PPB December 2020

having begun her three-year term in January, and has a distinguished history of service with the industry’s regional associations. She served on the Philadelphia Area Promotional Products Association (PAPPA) in 2004-2005 and in 2007-2010, and on the Carolinas Association of Advertising and Marketing Professionals (CAAMP) board in 2012-2017, where she served as board president in 2015. She was also on the RAC board in 2015-2018 and led it as president in 2017. “During my time on the regional boards and then on the RAC board, I had the privilege of working with and being inspired by such intelligent and caring people who have made me a better leader and citizen,” said McMaster. “I am thankful for the many relationships and friendships that have blessed my life as a result of my association service. And trust me, I’m not done serving!” She is credited with leading several significant accomplishments during her years of volunteer service. Among them are the establishment of a new education program, Rapid Fire Presentations, at the CAAMP Carolinas Connection Show in 2012 that has become an annual event that continues today and facilitating the RAC board’s creation of a new three-year strategic plan during her term as president. Along with her service to the regional community and PPEF, McMaster has volunteered in many capacities with PPAI. She served on the Professional Development Committee in 2013-2014, the PPAI Women’s Leadership Conference Workgroup in 2013- 2014, the RAC Volunteer Advisory Group in 2016 and the Donna Hall Memorial Grant Committee in 2015. She was named a PPAI Fellow in 2016. “Janet is amazing. She has a heart of gold and the true volunteer spirit,” says Harold Wood, RAC board president. “I first met Janet about 15 years ago when I was new to the promotional products industry. She gave me insight, mentorship and a friendly ear. Janet is like that with everyone, and her warmth and genuine desire to help those around her makes her a paragon of our industry. She has tirelessly worked to grow her Geiger family and her volunteer family, and she is always working to make everyone around her, better.” Wood adds, “Janet takes time to listen and understand all sides of any subject, and she can remove herself from the situation and give sage advice to all involved. She does all of this with grace and passion, while seeing the potential in all of those around her and drawing it out. She is one of two people in my life, I can say, I have always looked up to. She is the best at everything she does.” PromoPolls Spotlights Industry Perspectives On Timely Issues PPAI’s PromoPolls are a series of quick, informal, twice-weekly polls published in every issue of PPB Newslink that capture the promotional product industry’s opinions on a wide range of relevant topics. Several of PromoPolls’ recent questions quizzed industry members on their business experiences during the pandemic. Among their insights are: • Forty-three percent of respondents are focusing on traditional methods like email and phone calls for their business development during the pandemic, although 24 percent of those polled incorporated those practices with video conferencing and sending out spec and random samples to prospects. • For 43 percent of those surveyed, customer relationships have been themost important factor in helping their company survive the year, while 23 percent cite creativity and innovation. • Asked how they would scale up business at amid-sized distributor company right now, 50 percent said they would tighten up processes and 38 percent said they would invest in technology for order processing, CRMand research. • In conversations with clients, 40 percent said that overall slow business was themost frequent recurring topic, although pricing (20 percent), the lack of budget (13 percent) and turnaround and shipping (13 percent) were also common. To learnmore about the polls’ findings, participate in the latest polls and see how industry peers have responded to other topical questions, visit pubs.ppai.org/polls. Suggest questions to be considered for future polls by emailing TinaF@ppai.org . iconohek / Rawpixel.com / Waleed Shah / Shutterstock.com 102 | DECEMBER 2020 | CONNECT