PPAI Expo Daily - Monday - 2016

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PPAIEXPO DAILY™ January 11, 2016
EXPO EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GO HAND IN HAND
By Jen Alexander
For the self-proclaimed lifelong
learner, education is its own reward.
But PPAI strives to help members
receive recognition for their efforts
to become better promotional
professionals, and it does so by
conveying the Certified Advertising
Specialist (CAS), Master Advertising
Specialist (MAS) and Master
Advertising Specialist Plus (MAS+)
certifications.
“We as an organization value
education and certification, and our
program has existed for more than
50 years,” says Julie Levay, PPAI
certification manager. “We know it’s a
personal endeavor, so we have created
a program for people who want to use
it and benefit from it.”
Members pursuing their
certifications are required to
accumulate credits through
professional development
opportunities, and The PPAI Expo
offers several CAS- and MAS-
level courses, which is ideal for
professionals who prefer to attend live
education events when earning credits
toward certification.
“If you’re just starting out, CAS
courses are designed to highlight
numerous aspects of work in the
industry. MAS course content
focuses on strategic thinking and
high-level business practices such as
business management and strategic
management.”
In addition, says Levay, the
Professional Development team has
worked to provide valuable continuing
education opportunities to members
who have already achieved their
certifications.
Attendees who are new to industry
certification are encouraged to attend
the certification information session,
which provides a high-level view of
the program. And individuals who
are ready to recertify can select from
courses that are geared toward their
current certification level.
“Even if you’re not pursuing
certification credits, any number of
sessions can be helpful for you based
on where you are in your promotional
products career,” says Levay.
“Professional designations are
growing in value because they set
you apart in your industry,” she adds.
“Industry veterans have always valued
education. New generations of industry
professionals, especially, are very
aware of the benefits of certification.”
Attendees who have earned the
required number of credits to sit for
the CAS or MAS exam may do so
at Expo. The exam is being given
on Sunday January 10, 9 am – noon
and Wednesday January 13, 1:30 –
4:30 pm and attendees may register
and pay on site at the Professional
Development information booth on
Level 2. n
PPAI CERTIFICATION AT A GLANCE
Ever wondered what it takes to earn a PPAI Industry Certification? Check out this handy chart to see what you need to earn your TAS, CAS, MAS or MAS+.
PROGRAMS
EXPERIENCE
REQUIRED EDUCATION POINTS REQUIRED
REQUIRED
COURSES EXAM REQUIRED
RECERTIFICATION
REQUIRED DESIGNATION
TAS Less than 3 years 25 CAS or MAS level No No No Certificate of completion
CAS 3 years or more 75 CAS or MAS level Yes Yes Yes** Certification
MAS 5 years or more 100 MAS level, plus valid CAS No Yes Yes** Certification
MAS+ 7 years or more 225 total points, plus valid MAS No No (project-based) No Certification
In order to register for the PPAI Certification Exam, you must have already completed the specified CAS or MAS program requirements. Fees for the online
exam are $275 for members and $345 for non-members. Fees for the paper-based exam are$225 for members and $285 for nonmembers.
**CAS designees must continue to keep their CAS Certification current by completing 25 additional educational credits over three years. MAS designees must continue to keep
their MAS Certification current by completing 25 additional MAS-level educational credits over three years. Recertification fees are $75 for members and $125 for nonmembers.
2016 PPAI PUBLICATIONS TEAM
EDITOR: Tina Berres Filipski )
ADVERTISING SALES: Ellen Tucker
ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Jen Alexander and Julie Richie )
NEWS EDITOR: James Khattak )
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Sarah Dodd )
ADVERTISING SPECIALIST: Lydia Gonzales
If you’ve been an industry professional for awhile and are ready to commit to earning a professional designation that reflects your promotional products
skills, expertise and experience, consider the PPAI Certification Fast-Track Program. The program is an initiative aimed at providing promotional products
professionals with a minimum of five years of verifiable industry experience with an avenue for “waiving” certain CAS Certification requirements in
consideration of their experience, education, and/or achievements.
The Fast Track Program is comprised of two applicant-submitted waivers: (Specific criteria must be met to be eligible for CFT 15 and CFT 75; respective fees apply.)
Certification Fast Track 15 (CFT15):
“Waives” all six CAS-required courses (15 points) for the applicant (each course will show as “Waived” on the applicant’s transcript)
Certification Fast Track 75 (CFT 75):
“Waives” all six CAS-required courses (15 points) and remaining 60 CAS points for the applicant—qualifies the applicant to immediately sit for the CAS
exam (each course will show as “Waived” on the applicant’s transcript)
For more information, contact PPAI at , or visit the PPAI Professional Development information desk on the second floor of Mandalay
Bay Convention Center, Sunday through Tuesday between 9 am and 5 pm.