PPB September 2015

The long-running NALC and sec-

ond annual Technology Summit co-

located for the first time and each deliv-

ered on their mission to focus on the

leadership, business and technology chal-

lenges, and opportunities facing our busi-

nesses, the industry and the Association.

I kicked off this year’s events with

highlights of a recent PPAI Board strate-

gic discussion around the issues of demo-

graphics, globalization and technology—

issues with the potential to create massive

disruption for our members’ businesses

and our channel. The highlights included

results of the recent (and somewhat disap-

pointing) 2014 Distributor Sales Volume

Survey, which showed a marginal 1.09-

percent overall distributor growth and the

exponential growth of online sales, which

topped 33 percent year over year. We also

discussed the recent Forrester research on

the projected loss of the traditional sales-

person as I wrote about in this column in

the June issue. Both topics were also

addressed in sessions later in the week.

This year’s NALC volunteer work

group, led by Catherine Graham and

Mitch Mounger, helped refine and

develop the high-level, well-received

program which included more than a

dozen educational sessions on high-

demand topics including emotional

intelligence, digital marketing, disruptive

innovation, 3D printing, mindfulness

and employee engagement—elements

critical to the future success of our

industry. The speaker lineup featured

noted academics, investors, entrepre-

neurs and many of our own industry

professionals.

Many of our industry’s top IT pro-

fessionals attended PPAI’s Technology

Summit, which almost doubled in size

since its inaugural event in 2014.

Bridging the gap between the NALC

and Technology Summit content and

attendees was a dynamic session on

“Hype Cycle Technology,” which made a

compelling case for stronger collabora-

tion between business and technology

leaders in planning and implementing

technology initiatives.

The Technology Summit included a

day-and-a-half of education sessions, pan-

els and small group discussions with tech

and business speakers from both inside

and outside the industry. Topics, identified

and developed by the Technology

Committee headed by Jon Norris, includ-

ed business best practices, design first and

agile development, industry specific inte-

gration discussions and updates, and the

benefits of moving to the cloud.

The IT leaders recognized their own

with two inaugural awards: Internal

Innovator and Industry Collaborator.

The Internal Innovator winner was the

Jetline IT team. Winners of the Industry

Collaborator award were BIC Graphic

USA and Hit Promotional Products.

Winners from each company took time

to showcase award-winning programs

and answer questions.

The events kicked-off with

PPB

mag-

azine recognizing its 2015 Rising Stars at

a reception and dinner honoring the 10

outstanding young leaders from companies

across the

industry.We

were fortunate to

have all 10 recipients on hand to enjoy the

celebration in their honor including:

Jill Albers, Shumsky

Kirby Hasseman, Hasseman Marketing

Jessica Hutwelker, MAS, Sunrise Identity

Andrea Jaeckels, MAS, AIA Corporation

Ray Jimenez, Pacific Western Sales

Michael Marias, Hit Promotional Products

Ashley McCune, Facilisgroup

Sasha Pirrie, Logomark

Adam Taylor, Essent Corporation

Megan Zezzo, Jetline

I couldn’t be more proud to recognize

these outstanding professionals along

with

PPB

Editor Tina Berres Filipski.

The dates for next year’s co-located

North American Leadership Conference

and Tech Summit in San Francisco are

August 14-16 and August 17-18,

respectively. Details and registration will

be available soon.

A Meeting Of The Minds In

Business And Technology

PERSPECTIVES

4 •

PPB

• SEPTEMBER 2015

NE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE LEADERS

representing 78 companies from the United

States, Mexico and Canada gathered in Nashville, Tennessee, in August to attend the PPAI

North American Leadership Conference (NALC) and PPAI Technology Summit, two sen-

ior-level professional development programs designed to discuss and address the business and technology

issues facing their businesses and the promotional products industry.

Paul Bellantone, CAE

PPAI President And CEO

PERSPECTIVES