November 2019
This month's Board Member Spotlight is on Tiffany Kanak. Kanak has served as the PPAMidwest Executive Director since the beginning of 2014. Kanak has shared the following fun fa cts:
 
Q: How old is the oldest pair of shoes in your closet?
A: Probably 10 years old. I have a shoe habit......

Q: Can you play any instruments?
A: I play the piano

Q: Which way does does your toilet paper hang on the wall - over or under?
A: Definitely over!

Q: What was your favorite toy as a kid?
A: My bike....I rode it everywhere

Q: What was your childhood nickname?
A: Tiffy

Q: What is your favorite cereal?
A: Reese's Puffs

Q: What’s your favorite flavor of Pringles?
A: BBQ

Q: What is the nerdiest thing you do in your spare time?
A: I don't know if it is nerdy but I love to read

Q: If you could have any one superpower, which would you choose?
A: Be invisible
Enjoy a fun evening out with industry friends as we mingle,
network and enjoy the holiday season
We're having a social in both Kansas City and St. Louis, so please choose your city, mark your calendar and make plans to attend.

  • 12/11 in Kansas City ~ 12/12 in St. Louis
  • PPAMidwest Membership recommended but not required
  • Event includes 2 drink tickets, light fare and a great time!
  • Pre-registration is requested
  • PPAMidwest members are FREE; $15/pp for non-members

Click Here for more information and to register
for the Holiday Social of your choice!
Save The Dates!! Registration is opening soon!!
PPAMidwest News
RiteLine announces new positions for Meyer and McMillan

Dallas, TX – RiteLine's President, David Zheng, is excited to announce that 2012 PPAI Chairman Steven Meyer, MAS, will be the companies first Vice President of Customer Development/Operations. Zheng says "Steve has been with RiteLine since our conception and has led RiteLines commitment to being an industry leader. His new role will strategically assist us in managing our growth as we continue to meet our customer's needs going forward".
Zheng also announced that, 30 year industry veteran Mike McMillan, will be joining the RiteLine team as Vice President of Sales. Mike comes to RiteLine from top 40 distributor Halo Branded Solutions where he was Regional Vice President for the Southwest Region.  Mike has extensive knowledge and experience in the Writing Instrument space of Promotional Products where he spent many years with BIC Graphic USA and HUB Pen, both at the Management level of each. McMillan says, "I loved working at HALO Branded Solutions where they model first rate Distributor excellence, ethics and culture. However, I am excited to return to my roots of the Writing Instrument category of Promotional Products where I spent most of my career with BIC Graphic first and then HUB Pen. I did my due diligence before making this decision and I believe RiteLine is supremely positioned to become a dominant Supplier in this space very soon." 
CHOCOLATE INN| LANCO
Stier & Miller Named ASI Power 50

Hicksville, NY – Chocolate I Lanco's Managing Partner/CEO Lance Stier, and President David Miller were named to ASI's Power 50 list for their leadership and influence in the promotional products industry. This is the second time the pair has received this high honor.
 
"I am honored for David and I to receive this award on behalf of our team," said Stier. "We are only as good as the team members around us, who work hard every day together, to achieve great things. I thank our team for all their hard work and am excited for us to continue to GET AHEAD together, as we continue to grow and expand our dynamic business."
 
Hosted by ASI's (Advertising Specialty Institute) publication, Counselor, the ASI Power 50 is a ranking of the most influential members of the industry and is selected via a rigorous process. Candidates are nominated by field professionals, ASI's editorial team and a peer vote based on their personal and professional achievements, and influence on the promotional products industry.
 
"It is the team behind Lance and myself that allows us the confidence to move forward into new and exciting areas," said Miller. "The end result is the ability to offer additional diverse and creative products to our distributor client base."
 
Stier and Miller made the 42nd slot this year, up 6 spots from last year. They're recognized as an ASI Power 50 for their forward-thinking strategies, which lead to continued growth of the Chocolate Inn | Lanco brand and its offerings. These include an exclusive partnership with Mars to represent the My M&M's B2B product line to the professional products industry, and the launch of a standalone brand and website offering apparel decoration and design services to distributors. Through these initiatives, Chocolate Inn | Lanco increased their 2018 sales more than 12% to $55 million.

This is the second top industry honor that Chocolate Inn | Lanco received this year. The company was previously named to the ASI Top 40 Supplier list with a ranking of 29. 
Wild Wednesday Webinars - Lunch and Learn at your desk!
 
“Building Your Personal Brand: Brand U”
Wed, November 20, 2019 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM CST

In this presentation we will discuss the power of building a strong personal brand. We discuss why it matters and how it can affect many areas of life. We will also talk about how to create an intentional personal brand and the 5 steps of making it happen! We will also look at several examples of people inside and outside of the industry that have done it!

Attendees will learn:
  • Why building a personal brand is important.
  • Tactics to build your brand.
  • 5 Steps to building your brand.

 1 CAS Credit when you submit your PPAI Pin Number with your survey.
Did You Know that PPAI Online Education offers
live webinars on Wednesdays throughout the year?
Industry News
L.E.A.D. 2020
May 6-7, 2020 - Apply Today
Take The L.E.A.D As An Industry Advocate

Members like you are undoubtedly the promotional products industry's most effective advocates. When you talk about your successes and your challenges, members of Congress listen. PPAI's Legislative Education and Action Day (L.E.A.D.) delivers our industry's message to Capitol Hill. Join us for meetings with congressional members on May 6-7, 2020.
 
Are you new to advocacy? Don't worry. PPAI trains industry professionals like you to help educate members of Congress about the power of promotional products and the strength of our industry.
For questions or information on PPAI's other legislative efforts, contact Maurice Norris .
How Leaders Can Deal With Getting Overwhelmed
Nadine Greiner, Ph. D. •  VIP Contributor • Entrepreneur

Being the boss doesn't have to be a burden.

As a leader, you have a lot on your plate. Sometimes it can seem too much. How often do you find it difficult to think clearly? Do you ever lash out at colleagues? Have you ever felt so overwhelmed that you felt paralyzed? That there's no hope in sight? 

Feeling overwhelmed is the number one symptom people grapple with when stressed.  Read More
PPEF - Giving Tuesday
December 3, 2019
Help Fund Scholarships On Giving Tuesday

The On December 3, people around the world will come together for an international day of charitable giving.
This year, you can help the Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF) reach its fundraising goals of raising money for college scholarships. Set a reminder on your calendar and keep an eye out for more information in the coming weeks.

To make a donation, visit www.ppai.org/givingtuesdayppef