Happy New Year to all! I hope everyone enjoyed some well deserved time off and have entered 2012 energized for a great year! January has started strong in Southern California, with weather reaching 80 degrees quite a few days so far. Talk about nice selling weather – does Mother Nature know its winter?

I have been watching the Consumer Confidence Board index, which shows that consumer sentiment and confidence is on the rise in the US. In fact, consumer confidence has risen several months in a row, and has returned to the levels we were seeing in April 2011. Lynn Franco, Director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center says that “Looking ahead, consumers are more optimistic that business conditions, employment prospects, and their financial situations will continue to get better.”

This is a great time to revisit all the leads you have accumulated over the last 18 months, and reach out to them again while their confidence levels are higher. Our own recent email blast (to past Ecosun and SI website leads) caused a few dozen “tire-kickers” to once again raise their hands. Take advantage of this renewed optimism out there!

The 2012 Eastern Master Dealer Kick-off Meeting is upon us, and will take place January 20<sup>th</sup> from 12pm–5pm at the Holiday Inn - Main Gate East, Kissimmee, FL. After the meeting we will have a reception, dinner and awards ceremony at Pacino’s Restaurant just a short distance from the hotel. A formal agenda has been sent out by email, but please feel free to contact me if you have not received it. We look forward to a productive day together.

The Western Kick-off Meeting will be February 9<sup>th</sup> from 12pm – 5pm with dinner and awards ceremony to follow. The meeting will take place at the Holiday Inn Downtown, San Diego, CA. A formal agenda will follow shortly with additional details.

Congratulations to<strong> Stilwell Solar</strong> who dominated the top Dealer spot with 416 collectors sold in December. <strong>Mark Naylor Solar Specialists </strong>came in 2<sup>nd</sup> with 147 collectors and rounding out the top three is <strong>Vasco Solar</strong> with 100 collectors for December. <strong> </strong>

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<strong>Bill Long</strong> from<strong> Stilwell Solar </strong>knocked it out of the park with 26 sales to take the top spot for December. Thank you Bill! <strong>Mark Naylor</strong> from <strong>Mark Naylor Solar Specialists</strong> took 2<sup>nd</sup> with 19 sales for December. Congratulations Mark! <strong>Scott Bologna</strong> from <strong>Stilwell Solar</strong> claims the #3 spot for the month with 16 sales. Way to go Scott!

A special congratulations to <strong>Bill Park</strong> and his team at <strong>Central Florida Solar</strong> for advancing to Gold Master Dealer status in just one year.

Aquatherm will be exhibiting at the following upcoming shows:
<ul>
	<li><a href="http://www.acpoolspashow.com/">Atlantic City Pool and Spa Show</a> January 24 – 26<sup>th</sup> in booth #2125</li>
	<li><a href="http://bit.ly/xlMydW">Orlando Pool and Spa Show</a> February 24 – 25<sup>th</sup> in booth #734</li>
</ul>
Should you be attending either of the events above, please let me know if I can be of any help in getting you a badge.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the upcoming Kick-off Meetings and getting energized for this year.

- Molly

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