PPB July 2019

expenditures, Section 530 of the Revenue Act and other ways legislators can support the promotional products industry to ensure it remains vibrant and dynamic. Carroll Hanley Goggin, MAS, owner of DBG Promotions in Winter Park, Florida, who has participated in L.E.A.D. for several years, says, “Engagement on the Hill was strong in regard to the value of the global supply chain. Rep. Stephanie Murphy’s legislative aid, Jeff Rapp, commented without hesitation that the representative was strongly opposed to the current tariffs because they were bad for business in Florida. We celebrated being on the same team with my representative and focused on the need to educate the White House on the struggles our industry and businesses in Florida are facing with the ongoing tariff battles with China.” Longtime L.E.A.D. participant Nick D’Eramo, owner of Triple Stitch Sportswear in Prospect, Connecticut, says he feels the awareness of the industry’s issues was heard and understood overall. “We were meeting with a staffer at Sen. Blumenthal’s office and discussing the tariffs. I asked what the feeling was [on that issue] from his office and his response was ‘uncomfortable.’ The White House is in control and they’re not getting enough information.” Jeanne Walls, president of JWalls Ink! in Richmond, Virginia, sums up her experience. “Great day on the hill,” she says. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a Democrat or Republican, where else in the world would you have the opportunity to walk the halls of justice, meet your legislators, be invited into their offices and actually voice your opinion, talk about your profession and ask your government officials to keep us in mind when they say ‘yea’ or ‘nay?’ Thank you to PPAI for this opportunity. I love my job.” As part of L.E.A.D.’s goal of growing and protecting the promotional products industry, those who couldn’t be on Capitol Hill were encouraged to add their voice about concerns and legislation that affect their business and the industry through PPAI’s virtual fly-in program. Over four days during the week of L.E.A.D, industry advocates sent almost 7,700 messages to legislators on a range of subjects, from promotional products effectiveness and independent contractors, to the global value chain and advertising deductibility. To find out more about L.E.A.D., contact lawmakers about the issues and learn how to be a part of next year’s trip, visit ppai.org/lead. A group comprised of members of the Upper Midwest Association of Promotional Professionals met with Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), center. PPAI Board Approves Change To PPEF Named Scholarship Program The PPAI Board of Directors held its spring meeting on May 8-9, 2019, in Park City, Utah, with Chair Brittany David, MAS, presiding. Board members spent a portion of the first day in a strategic planning session where they examined various global and national issues and their impact on the promotional products industry. The board meeting itself included a full agenda. Following are some highlights: • Executive Vice President Bob McLean reported that Promotional Products Education Foundation has received a request to establish a named scholarship for a living Hall of Fame recipient. After review and discussion, the board voted unanimously to change the Hall of Fame-named scholarship program to establish a $5,000 PPEF associate-named scholarship in honor or in memory of a Hall of Fame member. The scholarship will be in the Hall of Fame member’s name. The PPAI board will commit to a one-time match of industry donations up to $2,500 to fulfill the $5,000 commitment. • McLean also provided an update on the Association health plan, reporting that census letters have been sent to members and will be followed by a webinar and telemarketing efforts to continue to gauge interest in such a program. • Director of Public Affairs Anne Stone reviewed PPAI’s government relations efforts noting that tariffs continue to dominate national discussions. She provided some history regarding the current tariffs applied to Chinese goods and reviewed the implications of the Supreme Court’s Wayfair decision, which allows states to apply taxes to online sellers. She stated that the Association’s position is to encourage business certainty and stressed that disparity between states creates a hardship on small business. Staff will continue to provide education resources to members. | JULY 2019 | 93 CONNECT