Product of the Week
 
The Icelandic! Our NEW 600D Polyester striped cooler bag is NOW IN STOCK. Heat sealed and leak resistant insulated interior. Ultra-padded foam insulation. Perfect for shopping, picnics, excursions or keeping groceries fresh. Zippered pocket on base with durable nylon carry handles. Click here to visit our website for more information.
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Featured
Protect Your Business! 
 
The internet is an indispensable tool to succeed in today's digital economy, for most small and medium businesses in Canada. Being online requires being safe and secure. Cyber criminals are actively targeting smaller enterprises because they believe they are more vulnerable. Practice safe cyber! Click here for more information on how you can protect your organization.
TOPS+ 2017 - Check out who's exhibiting!
 
TOPS+ will be here before we know it! Click here to check out who will be exhibiting. Haven't reserved your booth yet? Click here for booth contract.
PPPC Scholarship - Time is Ticking! 
 
There are less than 2 weeks left to submit your scholarship applications (Application deadline: May 31st). This year PPPC is giving away a minimum of 8 scholarships of $1,500 to deserving students studying at an accredited Canadian University or College. Click here to learn more.
$1,100 Raised for the Rosalind Plummer Memorial Scholarship
 
To date, $1,100 has been raised for the Rosalind Plummer Memorial Scholarship. Initiated by members of the association, this special scholarship will be given to a student that is currently studying business and/or marketing at a Canadian University or College. In addition, a strong emphasis will be put on the student's level of involvement in extracurricular, charitable activities. Click here for more information and how you can donate.
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Chapter Events
Quebec Chapter Golf Tournament
 
W he n : June 15th, 2017
Where: Club de golf de la Vallée de Ste-Adèle 465 Rue de la Vallée du Golf, Sainte-Adèle, QC 
Time: Shotgun start at 12:30pm (Registration as of 11:00am)

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Click here to learn more!

Ontario Chapter Golf Tournament  - Almost Sold Ou t
 
When : June 15th, 2017
Where: Eagle Ridge Golf Club - 11742 Tenth Line, Georgetown, ON
Registration Time: 10am
 
Sponsorship opportunities are available. Click here to learn more.
 
Manitoba Chapter Slo-Pitch Tournament
 
Building on the success of Debco's Breakaway Hockey Series in the winter of 2016, Debco and the PPPC Manitoba Chapter are hosting 'A DAY ON THE FIELD CENTRAL', a slo pitch (arc-ball) tournament for local members of the association. 
 
When: Monday, July 17th, 2017
Where: John Blumberg Softball Complex
   
BC Chapter Call Slo-Pitch Players
 
Building on the success of the Breakaway West Hockey Game, co-sponsored by Debco, the PPPC BC Chapter is interested in hosting 'A DAY ON THE FIELD WEST', a slo pitch (arc-ball) tournament for local members of the association and of course Debco! Before the event can be finalized, the BC Chapter would like to gauge the level of interest surrounding this event. 

When: Thursday, July 20th, 2017,  2 - 6pm
Where: Delview Park North Delta, 96 ave and 112 street

Would you be interested in participating in the BC Chapter Slo Pitch Baseball Tournament? Click here to let us know.
BC Chapter Golf Tournament 
 
Date: Friday, June 23rd, 2017
Registration: 11:00AM | First Tee Time: 12:00PM | Dinner: 5:30PM
Location: Country Meadows Golf Course, 8482 No. 6 Road, Richmond
EARLY BIRD DEADLINE - May 31st
Sponsorship opportunities are available. Click here for more details.
 
BC Chapter - Soft Stuff Creations Education Session & Open House 
 
All BC members are invited to attend " 8 Toy Safety Misconceptions",  an educational session presented by Lorne Kotzer of Soft Stuff Creations (Earn 1 MAS point when you attend this session). The session will be followed by a open house. Click here for more information on the session.
Date: Friday, June 2, 2017
Time: Education Session: 1:30-2:30 | Open House: 3:00-7:00
Location: Soft Stuff Creations, 19353 22nd Avenue, Unit 105, Surrey, BC

RSVP to Sharon Griffith -  sharon@softstuffcreations.com or 778-291-1841
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Industry News
Justincase is Authorized to Provide Canada 150 Decorated Products!
Justincase is excited to announce that we are coming to the party!! With more than 280 products that provide a safety benefit.  Boost your client's branding by saying "Happy Birthday Canada' with a corporate message of caring and well-being.  For our latest Spring/Summer Flier with 40 'Cool' ideas for a 'Hot' selling season, visit our website  or call us at 877-761-8998.  Don't start the party without us! Click here to read their press release.
Canadian Union Apparel Launches Their New Collection
Canadian Union Apparel Is proud and excited to launch a brand new selection of quality apparel. The new line includes Henley T Shirts, Two Tone Raglan T Shirts, Jersey Hoodies, Fleece Hoodies, Polo Shirts, Windbreakers, Vests, Jackets to name a few. All our apparel is made in Canada at our plant in Scarborough, Ontario . Established in 1956 we have over 60 years of experience in manufacturing and customer service. Being a committed member of the UFCW (United Food and Commercial Worker, Local 175) also brings a positive work environment . We always believed in Canada first and proud to be celebrating Canada's 150th Anniversary. Click here for more information.
Coming Soon: Signature Cutter & Buck Service, Straight from Toronto
This fall, Cutter & Buck will open a new state-of-the-art distribution center to better serve its Canadian customers. "This has been a dream of ours," said Cutter & Buck CEO Joel Freet. Cutter & Buck has been in the Canadian market since 1990, and began planning the center after opening cross-border sales in 2013.  "The market response to Cutter & Buck and Clique in Canada has been outstanding," said Shane Brett, General Manager of New Wave Group Canada, Cutter & Buck's distribution subsidiary in Toronto. "Now the Canadian market demand for a domestic distribution point is at the place that we must move forward with all urgency." Click here to read more.
Ferstar - New Sales Representative
Ferstar, home to the James Harvest Sporstwear, Bagsfirst, Sagaform, Dvice and Projob  brands is pleased to announce the appointment of  Sharron Birtch to its growing sales team. Sharron will be joining Billie Jo Ladouceur and the Promo Expo team to service GTA for all our brands. Sharron can be reached at Sharron@ferstar.com or on her cell (416) 624-3098 or at office number 
647-477-4179, Ext 260.
PPB Unveils 60 Best Industry Workplaces - Includes a number of PPPC Members!
Sixty industry companies have earned a spot on this year's list of PPB Greatest Companies, which includes a number of PPPC members. This year, the program was reworked to use employee ratings as the primary selection criteria. Specifically, full-time employees at each nominated company were required to complete a confidential 13-question online survey in which they rated their company in key areas including engagement, effectiveness, leadership, ethics, pay, benefits, training and work/life balance. Click here to read more and view the list of companies.
Pro Towels Named Among PPB Magazine's Greatest Companies to Work For
Pro Towels announced that it has been named one of the promotional products industry's 2017 Greatest Companies To Work For by PPB. PPB's annual search to find the best industry employers turned up more than 100 companies nominated by their highly satisfied employees. Pro Towels was one of 60 selected for its ability to emulate best practices that keep workers happy, satisfied and engaged. The PPB recognitions were based on employee responses to an online survey exploring several key areas, including engagement, effectiveness, leadership, ethics, pay, benefits, training and work/life balance. Click here to continue reading.
Pro Towels Welcomes West Coast Branded Solutions to the Team
The Pro Towels family is pleased to announce the immediate appointment of West Coast Branded Solutions in California to represent the Pro Towels Family in the Western region, including CA, OR, WA, AK and HI. Click here for more information.
PromoGroup Family Grows Again!
PromoGroup is thrilled to announce the arrival of two new authorized PromoGroup dealers, Artext located at Outaouais and the owner is Mr. Sebastien Gravelle. The other new dealer is Promo Magic located at Mirabel and the owner is Mrs. Caroline Brosseau. Click here to view the press release.
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Of Interest
Marketingedge Magazine Features Our Humanitarian Award Recipient, Ken Dumond, CAS
 
Ken Dumond, CAS, our 2016 Humanitarian Award recipient, is featured in the latest issue of marketingedge magazine. In the article, Dumond shares how he was involved in a serious skydiving accident and how his experience has motivated him to get involved as a volunteer for a number of philantrophic causes, over the last 28 years. "I realized the impact that volunteers made on my recovery and how they made a difference to those in need", shares Dumond. Click here to read the article and here to watch Dumond's acceptance speech at the Image Awards ceremony.
From a Point of Interest
By Jae M. Rang, MAS
Reading time: 43 seconds
If you have a chequing account whereby you keep a minimum balance, you are likely earning interest. Conversely, if you have a mortgage or line of credit or any other borrowed money, you're likely paying interest. Then of course there is interest on credit cards, interest in investments and interest that your sharp kid charges you when you forgot you borrowed $20 from his piggy bank.  One way or another, money has a way of commanding our interest.  It's a given - an accepted practice - that somehow, somewhere money will generate interest.
What about OUR interest? Is it a given that in other aspects of our lives - physical, mental or spiritual - that we're operating from a point of interest?
If that's the case then why do we eat foods with chemicals, spend more time with our smart phones than our friends, and limit our time in nature? Are those actions and attitudes in our best interest?  Aha - "Thinking about our interest opens up our thinking to include those things that will enhance our lives." Kathy Petrowsky, Ph.D.    Click here to continue reading this post.