Team FJ recently participated in the 2010 NFL Hardlines Summit.  The summit, which was held for the eighth year, showcases non-apparel team and league-themed merchandise. We were onsite to show team buyers the latest and greatest from the NFL licensed products portion of our MyJoys program, most notably, the integration of our premium FJ ICON shoes. Each year, the event is held at a different NFL stadium. This year it was held at the brand new, and gorgeous, Cowboys Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys...a far cry from last year when the summit was held at (a very frigid) FedEx Field, home of Dallas' rival the Washington Redskins.

Once we arrived at Cowboys Stadium, we had the entire day to set up and prepare for the following days events. At first glance, one can be easily taken back by the size of this new stadium. This astonishing facility measures approximately 3 million-square-feet and can accommodate more than 100,000 fans. During our stay, we had the unique pleasure of meeting Mr. Jerry Jones (owner and CEO of the Cowboys) for a few short moments and during our meeting, he reminded everyone that in less than one year, Cowboys Stadium would be hosting Super Bowl XLV.

I was intrigued by Mr. Jones in how involved he was with the project of building Cowboys Stadium. The stadium is one of the few (if not the only) football stadium that incorporated local works of art hand picked by Mr. Jones. As you view the slideshow, you'll notice an array of lighting fixtures that Mr. Jones helped design and layout in one of the many luxury suites at Cowboy Stadium. I was amused at how he described the process for choosing his carpets and floor tiles. He referred to the process as if he was remodeling his own living room. From counter tops to plush chair fabric to unique door signage, Mr. Jones had a complete handle on every operation that took place in building this stadium. It's easy to see why Mr. Jones is extremely proud of his gorgeous gem.   

Throughout our stay, the lone star state offered us sunny skies and great climate. We had a great few days showcasing our products and a great opportunity to listen to Jerry Jones deliver a gratifying speech regarding the growth of the NFL as a brand and the Dallas Cowboys as a franchise in how it relates to golf and many other industries. 

One key takeaway for FJ was finding ways to bring more distribution and excitement to our accounts and consumers.  

Leave a comment and let us know what you think.  Have you seen NFL MyJoys shoes in your local area; at the stadium shop, in a on or off course pro shop, or on golfers at the course?  If you haven't seen these great products, check out MyJoys.com for more.