March 2022 | Monthly Newsletter
Letter from Our President
Dawn Ruler, Midwest Regional VP, Geiger
The PPAChicago Showcase is only 10 days away! Our Showcase Committee has been busy planning a great experience for you and your clients.

Why should you attend our Showcase?
*       The Schaumburg Renaissance is in a central location so you should not have to travel far.
*        Our Education Session is on the same day as the show this year. Don’t miss Jeffrey Wurtzel discuss.
*        This year’s Showcase has 85 Supplier Booths. There will be tons of new ideas new products for you and your clients to see.
*       Many suppliers will have their new products showcased in our New Products Pavilion. Head to the middle of the show floor to explore.

During the show, your clients can collect stamps for each Pot of Gold they spot in a Booth. Fill the card with stamps and head to the Prize Booth where you can win fun prizes.
Finally, our Pre-Show Party is back by popular demand. Join us on March 16th to network with industry colleagues, meet new friends and enjoy drinks and some appetizers.
Our Showcase could not be possible without our member participation. We are grateful to bring you a show full of ideas and opportunity.   Please come and support your suppliers – see you there!
And don’t forget your lucky charm! 🌈


2022 Showcase
Thursday, March 17, 2022
Renaissance Schaumburg, IL
9am-10am Education Session
10am-2pm Exhibits/Show Floor Open
DISTRIBUTORS

Showcase registration is currently underway for you and your Clients.
Emails have been sent out via Conexsys.
If you need assistance with registration please reach out to Stacey Felice
ppac7722@gmail.com
(630) 983-7722
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
6pm-10pm
Renaissance Hotel Bar Area

The Pre-Show Party is a Networking Event for our Showcase Exhibitors and Distributor Members. We also celebrate our Showcase Exhibitors during this time as a Thank You for the year to come for all that they do.

Showcase Exhibitors are Free of Charge
Distributors are $25

*Registration is required for both Exhibitors and Distributors so that we have a head count*
Thursday, March 17, 2022
9am-10am
Renaissance Convention Center
Enter through Door 10
Eufora Room
Following the Education Session make your way to the Showcase Floor from 10am-2pm
PPAChicago Scholarship via PPEF
CHARITY GOLF OUTING
SAVE THE DATE
Monday, July 18th, 2022
*Monday of ASI Chicago*

Harborside International Golf Center
11001 South Doty Avenue East
Chicago, IL 60628
PAUL C. RIZZO MEMORIAL
NEW MEMBERS
AZX Sport
Eliqs
GMS International, Inc.
Joe Promotions
OrderMyGear
Promo Marketing
The Colemax Group
Vu Line Direct
Hello PPAChicago members!

For those of you who have participated in one of the DEI virtual events/workshops this year, we thought you might be interested in downloading the DEI workbook that AIM created .


We look forward to sharing more content with you as it becomes available.
Lisa Greyhill & Val Spiller
MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS
Paul Keidan, President/Owner
Added Incentives, Inc.

Briefly describe your company. We are a full service promotional products company which specializes in company stores, and most of all, creativity. We feel that we are a marketing company that happens to fall in the promotional products space.
How long have you been with your company? 35 years
How long have you been in the promotional industry? 35 years
How did you get into the industry? My mom knew someone in the industry, and discussed joining her company. She explained it to me and it fit my skill set at the time. We decided at that time that with my creative, and sales background, that it would be a good fit. 
What is your favorite thing about the industry? I love the creativity that this industry offers, and the fact that no two days are ever the same. The challenges are endless, and I get to control how hard I want to work and how much I want to make. 
Why did you become a member of PPAChicago and how do you feel it benefits you? One of the first things we did when we entered the industry was join PPAC. Since we did not know anything about the industry, we felt it was important to join and get involved in everything. The knowledge that we gained from the other members of PPAC helped us grow the business. We were very fortunate that the fellow members were willing to share their experiences with us so we could learn. I won a scholarship many years ago through PPAC which enabled me to go to the Presidents Forum, and that event alone, changed our business, because of some of the key people I met there. 
What is your favorite memory or experience brought to you by PPAChicago? I think the end user show is the best thing that PPAC brings to the table. My customers love it, and I gain a lot of business because of it. The show gives me the opportunity to get a pulse of what my customers like, and what they gravitate too. I feel that especially these last few “covid years” when we have not been able to meet in person as much with our customers, that it has helped keep us engaged with them. 
 
More about Paul...
What are you passionate about?
I love coaching travel baseball. I have done it for more than 35 years. I like watching the boys grow individually and as a team for a common goal. I like watching the growth of these individuals both on and off the field. knowing that I am responsible for teaching them some great life lessons. I find there are similarities to running a Promotional Products business as well, especially when it comes to goal setting and teamwork
 
Name three traits that define you.
Hardworking, Ethical, and family man!
Where is the best place you have traveled to and why?
My favorite trip was Africa. Being outdoors observing mother nature at its’ finest. I went on many safari’s with my family, and it is a trip that I will never forget. Watching and observing the survival of these animals and how they cope with their habitat was so unique.
What are some of your pet peeves?
In the Industry, I have two pet peeves. I get frustrated by companies that represent themselves as companies located in the US but they have little or no presence in the US other than a shell of an office and an answering service. My other one is people not being honest and telling the truth. I wish people would honor what they say they will do.  
What is your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?
I like being on vacation, near water, in warm weather, playing golf, going to the beach and enjoying my family and friends. I like the combination of an active vacation, with some downtime by the pool, with a nice cold drink in my hand.
What is the best concert you attended and why?
Bruce Springsteen is the best concert and entertainer that I have ever seen. He gives 110% at every concert, and is always trying to entertain the crowd. I like his music, but I love his energy, work ethic, and that it is not always about him, but his entire band.
 
What was the last experience that made you a stronger person?
Coming out of college I was looking for a sales job, and I was not getting hired by anyone. My cousin went to his boss who did not hire me, and said, I will hit his quota and my quota each month. She took him up on it and hired me. We had about 100 salespeople in the local branch of this fortune 500 company. My cousin was the number 1 rep in the region. After 9 months of learning the industry, my cousin and I were number 1 and number 2 each month. The inability to get hired and trying to prove to my boss that she made a mistake, made be a much stronger person. 
What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?
I probably would be a business broker or a turn-around specialist. I like seeing what the challenge is and then trying to navigate it and make it a success.
What would the title be to your autobiography?
The Key to Success
(How to get rich through Integrity, hard work and honesty!)
 
Paul Lindholm, Key Account Manager
Fields Manufacturing

Briefly describe your company. Fields is a 5 Star promotional products supplier based out of the Midwest offering a large selection of quality promotional items.
How long have you been with your company? 4 Years
How long have you been in the promotional industry? 10 Years
How did you get into the industry? A local distributor was hiring sales people at the time and I was looking for a new career. Luckily, they hired and trained me in. This has been a great industry to be part of!
What is your favorite thing about the industry? I would have to say the people. Everyone you talk to either it be on the phone or in person are fun and upbeat. 
Why did you become a member of PPAChicago and how do you feel it benefits you? This has been a fantastic organization to be part of. The members truly want to help each other to be successful. I feel a sense of community with PPAChicago.
What is your favorite memory or experience brought to you by PPAChicago? I really look forward to the upcoming Showcase held in March. It seems to bring out everyone and I look forward to seeing everyone.
 
Learn more about Rob...
Who inspires you and why? I would say my father. He raised 3 children while being a farmer. I remember him working sunrise to sundown and he still had time to spend time with me. I hope to have that same work/home balance during my current career.
What is your favorite tradition? I actually look forward to Labor Day Weekend. Every year we rent a camper and go camping at the local campground. Friends and family usually join as well and we have on last hurrah before summer comes to an end.
Where is the best place you have traveled to and why? I live in Central Minnesota so going somewhere warm is always my favorite. If I had to pick I would say I really like San Diego CA.
What is your favorite movie or TV show? I think Seinfeld is pretty funny and has held the test of time.
What tv show/movie are you ashamed to admit you love? I started watching the old Dallas shows from the 80’s. 
What are some of your pet peeves? I travel a lot and I never really the reason to be the first one to stand up once the plane lands.
What is your favorite indoor/outdoor activity? For outdoors I enjoy fishing and for indoors I like playing cards and games.
What is the best concert you attended and why? Journey opened for Def Leppard at Midway Stadium in St. Paul MN. It was outside on a beautiful summer day. You weren’t confined to your seat and you could rock out wherever you wanted.
Who would you most like to swap places with for a day?  I would like to switch with my 17 year son. He seems to have it pretty good now… No bills, skis after school and hangs out with friends on the weekends.
What is one thing on your bucket list? I want to go to Washington D.C and really take in everything that city has to offer.
If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?  I would like to visit Sweden and see if I could connect with any long lost relatives.
What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this? I think a professional poker player would be a pretty neat job.
What is the coolest industry trend you see today? I love seeing that our industry is being more ECO friendly by offering sustainable items and earth friendly ways of producing them.
Looking for a Job in the Promotional Products Industry, PPAChicago has a Job Board!

Webinar spots are available for Members and Prospect Members
every Tuesday and Thursday!

"Thanks very much to you both for providing important face time to participating members of our association. We appreciate your coordinating this event and providing a forum to drive business in these times." Joel Kaufman, PCNA

Not a member of PPAChicago? We would love to have you join these webinars as well. Learn more about being involved with the Webinars and reaching a larger audience to help your business during this time.

Please contact Stacey Felice at ppac7722@gmail.com or (630) 983-7722 to receive more details as well as reserve your time slot.
Looking for Advertisement Opportunities?
Did you know that our Newsletter reaches over 6,500 individuals in the Industry! We are looking for Members to Advertise in our Newsletter as well as our Website!
Please contact Stacey Felice to set up your opportunity
ppac7722@gmail.com
(630) 983-7722