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A Message From Our PPAMidwest President......
PPAMidwest Members,
Today I am reflecting on an amazing Fall Holiday Showcase in both cities. The turnout reached levels that we haven’t experienced in some time. The incredible weather probably helped out a lot. For those of you who did get to join us, what were your thoughts? Exhibitors told us they were impressed with the detailed conversations that were held on the show floor. Do you feel like that has benefited your business and provided fresh ideas for the holiday season? We always want to hear from our members, especially about our most important events and how we can add value to your membership.
I am also beginning to reflect on my time as President of PPAMidwest, as we are drawing near to the end of another year and the passing of the gavel. I’m excited for what the incoming leadership team has in-store for you next year. Recently, our incoming leaders attended the Leadership Development Conference and they were the talk of the conference. Ok, it was mostly due to the incredible new board swag thanks to Vantage Apparel and Sock101. But still there were talking about us! Have you seen the new swag on our Facebook page? Give us a follow to stay up to date!
Don’t forget to mark your calendars:
- The return of our Pickleball Tournament this Fall. This year we are hosting a tournament in both Kansas City and St. Louis. November 13th will be in Overland Park, KS and November 14th will be in St. Charles, MO. Registration is now open so make sure to register to attend.
- Holiday Parties and Annual Membership Meetings - Wednesday December 4th in St. Louis and Thursday December 5th in Kansas City. Full details and registration will be coming out soon.
Last point this month. Have you ever considered serving on the PPAMidwest Board of Directors? I’m happy to give you a million reasons why you should! Nominations are open until October 25th. Submit your self-nomination and headshot on our website. We have several openings this year. As always please reach out directly to me with your comments, questions, or just to chat. I can be reached via email at dennis.oglesby@go2partners.com.
Yours in Service,
Dennis Oglesby, MAS
2024 PPAMidwest President
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October 22, 2024 Tuesday Learning Lab: “Ask Better Questions, Get Better Answers: How to Give People What They Really Want”
Your boss emails and asks for a report showing who in the company is not registered for an event? Or maybe your customer emails and asks to order 1000 blue pens with their logo. In either case, you have two choices: Do what you’re told or ask questions. In a world full of calendars and never-ending to-do lists it’s easy to become an order taking task master. In this session we’re going to talk about why asking questions can change your game completely, build loyalty, add value and lead to increased sales.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn what questions to ask
- Learn what to do with the answers that you uncover
- How asking more questions can build loyalty, add value and lead to increased sales
Read more and register
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October 30, 2024 Wild Wednesday Webinar: “Understanding the Importance of Incorporating CLV in Your Sales & Marketing Arsenal”
Join us for an insightful seminar where you'll learn how to leverage Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) to enhance your sales and marketing strategy and drive business growth. This seminar covers the fundamentals of CLV, strategies to maximize its impact, and practical tools for implementation. You'll gain valuable insights into how to identify high-value customers, improve retention, and optimize resource allocation. Through real-world, you'll leave equipped with actionable strategies to enhance your sales performance. Are you ready to transform your approach to customer relationships and boost your profitability?
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the components and significance of Customer Lifetime Value
- Learn strategies to enhance CLV through customer engagement and loyalty programs
- Discover tools and metrics for tracking and measuring CLV effectively
- Gain insight from case studies on successful CLV implementation
Read more and register
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Join your fellow PPAMidwest friends at our
November Social.....Pickleball with PPAMidwest!
Choose your city, mark your calendars and join us for a great time with some friendly competition. Pickleball isn't your thing? No worries....come on out for a little networking and a great time!
Pre-registration is NOT required but appreciated so that we will have an approximate head count in each city. No experience required for this fun event but make sure to come sporty as we will be playing various outdoor games with prizes awarded in each city.
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5 - 6pm: On Site Tournament Registration where brackets will be developed and instruction provided. No need to find a "team" as we will place you with a teammate on site.
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6-8pm: Pickleball tournament with prizes awarded
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No Charge for PPAMidwest members to attend! Monetary contributions welcome on site for our PPAMidwest Scholarship Fund which is awarded annually to family members of PPAMidwest.
To RSVP to attend, click here
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Gemline Becomes B Corporation Certified
Lawrence, MA – Gemline has announced that it has earned Certified B Corporation status, arguably the gold standard in corporate social responsibility.
This certification, which is largely considered the most difficult to attain, underscores the company’s commitment to balancing profit with purpose and driving meaningful social and environmental impact through its business operations.
“Becoming a B Corp highlights Gemline’s commitment to setting a higher standard for corporate responsibility,” says Frank Carpenito, president and CEO of Gemline. “We’re proud to be the first and only major promotional products supplier to earn this certification, proving that industry leadership and responsible business practices can go hand in hand.
“As Gen Z and Millennials continue to raise the bar for companies and brands, they desire to do business with, Gemline is now better positioned than ever to be the CSR/ESG destination of choice for our distributor partners.”
Read More Here
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Vantage Apparel Welcomes Shira Hudson as Director of Customer Experience
Avenel, NJ – Vantage Apparel recently announced the appointment of Shira Hudson as the new Director of Customer Experience. With over a decade of experience, her infectious energy, passion for people, and a history of transforming customer service teams into powerhouse performers, Shira joins Vantage to take customer experience to the next level!
Shira comes to Vantage from Safilo, as Senior Customer Service & Training Manager, overseeing a large contact center, rolling out innovative training programs, and keeping customer satisfaction sky-high. And at Altice USA, she built a customer care team that thrived under her leadership, making sure everyone from staff to customers felt supported and valued.
"We are thrilled to welcome Shira to Vantage. Her leadership and deep expertise in building customer-centric service teams will help us deliver the exceptional service our clients need, expect and require," said Fred Durand, Chief Operating Officer of Vantage Apparel. "We are confident that Shira’s strategic mindset and ability to inspire her team will deliver new standards of satisfaction for our industry."
At Vantage, Shira will be leading a team of service pros, from our Customer Service Reps to the pre-production Art Designers. Her forward-thinking approach will help introduce fresh automation strategies to speed up responses and a new vibe focused on creating a fun, performance-driven environment that keeps our customers excited to partner with Vantage.
“I’m all about creating an amazing experience, both for our customers and our team,” says Shira. “I can't wait to roll up my sleeves, work alongside this incredible group of people, and make sure every interaction with Vantage is smooth, efficient, and memorable.
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PPAMidwest Members.....Are you taking advantage of your
membership benefits like our Member Only Coupon Book?
Visit our Members Only Section for this and other Member Only Benefits!
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Want to earn points and join in on the fun?
Simply complete the easy request form to have your points credited
for the activities you participate in. For live events and activities, your
attendance will automatically be recorded and points assigned, provided
you are an active member of PPAMidwest. For recorded webinars, referrals
and completion of PPAI Certifications or renewals, simply complete the
easy request form to have your points credited.
It is that simple! (click on above image for more information).
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2025 PPAI Board Officers and Directors | |
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PPAI Names Its 2025 Board Officers and Directors
PPAI has announced new officers and directors for the Association's 2025 Board.
Danny Rosin, CAS, has been named incoming chair while Zack Ottenstein will serve as vice chair, financial services.
In the positions previously known, Denise Taschereau, the Association's 2024 chair-elect, will assume the role of chair in 2025 and current Board Chair Andrew Spellman, CAS, will serve as immediate past chair. Kara Keister, MAS, will also continue in her role as Regional Relations Committee delegate.
Additionally, Kate Alavez, president of PromoShop and Mark Gammon, CEO of Cap America are set to become the newest members of the PPAI Board of Directors after being elected in a week-long voting process.
Read More Here
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6 Tips To Beat the Social Media Algorithm
Brendan Menapace • Print+Promo Marketing Magazine • Writer/Editor/Content Director
These days, creating a social media marketing plan that’s visible and effective among the endless scroll of content is, to put it truthfully, difficult.
In the age of the algorithm, feeds are catered exactly to users’ interests – and most of the time, this doesn’t include marketing posts.
Though it might seem pointless to create a post just for it to get lost in a sea of more noticeable content, the algorithm can be a useful tool for businesses to navigate the ever-changing social media landscape. Here are six social media marketing tips to get the algorithm to work for your promotional products business rather than against it.
Read More
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January 13 - 16, 2025 ~ Las Vegas, NV | |
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Registration Officially Open For The PPAI Expo 2025
It’s finally time to register for The PPAI Expo 2025 in Las Vegas. PPAI will kick off 2025 with the promotional products industry’s largest and longest-running trade show at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. The PPAI Expo 2025 will take place Monday, January 13, through Thursday, January 16.
“It’s everyone’s favorite time of year: The PPAI Expo’s registration is open,” says Ashley Van Der Stuyf, show manager at PPAI. “Every year, we aim to enhance The PPAI Expo, and this year is no exception. Your favorite show standouts, such as The Pitch and Promo & Pints, are back, along with some fresh, new experiences.”
Registered attendees can begin their PPAI Expo experience on Monday, January 13, with The PPAI Expo Conference. Prior to the trade show, The PPAI Expo Conference is a one-day educational event with a curated slate of experts from both within and outside the industry to enlighten promo professionals and spark conversation throughout the rest of the event.
The PPAI Expo Conference is full of professional development covering different topics that are important to members, says Jessica Gibbons-Rauch, CAS, professional development lead at PPAI.
“This content can include anything from how to sell, how to run your business, trends in merchandising, trends in sustainability and so much more,” Gibbons-Rauch says. “We want to meet every member, wherever they are on their career journey, with applicable content to enhance their development.”
On Tuesday, January 14, The PPAI Expo trade floor – roughly 1 million square feet in scope – will open with product pavilions, new exhibitors and exciting surprises. The trade show will run through Thursday afternoon and will feature nearly 1,000 exhibiting companies from across the promotional products landscape in more than 2,500 booths.
For more information on The PPAI Expo 2025, visit expo.PPAI.org
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