A Message from our CPPA President......
Good May my friends,
I have been beating the drum, pushing to “SAFELY” get back to business. People and businesses are thirsting for safe, face-to-face interactions. It reminds me of a famous quote by American researcher, author, storyteller, and podcaster, Dr. Brene’ Brown:
“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgement; and when they derive substance and strength from the relationship.”
We thrive on connections, looking at someone in the face, watching them smile, shaking their hand, and engaging once again.
A few weeks back, CPPA took that leap by having our first face-to-face, in-person event in Baltimore. We followed all the protocols to make sure it was done safely and we had an amazing result. Nearly ninety supplier lines were represented and approximately sixty-five distributor members attended. While not the numbers we normally see, it was a start and it was great!
Without the support of all the vendor reps and multi-line reps, the show would not happen. They too took a risk and from the conversations I had with most of them, they were pleased.
The human spirit is amazing to me. We ARE smart, we ARE flexible, we DO CARE and that day, it showed. The board is most appreciative of those who ventured out and took a risk. Additionally, we highly respect those who made the conscience choice NOT to attend – and we missed you. Know this, your board is taking every precaution to ensure your safety and would love to see you at an upcoming event.
Looking forward to seeing everyone at our upcoming in-person events, looking forward to shaking your hand, feeling your energy, and seeing that beautiful smile!
We’ve got this! Together we can accomplish everything!
Cliff Quicksell, MAS+
President, CPPA
|
|
Wishing all of the CPPA Mothers a wonderful, relaxing weekend! |
|
Mark Your Calendars for our Upcoming Webinars! |
|
May 12, 2021 Webinar:
Get to Know Ad-N-Art/CNIJ, Bulldog Packaging and A+Wine Designs
12:30 PM
|
|
May 26, 2021 Webinar:
No One Cares About
Your Logo
12:30 PM
|
|
June 9, 2021 Webinar:
Get to Know Maple Ridge Farms and Warwick Publishing
12:30 PM
|
|
|
Evans Demonstrates Distributor Commitment
Announces “3-5-7” program
Garden Grove, CA - Evans Manufacturing recently announced a renewed commitment to all promotional industry distributors with their “3-5-7” production plan on all catalog quantity purchase orders regardless of decoration type.
“We understand and sympathize with issues currently present within our industry regarding labor shortages and supply chain issues,” says Alan Vaught, owner of Evans manufacturing. “We also know that distributor client business keeps rolling along as the effects of the pandemic recede, placing the distributor network in a very precarious position regarding order integrity and on-time delivery.”
“Because of those facts, Evans prepared itself for this possibility within the industry. We have taken a hard look at our internal and external processes, and with our improvements made, developed the 3-5-7 program for catalog quantity orders. Our most complicated decorated item is available no later than a five-day period. That in my opinion, demonstrates to the entire industry the commitment Evans Manufacturing has made to any distributors success” stated Ron Williams CMO.
Evans has worked hard to remain the trusted supplier for so many distributors by having:
- 398 products available in three days
- 174 products available in five days
- 13 products available in seven days
Evans “3-5-7” program in currently in-place and ready to assist any distributor regardless of location.
|
|
|
|
PCNA Celebrates Industry's Commitment
to Eco-Friendly Initiatives
Pittsburg PA - Polyconcept North America (PCNA) is excited to share the impact their distributor partners are making across the globe through their support of PCNA’s eco collection.
In 2020 alone, PCNA and their distributor partners saved almost 1 million bottles and 150,000 pounds of cotton from entering landfills. In addition, through their partnership with 1% for the Planet, the company has been able to plant over 75,000 trees and provide clean water to over 7,000 individuals as a direct result of eco product sales. “We wouldn’t be a leader in this industry if it wasn’t for the support of our amazing customers,” says Liz Haesler, Chief Merchandising Officer for PCNA. “It’s important that we show how their support is making a difference in this world.”
“Because of the impact this industry has been able to make through the overwhelming support of our eco-friendly items, other sustainable brands are anxious to get into the promo market,” continues Haesler. “We are excited to announce that PCNA will be partnering with two new eco-friendly retail brands in the coming weeks: tentree®, a sustainably-sourced apparel company with a mission to give back and EKOBO, a sustainable home accessories brand.” PCNA credits their distributor partners for the reason they’re able to grow their eco collection. “We can bring brands like tentree® and EKOBO to the promotional products market because of our amazing distributor partners who have created this demand by showing how important sustainability and the ability to give back is to them and their customers,” Haesler adds.
In addition to supporting sustainability efforts from a product perspective, PCNA is shifting their focus from a business perspective as well. “Two years ago, our eco line started as a robust product platform and while we continue to grow our eco collection, we’ve also evolved our thinking as an organization.” Says Neil Ringel, CEO of Polyconcept. “Outside of products, sustainability has become a key component of every business decision we make.”
Over the past two years, PCNA has made a conscious shift in the way they think about new projects and building upgrades. Across their North American facilities, they have taken measures to lower energy consumption, increase recycling programs and cut back on waste on the production floor.
And for PCNA, the effort doesn’t stop there. “With the support of the organization behind us, we’ve really been able to look at eco as a whole,” says Haesler. In addition to the products and brands that support 1% for the Planet, PCNA has over five additional retail brands that have their own give-back programs, including Welly®, CamelBak® and Skullcandy. “It’s truly amazing to see just how much of a difference we can make with the support of so many. Whether it’s supporting clean air, clean water or recycling initiatives, our distributors partners really do make a difference,” adds Haesler.
PCNA is showing their commitment to meeting the eco demand through significant inventory investments, the sourcing of new and different eco-friendly materials, innovative custom product design, overall new product development and new brand partnerships. “We are so grateful to the distributors who have supported us along this journey. Our commitment to them is to continue bringing new and exciting eco alternatives to the market,” continues Haesler. PCNA recently announced that 60% of their new product collection is eco-friendly and that this is a trend they are expecting to grow well into 2021.
|
|
|
|
Kicking Off The PPEF Throwback Challenge |
|
|
Want To Play A Game of Guess Who?
PPEF, Promotional Products Education Foundation, would like to invite you to participate in the Throwback Challenge. Over the next 10 weeks, PPEF will release a high school senior photo on #ThrowbackThursday and it's up to you to guess which industry peer it might be. When you have your guess in mind, visit ppef.us/giving-grid/ to see if you are correct.
While you're there, make a donation to PPEF and then upload your own senior photo. PPEF's goal is to fill the giving grid and raise $4,500 to fund two need-based scholarships, available to industry students and students with parents working at an industry company.
Follow PPEF on Facebook and Twitter to watch the Throwback Challenge unfold. |
|
This Small Business Week, Try 8 Habits Successful People Do Every Day
Keven Leyes * Entrepreneur Leadership Network Contributor * Chairman of Leyes Empire, CEO of Leyes Media/VVS
How are powerhouse leaders able to accomplish so much day in and day out?.
The set of habits doesn’t have to be complex, though. Take Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, for example. He has two key habits that he does every day without fail: gratitude and exercise. Each morning, he wakes up and asks himself what he’s thankful for. Acts of gratitude like this are shown to improve mental and physical health. Next, Nadella hits the gym. No matter where he is, he commits to going to the gym for at least 30 minutes. He says it makes a huge difference - and he’s right. People who are physically fit have improved cognitive function.
Good habits for a positive mindset - Your mindset determines how you perceive the people around you and the situations you find yourself in. For that reason, a positive mindset will also determine your success in leadership. Approach your employees and tasks with a positive, enthusiastic mindset, and the results will follow. Approach them with a negative mindset, and you will only get negativity in return. Read on to discover how to use your habits to put yourself in a better headspace Read More
|
|
Find Your Leadership Style at SPARK DIRECT-2-You |
|
|
Invest In Yourself And Your Future
SPARK Direct-2-You offers young professionals a balanced and immersive itinerary, with a variety of important topics. Unmatched by anything else in the industry, this unique, four-hour education and networking opportunity will engage, inform and inspire you. Check out this year's agenda:
Thursday, May 20, 2021
- Noon-12:15 pm CT • Welcome To SPARK Direct-2-You
- 12:15-1:15 pm CT • Panel Discussion - How to balance a hybrid world with virtual and in-person trade shows, meetings, client relations, and more (Led by the SPARK workgroup)
- 1:30-3 pm CT • Breakout Sessions - Select Your Four Topics Of Interest:
- Balancing virtual and in-person events
- Diversity, equity and inclusion
- Social responsibility
- Supplier and distributor communication
- Building and embracing confidence in a professional role
- Prospecting in the future
- 4 pm CT • Conclusion Of SPARK Direct-2-You
Learn more about SPARK Direct-2-You and register at ppai.org/SPARK-d2u. Make sure to ask about company pricing so all the young professionals in your organization can participate for one low rate. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
