PPB October 2017

“NALC was valuable in two ways,” says Matt Gresge, president and CEO of AIA Corporation. “First was the opportunity to collaborate, commiserate and brainstorm with valued and trusted industry peers. The second was the thought-provoking content delivered through the speakers and presentations. In a business where we’re constantly stepping on the proverbial gas, it was invaluable to have time to learn, synthesize and be challenged by new ideas.” Jon Levine, president of The Image Group, says, “What a great conference full of tomorrow’s thought leaders. This leadership conference is an opportunity to expand our visions, and it challenges us to plan for the future. I am excited to take what I learned and share it across our organization.” “The networking is amazing,” says Henrik Johansson, CEO of Boundless Network. “To be able to meet with the CEOs of most of your preferred suppliers in one place is really valuable. The intimate setting sets the stage for in-depth conversations that would not happen otherwise. To collaborate with other distributor principals and discuss our industry’s biggest challenges was great too.” Pete Gleason, MAS, vice president, sales for Custom Plastics Specialties, Inc., adds, “NALC this year, like others, was an incredible two-and-a- half days of the industry’s top leaders and facilitators sharing knowledge and ideas about how we can best prepare for the future. The focus on strategic foresight, in my mind, was brilliant. I cannot wait to get back to my team and share. Moreover, I can’t wait to attend again next year. Thanks again to PPAI for another world-class event.” The next NALC will be held in Washington, D.C., in August 2018. Watch for more information to come soon at www.ppai.org ; registration will open in the coming months. DavidWoods, MAS, and Janelle Nevins Named To PPAI 2018 Hall Of Fame PPAI has named David Woods, MAS, retired president and CEO of Neenah, Wisconsin, distributor AIA Corporation, and the late Janelle Nevins, formerly senior vice president at Silver Spring, Maryland-based distributor Summit Group (PPAI 105050), as the 2018 PPAI Hall of Fame inductees. “PPAI is incredibly proud to induct Janelle and David into the Hall of Fame,” says Paul Bellantone, CAE, PPAI president and CEO. “This honor is well deserved. They have made extraordinary contributions throughout their careers to the Association, the promotional products industry and the communities they have served.” Since 1977, the PPAI Hall of Fame has been honoring leaders in the promotional products industry who have had an impact on the industry and their communities. The industry has grown and prospered because of the creative spark and dedication of many, but the Hall of Fame inductees’ selfless efforts and devotion to the industry are monumental. Woods’ retirement last year from AIA Corporation concluded an industry career that began in 1991 when he joined the Lee Wayne Company as president and CEO. In that role, he built a strong team and restored the distributor’s profitability and sales, and led its sale to HALO Promotional Products in 1993. He continued to lead Lee Wayne until he was promoted to executive vice president of HALO Promotional Products, and he served briefly as president of HALO International and senior vice president of HALO Corp. In 2002, Woods was asked to join PPAI as COO while the Association was moving The PPAI Expo from Dallas to Las Vegas. He oversaw internal operations of the Association during the move, freeing up its leadership team to manage the intricacies of establishing Expo in Las Vegas. With an established track record of managing diverse organizations through transitions, Woods was recruited in 2003 by 4imprint to stabilize and turn around AIA, then known as Adventures In Advertising. Under his leadership and with the team he assembled, the distributor’s business conditions and outlook improved, and in 2005, Woods led a private equity buyout of AIA. PPB magazine named AIA one of the 12 Greatest Companies To Work For in 2014, and Counselor selected it as one of its Best Places To Work for five years in a row, from 2012 to 2016. Woods’ professional history is characterized by extensive David Woods, MAS NALC’s agenda featured a wide range of general and breakout sessions, and discussions bringing together diverse viewpoints. In one of NALC’s panels, Catherine Graham, commonsku; Lee Strom, CAS, SanMar; Marc Simon, HALO Branded Solutions; and Cory Halliburton, JD, WKPZ, discussed managing a brand through a crisis. | OCTOBER 2017 | 95