Lakeshore Group Ltd. Becomes OrderTrax²™ Certified Partner
Irving, Texas-based business services provider ISERVCORP, Inc. (UPIC: IservCo), a wholly-owned subsidiary of PPAI, announced that Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based business services provider Lakeshore Group, Ltd. (UPIC: LAKESHOR) is now a sales partner for OrderTrax²™ and fully certified on the ePSA trading community.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Lakeshore as a member of the OrderTrax² Certified Partners community,” says Jessica Obermayer, president and CEO of ISERVCORP.

Visit PPB online to read more.

Cap America To Offer Standard
Three-Day Shipping To Western U.S.
Fredericktown, Missouri-based supplier Cap America (UPIC: CAPAMRCA) has announced it will deliver in-stock cap orders to customers in western states in three days for the same price as regular ground service.

Regular ground service will be delivered in three business days, rather than the normal four to five, at no additional cost to customers in Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and western Wyoming. The new service takes effect with orders beginning Monday.

DailyBoost™ Gets An Upgrade
With New Features
DailyBoost™ users now have even more interactive features on the Tools and Training page, thanks to an upgrade from Irving, Texas-based business services provider ISERVCORP (UPIC: IservCo). The following four new features, found on DailyBoost’s Tools and Training page, are designed to help site users boost their business success:

Tango Tips, from Tango Partners, shares creative ways for distributors to grow and improve their business.

Create to Be Great, a regular weekly feature written by Paul Kiewiet, MAS, CIP, president of Kalamazoo, Michigan-based business services provider BrandKiwi, LLC (UPIC: kiwi), focuses on the challenges in business today.

e•PSA: Power Your Business focuses on how suppliers and distributors can move from the fax machine to e-commerce for the electronic transmission of orders and order-related information.

Tips on Taxes, Credit and Financial Health is a weekly column featuring news and experts in the financial field of operating a business.

In addition to the new features, readers will also get a weekly highlight feature every Saturday. “We recognize how busy everyone is today,” says Jessica Obermayer, president and CEO of ISERVCORP. “By giving our members a quick synopsis on Saturday, it allows them to quickly catch up to issues in one place during the weekend.”

Past PPAI Chairman Kiewiet
To Conduct AMA Webcast
Paul Kiewiet, MAS, CIP, president of Kalamazoo, Michigan-based business services provider BrandKiwi, LLC (UPIC: kiwi) and past PPAI Board chair, will present a webcast for the American Marketing Association at 12 pm CST on March 25.

The webcast, titled “Touching All the Senses to Build a Brand,” will offer marketing professionals practical guidance on how to engage the senses to build a brand experience using examples from top brands such as Apple, Harley Davidson and Coke.

To register for the free event, click here. The webcast slides are also available for download. For additional information, contact Erica Edwards, PPAI communications coordinator, at EricaE@ppai.org.

Early Registration Open For The PPAI Women’s Leadership Conference
If you’re ready to learn the habits of a successful businesswoman, take on the challenges that are holding you back and acquire more of the skills that lead to success in promotional products, now is the time to register for PPAI’s Fifth Annual Women’s Leadership Conference, July 7-10 in Savannah, Georgia.

This conference is designed to equip women to take the lead in today’s workplace through content-rich seminars by professional and industry speakers, networking opportunities, peer-to-peer panels and more. Members who register by March 31 receive a discounted price of $650. For more information and to sign up for WLC, click here.

Learn To Thrive At PPAI Suppliers’ Forum
The 2009 PPAI Suppliers’ Forum is zeroing in on a tough question: Does the economy open doors of opportunity for savvy suppliers? Be prepared to give or receive the answer Tuesday, May 19 in St. Paul, Minnesota, prior to the Upper Midwest Association Of Promotional Professionals (UMAPP) annual tradeshow, “THE Show.”

This forum, “Thriving vs. Surviving -- Secrets from the Best Minds in the Industry,” features a dynamic blend of presentations, round-table discussions, hot topics and networking opportunities, all with an emphasis on shared business practices for today’s climate. Members who register by May 1 receive a discounted price of $99.

For more information and to register, click here.

PPAI Crafts Code Of Conduct
For Member Use
To help members display and publicize their commitment to operating in a responsible manner, the Association has created a code of conduct that all member companies can use as the basis for developing their own code.

This comprehensive document addresses such workplace issues as conditions, environment, labor, hours and wages and of course product safety.

ADvocate Regional Challenge -- Could You Be A Prize-Winner?
The third leg of the ADvocate Regional Challenge is under way and it is still anybody’s race. The winner of the last leg, Upper Midwest Association of Promotional Products (UMAPP), is currently in first place with seven points. Houston Promotional Products Association (HPPA) is in second place with two points and Specialty Advertising Counselors Of The Delaware Valley (SACDV) is on the board with one point.

The third leg of the Challenge will conclude on July 17, 2009, and the winners will be announced at this year’s Leadership Development Workshop.

For more information about the ADvocate Regional Challenge or to become an ADvocate, click here or contact Erica Edwards, communications coordinator, at EricaE@ppai.org.

Rocky Mountain Association Relocates Tradeshow
The Rocky Mountain Region Promotional Products Association (RMRPPA) has moved its August tradeshow, held at Copper Mountain Resort for the past 13 years, to the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver.

The move comes as the result of a poll taken among suppliers, who agreed that a change in location was ideal, says Erin Erickson, the association’s managing staff member. “It is much more cost effective to hold it downtown,” she adds.

Early registration begins this month; visit www.rmrppa.org or send an e-mail to info@rmrppa.org.

Promotional Products Escape Connecticut AG’s Gift Ban Call
On Monday, Connecticut’s Attorney General, Richard Blumenthal, and healthcare advocate Kevin Lembo called for a prohibition against drug company gifts and other benefits provided to doctors that may improperly influence healthcare decisions.

Blumenthal and Lembo released a statement in which they claim recent codes of conduct enacted by pharmaceutical and medical device groups are “unenforceable and meaningless.”

They are proposing that the state of Connecticut adopt a law prohibiting certain types of gifts, but promotional products -- namely items of limited value intended for business use by the recipient, such as notepads -- are not included in the list.

The targeted gifts include paid trips, dinners and monetary compensation for ghostwriting, and they “serve only to improperly distort treatment decisions and diminish patient care,” says Blumenthal in the release.

Custom HBC Names Larned Regional Sales Manager
Waconia, Minnesota-based supplier Custom HBC Corporation (UPIC: hbcspec) has named industry veteran Mark Larned its regional sales manager for the Northeast.

Larned is responsible for managing and developing all key accounts in his region and for working with multi-line reps in the region. Larned has worked in the promotional products industry for more than 20 years. He most recently was new business development manager at Kreo.

Landes, Inc. Welcomes Kogutt As Sales VP
Houston, Texas-based supplier Landes, Inc. (UPIC: LANDES) has announced that Michael A. Kogutt, MAS, joined the company as vice president of sales. Kogutt most recently worked for Dallas, Texas-based supplier Dart Manufacturing Co. (UPIC: DART).

“We are excited to have a 25-year industry sales veteran like Michael to assist us in our sales efforts,” says Sonny DeShong, president of Landes. “We feel his experience, knowledge and reputation in the industry will really help to create awareness of all the great products, service and capabilities we have.”

PINGLINE Hires Zalaznik As Western Sales Rep
Chicago, Illinois-based supplier PINGLINE (UPIC: pingline) has hired Troy Zalaznik to manage the company’s western sales territory. Zalaznk was previously at Eagle Point Software.

Canyon Outback Honors Sales Reps, Distributors
New Ulm, Minnesota-based supplier Canyon Outback Leather Goods, Inc. (UPIC: canyon) presented awards to its top sales reps and top distributors for 2008. Jim Maddox was named United States Sales Rep of the Year and Aidem Marketing Group was named Canada’s Sales Rep Group of the Year.

Binghamton, New York-based TeamWorld Inc. (UPIC: TEAMWRLD) was recognized as the top U.S. distributor and took home the Gold Award. Lakeway, Texas-based Tournament Treasures, LLC was given the Silver Award and Pittsburg, Kansas-based Zouire Marketing Group (UPIC: ZOUI0001) rounded out the top three with the Bronze Award.

Calgary, Alberta-based Sportline Marketing, Inc. (UPIC: sprtline) received the Gold Award for the top distributor in Canada. The Silver Award was given to Calgary, Alberta-based KMC Sales and Mississauga, Ontario-based Corporate Express (UPIC: CORP0002) earned the Bronze Award.

Emile Henry Wins Design Award
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina-based supplier Emile Henry USA (UPIC: emileh) has received the 2009 Design Plus Design Award for its Cuisipro® Ice Cream Scoop & Stack.

The award recognizes product design that is both exemplary and trend setting. Emile Henry was given the award during a consumer goods tradeshow in Frankfurt, Germany.

L.W. Barrett Honors 2008 Sales Achievement Award Winners
Denver, Colorado-based distributor L.W. Barrett Company, Inc. (UPIC: BARRETT) handed out awards for its 2008 Sales Achievement winners in February.

Ten Silver Sales Awards and four Gold Sales Awards were given to promotional consultants at the company’s awards gala in Denver. The individual with the largest dollar and percentage of sales growth and the individual with the overall highest gross profit were also recognized.

Megan Sears and Tampa, Florida-based supplier Bic Graphic USA (UPIC: BIC) were honored as the supplier partner of the year. Each year, promotional consultants and the L.W. Barrett staff vote for the supplier partner they feel have provided the best service and ease of ordering.

Newton Honors Top Suppliers
Newton, Iowa-based distributor Newton Manufacturing Co. (UPIC: NEWTON) has named its top suppliers of 2008.

Newton chooses its top suppliers based on product quality, timely response to service needs, sales volume and ability to provide Newton with unique sales advantages. Newton also publishes a Preferred Supplier list each year.

See the full list of top suppliers at PPB online.

In Your Face Apparel Contributes
To Record-Breaking Event
Carrollton, Texas-based supplier In Your Face Apparel (UPIC: IYFA) was part of the team behind breaking the Guinness World Record for the Largest Gathering of People Dressed As Waldo, which Acuity set last December; the previous record was 127.

IYFA custom-cut and sewed nearly 600 shirts matching the main character in the “Where’s Waldo” books. Additionally, the irony was not lost on IYFA as multiple “Where’s Waldo” shipments throughout the project went “missing” -- a significant amount of time was spent searching for “Waldo” while completing the job, according to Michelle Swayze, marketing director.

Shumsky Launches Program
To Aid Iraqi Children
Dayton, Ohio-based distributor Shumsky (UPIC: SHUMSKY) has launched Goals For Kids, a program to help Iraqi children and the U.S. troops who serve to protect them.

Goals for Kids began as a request by Army Cpl. Matt Glasener, who serves as a gunner in Iraq and meets a number of Iraqi children on daily patrols. Glasener wanted to offer them more than just snacks, so he asked his stepmother, Colleen Glasener of Shumsky, to ship him a few soccer balls to give out. One month later, Shumsky’s request for donations from employees resulted in the shipment of 100 soccer balls to Iraq.

Shumsky is currently exploring a more holistic Goals for Kids program in conjunction with the U.S. Army, with a goal of delivering 1,000 soccer balls or more. The company also presented Cpl. Glasener with an honorary soccer ball in recognition of his commitment to spreading peace and good will to the Iraqi people.

Automotive gadgets and a look back at The PPAI Expo 2009 are showcased this week on The Industry Show.

Buff Up Your Promotions With Fitness Products
The May issue of Promotional Consultant magazine is packed with products for gym-goers and health mavens -- you’ll find high-performing sportswear, workout and gym equipment such as exercise balls and yoga mats, and health and fitness products such as sports bottles and pedometers. Send your top fitness products to Audrey Sellers for consideration. March 13 is the submission deadline.

How To Handle A Change In Ownership
If you are the proud new owner of what was once someone else’s company, how did you ease the employees and the organization into the transition? If you are the employee of a company that has changed hands, what did you like and/or dislike about the change? E-mail your story to Jen Alexander by March 16 for possible inclusion in an upcoming PPB Newslink story.

Entrepreneurialism On the Edge
Do you know the ins and outs of entrepreneurialism? If you’ve started your own company and kept it afloat, what wisdom or advice would you share with newbie entrepreneurs? What are the benefits, drawbacks and ingredients to to entrepreneurial success? E-mail Brittany Glenn for possible inclusion in an upcoming Promotional Consultant story by March 18.

It’s All Fun And Games
The June issue of PPB magazine is dedicated to the best products for clowning around -- board games, hula hoops and toys to travel games, puzzles and yo-yos. Send your product descriptions and high-resolution images to Audrey Sellers by March 20 for possible inclusion.

Clothes For Kiddos
The June issue of PPB magazine offers up a kid-friendly collection of apparel for infants, toddlers, kids and tweens, including t-shirts, headwear, shorts, skirts, dresses, sweaters and jackets. Just send apparel descriptions and high-resolution images to Audrey Sellers for consideration. March 20 is the submission deadline.

Diamonds In The Economic Rough
Have you spotted opportunites in new markets lately? Are you noticing sales of certain products picking up in a particular industry? If your clients are in industries and job fields that continue to grow despite the economy, share your story for possible inclusion in an upcoming PPB article. E-mail Jen Alexander by March 26.

Now More Than Ever
As you read last month’s PPB, you may have been overwhelmed as you realized the complexity of the CPSC regulations. First, it’s important we understand these issues impact suppliers, distributors and promotional consultants. They may have more immediate impact on suppliers, but a distributor who chooses the wrong production partner could suffer extreme consequences. A promotional consultant who dismisses the importance of compliance to a client’s brand is naïve.

Keeping Advertising Up In A Down Economy
When Eric Ekstrand, MAS, had a longtime client tell him the company was retracting its advertising budget due to the recession and -- gasp -- cutting out all “giveaway items,” he knew he had to do something. “I’m trying to change the concept from giveaway items to an advertising medium that works,” says Ekstrand.

Work Processor
Faced with shrinking profits, companies invariably try to cut costs by reducing staff, paying suppliers more slowly, cheating customers by using inferior quality materials or other cheap tricks that damage the company’s reputation. However, there is a better way that doesn’t take forever or cost a fortune.

A distributor asks: How do you use samples during a sales presentation? Do you bring exactly what the client asked for and nothing else? Or do you bring several different options and include multiple price points for each?

What's your answer? E-mail answers along with your name, title and company name to Question@ppai.org by March 27 for possible inclusion in the June 2009 issue of PPB magazine.