July 2023
A Message From Our PPAMidwest President......
 
PPAMidwest Members,
 
July is here! For many that means fireworks, vacations and BBQs. It’s also the perfect time to reflect on the first half of 2023 and to plan for the rest of the year. I’m truly amazed and awed by the accomplishments of your PPAM Board of Directors so far this year! What an amazing team and it’s such a privilege to lead this association in 2023. So far this year, our membership numbers are way up, we have had two amazing Spring shows with increased attendance and new supplier exhibitors, and we have personally connected with so many of you, our vitally important members. Just recently, we had one of the most successful golf tournaments in our history on a gorgeous warm June day, which raised thousands to support our PPAMidwest Scholarship Fund. Looking ahead to even more excitement as we move into the second half of the year.
First, I am hoping to see many of you at our Coffee Chat on Thursday July 13th at Homer’s Coffee House. Second,

Be sure to add these awesome events to your calendars:
  • August social events will include a return to Chicken N Pickle in Overland Park, KS on August 8th and a retro Arcade party in St. Louis on August 9th at Up Down Arcade Bar in St. Louis, MO.
  • Our Fall Showcase dates are set for September 26th in Overland Park, KS and September 28th in St. Louis, MO.
  • Our annual holiday parties will be held on November 29th at Pinstripes in Overland Park, KS and November 30th at Trainwreck Saloon Westport in St. Louis, MO.

I truly hope all of you are enjoying a summer to remember. I remain honored to serve as your President and am looking forward to seeing all of you in person soon. Please reach out directly to me with your comments, questions, or just to chat. I can be reached via email at dennis.oglesby@go2partners.com. 

Yours in Service,

Dennis Oglesby, MAS
2023 PPAMidwest President
July 11, 2023 Tuesday Learning Lab: "Going For the Gold: Building and Entering an Award-Winning Pyramid Marketing Campaign "

If you are interested in entering and achieving the pinnacle award in the promotional products industry, it would be the PPAI Golden Pyramid Award, then this is the seminar to attend. This award recognizes the excellent creative and innovative use of promotional products in marketing campaigns. This seminar teaches attendees how to think more creatively and what the judges are looking for exactly when reviewing and judging a promotional campaign. We will deep dive into each category, process for entering, and how to actively promote your win. As a multiple time, recipient, I can attest it has helped foster more profitable business, and elevated the client’s perception of what we do, and what can be done with promotional products. A couple of award-winning campaigns will be discussed.

Learning Outcomes:
  • How winning can bolster bigger sales and higher profits.
  • What makes a successful campaign successful.
  • What categories are there to enter.
  • What the judges are looking for.
  • Methods to archive your information before you enter.
  • Review of successful marketing campaigns
July 26, 2023 Wild Wednesday Webinar: "Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility: How They Can Make a Difference in Your Business"

Join us for this timely and enlightening webinar. We’ve all heard of Sustainability and Product/Corporate Responsibility, but what does it all rally mean and how can it impact, enhance our business. This is a great opportunity to learn from and get answered to your questions from one of our industry experts.


Learning Outcomes:
  • What Sustainability really is
  • What it means to have Product Responsibility
  • How they both can impact your business
  • How to use these initiatives to gain a competitive advantage

Join your fellow PPAMidwest friends at our August socials!
Choose your city, mark your calendars and join us for a great time.
Pre-registration is NOT required but appreciated so that we will
have an approximate head count in each city.


8/8/23 - Chicken-N-Pickle Tournament:
  • 5 - 5:30pm: On Site Tournament Registration where brackets will be developed and instruction provided. No need to find a "team" as we will place you with a teammate on site.
  • 6 - 8pm: Pickleball tournament with prizes awarded
No experience required for this fun event. Pickleball isn't your thing?
No worries....come on out for a little networking and a great time!


8/9/23 - Up Down Arcade Bar:
  • 5 - 8pm: Join us for a fun night of arcade games and networking. Pizza, drink tickets and tokens will be provided for each guest.

No Charge for PPAMidwest members to attend either event!
Monetary contributions welcome on site for our PPAMidwest Scholarship
Fund which is awarded annually to family members of PPAMidwest.

 For event details and registration links, click here
Mark your calendars and register to attend our
upcoming Fall Holiday Showcase!
 
Don't miss this year's Fall Holiday Showcase which will be held in
both Kansas City and St. Louis. Our annual end user friendly tabletop
show format will be at two fun and unique locations that you
and your customers are sure to love!

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2023
The Fiorella's
9000 West 137th Street
Overland Park, KS 66221

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2022
The Foundry Arts Centre
520 North Main Center
St. Charles, MO 63301

Exhibits Open: 10 am - 1pm

Register to exhibit or attend today!
 For event details and registration links, click here
PPAMidwest News

Glenwood, MN – American Solutions for Business recently joined forces with an organization made up of community and regional banks, The North Carolina Bankers Association (NCBA). ASB sales associate, Randall Johnson, coordinated the relationship, securing a multi-year agreement.
 
Since its establishment in 1981, ASB has flourished into one of the largest distributors in the industry, providing customers with print, promotional products, marketing collateral, fulfillment and more. A rebate model, developed by Randall, with assistance from ASB VP of SOS, Amy Spychalla, and ASB National Director of Vertical Markets, Stan Klarenbeek, will allow money to be put back into the association throughout the life of the endorsement.
 
“It’s an honor to be selected by the NCBA as the preferred supplier to their member banks,” expressed Randall. “The NCBA is focused on providing a high level of personal service within the state of North Carolina. Our goal is to support their efforts in growing their business, creating a win for both ASB and the association.”
 
“American Solutions for Business is an outstanding partner! They are responsive and deliver excellent products.,” explained Lynn Johnson, COO and Executive Vice President of the former Select Bank & Trust. “My team and I worked closely with Randall Johnson, and as a banker, I understand banking needs. It is with great pleasure that I have the opportunity to personally and professionally recommend ASB.”
 
About the North Carolina Bankers Association:
The North Carolina Bankers Association brings together all categories of banking institutions that best represent the interests of our rapidly changing state. Proudly serving North Carolina’s banking industry since 1897, the NCBA is the professional trade organization providing advocacy, leadership and support for its dynamic membership base. The Association has three subsidiaries, Centrant Community Capital, Community Bank Services (CBS) and Community Insurance Services (CIS). Centrant Community Capital provides permanent debt financing for workforce apartment communities and housing in a number of states. CBS offers insurance and employee benefit products, as well as other services to the Association’s members and publishes a quarterly magazine, Carolina Banker. CIS has been created to remove barriers that will enable our community banks to provide a full range of quality insurance options to their customers. 
PPAMidwest Members....Are You Taking Advantage
of your Member Only Coupons?
Vantage Apparel Honored as PPAI 100 Industry Leader

Avenel, NJ – Vantage Apparel is thrilled to share the news that it has been selected as one of the top companies in the promotional products industry by the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI). Vantage ranked #17 on the PPAI 100, a prestigious group of 50 suppliers and 50 distributors who exhibit exceptional qualities within the industry. The ranking system is based on various aspects of organizational excellence, including revenue, business growth, corporate social responsibility, technology practices, employee satisfaction and industry reputation.
 
According to Josh Ellis, the publisher and editor-in-chief of PPAI Media, the PPAI 100 companies represent the epitome of excellence in any industry, and each organization embodies the best practices in organizational leadership. The selection criteria are extensive and nuanced, and that's why Vantage Apparel's inclusion in the PPAI 100 list is such an incredible achievement. Ira Neaman, President of Vantage Apparel, attributes the achievement to “the hard work and dedication of its team, and the support from its distributor partners.” 
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 Media Bolsters Staff
PPAI Media
PPAI Media Bolsters Staff With Promotion, New Addition
 
The editorial team at PPAI Media has a refreshed look thanks to a promotion for its longest tenured staffer and the addition of another experienced industry reporter – both award winning journalists.

James Khattak, CAS, who originally joined PPAI in the role of news editor in 2011 and later took on the title of senior digital editor, has been promoted to deputy editor, overseeing the day-to-day operations of PPAI Media’s publishing efforts.

New team member John Corrigan has also joined the fold as a news editor, reporting the daily happenings of the industry and creating impactful, enterprising stories for PPAI Newslink and PPAI Magazine.
6 Memorization Hacks To Help You Remember Anything
Josh Ellis • Publisher & Editor-in Chief • PPAI

Have you ever met someone and immediately forgot their name? Or maybe you blanked when trying to recall a stat during a presentation. Whatever the situation, boosting your ability to recall things can help you in all kinds of situations
 
Remembering the name of a new connection or specific details about someone can help them feel heard and valued. A better memory can also help you recall the facts you need daily, from client appointment times to information for team meetings. While some people might seem naturally adept at remembering things, anyone can improve their memory. Author and entrepreneur Mike Michalowicz says you need only apply some memorization techniques to give your memory a boost. We share his expert tips below:

1. Employ visual association
According to Michalowicz, this memory trick works because people naturally remember visual cues better than words. Plus, the more senses you involve in remembering something, the easier it becomes to recall it.  Read More
2023 PPAI Product Responsibility Summit
October 8-10 - Alexandria, VA
Make Sure You’re Prepared For Change

The only thing we know for sure about the future of our industry is change is inevitable. And the best way to be prepared is to attend PPAI’s Product Responsibility Summit, Sunday thru Tuesday, October 8-10, in Alexandria, Virginia.

Summit will help you prepare not only for the changes we know about – such as the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MOCRA) – but also for the changes on the horizon. The conference also features an entire day focused on sustainability in the promo industry.

Whether you are facing recalls, state regulation changes or the ever-changing due diligence requirements, Summit will get you prepared to withstand future storms.

Register now to put your company in the best position to navigate change. Click here to learn more or complete your registration