There's no escaping the harsh reality that things are getting tough out there at the moment. Every time you turn on the TV or open a paper, you're faced with yet another story about the rising price of fuel, food and energy; a housing market crash; or, worse still, a recession. And while I think that sometimes the media is guilty of too much speculation and scaremongering, at the same time there is no point in burying your head in the sand and pretending nothing's changing.

If like me, you are breathing a sigh of relief that the football season is now over, make the most of it because there are plenty of other sporting events waiting on the sidelines to take its place. Just when I think I may finally get the attention of my boyfriend again, along comes the cricket ... or the motor racing ... or the tennis ... or the golf - you get the picture! But while I despair at this never ending cycle of sport, it is of course great news for those of you in the garment decoration industry.

Spring has finally arrived and all around us are signs of new life: from the lambs being born and the bluebells blooming, to that welcome hue of green appearing in all the hedgerows. So it seems fitting that our May issue is quite literally brimming with new ideas to help your business.

By all accounts, the 2008 Printwear & Promotion Exhibition was a good place to do business. Most of the exhibitors I spoke to during the three days felt that the quality of enquiries was particularly high and many had taken orders to the tune of thousands of pounds. In total we had over 4,000 visitors through the doors, which is on a par with last year, and over 80 exhibitors. Compared to many other trade shows at the moment, which certainly can't boast such visitor numbers, that is a very impressive figure. What's more, 77% of those had not visited the show in the previous year, making them potential valuable new customers.

Welcome to the March edition of the magazine - I can't believe we're here again already! I know that for most of you the post Christmas period has disappeared in a blur of exhibitions and trade shows - and here we are with another one for you to think about! But I'm sure you'll agree after last year's successful show, it's worth the effort.

Those of you who were glued to the TV every Saturday night for months as Strictly Come Dancing brought some excitement to those dark winter nights (go on, admit it, you were hooked too), will know the importance of five words uttered by the ultra glamorous Tess Daly after each dance - The Judges' Scores Are In.

Let me start this issue by wishing you all a very Happy New Year. I trust you all enjoyed a break over Christmas and, like me, are returning to work bright eyed and bushy tailed and not just a few pounds heavier?!

And let's not forget the New Year's Resolutions that we all insist on making: no chocolate/alcohol/fun and more exercise/healthy food/early nights - as if January wasn't difficult enough already!

Where has the year gone? I know we all say that at the end of every year, but having joined the magazine in March, that now seems a lifetime ago – the best part of a year in fact by the time this issue comes out. So what has happened in the garment decoration industry in the past year?

One thing’s for sure, it seems to have been in the headlines quite a bit, if not directly then indirectly. The ethical debate has really hotted up in the past year, with a growing focus on avoiding sweatshop and ‘slave’ labour.

Last month Al Gore won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on climate change, placing the issue not just at the forefront of the US political debate, but also cementing its seriousness in all our minds – not that we should really need any more convincing. Let's face it, over the past few years there's been enough stark evidence of climate change to mean we should all be taking it extremely seriously by now. And it's not even as if we can say it doesn't really affect us – this summer's floods are testament to the fact that it does.

That’s it. The summer season is well and truly over. Those of you lucky enough to go on holiday have returned and things are really starting to pick up again (not that I thought it ever got particularly quiet!). As such, this month is another jam-packed issue, bursting at the seams with information, news and topical features.

The textile industry has been in the headlines again lately, with stories of sweatshop labour making the front pages on more than one occasion. As consumers, it seems that the ethical issues behind our clothes and the way they are made are becoming an increasing concern, in much the same way as the issues of traceability and food miles have for food. And, as is the case with our food, this doesn't strike me as an issue that will just fade quietly into the background.

Welcome to this month’s issue – and what a jam-packed one it is! I had so much information this month (thank you) it was a struggle fitting it all in, but I did my best.

Having managed to venture out of the office a bit this month, one of the things that has struck me is the apparent ease with which someone can set up a business as a garment decorator in the printwear industry. I say apparent because as you will all tell me, there is nothing easy about any business.

No, don’t panic, I’m not about to plan my take over of the world, nor am I going turn the magazine into some self-prophesising book (although there are some exciting changes afoot, which I will explain later). No, I am, of course, talking about the environment and the increasing emphasis now being placed on it, both at home and in the workplace.