February 2022
A Message From Our PPAMidwest President......

“Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.” —Oprah Winfrey

When it comes to your Regional Association, we want to make sure we are doing our best to help our members be successful. Whether it’s introductions to other local industry members, to sharing ideas & helping problem solve, offering savings by way of the coupon book, to education, to industry insights, to local tradeshows & social industry events…your 2022 Board of Directors strives to be a key resource for YOU…our member community.

PPAMidwest is more than just a monthly newsletter or social posts. We are suppliers, distributors, multi-line reps, business service providers. We are sales reps, designers, and business owners. We are problem solvers & probably have solved many of the same problems! We are a community.

Meet your 2022 PPAMidwest Board of Directors (from top L to bottom R):
  • Tiffany Kanak – Executive Director
  • Amelia Madl – PromoCorner (BSP) – At Large Board Member
  • Amy Kitzman – Ariel Premium Supply (S) – At Large Board Member
  • Stephanie Thompson – Cutter & Buck (S) – Secretary
  • Joe Huber – The Magnet Group (S) – Immediate Past President/RRC
  • Spencer McMillian – Brand ID (D) - At Large Board Member
  • David Shultz – commonsku (BSP) - Treasurer
  • Mandi Rudd – Brand Energy Marketing (D) – President
  • Dennis Oglesby – GO2Partners (D) – Vice President
  • Lance Novotny – Novotco (MLR) - At Large Board Member
  • Scott Rogers – Corporate Branding (D) - At Large Board Member
  • Cory Cissell – Cap America (S) - At Large Board Member
Please let me know how I may be of help to you. If I don’t know the answer, I can surely connect you with someone who does. What would you like to see from PPAMidwest this year? Please feel free to reach out to me directly at mandi@brandenergymarketing.com

 


Mandi Rudd
2022 PPAMidwest President
Bring Your Own Beverage and join your friends from PPAMidwest
for a Virtual Happy Hour and Game Night!!

Thursday, February 17, 2022
4:00 pm

Pour a glass of your favorite beverage, grab a seat in front of your computer,
phone or tablet, and join in for some lighthearted fun and friendly competition.

This virtual happy hour will be hosted on Zoom.
There is no cost to attend but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
to obtain the meeting link and password.


Cheers everyone!
February 23, 2022 Wild Wednesday Webinar:
"The Next Chapter: Challenges and Opportunities in the Promotional Products Market" 

The events of the last few years have left many of us ready to look forward. The question is what that forward will be? What are the key issues, challenges, and opportunities that will impact our market? 
In a follow up to our discussion last year, we will look at how the industry has evolved, the ramifications for the future, and the opportunities it presents for all of us.

Learning Outcomes:
  • Critical drivers of industry change
  • Trends to expect in the next few years
  • Driving customer value in a changing environment

Mark your calendars to attend our upcoming Spring Product Premiere!
 
Not Just Another Traveling Rep Show!!

 This show is the COMPLETE promotional products experience featuring
the most professional Suppliers and Distributors in the industry.

The PPAMidwest Spring Product Premiere is one of the best opportunities
to connect with top Suppliers and Multi-line Reps. Designed for industry
veterans and newcomers alike, this show delivers quality and more of what
you are looking for to boost your business as we enter the 2nd quarter.

For event details, click here
Distributor registration is opening soon!!
PPAMidwest News
American Solutions for Business Hosts Virtual Vendor Award Ceremony

Glenwood, MN – American American Solutions for Business held their second annual virtual Vendor Award Ceremony on February 8th.
 
The ceremony features a wide range of awards recognizing partners who service American across several categories. This year, American introduced the new Horizon Award, which recognizes supplier partners who offer strong support, positive attitude, and a unique, dynamic product line.
 
“The supplier partners that were featured came as no surprise to any of us,” explained VP of Marketing, Vendor Relations & Events, Dana Zezzo. “These awards were selected based on a combination of sales associate votes and department analysis of suppliers who best exemplified what we look for at American – dedication to customers, great response time, and excellent communication.”
 
The winners for each category were:
American’s Choice
Print – Lippmann
Apparel – SanMar
Promo – Hit Promo

Best Customer Service
Print – Lippmann
Apparel – SanMar
Promo – Hit Promo

Rising Stars
FAST Platform
BEL Promo
CFC Print

Top Service Provider
ESP/ASI

Top Decorator
Dubow Textile
Salesperson of the Year
Print – Chris Brooks (Lippmann)
Apparel – Rob Newell (SanMar)
Promo – Matt Argo (Hit Promo)

Horizon Award
Maple Ridge Farms
Atlantis Headwear
Logojojo Custom Label Craft Coffee
Premium Custom Products
Coasterstone
Timbuk2
Augusta Sportswear Brand
Delta Apparel
Otterbox
Printco
PPAMidwest Members....You and your family members have access to a
$1,250 One Year Scholarship funded by special events and activities
brought to you by your PPAMidwest Board of Directors
PPAMidwest has partnered with PPEF to offer a one year, $1,250 scholarship to all staff of PPAMidwest member companies or their children who are high school seniors or college undergraduates. PPEF takes all of the applications, reviews, verifies, and makes a recommendation for a recipient.

Why PPEF? The Promotional Products Education Foundation is an industry-based educational, charitable, and nonprofit organization.  PPEF awards college scholarships to students who have a parent working in the promotional products industry or who are working for a company in the industry. 

Applications for the 2022-2023 academic school year are now available.
Deadline to submit is March 15, 2022.
Paul Clement Rizzo, 92, of Huntley, Illinois, and formerly of Delavan, Wisconsin, passed away on January 15, 2022. Paul was one of the first multi-line reps in our industry with over 40 years in business.

Paul was born on March 6th, 1929, to the late Paul and Mary (nee Klement) Rizzo. He married Bunny (nee Kec) Rizzo, with whom he spent over 50 wonderful years of his life, and together they had three children. Paul is survived by his son Paul Rizzo, daughter Pam (CD) Alderson, grandchildren Morgan Rizzo, Buck (Kate) Rizzo, Lauren Rizzo, and his great-granddaughter, Elaine Kappes. He is additionally survived by his two brothers, Fred and Chuck (Nancy) Rizzo, as well as his nephew, Michael Rizzo, and his sister-in-law, Barbie Loehrer. Paul was preceded in death by his wife Bunny, daughter Janet Rizzo, and his parents.

Paul served his country in the army from 1951-1956, and enjoyed boating on Lake Geneva with his wife and family. He was a hobbyist wine maker, and gratefully remained active and independent until the end of his life. Paul was an important influence in the promotional products industry; he spent much of his adult life working in sales for such.

Private interment will be held at St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery in April with a celebration of Paul's life to follow sometime in early summer. In lieu of flowers, the family requests for any donations to be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project.
PPAMidwest Members...Are you taking advantage of your Member Benefits?
Are you receiving your 10% discount on SAGE products and services?
Are you taking advantage of the 2022 Coupon Book which is hot off the press?
Are you taking advantage of the 20-25% discount with
Constant Contact?
Are you taking advantage of your free ZOOMcatalog account &up to a 50% discount for an upgraded account?
Are you taking advantage of your free app where you may view fresh ideas and business knowledge daily?
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).
Industry News
PPAI 2022 Icon Award Recipients Tribute
PPB Newslink
Here's Your Chance To Join PPAI In Honoring The 2022 Icon Award Recipients
 
PPAI would like to invite you and your colleagues to take part in creating a video montage
(or "Tribute") congratulating each of the PPAI Icon Award Recipients.
 
Tell PPAI how the 2022 PPAI Award Recipients have impacted your life. It will only take you a minute to film and submit a video. It will make for an unforgettable gift that shares our collective love and appreciation of all they do for the promotional product industry, their communities and for PPAI.
 
Record a video for one or all of the 2022 PPAI Icon Award Recipients by clicking on their name(s). 
2022 PPAI Hall of Fame Inductees
 
2022 PPAI Distinguished Service Award Recipients
  
2022 PPAI H. Ted Olson Humanitarian Award Recipient
 
 Deadline for video upload is February 25, 2022. Don't be the last to submit!!
Upload your video onto the Tribute site by clicking the links above.
The Habits You Need to Develop for Greater Productivity
Nicole Ramirez  Entrepreneur Leadership Network Contributor Digital Marketing Professional in Content Mktg

Our biggest successes often come from our smallest changes.

Productive people have one thing in common: a solid routine consisting of small habits that help them to keep a healthy mindset and lifestyle. For many successful people, these habits didn't take long to incorporate into their routine.
 
Research has shown that a habit takes approximately 21 days to become normal behavior. So, read on to see some habits you can start practicing to become more productive. 

PPAI Expo 2022 Direct 2 You
Virtual Event ~ February 22 - 23, 2022
PPAI Expo brought the promotional products community together last month in Las Vegas, but not everyone in the community was able join. This month, on Feb. 22-23, that value is coming to promo professionals’ offices and homes through PPAI Expo Direct-2-You, a virtual experience.

This year, PPAI has expanded its virtual Expo capabilities by giving exhibitors the ability to live stream from their Expo D2U booth, letting attendees see live product demos whenever they stop by the booth.

The virtual show also delivers value through professional education and development. Expo D2U’s diverse education schedule, taught by industry thought leaders and subject matter experts, features original content produced for Expo D2U and some of the best sessions from The PPAI Expo 2022, Women’s Leadership Summit and Product Responsibility Summit. Additionally, industry practitioners can meet and connect with each other, through video chat and lounge features. Read more on what to expect from Expo D2U