PPB March 2019

pair’s achievements and to honor this year’s winners of the Distinguished Service Award, Michele Jennrich, MAS, and the H. Ted Olson Humanitarian Award, Daryll Griffin, MAS. The next evening, the 61st PPAI Pyramid Awards Celebration, recognized 163 of the best promotions and products in the promotional products industry in five categories: Supplier Star, Client Programs, Marketing, Supplier Decorating and Technology. Volunteer Appreciation PPAI hosted its annual Volunteer Leadership Luncheon to recognize those who have generously contributed their time and resources to the Association. Members of the PPAI Board of Directors, committees and advisory groups, the Regional Association Council board, the Promotional Products Education Foundation board and new inductees to PPAI’s Fellows program were honored. The luncheon also marked the transition of PPAI board chairs as outgoing PPAI Board Chair Dale Denham, MAS+ passed the gavel to incoming board chair Brittany David, MAS. An Industry That Gives Back More than 120 golfers from 60 industry companies turned out to play in the Glen Holt & Fran Ford Memorial Golf Tournament supporting the Promotional Products Education Fund (PPEF). The tournament raised close to $50,000 for PPEF’s college scholarship program. Volunteers and staff from the Kids In Need Foundation were onsite at the show collecting donated products from exhibitors after the show closed. This year marked the 12th that PPAI has welcomed the nonprofit group to the Expo and more than 60 exhibitors donated leftover products and samples. This year’s harvest resulted in 18 pallets piled high with products, plus six bikes and other items generously donated by Expo exhibitors. All products collected were funneled to donation centers for use by teachers in underprivileged schools across the region. Browsing the thousands of products on exhibit at the show are Frank and Lesa Demaria of Spectrum Enterprises in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts; and below, left, distributors from Mark’s Quick Printing in St. Louis, Missouri. Below, right, representatives from exhibitor Agraffes Innovation prepare for another busy day in the booth. Looking Ahead To 2020 Anticipation—and planning—have already started for the next PPAI Expo, January 12-16, 2020 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Show days are January 14-16. Look for registration to open this fall. Best Of Expo | FEATURE | MARCH 2019 | 35