Photo by Travis Pratt

Tami Longaberger recognizes her national sales leaders on stage at the Weinberg Center during a Longaberger Basket event Thursday evening in Frederick.

Crowd of 1,000 upbeat people meet Longaberger CEO
Originally published April 17, 2009


By Ike Wilson
News-Post Staff

More than 1,000 excited people showed up at the Weinberg Center for the Arts on Thursday to hear Longaberger CEO Tami Longaberger speak.

Before appearing onstage, Longaberger was introduced to Paul Berry of Crownsville, one of the company's newest recruits. "He's one of a few good men who is a part of Longaberger," the CEO said. "Paul is joining an organization that's demonstrated that both men and women can make it work," she said.

Of 43,000 consultants, 1,000 are men, Longaberger said. Frederick resident Susie Evans, Longaberger's top seller for 10 consecutive years, recruited Berry into the company. Berry is a longtime customer who had pondered joining the company for a while, he said. Longaberger is an American company making American things, Berry said. "It's a company that's about family, friendships, community and bringing people together, whether it's through bus trips to Longaberger's homestead in Ohio or at basket parties," he said. "The friendships I've made with the ladies will last a lifetime."

"I told Berry he could meet Tami only if he signed up as a consultant, and he did," Evans said. Berry said the time was right for him to join Longaberger because he needed a change in his life. "This will be in addition to my full-time job, which most consultants do and are able to make significant contributions to their families," Berry said.

Longaberger's visit to Frederick is one of many she makes across the country. Billed as "opportunity nights," such events attract new consultants and the faithful.

"This is what I do in my spare time. I'm a physician," said Patricia Hayes of Altoona, Pa. "I had office hours this morning, packed in the car and we're here." Longaberger's marketing is strong, Hayes said. "They keep things fresh and their events attract up to 6,000." Even though she is a company consultant, Hayes was excited to be getting Longaberger's new 2009 American Pride basket, which was on sale for only those who attended Thursday's event. "It's still exciting to be able to purchase something special," she said.

Longaberger's message to the crowd was to thank them for investing in America and for supporting American-made products and companies. "These are wonderful people who represent our products. Our baskets are pretty special and with American's resurgence in patriotic interests, buying Longaberger's baskets is being patriotic," Longaberger said.

"We are excited to have Tami in Frederick ," said Evans, who is the company's independent branch leader. "Tami's passion and commitment to offering quality products made in America is a story that reaches both customers and consultants."

The event was a great opportunity for customers to hear and see the company's commitment to America's future, view the newest products and learn more about the Longaberger opportunity, Evans said.

Longaberger, a family-owned company based in Newark, Ohio, is America's premier maker of handcrafted baskets and offers home and lifestyle products such as pottery, wrought iron and fabrics. The company recently announced the launch of a new collection of made-in-America pottery.

For information, visit www.longaberger.com.