PPB September 2021

PPAI Volunteer Spotlight: PPB Editorial Advisory Committee Industry volunteers who work with PPAI on its committees, workgroups and other programs are a vital part of the Association’s success. This 16th and final installment of an ongoing PPB series introducing the volunteers, committees and initiatives that have helped make the Association what it is today, takes a closer look at the PPB Editorial Advisory Committee (EAC). Including members from across the promotional products landscape, the EAC serves as a conduit fostering relationships between the Association’s publications and its members, bringing attention to and discussing the trends, news and innovative ideas that drive the industry. Last year, committee members provided editorial guidance and reviewed a draft of the PPB supplement, The Playbook To Restart Businesses , which went on to win a 2021 ASAE Gold Circle Award. Most recently, the committee has been instrumental in providing ongoing insight and direction for stories in PPB and topics for upcoming podcasts. “The EAC is a sounding board for PPAI and its publication staff,” says Karen Foy, CAS, president of distributor Gorman Foy and committee chair. “Through our quarterly meetings and conversations on Promo Connect, we bring the stories, trends and new ideas we’ve learned out in the field to the attention of the editorial team, and provide a useful forum to discuss future projects and share our insights. We all work together to make the publications the best they can be.” PPB Editorial Advisory Committee Roster: Karen Foy, CAS , Gorman Foy, Inc., Chair Andrew Spellman , Therabody Corp., Board Liaison Mark Abels, MAS , SELCO Rama Beerfas, MAS , Lev Promotions Keny Coonce , Specialty Incentives, Inc. Mike Emoff , Shumsky Stephanie Friedman , City Paper Charity Gibson , Peerless Umbrella Richard S. Greene, MAS , HALO Brian Jolin, MAS , Jolin Promo Eileen Lucky, CAS , Koozie Group Carmen Murphey, MAS , SAGE Dawn Ruler, MAS , Geiger Chris Stumpf, MAS , Stumpies Marketing Angela Taylor , AIM Smarter Tina Berres Filipski , PPAI Staff Liaison James Khattak , PPAI Staff Liaison Danielle Renda , PPAI Staff Liaison Kristina Valdez , PPAI Staff Liaison percent of respondents said, “all of these.” PromoPolls also asked industry members, “If your company is currently hiring new employees, which best describes your experience?” Thirty-nine percent said that it is difficult to find candidates interested in their jobs, 30 percent said is difficult to find people with the right skills, 26 percent said they are challenged to find enough people to fill their needs, and four percent said it is a good time to hire and they are having success finding good candidates. Readers were also asked, “If you could start over in your career, what would you do differently?” Thirty-six percent said they would get involved in the industry earlier, 12 percent said they would get advice from a mentor, nine percent said they would work for a different company and three percent said they would work in a different role. Also, 24 percent said they wouldn’t do anything differently, while 15 percent said, “none of the above.” Another survey question, “How often do you check your business email during a typical workday?,” found that 50 percent did so almost every time a new email is delivered, 33 percent said about every 30 minutes, eight percent said about every two or three hours, four percent said about twice a day, two percent about once an hour and two percent said once a day. To see all the polls’ findings and participate in the current poll, visit pubs.ppai.org/polls. | SEPTEMBER 2021 | 105 CONNECT