Inside PPAI | Community Summit Prepares Promo Pros For The New Normal THE PPAI PRODUCT RESPONSIBILITY SUMMIT, held this past October in Alexandria, Virginia, has drawn sourcing and compliance professionals together from across the industry for more than a decade. As the event tackles big issues in the product safety and responsibility space, it’s no surprise that the annual event’s education and discussions made an impact. With approximately 140 attendees and a record number of first-timers, the promo industry’s premier product responsibility event featured a strong slate of sessions bringing attendees up to speed on compliance basics and deeper dives on pressing issues. “PPAI’s annual Product Responsibility Summit continues to be a critical source of product safety and regulatory education for attendees each year, because laws, regulations and standards that apply to products in our industry are not static – they evolve and grow,” says Rick Brenner, MAS+, president of Product Safety Advisors and co-chair of the event. “To be relevant and compliant, you have to be current.” Elizabeth Wimbush, PPAI’s director of sustainability and responsibility, adds, “It was an impressive group of professionals with a wide range of experience and knowledge. Successfully demonstrating how product safety and sustainability in our industry are inextricably linked. The depth of passion and collaborative spirit was inspiring, with some great actionable takeaways. It was inspiring to be amongst so many dedicated and committed industry pros.” Summit often ends with an opportunity for attendees to get a closer look at some of the issues and challenges discussed during the conference. This year was no exception. The day after Summit’s close, more than 20 attendees joined a tour of the Prince George’s County Material Recycling Center in Maryland. Staff at the center explained how facilities such as these serve the community, as well as its policies and the procedures and technologies it uses to separate and process materials. WHAT’S HAPPENING Inside PPAI This Month 89 PR Association Welcomes ‘Promotional Products Work’ Message 91 PPAI Hires Director Of Digital Transformation 92 LDW Brings Together Emerging and Regional Leadership In ‘Family Reunion’ Environment 94 PPAI’s Emerging Leaders Conference Builds Up Promo’s Future 97 PPAI Shares Its NetSuite Story At Oracle’s SuiteWorld 2023 PPAI • DECEMBER 2023 • 87
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzU4OQ==