SIO Has All That?!
"Thank you for calling the Surety Information Office. How may I help you?"
If you've called SIO, no doubt you've received this greeting from one of our helpful staff. That's right, at SIO you get a real person on the first ring (sometimes on the second, but who's counting). SIO gets calls ranging from "I need to bond my dog guaranteeing that it won't bite my neighbor," to "I know FedEx picks up in 15 minutes, but I have a presentation tomorrow and I need 250 information packets overnighted." No matter how strange or last-minute the request, SIO always comes through (even if your materials were delayed because of a train wreck - yes, that did happen). So how does SIO serve you? Just take a look at what SIO has to offer.
Professional Promotional Materials - SIO is staffed by PR and marketing professionals. You are the surety experts, we are the marketing experts. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF US! SIO has CDs and brochures that address:
- General information on contract surety bonds;
- The importance of surety bonds in construction;
- How to obtain surety bonds;
- Letters of credit;
- Contractor and subcontractor default insurance;
- Protecting construction lending capital with surety bonds;
- The Small Business Administration (SBA) program for emerging and minority contractors;
- Contractor failure; and
- Surety bond claims.
You want more? OK, how about this: IT'S ALL FREE!!! Still want more? Fine, SIO will even package your material for you to distribute to your audience or clients. It's professional, it's free, it just makes sense. Why spend your time and money developing materials that SIO will give you for free? We can't think of a good reason either.
PowerPointŪ Presentations - SIO continues to stay ahead of the technology curve. In today's business world, PowerPointŪ is the preferred visual aid. Let's face it, flip charts and overheads just don't have the same appeal as a computer-generated PowerPointŪ presentation. SIO offers 15 PowerPointŪ presentations on one CD! And if you need information kits to accompany a presentation, just ask and you shall receive! Presentations target:
- Contractors;
- Bankers and construction lenders;
- Architects/engineers;
- Surety professionals;
- Government purchasing agents;
- Public sector owners; and
- Private sector owners.
Exhibit Posters - These 18" x 24" posters can be prominently displayed on your exhibit table to convey specific messages for specific audiences. SIO lends these posters to LSAs, NASBP members, and SFAA members to help you receive greater exposure at the trade shows and exhibitions you attend. All you have to do is contact SIO, and let us know when you need the posters.
Article Placement - By maintaining relationships with several editors or various publications whose audience needs to know about contract surety bonds, SIO continues to place articles that educate readers on the value and importance of surety bonds in construction. SIO writes articles for Construction Business Review, Constructor, and Engineering News-Record (ENR). SIO also uses its contacts to place articles written by NASBP and SFAA members. If you've got an article you want to see in print, SIO is the place to go.
Prestigious Awards Program - If you've seen the SIO Awards for Excellence in Surety Bond Promotion and the Tiger Trust in the past, to quote a sorely defeated former democratic presidential candidate, "you ain't seen nothin' yet!" To recognize LSAs, NASBP members, and SFAA members who have taken special initiatives to promote contract surety bonds, SIO has revamped the image and prestige of its awards. Don't miss the awards program during the NASBP and SFAA annual meetings for a look at what could (and should) be yours. Keep track of your promotional efforts, and you may get one of these great awards.
Electronic Newsletter - The Surety Bond Networker is written to provide insight into PR, marketing, and promotion. It recognizes the efforts of NASBP members, SFAA members, and LSA members at promoting surety bonds. What other newsletter do you know that exclusively addresses the issues of promoting contract surety bonds in construction? That's right, none. If you want to see what other surety professionals are doing and learn strategies and tips on promoting your product and business, then get on the e-mail list for the Surety Bond Networker now!
Speakers' Bureau - Need a speaker? Like to speak? Then call SIO today. When someone needs a speaker, SIO turns to the SIO Speakers' Bureau to offer potential candidates. The speakers' bureau contains a list of NASBP and SFAA members willing to accept speaking engagements.
SIO prides itself on the prompt, professional, and personal service. SIO's mission is "to increase the use of contract surety bonds in the private sector and foster dissemination of positive information on the important role of corporate suretyship in public and private construction." Serving you, and providing you with whatever you need to promote surety bonds is the surest way to achieve this goal. With all SIO has to offer, SIO should be your first call for your contract surety bond needs. SIO is here for you. Call SIO at (202) 686-7463 or e-mail sio@sio.org. You may find they have a lot more to offer than you realized.