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PPAI Board Tackles A Busy
2017 Agenda At January Meeting
The PPAI Board of Directors held its first meeting of 2017 on January 7
in Las Vegas just prior to the opening of The PPAI Expo. Chair Tom Goos,
MAS, presided. Among the meeting highlights are these:
Guest Pat Dugan, MAS, chair of the Promotional Products Education
Foundation, outlined the successes accomplished by PPEF in 2016
and discuss its goal in 2017 to increase PPEF’s impact by increasing
scholarship and need-based awards, and continue to broaden its
fundraising effort.
Paul Bellantone, CAE, PPAI president and CEO, addressed the new
strategic plan, focusing on the strategic goals and objectives for the next
three years. He also delivered a 2016 year-in-review, identifying key
successes and challenges throughout the year and areas of focus for 2017.
Anne Stone, director of public affairs, addressed legislative expectations
for 2017 including an effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care
Act as well as efforts to pass comprehensive tax reform. As part of
comprehensive tax reform, some Republican law makers are proposing
the introduction of a border adjustability tax (BAT). BAT would levy taxes
on imported goods. PPAI has joined the Americans for Affordable Products
Coalition to oppose this proposal. She also reviewed the state of the PPAI
board of directors’ election and it was decided that staff will maintain the
existing timing and election processes in 2017 as were delivered in 2016.
Darel Cook, director of expositions, reviewed expectations for The
PPAI Expo 2017. He reported strong attendance numbers—up over
2016—much of that due to successful attendee acquisition efforts. Key
show initiatives included incorporating Eventbit
TM
technology into the
Expo, bringing two new large distributor groups to the show, an updated
PPAI booth with an Expo
Live
component and “BIG IDEA” kiosks—
suggestion boxes placed throughout the show for attendees’ opinions on
improving the show.
Keith Vincent, director of marketing, reported that the Get In Touch!
campaign is going strong and the industry engagement efforts are being
seen throughout the Expo. He also presented a demonstration of the new
PPAI website which will roll out in the first quarter.
Alan Peterson, senior vice president, reviewed Association efforts
in support of developing knowledge communities, a key goal within the
strategic plan. PPAI will work with a third-party provider to drive industry
dialogue and engagement.
As part of the board’s development program, economist Chris
Keuhl, Armada Corporate Intelligence, addressed current economic and
government including interest rates, wage rates and the rate of inflation and
how those changes could impact the promotional products industry.
Carol Gauger, MAS, director of volunteer engagement and
regional relations, reviewed the Awards and Recognition Committee’s
recommendation to rebrand the company award competitions—currently
Suppliers Achievement, Technology, Image and Supplier Star—as Pyramid
awards. The rebranding would coincide with the 60th anniversary of the
original PPAI Pyramid. The recommendation was unanimously approved.
Board Chair Tom Goos, MAS, recognized the three new directors on
the board, recognized the retiring board members and thanked them for
their service to PPAI.
PPAI Immediate Past Chair Rick Brenner, MAS+, was unanimously
approved for lifetime membership in PPAI.
PPAI’s SPARK ProgramMakes Inroads With
Young Industry Professionals At Expo 2017
PPAI’s SPARK program, first introduced at the 2016 SAGE
Show as a young professionals “pop-up” event, held an
education and networking reception at The PPAI Expo
2017. SPARK has been developed as a platform for young
professionals working in the promotional products industry.
SPARK connects future leaders and gives them insight
into the ideas, projects and achievements that will shape the
industry going forward. The event at Expo drew 35 registrants
for the program, an education session with PPAI Diversity
Development and Engagement Manager Seth Barnett on
networking across generational lines. Barnett says, “The session went great and everyone was very excited to participate. But I think the
real measure of its success came later in the evening when I noticed several groups of attendees continuing to network together. The goal
of this event was to create a platform for young professional success. I believe we achieved that and so much more.”
The next SPARK event is scheduled in conjunction with Expo East in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Expo East 2017 will run June 12-14 at
the Atlantic City Convention Center, and SPARK’s date, time and location will be announced soon.
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