BedPost

Five simple ways to celebrate Better Sleep Month in May

Better Sleep Month is in t-minus 20 days and counting. Are you ready to celebrate lovely, magical and seductive sleep?
Good! So are we!

This year, the Better Sleep Council is going to educate the public about the importance of (cough) "Stop Sleeping Around." Now, before you choke down your morning coffee, it's not quite what you think. The BSC wants people to stop falling asleep everywhere else but their own bed. If you find yourself nodding off at your desk, in meetings, at the movies, or anywhere other than your own bed, it's high time you have a heart-to-heart conversation with your mattress and see if it's offering you the comfort and support you need.

Taking part of Better Sleep Month is a GREAT way to start the conversation about the importance of sleep, and the importance of what you're sleeping on. If you haven't looked into how you can be a part of BSM, here are five easy ways you can start celebrating!

1. "Like" the Stop Sleeping Around Facebook page
By liking the page, you can stay abreast of all the latest developments and fun things that this year's campaign has to offer! 

2. Take photos or videos of people "caught in the act"
Your friend is falling asleep on the bus? Your coworker nodding off at their desk? A cute baby taking a nap in their highchair? Take a photo of video and submit it to our Facebook page!

3.  Visit our Retailer Toolkit on the Sleep Savvy website
Find a variety of  easy-to-use marketing tools that you can download with a simple click of the mouse! 

4. Get your eight hours of rest during "National Eight Hours of Rest Night" on May 1st!
Spread the word to friends, loved ones, colleagues and customers! You can tout the importance of getting eight, blissful hours of rest on a quality mattress. Celebrate by sleeping--how easy is that?!

5. Share the BSC's Stop Sleeping Around videos on your own social media pages, company website, etc.!
Spread the word by sharing the videos. In fact, make one of your own and share it with us!

Happy sleeping, everyone!

It's a great day at ISPA EXPO!

From the networking events to the educational sessions to time on the show floor, the first day of ISPA EXPO 2012 has started off with a bang!

Attendees from all world are seeing the latest and greatest technologies that the mattress industry has to offer.

If you're not able to join us this week, (or even if you're here,) take a look at a few videos that we've put together that highlight some of the great things ISPA EXPO has to offer.

The Better Sleep Council collaborates with Dream Water to keep people from "Stop Sleeping Around"

We know…going to trade shows mean looooong (but well-spent) hours of talking to old friends, and potential customers on the show floor, and of course, late night soirees. That, combined with not being able to sleep in your own comfy bed usually doesn’t bode well for getting a quality 7-8 hours of rest each and every night.
Fear not! The Better Sleep Council and Dream Water have teamed up to help keep attendees from “Stop Sleeping Around” at next week's ISPA EXPO 2012!

Dream Water is an all-natural sleep water. Rather than us explain, we'll let their fun infographic do the talking:

We know how hard it is to get a quality night's rest when you're traveling, (who doesn't miss their own nice, cozy bed?!) 
While we realize that sleeping on a new, quality bed is one of the best ways to get a great night's rest, we also get that sometimes you need a little extra help, and natural is the way to go.

If you're headed to ISPA EXPO next week, be sure and stop by the Welcome Center to learn about the BSC's new "Stop Sleeping Around" campaign, and get your FREE sample of Dream Water!

And for you tweeters out there, tweet your heart out with @Dreamwater and @ISPAsleep all next week! #ISPAEXPO

Tweet your heart out, ladies and gentlemen! #ISPAEXPO

Have you ever seen one of these before at a trade show or event?

If you haven't, allow us to introduce you to one another.

Digital wall, this is (insert your name here.)
(Insert your name here,) this is the Digital Wall.

There--now that we have the niceties down, let's get down to the fun part of what the world of social media and this digital wall will have to offer at the upcoming ISPA EXPO 2012, shall we?

Social media is one of the most efficient ways to reach your audience on a global level. In two seconds, you can send out a tweet or write on a friend's wall about what ever it is that you're experiencing. Thanks to the interwebs, we are all connected by just a few clicks. Pretty cool stuff.

If you're attending the upcoming ISPA EXPO, be sure and start tweeting #ISPAEXPO and connect with your friends, colleagues and potential customers. And guess what? We'll be able to pull those tweets on that glorious digital wall that you see above. Same goes for Facebook as well. If you haven't done so already, be sure and "like" us here.

Poke, post pictures, like our witty and thought-provoking updates (we're so modest,) on our Facebook wall, and behold! You'll see all those wonderful posts on the digital wall in real-time!

OH! And speaking of other fun, cool and new things that we'll be offering at this year's EXPO, be sure and read next week's BedPost entry on the collaboration we have with Dream Water...

Until then, sweet dreams, errr, we mean, "tweet dreams!" :)

Indy and ISPA EXPO...a match made in heaven

After the buzz and excitement of the Super Bowl festivities that welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors downtown over a 10-day stretch, nearly 70,000 hospitality workers and more than 8,000 local volunteers are in need of some restful sleep. (Including yours truly) But who better to turn to for advice on how to get a better night’s sleep than the International Sleep Products Association? With all the activity, the timing couldn’t be better on the March 14-17 ISPA EXPO 2012.

And rest assured, the Hoosier hospitality that Indianapolis is known for will be back in full force come March 14^th.

For those who haven’t been to Indianapolis since the 2004 ISPA EXPO, and for those venturing to the Circle City for the first time, you will be greeted with renovated accommodations and a further revitalized downtown. You are about to be awakened by award-winning eats and local brews, a vibrant arts and cultural scene, and ample urban green space and bike paths. And to walk into a convention center that was updated and doubled in size in 2011 to now be among the 20 largest convention centers in America.

All things Indy, including entertainment and dining options, can be found at www.visitindy.com, but here’s a sampling of what’s in store during the March gathering:

Sun King Brewing Company took home 8 medals at the Great American Beer Festival last year. New Day Meadery offers honey ciders and wines locally sourced and crafted from the owners’ honey bee farm. Looking for a great steak? St. Elmo’s. A tasty sandwich? Shapiro’s and Goose the Market. Fresh, local ingredients? R Bistro, Patachou, and Recess. Gourmet pizza? Bazbeaux. Gourmet hot dogs? King David Dogs.

Discover local acts or see national talent perform at landmark Hilbert Circle Theater- home of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Repertory Theatre, or in the Mass Ave arts and theater district. Visit the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Indiana State Museum, NCAA  Hall of Champions, and for those bringing kids - the world’s largest and best Children’s Museum.

During break time or to access cultural districts and attractions, check out the new 7.5-mile Cultural Trail, a bike- and pedestrian-friendly urban path that has garnered international attention, or the new Georgia Street promenade adjacent to the Indiana Convention Center. Or stroll along the Central Canal in White River State Park.

With all there is to see and do in Indianapolis, it may be quite a challenge to get that recommended 8 hours of sleep while you’re here…

- Guest blogger Lisa Wallace,
 Communications Manager, Conventions & Meetings

Hey Indianapolis, are you ready for us?

Move over Super Bowl...the 2012 ISPA EXPO is gearing up and ready to call Indy "home" for a week in March! According to recent reports recapping the event, many, MANY people made Indy their home this past weekend.

Organizers say more than 1 million people visited the Super Bowl Village over 10 days, including more than 150,000 on game day! It doesn't stop there...everyone who attended the Super Bowl sang the city's praises for their kindness and hospitality.

Judy Battista, a New York Times sports writer tweeted: "take a bow, Indy. You were spectacular hosts. Hope the game is back here soon."

From what we've heard, Indianapolis put in a lot of hard work, winning praise for its cleanliness, friendliness and the compact downtown that made it easy for visitors to walk to events and restaurants. All we can say is, "We can't wait!"

As the days and weeks get closer to our event, we'll post more about the sights, sounds and libations of Indy. For the time being, we suggest taking a look at the Indianapolis Visitors and Convention Center Association (ICVA) website. LOTS of great info, right at your fingertips! And in a few weeks, we'll actually have a guest post on here from staff at IVCA, so keep coming back!

Until then friends, sweet dreams--and Indy, don't worry about catching up on sleep, we're bringing TONS of mattresses to your convention center in just five short weeks! Naps for everyone!!!

 

Are you ready for some football??

It's Super Bowl weekend baby! As much as it pains me to say that my Green Bay Packers are not going to be gracing the field in Indianapolis this weekend, I know there's always next year...(you hear that Rodgers??!)

I'm sure Indianapolis is abuzz with excitement. When ever I watch ESPN I see the Patriot and Giants fans walking throughout the city, taking in the sites and getting amped for the upcoming game.

Despite my (slight) angst over the players in this game, this rambling of a blog post isn't about the game itself, it's more about the city that's hosting the big game, Indianapolis. What an honor and exciting time for the city! From what I've heard, they've done a lot of terrific updates to the downtown area, with a lot more wineries, breweries and fun, new places to eat. I'm certainly excited to walk around and see what Indy has to offer when we're there in March for the 2012 ISPA EXPO. I'm fairly certain that coming off the Super Bowl, we will walk into one tired city, wouldn't you agree? Let's hope everyone gets their rest before we see them in March! But then again, if they're not, I know a great conference facility that a few weary Indianapolians (or is it Indianapolites?) can test out a few mattresses and see all the latest and greatest technologies that the mattress industry has to offer. (hint, hint, Indianapolis.)

Tired city or not, I hope everyone is well rested and ready for the big game this weekend. Good luck to both the Giants and the Patriots! (And go, Pack, go!)

Bedbugs hate hairy folks

Hairy people of the world, rejoice! Before you make those laser hair removal appointments or break out the wax, listen to this--there's a natural benefit to being furry!

According to a recent study conducted by the University of Sheffield, bed bugs don't like hairy people. (See? We told you there's a benefit!)

The British researchers found that hairier humans may have an easier time fending off bedbugs compared to their "fur-less" peers. In the new study, they suggest that the fine hairs on human skin slow bedbugs down and help people better detect the bloodsuckers on their bodies.In the study, 29 "lucky" student volunteers, each had one shaved and one un-shaved arm. The researchers watched the bedbugs, timing how long it took them to find a place to dig in for a meal. (For those already starting to scratch, fear not--none of the volunteers were actually bitten during the experiment; the researchers removed the bugs just as they were about to feed. Phew!) The volunteers kept a count of each time they felt a bug crawling on their skin.

They found that the participants detected the bugs more frequently on their hairy arms, and that the bedbugs on these hairy arms took longer to find a spot to bite.

Before you wax, think of the hair on your body as little antennae, alerting you to a little pest trying to make a meal out of you...

Sweet dreams... ;-)

ISPA gives back for the holidays

In the words of the late, great Edward Pola and George Wyle, "it's the moooooost wonderful tiiiimme, of the yearrrrr!"

ISPA staff wanted to give back this year,
so after a bit of research on the good ol' internet, we found a non-profit organization, Soldier's Angels, and "adopted" two military families for the holiday season.

Both families have a parent serving in the armed forces and have young ones at home, so ISPA was able to gather up goodies from their respective wish lists, and hopefully bring some smiles to their faces come Christmas morning!

Everyone got in the holiday spirit and jumped right in during the "wrapping party." Some people even impressed us with their creative wrapping skills! (*cough* Ryan Trainer.) ISPA President by day, and one heck of a present wrapper by night--who knew?!

All of us at the International Sleep Products Association feel very blessed to work for such an amazing industry, and work with some outstanding volunteers. We wanted to "pay it forward," and help those who need a little extra help this holiday season. On behalf of the entire group, we would like to thank those serving our country, and also to their families for their sacrifice.

From all of us at ISPA, to all our dear friends near and far, we wish you the happiest and healthiest of holidays, and here is to a prosperous 2012!

 

Let's hope your mattress isn't THIS old...

According to research conducted by Oklahoma State University and the Better Sleep Council, you should consider replacing your mattress every 7 years or so. An international team of archaeologists discovered a 77,000 year old bedding made of insect-repelling leaves and other medicinal plants in a South African cave - which sets the world record for the oldest mattress, according to World Records. 77,000...that's just a few years off the 7-year suggested replacement cycle, right?

One of the coolest things they found out about this bed, is that its comprised of insect-repelling leaves and plants. (Take that, bedbugs!) The beds themselves consist of compacted stems and leaves of sedges, (a grass-like plant that grows in wet places,) rushes (hollow stalks/stem-like leaves,) and grasses stacked in at least 15 layers within a chunk of sediment 10 feet (3 meters) thick.

Archaeologists discovered the stack of ancient beds at Sibudu, a cave in a sandstone cliff in South Africa. "The use of medicinal plants, along with other artifacts at the cave, helps reveal how creative these early peoples were," researchers said.

"The inhabitants would have collected the sedges and rushes from along the uThongathi River, located directly below the site, and laid the plants on the floor of the shelter," said researcher Lyn Wadley, an archaeologist at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.

This fine covering of leaves may also represent the earliest known use of medicinal plants by humans. The leaves are from the tree Cryptocarya woodii, or river wild-quince, a medicinal plant that produces insect-killing chemicals.

 Kind of neat to think that even 77,000 years ago, humans had the inherient need to be as comfy and cozy as possible when they went to sleep. So, how old is YOUR mattress?

Sweet dreams!
~Karin Mahoney