and Futons

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This is a nice idea and it made me think a lot about how life has changed so much so quickly! It has been an incredibly difficult and stressful year for us as a business and a family, however.
   I am grateful that this pandemic has brought my family closer together. Zoom happy hours with my family has given us all the support system that helps get us through the week. I talk more with them now than I ever had over the years. Staying connected has been good for the soul, reminding us that we are all in this together.
  I’ve learned that we can do a whole lot more with less. I’ve learned to take some time every day for myself to get centered and stay balanced.
I stopped obsessing over the little things and started appreciating what works and fixing what doesn’t. So often we get caught in the weeds of day-to-day crises, now we are more focused and working together to solve problems.
I began implementing a new ERP to help us better manage our company, inventory, projects, vendors, and customers. Long overdue and suddenly essential. For the past few years so many projects have been put on hold or set aside as being too expensive, too daunting, or unnecessary. We’ve done a complete reassessment of them and found that it may be what we should have focused on all along.
My company is more efficient and better at delegating responsibilities, managing remotely, staying focused. Our long-term plan has been thrown up in the air and as the pieces start to fall, we are re-shuffling them to create a new picture.   Angela Owen, Suite Sleep

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Thank you 2020 for allowing us the time to reflect honestly on our Swiss Bliss brand and what the future might hold.  While we still believe that the Swiss product we brought to market in the United States is the highest quality and best valued specialty foam available, we have decided to focus our resources and energies towards our 30 yr old regional innerspring operation moving forward.  Thank you 2020 for allowing our innerspring customer base to thrive in these uncertain times.  We are thankful for the long term, multi-generational relationships we have nurtured in the South East region, both with customers and with suppliers.  Our innerspring business is the best it has been in 10 years.  Brian Phillips, Swiss Bliss.

Member Spotlight: Sleep and Beyond for Inspiration and Sustainable Products

Where it begins • Kyrgystan

Welcome to Sleep & Beyond, your ultimate destination for 100% organic and natural cotton and wool bedding. We are a 3rd generation family owned bedding manufacturer with fair trade and sustainable factories located in Kyrgyzstan, “The Switzerland of Central Asia”, England, Belgium, India, Pakistan and China.

Merino Wool bedding set

 Since 1992, we have been helping our customers all around the world to sleep better and healthier through the magic of wool and cotton. We pride ourselves to be the experts in organic and natural wool and cotton bedding and beyond. We dance our way to work because we love what we do and have been perfecting our products since 1992.

 Only the finest and purest nature created raw materials, such as 100% organic Merino wool, 100% natural Shropshire wool, 100% organic and natural cotton, 100% natural latex are used to create each of our master pieces. We raise our own Merino sheep in the mountainous lands of Kyrgyz Republic, which produce superfine organic wool for our myMerino collection. Our world famous myMerino and myBedding products are made with love and perform like no other.  Comforters, pillows, mattress protectors, pads, toppers, sheets and more – we got it all!

Brothers Sardor and Sarvar

Our Mission
Create an inspirational, sustainable, and educational system that will benefit the human being without harming the Planet.

Our Vision
To be the leader in our industry by supplying our customers with highest quality organic and natural bedding at most competitive prices with exceptional customer service and on time delivery.

Our highly valued relationship with Specialty Sleep Association
The beginning of the incredible nine years with Specialty Sleep Association journey began on April 15, 2011 when the Azimovich brothers Sardor Azimovich, co-founder of Sleep & Beyond with his brother Sarvar hired J. W. "Butch" Craig  a.k.a. Man In Black as their National Sales Manager for Sleep & Beyond. The next objective was to conquer Las Vegas Market.

Las Vegas Summer Market of 2011 was the first historic market for Sleep & Beyond when we joined the SSA Association and showcased in the Organic Pavilion. With the creative debut, Sleep & Beyond hired Tim Welch, #1 Elvis Presley Impersonator, for the first three days of the show and Elvis made sure to leave the long lasting impression by meeting, kneeing, singing, and greeting hundreds of visitors and buyers that came through Specialty Sleep Association and all the showroom buildings. Elvis not only performed but launched Sleep & Beyond to the next great level making an incredible journey for Sleep & Beyond to become the Top 3 Best Wool Bedding Brands of USA and marking its 28 Years of Sleep Solutions. Sleep & Beyond looks forward to begin its 10th year with SSA starting with upcoming Las Vegas Winter Market In January 2021.

First Las Vegas Market with SSA and The King and the beginning of Butch and The Stole…

Las Vegas showroom team

Sarvar, Sardor, Dave Perry, Butch

S&B Difference
·       Sleep & Beyond® is the “Top 3 Best Wool Bedding Brands” in North America and one of the largest manufacturers of organic and natural wool filled bedding around the world.
·       We consider ourselves to be a fair trade employer by paying fair wages to our factory workers, providing great working conditions, and never involving child labor.
·       Our products are tested to be free of arsenic, VOC’s and other carcinogenic chemicals that are used in majority of the conventional bedding such as down, polyester and silk.
·       Our products carry the most stringent certifications to back up our statements such as “100% natural” or “100% organic” (GOTS, OEKO TEX, WOOLMARK, FAIR TRADE)
·       By purchasing our bedding, you support many local economies around the world, protect the environment from pollution, promote balanced eco system and prolong your health.

OUR RAW MATERIALS
At Sleep & Beyond, we are committed to using only the finest and purest raw materials to create each of our bedding products.

The magic of Merino Wool and Merino sheep

Pure Organic Merino Wool
Superfine Merinos are regarded as having the finest and softest wool of any sheep. Unlike other wool, Merino wool is much finer, softer, and best of all, itch-free for all. It is used as a filling for our premium myMerino collection.

Shropshire Wool
In the mid-17th century, Shropshire sheep and their wool were described as “Choicest and Dearest in England”. Shropshire wool is a premium choice for our washable wool bedding (aka myBedding) as it is light, elastic, and fine to the touch. The wool undergoes sustainable and eco-friendly “Biowash” treatment that makes the wool fiber washable and not shrinkable.

Organic and Natural Cotton
From seed to shelf, our organic and natural cotton is grown and processed free of pesticides, harmful dyes and carcinogenic chemicals.

We have created new series of educational videos to help our customers sleep better and healthier through the magic of wool:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ-1nem-v14
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oAbCaTZekY

Sleep & Beyond takes great pride in continuous quest to being a Zero-Waste and Women’s Empowerment Company

Factory

Empowering Women
·       We employ and empower women in all of our production areas.
·       We greatly rely on their expertise and skills and proud to bring their craftsmanship to the world.
·       In our wool factories, our women play an important role from wool fiber sorting, scouring, carding to cut and sew, packing and supervising transparency and traceability all across.
·       In our cotton factories, our women are employed in all of the production areas from growing organic and natural cotton to fabric spinning, weaving, cut and sew and more.

Merino wool carding

Solar Power
Our S&B Gardens in India have been using the solar power for renewable energy since 2017.
·       Every left-over raw material from our production is reused in one or another way.
·       For example, an excess fabric roll turns into a packaging solution as it is very durable and reduces the need to use regular polypropylene tape.
·       New samples and product ideas are developed from our remaining unused raw materials or first test production runs.
·       We try to recycle as much as we can. You may notice the recycle number for our packaging in the product labels.

Azo Free & Hand-Screen Printing
We utilize a non toxic, azo free and heavy metal free hand-screen printing (GOTS approved) on our organic cotton collection products.

Our Product Packaging

Cotton Packaging
We package our myMerino and organic cotton collection products in reusable 100% natural and organic cotton bags, which can be reused and recycled. You can get even more creative and take them on a camping trip or use them as a laundry or a grocery bag. Our myMerino bags also became very popular for various charity events and organizations.
We are very proud to have become sponsors in such amazing nonprofit organizations such as Teen Cancer America and GIFT (Global Initiative to Free Trafficking Victims).

PEVA Packaging
Our packaging for myBedding products come in PEVA, an ecofriendly, phthalates free and BPA free packaging/plastic substrate with non toxic materials. It is also one of the most environmentally safe packaging alternatives developed today. It is fully recyclable #7.

LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) Packaging
To ensure no chemicals, dust or off gassing potentially affect our bedding, we also wrap our myMerino and organic cotton collection products in LDPE packaging.
It is also
·       100% recyclable (#4)
·       Acid free, amine and silicon free
·       Meets FDA and USDA specifications

USA Distribution Center
Fontana, CA
We have fully switched our office lights to LED lights in 2017.

S&B Factories aka S&B Gardens
Creation of our products starts in the Universe and that is why they are like no other. Every product is made with love in our factories (aka S&B Gardens) that are strategically located around the world to deliver the best customer experience, superior value, reasonable prices and quick deliveries.

The Kyrgystan Team

We are truly a one global family with one great mission: to set the world on fire with the magic of wool and cotton! No matter where we create our magic, we stay true to our core principles and values, such as:
·       Always perfecting our products to deliver the best experience to our fans. It is a never ending quest and we love it!
·       Paying fair wages to our factory workers and many of them have been with us for years, especially families working together.
·       Never involving child labor.
·       Supporting local economies around the world, protecting the environment from pollution, and promoting balanced eco system.
·       Maintaining strict standards for quality control, such as making sure our fibers and finished products are independently tested for quality and purity by various organizations such as Woolmark, Oeko tex, GOTS, USDA among the leading ones.

Our Mascot CoCo

OUR PHILANTHROPY
“Give to Receive” way of life has been deeply rooted in our DNA by our parents, grandparents and our ancestry. When we have an opportunity, we extend our hand to our local community and friends in need. We regularly contribute some of our luscious comforters and pillows to a great organization called Casa, Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children. These children deserve brighter future and we are glad to be part of their journey in life.

Would love to finish our story with the quote from our Captain Butch:
You've been given the innate power to shape your life...But you cannot just speak change, you have to live change. Intent paired with action builds the bridge to success. You can't just want it, you have to do it, builds the bridge to success. You can't just want it; You have to do it, live it. Be it! Success isn't something you have, it’s something you do! Captain Butch

As great John F. Kennedy said, “Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.”