PPB April 2015

86 •

PPB

• APRIL 2015

CONNECT

REGIONAL ASSOCIATION SPOTLIGHT:

VAPPA

IN THIS ISSUE of

PPB

, the magazine

begins a new series profiling the regional

associations that support industry companies

and professionals across the country. The

series begins with the Virginia Promotional

Products Association (VAPPA).

VAPPA’s mission is dedicated to advanc-

ing the image and use of promotional prod-

ucts in the state of Virginia. Founded in

1986, it works to foster the development of

professionalism and business ethics through

education, certification and the exchange of

ideas in a variety of business and social envi-

ronments.

In recent years, the impact the internet

and information-sharing has had on the

industry landscape has been a prime focus of

the association as it works to help its mem-

bers thrive in this environment. End-buyer

education has been a big part of that effort.

Dana Geiger, VAPPA executive director, says,

“VAPPA feels strongly that our distributors

and suppliers should be proactive in helping

to educate buyers. Our shows are designed to

do exactly that. We provide end-buyer shows

that not only showcase products available in

the marketplace, but also educate buyers on

the effectiveness of promotional products as

an advertising medium and our members’

commitment to product safety.”

Product safety and education continue to

be a focus of VAPPA’s efforts going forward.

It has partnered with PPAI to bring the

Association’s Product Safety Awareness pro-

gram to VAPPA’s members. And the associa-

tion works to connect and educate its mem-

bers through its events and supplier-spon-

sored Eat.Learn.VAPPA luncheons. Two of

its board members are actively involved in

advocacy efforts in the region and in

Washington, D.C., the association is search-

ing for new affinity programs for its mem-

bers. Some of these include The VAPPA

Coupon Book, the PANTONE Program

made possible through its affiliate program

with PPAI, Savings on SAGE resources and

other options.

TOP

VAPPA board members and show committee volunteers—(from left) Harold Wood;

Bob Heintz; Julie Strob; Craig Dickens; Todd Mawyer (kneeling); Andrea Coffman; Larry

Arntz; Ron Baellow; Donna Majewski; Lisa Bibb, MAS; Mark Farrar; Catherine Magill; and

VAPPA Executive Director Dana Geiger—collaborated on the regional association’s 2014

Fall Expo.

BOTTOM

Mike Valentini Jr. of Mike Valentini Promotions (right) leads one the

association’s Eat.Learn.VAPPA lunch-and-learn sessions. Valentini, who sponsored the ses-

sion, shared case studies and best practices with his audience.