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President's Message
Paul Bellantone, PPAI President/CEO, Fall Showcase Guest Speaker
Greetings fellow TRASA members! I hope our June newsletter finds you doing well and continuing to prosper halfway through 2018.
Recently we did a little teaser on TRASA's Facebook page about the important, special guest speaking at our upcoming Client Showcase in August. As of this writing we didn't get any guesses, so maybe I was a little too clever?
We are excited to announce that Paul Bellantone, PPAI
President/CEO, will be our guest speaker before our show at Heinz Field. His message will be directed to the end user about the importance of using promotional products as an effective advertising medium. So...to our distributor members....invite all of your clients and bring them down to hear Paul. We are not sure when this will ever happen again so take advantage of this HUGE opportunity to have him indirectly sell for you!
We will be giving away prizes to the first 30 clients/distributors who arrive and will also offer a FREE continental breakfast PLUS entrance to the show floor 30 minutes before everyone else.
Paul graciously recorded a 60 second video inviting everyone to come with a quick overview of what he will be speaking about. We strongly encourage you to share this video with your clients.
Click here for the video.
We really hope you are as excited about this as we are!
Now would be a good time to plan a save the date announcement to your clients and start letting them know what they are about to experience. See below for the Save the Date flyer that we created for you.
To Your Success!
Steve McWilliams,TRASA President
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Distributors
SAVE the DATE August 22 @ Heinz Field
Click here for a SAVE the DATE flyer you can forward to your staff & your clients.
Distributors click here to register for the Fall Showcase & Client Show. This is for distributors only, not clients.
Please direct your clients to register on line for the show on the TRASA home page at
www.trasa.net
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U.S. Levies $50 Billion in Tariffs on Chinese Products
Article shared by George Jackson, TRASA Legislative Chair
President Trump announced recently that the U.S. would apply tariffs of 25 percent on $50 billion worth of products imported from China. The tariffs announced consist of two lists: the first, worth about $34 billion, goes into effect on July 6. The second list is going through a regulatory process, including a public comment period and hearing, and does not yet have an implementation date.
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) notes that the tariffs generally focus on products from industrial sectors that contribute to or benefit from the "Made in China 2025" industrial policy, including industries such as aerospace, information and communications technology, robotics, industrial machinery, new materials and automobiles. The list does not include goods commonly purchased by American consumers such as cell phones or televisions. Click here for the full story.
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TRASA @
the Pirates July 26
Join us at PNC Park on Thursday, July 26 for the Pittsburgh Pirates vs. NY Mets at 7:05 p.m.
Seats are $30 each in section 204 in the Pirates Cove section
(formerly called All You Can Eat section).
All tickets include unlimited peanuts, popcorn, and soda. This area also features a special concession menu with options priced at $5 and less.
TRASA has a 30 seat block - register today, first come, first served.
Family, friends and clients are welcome to attend. Click here to register.
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Exhibitors Register NOW
Aug 22 TRASA Fall Showcase & Client Show
Join us August 22, 2018 at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh Steeler Stadium. Show Hours 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Distributors / 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Distributors and Clients.
Your registration includes: one 8 foot skirted table; one boxed lunch per table purchased; and one admission to the Pre-Event Party on August 21. Expected attendance: 400 distributors & clients
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Golf Classic Aug 21
Cranberry Highlands Golf Course
Join us for the TRASA Golf Classic on August 21 at Cranberry Highlands Golf Course in Cranberry Township, PA.
This is a scramble format beginning at 8 a.m. Cost per person is $75 - includes range balls, 18 holes and lunch. Thank you Imagen Brands for sponsoring the Hit it & Win It again this year.
This event is the day before the TRASA Fall Showcase at Heinz Field. Exhibitors please join us!
Winners will be recognized and prizes will be presented at the Pre-Event Party at Heinz field at 5 p.m.
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Want to Join TRASA or Renew Your Dues?
It's never to late to join or renew your membership dues for the year. Membership is $150 for the calendar year for your whole office.
As a member you receive the coupon book mentioned in the above article, the opportunity to attend the fall show and invite clients, attend member events throughout the year and also take advantage of other perks such as a Fedex discount to save on your shipping needs.
To join or renew,
click here
for the membership form.
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Contact Andy Evans, Sr. Strategic Account Lead, at 800-925-7243 x4526
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What's Happening in Your Neighborhood?
Attention TRASA members! If you are involved in a church or social group and there is a fun event happening let us know! We will let the TRASA members know and try to get a group together and attend.
Eddie Grimes, TRASA Board Member & Member of the Rotary District 7300, cordially invites you to attend a Night at the Races
6th Annual ROTARY DISTRICT 7300
LIVE NIGHT AT THE RACES
The Meadows Racetrack & Casino
Friday July 27, 2017 / Seating Starts at 5:00 PM
Buffet Food Served at 6:00 PM / Cost $40 per Person
Food, Fun, Fellowship & Cash Bar, Races Start at 5:00 PM
All reservations are final and must be paid for rain or shine
Family and friends are welcome.
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Coupon Book Update
Did you save any money this month?
Written by Trent Geis, TRASA distributor board member
I am the TRASA Coupon Book King! I wanted to give everyone another coupon book saving update for the month. I used several coupons again this month. I saved $15 with a FREE SET UP through HUB Pen. I saved $50 through WOW Line using their FREE SET UP. I received EQP from CPS/Keystone Line on an order that made me an additional $60. I am currently working with an end user for shirts and working with the Callaway shirt sample program. To date, that pays for my TRASA Membership, plus puts $225 additional profit into my pocket.
If you are not using the TRASA coupon book, start today. The best starting point is to go through the book every time you get an order and see if your supplier is in the book. If not, try someone new that is in the book. If we all start using the coupon book, we can get additional suppliers to list more money saving coupons next year.
A TRASA membership gives you free access to the Spring and Fall supplier shows, mixers, and other great events put on by the board. You also get access to the TRASA coupon book, which will pay for your membership dues in a few short months.
There are 82 different coupon codes in the 2018 coupon book. Use just three or four and you have paid for your membership. Get on the train to savings today by joining TRASA and see how fast you can pay for your membership.
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Legislative Action Day Wrap Up
Written by George Jackson, TRASA Legislative Chair
LEAD 2018 was held in Washington DC on May 15, 16 & 17, 2018. It is the time when the promotional products industry (PPI) sends approx. 80 people to DC to lobby on the hill for you and our industry.
This was my 9th year attending LEAD. I was proud to attend along with the following PA, PPI members. Larry Whitney from Leed's, Bruce Korn, a distributor from the eastern side of PA and Chuck Machion from ASI.
The issues facing the PPI this year were the following:
- The proposed tariffs on products from China. This issue was just postponed by the White House early this week.
- Advertising Expenditures: The ability to deduct the expense in the year it was taken: Status quo for now.
- Independent Contractors: as of now, no change in this area.
- Promotional Products Work: we all know that they do. That is why we are in this great industry. Yet each year we need to remind Congress that promotional products have a place in branding a product or company and serve a purpose in many programs. Programs such as safety, employee recognition, new product launch, fundraising etc.
Team PA attended 22 meetings in DC and I also attended 3-meetings representing West Virginia. A busy but productive week of meetings. Looking forward to next year, my 10th!
Thank you George for your time & dedication and for keeping TRASA up-to-date on these important issues!
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Do you have a summer intern?
PPAI Offers an Intern Education Program
The PPAI Intern Education Program gives member companies tools to help educate their interns about the promotional products industry.
The program includes:
· An Industry Boot Camp to bring interns up to speed on industry basics
· A library of webinars focusing on those who are new to the industry
· SAGE Total Access for the duration of the internship
· Access to PPAI's Diversity and Learning Engagement Manager
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Why Start An Intern Program?
Internships are a great way to introduce future generations to the power of our industry and to promote it among young professionals. They provide a fantastic opportunity for employers to source new talent and raise up a future generation of leaders within the promotional products industry.
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To learn how to enroll your interns in our Intern Education Program, email [email protected].
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Michigan Leadership Conference
August 6 & 7, 2018
Planning a trip to Michigan this summer? MIPPA, one of our regional association friends, invites members of TRASA to attend their leadership conference on August 6 & 7 at the Waldenwoods Resort and Conference Center in Howell, MI.
Industry thought leaders and forward thinkers will join to discuss the changes affecting us all. Learn Strategic Foresight, how to use the newest tools for connecting with the new generations of buyers and ask the questions and share the answers to the big questions around "What's Next?" Limited to 50 attendees. Cost: $595 per person.
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Supplier Power Sessions
September 13, 2018 --- Distributors SAVE the Date
(re-scheduled from May)
Regional Learning Alliance, Cranberry Township, PA. from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cost per person: $10 for members; $25 for non-members.
Fee includes Continental breakfast, event goodie bag and hot lunch.
Door prizes too!
Participating suppliers: APPI Sales; BIC Graphic; Fey; Harry Fotopoulos; KC Fields & Sweda
This event will focus on pre-holiday selling in an EME style format. You will have the opportunity to hear from and interact with 6 different suppliers/multi-line reps for 30 minutes each to provide you with more than just a trade show floor discussion.
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