PPB April 2016

4 •

PPB

• APRIL 2016

Paul Bellantone, CAE

PRESIDENT AND CEO

PERSPECTIVES

For longer than I’ve

been associated with

PPAI, we’ve had a

strong, industry-driven

and collaborative lobbying presence in

Washington, D.C. From the beginning,

PPAI’s lobbying efforts have focused on the

core issues related to independent contrac-

tors, tax reform and small business, as well as

industry-critical issues we identify as we

monitor thousands of bills on a day-to-day

basis. We continue to invest heavily in this

strategic initiative. This is in addition to our

ongoing and significant efforts to increase

understanding and acknowledgement of pro-

motional products as key branding tools that

help advance brands, and to position promo-

tional consultants as strategic partners and

trusted advisors.

As a result of our stellar reputation and

long-standing presence in D.C., we are a

sought-after coalition partner. As an industry

that represents advertising, media and market-

ing, as well as manufacturers, importers,

resellers and decorators, we are able to strate-

gically align with partners who focus on spe-

cific issues, including the Small Business

Legislative Council, the American

Advertising Federation, the Association of

National Advertisers, the American Alliance

for Innovation, the Partnership to Protect

Workplace Opportunity, the Coalition to Save

Local Businesses, the National Association of

Manufacturers and many more.

Our government relations work is built

upon a firm foundation of industry engage-

ment from the smallest to the largest mem-

bers—including engagement by Advertising

Specialty Institute’s (ASI) senior manage-

ment in PPAI’s Government Relations

Action Council and our Legislative

Education and Action Day (L.E.A.D.), tak-

ing place this year on May 25-26. I mention

ASI here because they have been an increas-

ingly engaged colleague in our legislative

efforts and, in my view, seem to be receiving

some undeserved scrutiny for running the

recent story.

Thanks to these engaged stakeholders,

PPAI has a well-oiled machine in place.

From our D.C.-based lobbyist’s boots on the

ground, to L.E.A.D. at the federal, state and

local levels, to the “virtual fly-in” digital advo-

cacy (generating more than 7,500 industry

emails to legislators) as part of our

Promotional Products Work! Week efforts, to

our dedicated government relations team, we

make sure federal and state lawmakers under-

stand the value, economic contributions and

employment opportunities offered by this

vital and growing industry. As part of our

mission to grow and protect the industry,

we—PPAI, together with its expansive and

engaged constituency—continuously educate

members of Congress—at their D.C. and

home offices—and other government entities

on the value of the industry.

I will continue to respond to individual

member inquiries regarding the potential

launch of a new legislative advocacy group,

letting them know that while I am pleased to

see that the prospective group’s agenda is

consistent with PPAI’s long-standing efforts

in this arena, it would be unfortunate if the

industry’s progress is divided or diluted as a

result of two separate efforts. The irony isn’t

lost on me that I am reviewing this article as

I sit in the Small Business Legislative

Council (SBLC) board of directors meeting

in Washington, D.C. This group influences

legislative and federal policy issues related to

the small business community, and thus

directly impacts our industry. PPAI’s standing

seat on the SBLC board assures us a driving

force on the relevant legislative agenda.

To learn more about PPAI’s advocacy

efforts, I encourage you to visit

www.ppailaw.org

and take the opportunity to

become more engaged in these efforts so that

we can all protect and grow this industry to

which we owe so much.

F YOU’VE HAD YOUR EYE

on industry social media or industry

news recently, you may have read about the pending launch of a

new membership-funded industry lobbying group. I’ve been

tracking the comments of dozens of engaged industry profes-

sionals supporting PPAI’s legislative and advocacy efforts, and

have had dozens more direct emails and calls looking for an

official PPAI response.

THE POWER OF AN

INDUSTRY VOICE