feedback Send feedback on articles in PPB or opinions on industry issues to JamesK@ppai.org. Celebrating ChariTEES’ Charity Work The September issue of PPB profiled Jeffrey Firestone, president of distributor The Firestone Group, Inc., in Boca Raton, Florida, and founder of ChariTEES, the company’s philanthropic arm, which supports nonprofits with access to promotional products and marketing materials, and matches suppliers’ apparel overruns and misprints with charities in need. I personally know Jeff and what he does for our community is “service above self.” I compliment his company for making a difference in our community and giving back to those who are in need. I see Jeff volunteering at many charities and know him to be of amazing character. GARY HILDEBRAND Boca Raton, Florida Health, Safety A Priority At The PPAI Expo 2022 In November, PPB Newslink highlighted a video featuring Chuck Bowling, president and chief operating officer of Mandalay Bay Convention Center, and Ernest Stovall, vice president of sales, speaking on PPAI’s long relationship with the convention center and welcoming attendees back for The PPAI Expo 2022. The article also outlined some of the many changes the facility has undergone since The PPAI Expo 2020 to improve attendees’ safety, health and comfort, and the show experience. I just attended the IMEX show, which was also at Mandalay Bay. IMEX enforced that all exhibitors and attendees had to be vaccinated and proof had to be uploaded on the Clear app. From there, everyone received a green bracelet that allowed entry into the show along with your badge. Once in the show, masks were optional due to everyone in the showroom [being] vaccinated. This relieved a lot of anxiety and stress. Will PPAI implement a similar policy? HEATHER CHEVREAU Citizen Watch America Account Manager New York, New York PPAI 410292, S1 Ellen Tucker, CAE, director, business development and expositions at PPAI, responds: Heather, thank you for sharing your experience at IMEX with us. At this time, PPAI is not planning to implement a vaccine mandate for The PPAI Expo. PPAI believes the safety measures that make sense to the greatest number of people are the measures which the CDC recommends and the Nevada health authorities have in place through local regulations as they apply to general indoor settings. Please see the most up-to-date event status regarding The PPAI Expo’s Healthpitality safeguards at expo.ppai.org/healthpitality. 8 | JANUARY 2022 | INNOVATE
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