A Message from our CPPA President......
Good November my friends.
I recently had the pleasure of taking the train to the SAAGNY show in New York for a few reasons: (1) as CPPA’s president I wanted to support the other District One Regionals, (2) to get an idea of how other regionals work, and (3) I wanted to attend education.
The education platform was simply a panel discussion, with four formidable panelists: Joe Hoffmann with iPROMOTEu, Andy Shape from Stran Promotional Solutions, Brett Hersch with HIT and Dan Edge with Peerless Umbrella. Mike Merkin, from Hit, co-moderated the event with SAAGNY’s president, Rachel Levin. The event was stellar, so much so I could write three pages on what I learned, but that will be saved for my upcoming article in PromoCorner magazine next month.
While all the panelists had brilliant observations, the one that floored me and had me sit back in my seat was an observation from Dan Edge. Dan mentioned the topic of mental health issues which have stemmed from this miserable pandemic. (I am paraphrasing his comments) People are at their wits-end with supply chain issues, employee issues, employee engagement, motivation, etc. – it is tough for everyone. I never truly realized how incredibly difficult it must be for the front-line folks, the customer service representatives, those who make the effort every day to come to work and field calls.
Folks, keep in mind, CSR’s cannot move freight. They cannot unload the container ship. They have no pull when it comes to getting a chassis to move the container once off-loaded – they just do not. I realize it is annoying and frustrating to have to spend ten times as long creating an order than in the past but they, along with our supplier partners, are doing their level best given the circumstances.
I write this to you this month to say – communicate openly with each other, realize you are not being singled out as this is affecting everyone. Be more understanding, tolerant, patient, and kind – it will go a long way.
We have made it this far together…just a little further and this will be behind us. It is who we are and it’s what we do. Thanks Rachel Levin with SAAGNY, and my friend Dan Edge, for this much needed, eye-opening, panel discussion.
We've got this! Together we can accomplish everything!
Cliff Quicksell, MAS+
President, CPPA
301-717-0615
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ZOOMcatalog Adds Jessica Gibbons-Rauch as Marketing Manager
Boulder, CO - Jessica Gibbons-Rauch has been hired as the Marketing Manager for ZOOMcatalog; the industry’s leader in digital marketing technologies. Gibbons-Rauch will lead the strategic marketing direction for the brand and work with Bryony Zasman and Donna Lomazini to align product messaging with application. Gibbons-Rauch comes with robust experience in the promotional products market on both the distributor side and the service provider side of the industry.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring JGR onto our team. Her experience in the promotional products industry as a distributor and with digital marketing is the perfect balance for ZOOMcatalog.” – Bryony Zasman, Co-Founder.
Gibbons-Rauch, based in Chicago, has spent 16 years in the promotional products industry in positions with Top 40 distributors as an account manager, director of key accounts, and director of program development, merchandising, marketing, and vendor relations. She has served on the board and been the RAC delegate for PPAChicago, a PromoKitchen Chef, and was a 2014 PPB Rising Star. She has her MBA with a focus on strategic marketing from Northern Illinois University and has been a part of their Digital Marketing Board of Directors and an adjunct professor for the Digital Marketing Program. Recently, Gibbons-Rauch has been an independent consultant, working with distributors to build their operations, marketing, and merchandising programs. This year she has been a presenter at the PPAI Women’s Leadership Conference, SAGE Show, Shirt Lab, and Promotional Products Association Canada Conference. She has also been a guest on podcasts such as Tacos with Jay and Jeff, Promo Insider, Delivering Marketing Joy, PromoEQP Got Your Back, CommonSKU Skucast, and Order My Gear.
“I have always admired the team at ZOOMcatalog and their amazing ability to solve industry problems with a modern, cutting edge digital solution. I am so excited to be a part of their future and be able to help communicate their robust product offering," Gibbons-Rauch said.
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CPPA Members.....Are you taking advantage of your Member Benefits
like a 10% Discount on SAGE Products?
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Vantage Apparel taps Josh Appelbaum as VP, Digital Transformation
Avenel, NJ - Vantage Apparel, the industry’s number one source for branded apparel and fulfillment, announced today the addition of industry superstar, Josh Appelbaum as its Vice President, Digital Transformation and a member of the company’s senior leadership team.
As VP, Digital Transformation, Josh will be responsible for working cross-functionally to bring strategic insight and operations expertise to the everchanging world of branded apparel, on-demand decoration and eCommerce services; a channel he has excelled for the last 11 years in the industry.
A Madison, Wisconsin resident, Josh has spent the last decade as leader in apparel and decoration on demand; working with some of the largest apparel companies in the industry. He has earned countless awards in
sales and innovation throughout his industry tenure and has spearheaded digital partnerships before they were cool.
“We’re thrilled to expand our commitment of offering world-class experiences with a faster, more intuitive ecosystem here at Vantage and having Josh join our team will allow us to realize those ambitions even faster,” says Rob Watson, Vantage’s Chief Experience Officer. “As we look to reimagine solutions that offer efficient, top quality programs in decorated apparel to our customers, Josh’s expertise in sales and technology leadership will help us deliver on that promise.”
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Calling all CPPA Suppliers....It's Time to Submit Your
Coupons for the 2022 Regional Coupon Book!
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As a supplier in our industry, you are invited to participate in two separate Regional Association Digital Coupon programs for 2022. These are no-charge opportunities for you to gain exposure and earn more business from thousands of distributors across the country through our separate partnerships with ZOOMcatalog and PromoHunt.
To participate, please click on each logo below and follow the instructions given by each program.
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Submission Deadline for both is December 5th |
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Anderson, Taschereau And Ralston Named To The PPAI Board |
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PPAI Announces Its Newest Board Members
PPAI announced recently its newest board members, Chris Anderson (left), CEO of Braintree, Massachusetts-based supplier HPG; Denise Taschereau (center), co-founder and CEO of Vancouver, British Columbia-based distributor Fairware Promotional Products, and Melissa Ralston, chief revenue officer of Tampa, Florida-based supplier Koozie Group.
“We are thrilled to leverage Denise, Melissa and Chris’ talent, expertise and energy to further PPAI’s vision and mission,” says Todd Pottebaum, MAS+, PPAI board chair.
Anderson and Taschereau have been elected to the PPAI Board of Directors following approval of the slate by PPAI members in last month’s election; they will serve a four-year term. Ralston has been appointed to a two-year at-large director position on the PPAI board. All three new directors will begin their terms immediately following The PPAI Expo 2022 in January.
PPAI’s board is the Association’s governing body and plays a major role in directing its strategic activities, adopting policies and approving budgets to carry out the work of the Association.
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How Employees Can Crush Remote Work and How Employers Can Help Them
Scott Bartnick * Entrepreneur Leadership Network Contributor * Co-founder of Otter PR
Here's a quick guide to succeeding with remote work on both sides of the employer-employee relationship.
There's no doubt that the pandemic and related shutdowns have changed how we work and run businesses. More and more employers are moving their workforce to remote work permanently. Several studies conducted since 2020 have shown that remote work can result in greater productivity overall.
There are approaches that both workers and employers can take to maximize the benefits and positive results of remote work. Here's a quick guide to crushing remote work, whether you're the employer or the employee. Read More
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January 10 - 13, 2022 ~ Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV |
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Answers At Your Fingertips & ROI For Your Business
There’s just nothing like it. Countless products. Endless aisles. Infinite possibilities. When it comes to generating business-driving solutions and ideas that lead to a stronger bottom line, The PPAI Expo® is uniquely qualified to deliver.
Newbie or long-time attendee, the results are the same—unique opportunities and experiences which lead to satisfied clients. Don’t miss The PPAI Expo 2022 as we return to an in-person business experience unmatched by any in the industry. You won't find this opportunity anywhere else.
Register now to:
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Meet with 900+ promotional products suppliers all in one location.
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See the latest in product innovations and trends in the market.
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Participate in unmatched networking opportunities around every corner.
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Be inspired by top-tier education and insight to move your business forward.
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