PPB April 2019

Education sessions at Expo East are free to show attendees. PPAI Awarded SAAC’s Regional Association Management Contract In February, PPAI and the Specialty Advertising Association of California (SAAC) announced that they had entered into an agreement for PPAI to provide the regional association with management services. SAAC will continue to work under the stewardship of its board of directors and will maintain autonomy and a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit status as a professional trade association. A dedicated PPAI representative, Account Executive Jennifer Bingham, will serve as SAAC’s executive director and will be supported by additional staff resources. “We are incredibly excited to partner with PPAI as our chosen association management company,” says SAAC Board President Rhett Todd. “The level of support PPAI will provide is much more robust than that of a standard association management company. They are on the forefront of legislative and regulatory matters, and we believe working together in California will not only be beneficial for SAAC members but will ultimately help pioneer initiatives that will positively affect the industry at large.” Paul Bellantone, CAE, PPAI president and CEO, adds, “PPAI is committed to investing resources and time to serve the promotional product industry at every level, specifically the regional community. We continue to explore ways to support the unique culture of each regional association and their members. The opportunity to serve SAAC as an association manager and a partner, in many ways, is no doubt unprecedented in our industry. I believe it is an exciting time to bring more opportunities to both SAAC and PPAI members in the region.” PPAI and SAAC operate under separate missions designed to serve the promotional products industry at the international and regional levels, respectively. This shared vision and natural alignment strengthens the presence of SAAC in the region, while creating more opportunities for SAAC and PPAI members. “This is a tremendous win for both SAAC and PPAI,” says Bill Petrie, Regional Association Council (RAC) board president. “PPAI has been both communicative to and transparent with the RAC board during the evolution of this agreement and we are thrilled about the possibilities it holds. PPAI has long been supportive of the regional community and the fact that they’ve been chosen to serve as the association management company for SAAC only serves to underscore that commitment.” Other highlights of the Expo East 2019 education program include: • Connections Corner, back again by popular demand, will be held Monday in the third-floor foyer. These roundtable discussions explore website design, incentive and recognition programs, video marketing and more. The last one of the day, held 3:30 - 4pm, will feature PPAI Board Chair Brittany David, MAS, and Immediate Past-Chair Dale Denham, MAS+, for a Q&A on strategic foresight, where the industry is headed and anything members want to know from the PPAI board’s perspective. • Expo East is bringing education to the show floor again on Tuesday. Along with Ciotta’s session, the show floor stage will feature sessions with corporate trainers Johnny Campbell and Vince DiCecco, and industry expert Cliff Quicksell, Jr., MAS+. • On Monday morning, eight PPAI staff members will give attendees the ultimate tour of Association membership. • Julie Kwan, PPAI manager of diversity and learning engagement, is presenting two sessions on diversity and inclusion on Monday: Hire Right With Behavior-Based Interviewing and Embrace Diversity To Grow Your Business. For more details on what’s in store at Expo East, visit expoeast.ppai.org . | APRIL 2019 | 87 CONNECT