Summer is almost over, and the industry is rapidly entering the fast-paced gifting and holiday Q4.

UMAPP just finished our largest annual event, and the attendance and engagement were the best they have ever been. The annual golf tournament was sold out, and the Brand Connection Expo (BCE) sold out twice. Our superb Executive Director, Sue Selseth, adjusted twice maneuvering the floor plan to accommodate more suppliers and the increased request for table space. Our end-user expo is a marquee event and catapults our regional to the top of many supplier lists of events to attend.

As I reported at the Past President's Breakfast, we resurrected post-Covid, our supplier membership continues to increase, our "Connects" and education events are thriving, and the engagement is better than ever. We are moving in a good direction as a regional and there are so many great changes on the horizon.

I have had numerous conversations all summer about the buying shift in the industry, and a recent trade magazine verified my statements. Brands are bigger than ever. 18.7% of all promo this year has been brand. People love association with big-name brands. It gives them validity and makes them feel good. There was a time when end users did not want to pay to put their logo on branded merchandise, or pay a premium for it, but the truth is brands are here to stay. Companies wearing their company logo on big-brands merchandise drive a higher perception of value and quality.

More and more brands are entering promo and partnering with suppliers on exclusive distribution or licensing rights. Brands have also realized the value of having access to thousands of distributor reps selling their product to consumers. We have also seen many brands getting out of brick-and-mortar or reducing physical locations, and the ability to get their product in the hands of end users without the expense of retail stores is invaluable.

Another industry buzz is the world of sustainability. Recycled fibers and components, wheat grass, compostable, apple peels, green, water-based inks, and even paper made out of elephant poo. 12.2% of all promo sales in 2024 have been generated on sustainability. The same industry that demanded ECO products 7-8 years ago but always became second fiddle when price was given, has become the most popular promo category next to brand. End users and their corporate social responsibility platforms have driven the carbon footprint of the promo industry.  

The race to offer sustainable and eco products is no longer expected, the feel is many suppliers are racing to make their entire catalogs sustainable and eco. Some suppliers like Sanmar, Gemline, and Rupt are killing it, and many other catalogs are filled with sustainable options. It will be fun to see where it goes.

The year has been fun. The number of product innovations and changes is exciting and the engagement and involvement of our regional members has been a game changer. UMAPP has created a standard for other regionals to follow.

As always, I am free to answer any questions. Feel free to email or call me anytime.

Chris Babiash - MAS

UMAPP - President

612-590-0065

chris@booshiepromo.com

"Evolving Your Business"

September 12, 2024

11:30 - 12:45

Professional Development Seminar

In person (Edina, MN) and via Zoom

Connect with specialists to excel in niche markets. Collaborate with LarLu for licensed merchandise, Ball Pro for tournaments (from golf to fishing and more), and another Woodchuck USA for presentation packaging.

$20.00 per person

An Introduction to Carbon Accounting for Promo Pros

Wild Wednesday Webinar

Wednesday, August 28

11:30 am Central

Join us for "An Introduction to Carbon Accounting for Promo Pros," a presentation by Elizabeth Wimbush, the Director of Sustainability & Responsibility at PPAI, with support from Mike Smith, owner of Aclymate. This session will explore the fundamentals of carbon accounting, tailored specifically for professionals in the promotional products industry.

Free and available only to UMAPP members.

Reprinted with permission from PPAI Media

Delayed payments can send shockwaves through any business. Not only can they disrupt cash flow, but they can lead to strained relationships and lost productivity. 

Clients may be late paying their invoice for any number of reasons, from cash flow problems on their end to administrative errors. Regardless of the cause, though, it’s important to promptly address the issue. 

In a post on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce blog, writer Miranda Fraraccio says that when a customer is late paying their invoices, you should be timely, proactive and professional in your initial conversations with them.

What steps should you take to address the situation? We share Fraraccio’s guidance in this issue of PromoPro Daily.



Reach out to your client. The best way to get to the bottom of the issue is to start a conversation. Call or email your client and let them know you’re checking on an overdue invoice. They may have simply overlooked it, or they might be dealing with a financial constraint on their end. Communication is key, Fraraccio says.

Send an invoice reminder. If you can’t reach your client, resend the invoice. Fraraccio recommends keeping a friendly tone rather than accusing the client of not paying. Try to offer some understanding.

Begin a reminder process. After you’ve contacted your client and sent another invoice, Fraraccio says it’s time to start the dunning process. Essentially, this means reaching out to your client with a written reminder, followed by two warnings. You can then escalate the matter to a collection agency to recover outstanding payments.

Stop all work for the client. Fraraccio says you should not do any additional work for clients until they pay their invoices in full. Continuing without full payment poses additional financial risks for your business.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers

Source: Miranda Fraraccio is a New York-based writer with nearly 10 years of experience.

The annual Past President's event on August 5 was resurrected by current UMAPP President, Chris Babiash. This event is an informal gathering of past presidents to reconnect and gather information about the status of the Association, upcoming projects, and to offer insight about their past terms and the future. Many thanks to all who attended as well as Spector & Co. and American Solutions for Business for their sponsorship.

UMAPP partners with the Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF) through PPAI to offer a one-year, $1,250 scholarship. to one of our members or a student of a member. All applications are submitted through PPEF. They review all documentation and transcripts, and then recommend a winner.

For the 2024-2025 academic school year, please congratulate Lexi Nichols of South Dakota. Parent: Linda Dansman-Nichols of UMAPP member Innovative Office Solutions.

Read Lexi's Thank You Letter.

Lexi Nichols

Upper Midwest Association of Promotional Professionals admin@umapp.org

UMAPP.org | 651-734-9767