PPB March 2018

| MARCH 2018 | 81 CONNECT PPAI Board Approves In-Kind Contribution To PPEF At January Meeting The PPAI Board of Directors held its winter meeting on January 13 in Las Vegas in advance of The PPAI Expo with board chair Mary Jo Tomasini, MAS+, presiding. Among the business issues addressed were these items: • Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF) Chair Lori Bauer outlined the successes accomplished by the organization in 2017 and presented PPEF’s goals for 2018, which include increasing scholarship and need-based awards and continuing to broaden fundraising efforts. Following the presentation and discussion, the board voted to approve an in-kind contribution to PPEF of $125,000 for administrative services and related expenses, with the next review to take place no later than 2020. • The board reviewed recommended changes to the Association bylaws as presented by staff and approved a number of amendments aimed at clarifying and updating the document. • Paul Bellantone, CAE, PPAI president and CEO, gave an update outlining the Association’s progress on the strategic plan, providing a 2017 year in review and identifying key successes and challenges for the year. • Bob McLean, CAE, CPA, PPAI executive vice president, reviewed expectations, key initiatives and enhancements for The PPAI Expo 2018. • Anne Stone, director of public affairs, reviewed 2017 legislative efforts and expectations for 2018, including the expected scrutiny of the value of imported goods to the U.S. economy. The full-day meeting concluded with the assumption of office by new board directors and recognition of outgoing members. Tomasini welcomed Lori Kates and Todd Pottebaum, MAS, class of 2022, along with the new At-Large Director Jim Hagen. She also recognized outgoing board member Lee Strom, CAS and At-large Director Larry Cohen, CAS, and Immediate Past President Tom Goos, MAS, who was also granted lifetime membership to PPAI. Tomasini then passed the gavel to 2018 Board Chair Dale Denham, MAS+, who officially took office following the close of Expo. PPW! Week is an integral part of PPAI’s ongoing Get In Touch! campaign. The campaign was created to increase awareness and enhance the perception of the promotional products industry, as well as communicate the benefits of working with promotional consultants. The overall goal of the campaign is to direct a larger share of advertising dollars to the industry. The campaign’s integrated approach and creative assets leverage paid, earned, shared and owned strategies that include digital and traditional print ads, social media, research, infographics and video toolkits. These and additional tools are available for download at ppai.org/GetInTouch. A buyer-friendly web portal, GetInTouchAdvertising. com, features a distributor search tool. Promotional Products Work! Week and the Get In Touch! campaign are designed to increase awareness and drive traffic to regional and industry participant websites, educate buyers and drive business referrals to promotional products consultants. More information and planning tools are available at ppai. org/events/promotional- products-work-week-2018/. Above: Chair Mary Jo Tomasini, MAS+ thanks outgoing board members Larry Cohen, CAS; Tom Goos, MAS, and Lee Strom, CAS. Below: Tomasini, far right, welcomes incoming board members Lori Kates, Jim Hagan and Todd Pottebaum, MAS.