PPPC National Convention Draws More Than 1,300 Buyers

The Promotional Products Professionals of Canada (PPPC) welcomed the industry to Toronto, Ontario’s Metro Toronto Convention Centre in January for the 2016 PPPC National Convention. Running January 25-29, the 60th annual convention drew more than 3,000 attendees for professional development and networking opportunities, and to meet with nearly 200 industry companies in 370 booths on the trade-show floor. The national convention’s professional development schedule extended throughout the week, and featured speakers from the U.S. and Canada to explore the industry’s best practices and new ideas. (Photos courtesy of The Image Commission.)

Karl Subban, former Toronto school principal, coach and speaker, delivered the opening keynote of the PPPC National Convention.

Karl Subban, former Toronto school principal, coach and speaker, delivered the opening keynote of the PPPC National Convention.

The show’s opening day concluded with a networking party, where a Battle of the Bands pitted PPPC’s The Misprints against PPAI’s Midnight Soul Patrol.

The show’s opening day concluded with a networking party, where a Battle of the Bands pitted PPPC’s The Misprints against PPAI’s Midnight Soul Patrol.

This is a photo of people on a trade-show floor talking to vendors at booths.

The national convention this year allowed non-member distributors to attend on the second day of the trade show, and on the third day it welcomed more than 1,300 distributor-invited clients.

A Women’s View Inaugural Networking Reception Makes An Impact

A Woman’s View, an initiative from distributor group iPROMOTEu to support the needs of women in the promotional products industry, held its first networking reception at The PPAI Expo 2016. With a chic cocktail party theme complete with wine, hors d’oeuvres and gifts from A Women’s View sponsors, the reception featured a performance from a Tina Turner impersonator and a speech by the first female executive chef on the Las Vegas Strip, Susan Wolfla. Visit www.awomansviewprogram.com for more information about the initiative.

Women at the conference dancing on a dance floor at the networking reception.

More than 150 women attended the A Woman’s View inaugural networking reception.

Tayla Carpenter (right) and Candace Plunkett (left), A Woman’s View program managers, presented Ellen Orne of Ellco Promotions with the 2016 A Woman’s View Visionary Award in appreciation of her strength and commitment to the industry and in recognition of her dedication, professionalism and success.

Tayla Carpenter (right) and Candace Plunkett (left), A Woman’s View program managers, presented Ellen Orne of Ellco Promotions with the 2016 A Woman’s View Visionary Award in appreciation of her strength and commitment to the industry and in recognition of her dedication, professionalism and success.

PPAI’s Tim Brown, MAS, Joins The GAPPP University And Expo To Speak About Product Safety

PPAI Product Responsibility Manager Tim Brown, MAS, joined the Georgia Association of Promotional Products Professionals (GAPPP) in February for its GAPPP University and Expo event in Atlanta, Georgia. Brown spoke to a packed crowd on product safety awareness and the compliance challenges and opportunities facing the industry.

Tim Brown giving his presentation to 45 attendees seated at tables.

Brown’s session, "How To Talk Compliance With The End Buyer," drew more than 45 attendees as part of the GAPPP event’s education lineup.

 

CPPA Celebrates Industry Accomplishments At Ninth Annual Peake Awards

The Chesapeake Promotional Products Association (CPPA) named 14 winners of the regional association’s 2016 Peake Awards at an event in Baltimore, Maryland’s M&T Bank Stadium on January 26. The CPPA Peake Awards spotlight the top promotional consultants and suppliers in the Chesapeake region by highlighting distributor- and supplier-specific accomplishments as well as overall recognition for campaign excellence and commitment to the association.

Target Marketing Group President and Founder John Leahy (center) attends the CPPA 2016 Peake Awards with members of his company’s team to accept the Distributor of the Year award.

Target Marketing Group President and Founder John Leahy (center) attends the CPPA 2016 Peake Awards with members of his company’s team to accept the Distributor of the Year award.

Michael J. Harper of Summit Group was presented with the association’s highest honor, The Peake Award, for outstanding service to the association and the industry.

Michael J. Harper of Summit Group was presented with the association’s highest honor, The Peake Award, for outstanding service to the association and the industry.

 

PPAI’s Bob McLean Joins RMRPPA Professional Development Session

The Rocky Mountain Region Promotional Products Association (RMRPPA) is hosting a series of professional development days for its members. On February 18, PPAI Executive Vice President Bob McLean joined the RMRPPA in Denver, Colorado, to speak on using industry research to boost sales. McLean’s session drew from PPAI’s ADvocate program and findings from PPAI’s The Influence of Promotional Products on Consumer Behavior and explored promotional products’ effectiveness, including in relation to other media, and buying patterns. The RMRPPA’s next professional development day is scheduled for April 21.

With 23 regional association members in attendance, McLean’s interactive session on industry research spurred extensive conversations that continued long after the presentation’s conclusion.

With 23 regional association members in attendance, McLean’s interactive session on industry research spurred extensive conversations that continued long after the presentation’s conclusion.