PPB February 2019

by James Khattak PPAI’s Bellantone, Stone, JoinThe Allen Company Strategy Meeting In December, PPAI President and CEO Paul Bellantone, CAE, and Public Affairs Director Anne Stone visited the Blanchester, Ohio, headquarters of The Allen Company to meet with leadership and staff, participate in strategy discussions and learn more about how the Association can assist the supplier. PPAS Luncheon Celebrates Community, Accomplishments The Promotional Products Association Southwest (PPAS) volunteer luncheon in November drew PPAI President and CEO Paul Bellantone, CAE, to deliver a town hall-style presentation on the state of the industry and the key issues and opportunities in play, the Association and its member companies, and celebrated the accomplishments of PPAS volunteer Larry Krause. The session brought Bellantone (above, second from right) and Stone (right) together with Stan Dohan, MAS, president of The Allen Company (center) and several of the company’s staff—including CEO Allen Dohan (second left) and Preston Dohan, quality control manager (left)—to speak on strategic foresight in the promotional products industry. The conversation focused on looking to the future and spotting emerging trends to help companies be in the best possible position to take advantage of them or prepare for the disruptions they may bring. Larry Krause (center), president of multi-line rep group LDK Marketing Services, was named the inaugural inductee into the PPAS Hall of Fame. Krause has been an active volunteer with the regional association since 1982. PPAS members also raised funds for the Homeless Veterans Service of Dallas at the luncheon. The regional association collected $200 through the sale of Antiqua jackets provided by Krause and custom embroidered by Rodney and Georgina Bogart of All About Bikers. Steven Meyer, MAS, (right), PPAS president, says, “A large part of the luncheon’s focus was understandably on veterans. Both PPAS tradition and the times make it very important to our membership to recognize and thank those who have served our country.” 70 | FEBRUARY 2019 | CONNECT