PPB December 2017

CONNECT customer experiences worth sharing. Speaker, humorist and author Rita Davenport has developed an international following with her views on the principles of success, time management methods, goal setting, creative thinking, building self-esteem and con dence, and nding your purpose. At Expo, she’ll speak on de ning life’s purpose and how to develop the talents to achieve more, do more and be more. Seth Mattison, an author and futurist, will share his perspectives on the forces affecting the state of the workplace today. Mattison has advised brands and organizations around the world on key shifts in talent management, change and innovation, leadership and the future at work, and he uses that background to arm his audience with practical tools and techniques to deepen their professional connections and amplify their capacity to positively affect change and in uence outcomes. At Monday’s luncheon, author Larry Mersereau with PromoPower, LLC, will take a hard look at branding and positioning’s role in the business-to-business sales process. Mersereau’s keynote will explore how a brand can stand out from the crowd as a different and better option. He will present the steps of transitioning a prospect from total stranger to customer to evangelist; how to successfully position against customers’ other options; and what makes a sales superstar. At Tuesday’s luncheon, business strategist and author Meridith Elliot Powell will show her audience how designing a strategy that adds value demonstrates a clear purpose that can help them get ahead in business. Powell’s session at Expo is expected to deliver business growth strategies to dominate the market in the face of changing customer expectations, sales cycles and competition. New for 2018, PPAI President and CEO Paul Bellantone, CAE, will lead Wednesday’s luncheon with a panel featuring PPAI Board Chair, Mary Jo Tomasini, MAS, and Incoming Chair-Elect Dale Denham, MAS+, as they cover current key issues and opportunities facing the promotional products industry, the Association and its 15,000 member companies. This presentation will include Association initiatives designed to deliver member value as well as protect and grow the industry. Roy Spence, partner at GSD&M Advertising and CEO of the Purpose Institute, will be the opening general session speaker on Tuesday to kick off The PPAI Expo. Spence rst wowed PPAI audiences this summer as the opening keynote speaker at PPAI’s North American Leadership Conference—it was an experience attendees described as compelling, inspiring, educational and unforgettable. With his trademark passion, humor and storytelling skill, Spence will enlighten his audience with insights and lessons from his personal experiences working with legendary, purpose-inspired leaders. He will also present actionable ideas to help listeners make informed decisions that support their core purpose. From a modest launch in 1971, Spence and his partners have built Austin, Texas- based GSD&M into a powerhouse marketing, advertising and idea machine. The company is responsible for iconic campaigns for Southwest Airlines, Walmart and the State of Texas, among others, and counts BMW, The PGA TOUR, John Deere and the United States Air Force among its high-pro le clients. Spence is renowned for his expertise and his passion for entrepreneurship, which he refers to as “The miracle of America.” In 2016, he was inducted into the American Advertising Federation’s Hall of Fame and named the “Adman of the Century” by Texas Monthly magazine. Immediately following the general session, show attendees can purchase a seat to hear more from this marketing guru and ask questions in an informal, intimate setting. Paid registration to the Roy Spence Workshop includes VIP seating at the general session. Advance registration is required and tickets are limited. The session is from 10:30-11:30 am and tickets are $49 for members, and $99 for nonmembers (PPAI Associates). Attendees can also choose from more than 100 education sessions starting on Sunday and running throughout the week, within one of eight tracks including Incentives & Recognition, Corporate Larry Mersereau Paul Bellantone, CAE Mary Jo Tomasini, MAS Dale Denham, MAS+ Meridith Elliot Powell Roy Spence Rita Davenport Seth Mattison 86 | DECEMBER 2017 |