PPB July 2018

by James Khattak Now in its sixth year, Promotional Products Work! Week (PPW! Week) drew unprecedented attention from the companies, professionals and organizations that participate in the industry, and the communities they serve. Illustrating growing awareness that promotional products companies and professionals are an important component of the local and national economies, Mayor Wallace Cartwright of the city of Shelbyville, and the state of Tennessee, issued proclamations recognizing May 14-18 as Promotional Products Work! Week and Shelbyville, also known as The Pencil City, as The Promotional Products City. “This was a momentous event for PPAMS [Promotional Products Association of the Mid-South] and PPAI, and it’s exciting the associations came together to kick off Promotional Products Work! Week and celebrate Shelbyville’s rich history and the promotional products industry’s strong economic impact at the local and global levels,” says Paul Bellantone, CAE, PPAI president and CEO. “I want to thank PPAMS, the city of Shelbyville, the Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce, community leaders and the great state of Tennessee—we were honored to be a part of this historic day.” The day of the proclamation began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and factory tour at supplier Shepenco, followed by a kickoff luncheon and the proclamation presentation by Mayor Cartwright. Other speakers included Congressman Scott DeJarlais; state Sen. Shane Reeves; Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce CEO Allen Pitner; and PPAMS President Kimberly Stunkel, as well as local dignitaries and promotional products industry members. At PPAI headquarters in Irving, Texas, the first full day of PPW! Week began with a visit from Irving, Texas, Mayor Pro Tem Allan Meagher, who on behalf of Mayor Rick Stopfer, declared Promotional Products Work! Week for the city. Irving has been home to PPAI for almost 40 years. Joined by PPAI President and CEO Paul Bellantone, CAE, and the Association’s staff, Meagher said, “Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, generating jobs and improving the quality The Industry And Its Communities Celebrate Promotional Products Work! Week Mark Farrar, executive director of Promotional Products Association of the Mid-South, and Paul Bellantone, CAE, president and CEO of PPAI, join Shelbyville, Tennessee Mayor Wallace Cartwright as he delivers the PPW!W proclamations. 78 | JULY 2018 | CONNECT