PPB March 2019

PPAI Board Approves Funds To Explore Association Health Plan The PPAI Board of Directors held its winter meeting on January 12 preceding The PPAI ® Expo 2019 in Las Vegas with PPAI chair Dale Denham, MAS+, presiding. The full agenda included these highlights: • PPAI President and CEO Paul Bellantone, CAE, outlined the Association’s progress against the current strategic plan, focusing on a 2018 year-in-review and identifying key successes and challenges throughout the year. • Executive Vice President Bob McLean, CPA, CAE, provided an update on The PPAI Expo 2019, including robust advance registration numbers attributed to successful attendee acquisition efforts and strong marketing. • McLean also introduced a potential member benefit, an Association Health Plan. After discussion, the board voted to approve funds to support exploring the viability of such a plan for members. • Marketing Director Keith Vincent reviewed the work of the Research Work Group and the PPAI Research Market Outlook Report including 2018 enhancements and goals for 2019. • The board heard two presentations related to board development: PPAI’s legal counsel Cory Halliburton spoke on social media best practices. Stephanie Glanzer, vice president of sales for Mandalay Bay, provided the board with a “state of MGM” presentation—including upcoming priorities and goals for MGM properties. • Jonathan Strauss and Heidi Reimer- Epp, representing the Promotional Product Professionals of Canada, shared an update on PPPC activities and opportunities to collaborate in 2019. • Wayne Greenberg, MAS, chair of the Promotional Products Education Foundation, outlined PPEF’s successes in 2018 and thanked PPAI for its ongoing support. The meeting concluded with the assumption of office for new board directors and recognition of outgoing members. Denham welcomed Bill Mahre, CAS, and Renée Jones, MAS+, class of 2023, along with the new RAC Delegate Amy Rabideau, MAS. He also recognized outgoing board member Norm Hullinger, CAS, and RAC Delegate D’Anna Zimmer, CAS, and Immediate Past President Mary Jo Tomasini, MAS+, who was also conferred lifetime membership in PPAI. Denham then passed the gavel to 2019 Board Chair Brittany David, MAS, who officially took office following the close of Expo. At the PPAI board meeting in January, Denham celebrated the volunteer accomplishments of Norm Hullinger, CAS, and D’Anna Zimmer, CAS, as their terms on the board, as a board member and Regional Association Council Delegate, respectively, came to an end at the conclusion of Expo 2019. PPAI Board Chair Dale Denham, MAS+, presents outgoing PPAI Board Immediate Past Chair Mary Jo Tomasini, MAS+, with an award recognizing her long and extensive history of volunteerism with the Association. 112 | MARCH 2019 | CONNECT