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INDUSTRY NEWS
Wentworth New VP/GM At Norwood
Quenten Wentworth has joined BIC Advertising & Promotional Products as vice president and general manager responsible for sales, trade marketing and customer relations for Norwood (UPIC: NORWOOD) and BIC Graphic North America (UPIC: BIC).
Wentworth says in an interview with PPB Newslink that combining the companies of BIC and Norwood will lead to a stronger enterprise.
Read more here.
Lage Joins Gill Studios; Carrico And Timberlake Announce Retirement
Paul M. Lage, MAS, will return to Shawnee Mission, Kansas, supplier Gill Studios, Inc. (UPIC: gill) in the new role of president and CEO, replacing Tom P. Carrico, CAS, who will retire from the company effective May 3. Carrico will remain with Gill in an advisory role for a portion of 2010.
Read more here.
Pioneer Produces World Balloon Convention
Nearly 600 of the world’s top balloon artists from 46 countries were in Dallas, Texas, last week for the World Balloon Convention, sponsored by Wichita, Kansas, supplier Pioneer Balloon Co. (UPIC: Pioneer). This is the first year Pioneer has produced the convention says Wayne Roberts, CAS, vice president of Pioneer, adding that the multi-day convention included several levels of competitions for balloon artists as well as classes teaching the art of twisting and other skills.
See photos and read more here.
Prime Line Sales Cause Expansion Of Customer Service
Bridgeport, Connecticut, supplier Prime Resource Corp. (UPIC: PRIME) has expanded its customer service department by 20 percent because of the response to its new line of products and its new 24-hour free rush program.
Read more here.
WorkflowOne Partners With Puerto Rican Distributor
Dayton, Ohio, distributor WorkflowOne (UPIC: SF00001) has formed a partnership with San Juan, Puerto Rico, distributor ALAS Technical Products (UPIC: ALASP001). Customers of ALAS can now access WorkflowOne’s portfolio of business forms and labels, print management, promotional products, commercial printing, marketing communications, distribution services and technology-enabled solutions as well as its Puerto Rican-based sales and support staff. WorkflowOne’s customer base will now include some of the largest healthcare, universities, financial services, consumer goods and food product brands in Puerto Rico.
Read more here.
American Products Opens Community Scenic Calendar Division
Beaverton, Oregon, supplier American Products Publishing Company (UPIC: statecal) has opened a new division of the company called American Community Calendar Company. The new company will be a scenic calendar publisher/manufacturer partnering with distributor companies across the U.S. in the development of approximately 1,800 editions of a community scenic calendar for American communities.
Read more here.
Geiger Hosts Green Open House
Lewiston, Maine, distributor Geiger (UPIC: geiger) hosted a “green” open house in its Scottsdale, Arizona, office on St. Patrick’s Day. The event drew nearly 200 clients and prospects and the showroom was filled with eco-friendly products. Each attendee received a green goodie bag filled with product samples, including organic t-shirts and bamboo plates.
In Memoriam
Ron Frechette, CSP, twice chair of the PPPC board of directors, died April 13 in St-Hilaire, Quebec. Frechette was also a Hall of Fame inductee and chair of the Hall of Fame committee, among many other volunteer positions he held with the PPPC. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be sent to the Palliative Care Unit, Hotel Dieu de St Hyacinthe, 2750 boulevard Laframboise, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec J2S 4Y8.
REGIONAL NEWS
GAPPP To Host Golf Tournament
The Georgia Association of Promotional Products Professionals (GAPPP) will hold its second annual charity golf tournament May 13 at the Atlanta National Golf Club in Milton, Georgia. Proceeds of the event will go to Kids in Need and the Atlanta Food Bank. Attendees are asked to bring a donation of school supplies. For more information and registration contact the GAPPP office at 770-418-0759 or info@gappp.org.
Ash City Rep Earns MiPPA Award
John Gibson, Michigan-based sales representative for Richmond Hill, Ontario, supplier Ash City (UPIC: ash0001) was voted the Great Lakes Sales Rep of the Year by members of Michigan Promotional Professionals Association (MiPPA).
Read more here.
PEOPLE NEWS
Michelle Heinemanns has joined Celebration, Florida, distributor Barker Specialty Orlando as director of product development. Heinemanns has experience in merchandising and product design after spending 12 years as a product developer for Walt Disney World theme park merchandise.
Christopher Mink will represent Alpharetta, Georgia, multi-line rep PromoRep (UPIC: PRMOREP) supplier lines in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest.
Dawn Olds has been named vice president of operations for Sterling, Illinois, distributor HALO/Lee Wayne (UPIC: LEEWAYNE). Olds will be responsible for the company’s order processing, billing and accounts receivable teams, in addition to her current responsibilities overseeing the company’s improvement efforts, and acquisition planning and transition teams. Olds serves on the ePromo Standards Alliance (ePSA) board of directors.
Nita Shuler has been named an account manager for Promo Matting, a division of Acworth, Georgia, supplier Americo Manufacturing Co., Inc. (UPIC: AMERICO).
Natalie Yates has joined Sherman Oaks, California, distributor Best Promotions Inc. (UPIC: BEST) as a senior sales assistant.
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PPAI LAW
Contest Brings Arguments In Support Of Independent Contractors
“I became an independent contractor in 2005 because I wanted to be my own boss and manage my own time,” writes Jean McGuire, CAS, McGuirePro Marketing, an independent contractor for Lewiston, Maine, distributor Geiger (UPIC: geiger). “As your constituent and a member of Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), I am concerned that H.R. 3408 (S. 2882) would limit the use of independent contractors.”
Read more here.
Free Children’s Products Webinar On Thursday
A free webinar on the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) titled “What Is A Children’s Product?” will be held at 1 pm CDT on April 22. Susan DeRagon, associate director for toys and premiums with Enfield, Connecticut-based Specialized Technology Resources (STR), will provide an overview of the latest CPSIA-proposed rule on factors determining which items are children’s products in this 30-minute webinar.
Read more here.
Maryland Passes BPA Ban On Children’s Products
Lawmakers in Maryland approved a ban on the chemical bisphenol-A from use in baby bottles and infant cups on April 15. The prohibition would take effect in 2012. Maryland is the fourth state to ban the chemical, which has been linked to developmental problems in young children, reproductive issues in women and other diseases.
PPAI NEWS
PPAI Annual Sales Volume Survey Deadline Today
Distributors have until today to participate in PPAI’s Annual Sales Volume Survey. Complete the survey online at www.salesvolumesurvey.com. The survey is the industry's leading indicator of total promotional products sales. Participants will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win two round-trip tickets anywhere in the continental United States or hotel and round-trip airfare to the PPAI Expo 2011 in Las Vegas. There will be 10 other surprise prizes awarded valued at between $50 and $100.
“Love In The Kitchen” Video Download Offered
The second release in the PPAI “People Love Promotional Products” free, four-part video series is available for download here or view it on YouTube here. The video, titled “Love In The Kitchen—Promotional Products Work!,” focuses on the No. 1 room where people keep promotional products: the kitchen.
Read more here.
Donate Your Lunch Money On Earth Day To PPEF
The Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF) is asking its members to donate their lunch money on Earth Day, April 22. Visit www.ppef.us and donate your lunch money. Enter “Donate Your Lunch Money” in the comments section.
Members Earn MAS/CAS Designation
Four industry members received their MAS/CAS designation during the second quarter of 2010. They are:
• Chaundra Haynes, CAS, owner of Detroit, Michigan, distributor Make Your Mark Promotions (UPIC: promo9)
• Paul Schweitzer, MAS, president of Grand Rapids, Michigan, distributor Complete Source (UPIC: CSource)
• Jonathan Riegel, MAS, president of Hewlett, New York, distributor Concepts Unlimited (UPIC: CONUNLIM)
• Daryll H. Griffin, MAS, president and CEO of Norcross, Georgia, distributor Accolades, Inc. (UPIC: ACCINC)
Technology Products Webinar Running
A free webinar titled “Technology Products: Get Smart to Sell Smart,” presented by Logoincluded.com, has been scheduled in two parts. Part One was today; Part Two will be held April 27 at 10 am CDT. The webinar examines the day-to-day applications customers use and how to determine quality differences when purchasing products such as USB flash drives, MP3/MP4 players, digital picture frames and related technology. This series also explores how distributors need to understand the functionality and impact of these products, what makes them desirable to their customers and what to look for in the future.
Click here to register for Part Two.
PPAI Best Of Expo 2010 Webinars Return
The popular Best of Expo educational program returns with a four-part webinar series beginning April 28. These instructors scored in the top percentile at the PPAI Expo 2010. Participants can earn 1.0 MAS/CAS point for each interactive 60-minute webinar attended. Cost is $25 for PPAI members, $50 for nonmembers.
Read more here.
PPAI Suppliers Achievement Competition Accepting Submissions
The 2011 Suppliers Achievement Award competition is now open and accepting submissions until May 21. Send your most creative 2009 products, sales aids and self promotions to be considered for this prestigious award. Click here to submit entries. For questions, contact PPAI Awards at Awards@ppai.org or 972-258-3070.
2011 Distinguished Service Award Nomination Forms Available
The Distinguished Service Award is presented to PPAI members who consistently contribute their skills and expertise toward the betterment of the association. To nominate a candidate for next year’s award, click here. Nominations are being accepted through June 6.
Nominations Open For 2011 Hall Of Fame Award
The highest distinction that the promotional products industry bestows on its professionals is induction into the PPAI Hall of Fame. This award recognizes the long-term involvement and exceptional contributions to PPAI and the industry. Nominations are being accepted through June 1. To nominate a candidate, click here.
CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS
Newton Bowls For Kids’ Sake
Newton, Iowa, distributor Newton Manufacturing (UPIC: NEWTON) lent its support for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Central Iowa by participating in its Bowl for Kids’ Sake event. The company sponsored three teams of employee bowlers to help raise more than $500 for the organization.
Read more here.
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