A Message from our CPPA President......

Hello CPPA members!

Can you believe it is already November? Where does the time go? I know you are all knee deep in the fourth quarter madness,

but also looking forward to much needed rest and relaxation with friends and family over the upcoming holidays. Your board has also been busy planning the 2024 events and finalizing plans for our last few events of the year.

Sadly, our member appreciation event that was to take place at Doc Waters Cidery in October was rained out. Our friends at NC Custom and City Bonfires had provided us with s’more kits and roasting sticks for the event.

We thank both members for their generosity and these items will be used as door prizes at the holiday party!

We recently attended our CPPA Hockey Night on November 8th where we watched the Washington Capitals take on the Florida Panthers. Sadly our Capitals lost but we still had a great time which you may see by visiting our Facebook page for a few pictures from the event. Big shout out to Towel Specialties for providing us with the CPPA branded rally towels for the event!

Make sure you make plans to attend our first annual Peake Awards and Holiday Party event on December 7th at the Merriweather Lake House in Columbia, MD. We are looking forward to celebrating our members at this festive event. We have amazing door prizes, delicious food and beverages and of course, the AWARDS! Come walk the blue carpet…you don’t want to miss this signature event! Bring your clients, bring your team! Enjoy a beautiful evening.

Looking ahead to 2024, I do need to inform you that the Board of Directors has approved a change to the membership structure and an increase in dues. We have changed the Distributor categories to 1-5 employees and 6+ employees. We have not had an increase in dues since 2015 and we have held off on increasing dues over the past several years, but we just can’t continue absorbing the rising costs. This change will be effective for your 2024 dues.

Lastly, I want to thank everyone who has volunteered on a committee, has shared opinions and ideas with us or simply has attended our shows or networking events. YOU are CPPA and YOU make the difference! I wish you all the best holiday season and hope to celebrate each of you at the holiday party!

My best,

Cheryl Hokanson

CPPA Board of Directors President

PPAI Research: The State Of Responsibility 2023

Corporate social responsibility has become a priority for most companies, especially those in the promotional products industry. To be a good corporate citizen in 2023, a firm must commit to making a difference in the world, which includes supporting sustainability, product safety, philanthropy and DEI.

As part of its PPAI 100 research program, the Association gathered benchmarking data provided by companies that appeared in the inaugural ranking of promo’s leading distributors and suppliers, as well as those who didn’t make this year’s list or were too small to be eligible.

This report focuses on the details and questions that PPAI Media used to score the PPAI 100 Responsibility category and includes a comprehensive listing of suppliers and distributors of all sizes that have earned new PPAI 100 High Marks for Responsibility.

View Benchmarking Reports & Winning Companies

Don't Talk to Another Customer Until You Learn This Simple Customer Service Secret

Micah Solomon * Entrepreneur Leadership Network Contributor * Customer Service Consultant, Trainer

Every customer is at the center of their own world. This simple realization can be your ticket to customer service transformation and excellence, as this customer service consultant and trainer explains.

Here's a simple principle of exceptional customer service that is essential to learn and take to heart: Every customer is at the center of their own world.

The person a customer cares most about (at least when conducting business with you) is themself. They don't care about, or at least don't give any thought to, the challenges that an employee serving them may be navigating. They don't care that other customers also need to be served or about the behind-the-scenes realities at your business, least of all your company's organizational chart.

In your customers' day-to-day lives, when they're not buying from or being served by you, they may be the most open-hearted, considerate, and even philanthropic people in the world. Yet, as customers, they're almost universally focused on themselves (as well as their kids, pets, partner or their boss). And that's OK — it's the way it should be. Read More

AI’s Role In Promo Grows Despite Hurdles

In another sign that the promotional products industry has embraced the digital revolution, more than half of PPAI 100 distributors and suppliers are currently using artificial intelligence (AI), according to the latest survey from PPAI Research.

Furthermore, more than three quarters (78%) of PPAI 100 distributors and half of PPAI 100 suppliers report some level of positive impact from implementing AI in their business.

“AI's role in promotional products companies is undeniably growing, with a predominant positive tilt,” says Alok Bhat, market economist and senior manager of research at PPAI. “However, the varying degrees of this positive impact underline the importance of strategic, well-informed AI adoption and the continuous evolution in its application.”

Read more