Snapshots (9)

PPAI’s Barnett Visits Industry Members In The UK

PPAI Diversity Development and Engagement Manager Seth Barnett connected with industry members in the UK during a June trip to London. Sitting down with Gordon Glenister, director general of the British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA), and touring the offices of distributor Outstanding Branding, Barnett, says the conversations focused on common challenges and opportunities in the U.S. and UK markets.

BPMA Director General Gordon Glenister, left, and PPAI Diversity Development and Engagement Manager Seth Barnett discussed common challenges, areas of collaboration between the two associations and the value the organizations can bring to their members by working together.

PPAI’s Seth Barnett (second from left) met with Outstanding Branding’s Sales Director Andy Thorne, Sales Manager Chris Dawson and Managing Director Sarah Penn at their offices in London, and discussed the challenges they face in the UK market, and the tools PPAI can provide to help streamline business.

PPAI Wins Irving Cares Summer Squeeze Challenge

Teddie Story, CEO at Irving Cares, a local United Way agency, visited PPAI headquarters  in June to thank PPAI, which was declared the winner of the Irving Cares Summer Squeeze Challenge. PPAI donated the most money and food to the nonprofit between March 1 and April 30. During that period, PPAI employees contributed a record 10,154 pounds of food and more than $500 in cash. The food donation weighed 5,873 pounds more than last year’s donation and 4,558 pounds more than the Association’s biggest collection year in 2010.

Irving Cares CEO Teddie Story (center in green shirt), presents PPAI President and CEO Paul Bellantone, CAE, and the PPAI staff with a certificate as winner of the nonprofit’s Summer Squeeze Challenge.

MiPPA Hosts Inaugural Legislative Education Action Day In Lansing

The Michigan Promotional Professionals Association (MiPPA) held its Legislative Education Action Day June 7 at the State Capitol in Lansing. The regional association brought legislators and industry members together at a breakfast meeting to give the audience an overview of the industry and the needs of small business owners. Afterwards, the MiPPA delegation visited offices of several representatives and senators, delivering bags of Michigan-branded or produced promotional products and information about the industry and its issues of concern.

Paul Kiewiet, MAS+, executive director of MiPPA, shared an overview of the industry with the audience in Lansing.

Jane Mitchell, CAS, owner of Jungle Jane Promotions and MiPPA treasurer spoke on Michigan-based suppliers, many of which had donated products for the event.

PPAI’s Carol Gauger Teaches At Kids In Need Summit

Carol Gauger, MAS, PPAI’s director of member engagement and regional relations, delivered an education presentation, The Proven Power of Promotional Products, during the Kids In Need Foundation (KINF) National Network Summit in Westlake, Texas on June 23. The interactive presentation introduced attendees to the uses, value and importance of promotional products as a powerful marketing tool. Audience members were those who operate teacher resource centers nationwide as well as individuals responsible for fund-raising programs for the Ohio-based nonprofit. PPAI has supported KINF’s mission and programs since 2007, including working with the organization to collect donated products following The PPAI Expo each year.

From left are John Mika, director of The Teacher’s Desk; Lesley Walton, manager of gift-in-kind and volunteer coordinator, KINF; Carol Gauger, MAS, and Dave Smith, executive director, KINF.

PPAI Staff Place Time Capsules During Headquarters Renovations

During renovations to its headquarters lobby, PPAI staff took the opportunity to place a series of 14 time capsules in the building’s new front wall. The capsules provide a snapshot of where the Association and the promotional products industry stand in mid-2016.

Updates to the building’s entranceway replaced a set of glass brick walls that had developed cracks and leaks over the years. Staff placed the time capsules at the foot of the lobby’s southeast-facing front wall during the construction process.

The capsules contained classic and contemporary promotional products including jump drives, a rubber duck, a screen cleaner and pens, along with all current staff’s business cards.

NWPMA Hosts Bellantone and Goos At Town Hall Presentation

PPAI President and CEO Paul Bellantone, CAE, and Board Chair Tom Goos, MAS, joined the Northwest Promotional Marketing Association (NWPMA) June 16 for a town hall and state of the industry presentation for the association’s members. Held at Seattle, Washington’s Museum of Flight, the informal session explored the issues and opportunities facing the promotional products industry and PPAI.

Bellantone and Goos encouraged the audience to participate and join in the discussion during the session, which tackled subjects like industry and member business growth; creating value and differentiation in a crowded and commoditized marketplace; PPAI’s end buyer-focused research projects and Industry Branding Initiative; and research on the size, scope and effectiveness of the promotional products industry.