2009. So, in a lot of ways it was kind of rebuilding. We’ve made about a half a dozen acquisitions since I started, so there was that kind of excitement, which was different for me, to be able to be with a [relatively] smaller company and directly impact the strategy of acquisitions and building a business. When you’re with such huge companies, you have less autonomy to do things. That’s part of what attracted me here – the ability to have more of an impact. That’s really important to me. I’m a huge believer in building the right culture, the right team, the right environment. PPAI Media: What have you enjoyed about the promo industry the past 10 years? Pantano: I think what I enjoy most – a lot of people will describe this to you when you first start out – it is a relationship-based industry more so than other industries, more so than where I came from. We have relationships with our supplier partners and our customers, of course, but we have relationships with our competitors as well. We all go to the same trade shows. From that perspective, that’s what makes it so rewarding and refreshing and different. I love that aspect of it. I think business and life are all about relationships. I think the relationships are more collegial in this industry than most places you’ll find. PPAI Media: What do you attribute that friendly atmosphere to in the promo world? Pantano: I don’t know, to be honest with you. It was that way when I got here, and I think it was probably that way long before then. I think a lot of people have worked for different distributors and different suppliers. People have moved around a lot over the decades. I think that’s helped build relationships and networks. I think most people in the industry want the industry to succeed, as that benefits everyone. That’s really what PPAI is all about and why I am so excited to be on the board. We do a lot of industry events, more so than some other industries, so we’re together a lot. I do think people are genuinely all very supportive and trying to drive success for the industry. Rising tides lift all boats. The industry is healthy. The industry is growing. Everyone’s going to rise with that success. PPAI Media: Being on the PPAI Board is no small time commitment. What motivated you to join? That’s part of what attracted me here – the ability to have more of an impact. That’s really important to me. I’m a huge believer in building the right culture, the right team, the right environment. Must Read | Dan Pantano 48 • SEPTEMBER 2023 • PPAI
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