PPB July 2021

Signs By Tomorrow PPAI 794908 Silver Crystal Sports, Inc. PPAI 573344 SinfulxVanity Art and Design, LLC PPAI 794524 Southern Promotions, Inc. PPAI 717826 Starboard, LLC PPAI 655020 Summit Promo and Specialty Co. PPAI 794792 Suncoast Apparel Services DBA Toma Solutions PPAI 312714 Sunshine G Marketing PPAI 793320 SUPWEIZ, Inc. PPAI 794885 The Barbin Group, LLC PPAI 785805 The Intercorp Group PPAI 262421 Think It Wear It Express PPAI 486109 TJ Marche Ltd PPAI 543723 TLS Services PPAI 286949 T-Shirt Plus PPAI 749126 Union Bug United, LLC PPAI 786807 USA TMS Promos Corp. PPAI 794481 Valley Graphics, Inc. PPAI 794839 Vision Design PPAI 631832 Winnersville Awards PPAI 794786 Xsol Industries, LLC PPAI 795086 Young’s Screenprinting & Embroidery PPAI 318238 Suppliers A4 PPAI 304796 Brew City Beer Gear, Inc. PPAI 795100 Bully Bag & Tool Company PPAI 794972 Bumperactive.com PPAI 794887 MiamiSublimation.com PPAI 729541 My Promo Partner PPAI 277161 Sock Fancy PPAI 794676 Wristbands America PPAI 315058 PPAI’s Dallas show circa 1982— and I was hooked. Fast forward 25 years—and a move from Texas to Ohio—one supplier I used was this wristband company that could do small quantities quickly, and I became a regular customer. A decade later, as I began to wind my business down and retire, the opportunity to buy Wristbands America came up and we successfully negotiated a deal in May 2019. So, in my retirement, I found myself on the supplier side of this great industry. Since the business had not been actively marketed for a few years, the first thing I did was re- establish industry identifiers. I joined two nearby regional associations and my first trade show was in February 2020. Then March 2020 happened. But we survived! What’s your favorite thing about being in the promotional products industry? Promotional products have been a major part of my life and I’ve met many wonderful people. Why did you join PPAI? One good thing that came out of this past year was that I was able to complete my MAS certification through PPAI. PPAI offers great resources for business, education and helping the next generation through the Promotional Products Education Foundation—of which my stepson was a recipient in 2011. It’s a fun industry and I’m glad to be part of it. | JULY 2021 | 97 CONNECT