PPB January 2020

PPAI NamedOneOf 50 Best Places ToWork In 2019 By Outside Magazine PPAI has been named one of the Best Places to Work in 2019 by Outside magazine. PPAI checked in at No. 35 on the magazine’s annual list of the nation’s 50 top employers. “We are honored to be named to this list of exceptional companies with warm and welcoming environments prioritizing work-life balance,” says PPAI President and CEO Paul Bellantone, CAE. “This recognition acknowledges our past efforts and helps set goals for the future as a best-in-class employer. There is a sense of accomplishment and community that comes from working at PPAI that I personally believe is hard to nd elsewhere.” Outside magazine has compiled a “Best Places to Work” list since 2008. Working in collaboration with the Best Companies Group, an independent research rm specializing in identifying and recognizing great places to work, it makes its determinations based on an analysis of employer bene ts and policies, and an employee engagement and satisfaction survey. “Working at PPAI encompasses purposeful and rewarding work as we advocate for and advance the promotional products industry, while promoting a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere,” says PPAI Human Resources Manager Doris Sweely. “For PPAI to be recognized as one of The 50 Best Places to Work in 2019 is a proud moment both professionally and personally. It reinforces that we have a true family culture where work-life balance is modeled and encouraged.” In recognizing the Association, Outside highlighted its numerous staff engagement events throughout the year, including an annual animal- themed obstacle race to raise money for animal rescue, as well as the fun- lled, team-building tness challenges PPAI organizes, such as marshmallow archery, black-light dodgeball, ax throwing and escape rooms. Staff committees also organize an annual cornhole tournament and two annual staff outings as well as quarterly birthday celebrations, a Halloween costume contest, chili cook-offs, onsite massages and food truck treats. This is PPAI’s rst time being honored by Outside and was one of just two organizations in Texas to be honored; C1S Group in Dallas landed at No. 48. Outside is America’s leading active lifestyle magazine, with more than two million monthly readers. For more than 30 years, the magazine has covered travel, sports, adventure, health and tness, as well as the personalities, environment and style and culture of the world “outside.” Along with receiving many other accolades, Outside is the only magazine to win three consecutive National Magazine Awards for General Excellence. isMonth, IraNeaman, CAS, Begins TermAs PPAI BoardChair At the conclusion of The PPAI Expo 2020 on January 16, Ira Neaman, CAS, founder and president of Avenel, New Jersey, supplier Vantage Apparel, will begin his one-year term as chair of the PPAI Board of Directors. Neaman graduated from Syracuse University in 1974 and earned his Master of Business Administration from Harvard in 1976. He founded Vantage in 1977. He has been an active volunteer in the promotional products industry for more than 40 years. Neaman has served on several PPAI volunteer committees, including the Leadership Advisory Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee and the Marketing and Research Committee, as well as the Promotional Products Education Foundation Board and several industry task forces. In 2002, he became the Ira Neaman, CAS, with former board chairs, Mary Jo Tomasini, MAS+ (left), and Jo-an Lantz, MAS, during the 2019 PPAI North American Leadership Conference. | JANUARY 2020 | 109 CONNECT