PPB September 2018

Storm Creek’s two-day meeting was attended by 19 of the company’s 20 sales reps, representing all regions of the U.S., and included new product introductions, a product line review, departmental presentations and think-tank discussions on the future of the industry and the buyer journey. by James Khattak StormCreek Hosts First National Sales Meeting Supplier Storm Creek (PPAI 438091) held its inaugural national sales meeting July 17-19 at the Hastings, Minnesota, company’s corporate headquarters. PPAI’s McLean Participates In iPROMOTEu’s Affiliate Forum PPAI Executive Vice President Bob McLean, CPA, CAE, joined a panel discussion at distributor iPROMOTEu’s (PPAI 218870) recent Affiliate Forum in Boston, Massachusetts. Ross Silverstein, president and CEO of iPROMOTEu, led the discussion that included McLean and Tim Andrews, president and CEO of ASI, who talked about key trends facing the promotional products industry and how PPAI and ASI see them developing. The event began with a motivational and educational presentation from CEO Gene Geiger, MAS+ (left), and CIO Dale Denham, MAS+. Attendees chose classes from the morning and afternoon educational groups offered. The conversation among McLean, Andrews and Silverstein covered the recent Supreme Court decision that opened the door for states to collect sales tax on online sales; mergers, particularly the recent one between suppliers alphabroder and Prime Line, and the role of private equity in the industry; the impact Amazon, Walmart and others could have on the industry; the future of industry trade shows; tariffs and trade wars; and aging and diversity in the industry workforce, among other topics. The forum brought together roughly 100 top affiliates and 100 preferred suppliers for two days of education, entertainment and exhibits. The first night included a Boston Red Sox game, at which Silverstein threw out the ceremonial first pitch, while the second night featured a cruise around Boston Harbor and a lobster bake at the federal courthouse. Geiger 2018 Galleria Welcomes 350 Guests To Phoenix Geiger (PPAI 105182) hosted its annual Geiger Galleria education conference and trade show in Phoenix, Arizona, at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel in July. The Lewiston, Maine- headquartered distributor’s event drew approximately 350 sales representatives, suppliers and employees. | SEPTEMBER 2018 | 111 CONNECT