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The PPAI EXPO

The PPAI Expo is the largest and most-attended promotional products trade show in the country. As an industry-renowned trade show, The PPAI Expo is a carefully crafted showcase of opportunities for industry newcomers and veterans. Sessions cover everything from basic selling skills to insightful business philosophies from expert keynote speakers.

90 Results

  • Best of The PPAI Expo 2018: Cashing In On Niche Markets: Earn More As A Promotional Specialist

     Contains 4 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 04/20/2018

    In every profession, specialists earn more than general practitioners. It’s true in medicine, law and even sales. If prospects see you as just another promotional products salesperson, you’re a commodity. But if they see you as a specialist—someone who knows how to create results in their specific industry—you can command higher fees, attract higher quality clients and earn more money. In this session, David Blaise will show you how to begin cashing in immediately on niche markets, even those in which you might not have any experience. If you want to earn more in this business, you need to specialize. This presentation will show you exactly how to do that.

    In every profession, specialists earn more than general practitioners. It’s true in medicine, law and even sales. If prospects see you as just another promotional products salesperson, you’re a commodity. But if they see you as a specialist—someone who knows how to create results in their specific industry—you can command higher fees, attract higher quality clients and earn more money. In this session, David Blaise will show you how to begin cashing in immediately on niche markets, even those in which you might not have any experience. If you want to earn more in this business, you need to specialize. This presentation will show you exactly how to do that.

    David Blaise

    Industry entrepreneur, author and business consultant

    What do the promotional product industry's first video podcast, audio podcast, extreme makeover and theme song all have in common? Industry entrepreneur, author and business consultant David Blaise. In 1998, Blaise created Top Secrets of Promotional Products Sales, the industry's premier “success system in a box." Since then, he has built the most recognized and successful training brands in the industry, including Getting Started, Top Secrets of Customer Acquisition, Top Secrets of Multi-Million Dollar Producers and The Power of Promotional Products. Currently Blaise's company helps thousands of industry professionals each year increase sales, improve profit margins and grow their businesses on a guaranteed basis.

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  • Best of The PPAI Expo 2018: People Management Tips And Trends

     Contains 4 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 04/06/2018

    Even the best managers face challenges when navigating tricky personnel issues at work. From hiring and on boarding new employees to engaging and managing existing ones, to ultimately disciplining and separating with them, this session discusses effective people management tips and anticipated workforce trends for 2018.

    Even the best managers face challenges when navigating tricky personnel issues at work. From hiring and on boarding new employees to engaging and managing existing ones, to ultimately disciplining and separating with them, this session discusses effective people management tips and anticipated workforce trends for 2018. Join Claudia St. John for this session and learn to recognize common management pitfalls, discover ways to navigate those pitfalls and gain a clear understanding of how to improve your people management practices to increase employee engagement and reduce legal risk.

    Claudia St John, SPHR

    President of Affinity HR Group, LLC

    Claudia St. John is President of Affinity HR Group, LLC – a national human resources consulting firm that serves as an affinity partner for PPAI members. Claudia is an HR professional with 20 years' experience in global human resources, employee benefits, management consulting and communications. She specializes in strategic planning, employee engagement, organizational development, recruitment and executive career management.

    Claudia's prior experience includes serving as senior consultant for Mercer Human Resources Consulting, the nation's top HR consulting firm, in Washington DC and Geneva Switzerland, Vice President for People for POMCO Group, Manager of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association's National Labor Office and Senior Policy Associate for the AFL-CIO. She holds an undergraduate degree in employee benefits and labor relations from The American University and a master's degree in business and public administration from The George Washington University. She holds a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification and is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and maintains many certifications in workplace testing.

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  • Best of The PPAI Expo 2018: The Changing Landscape Of The Promotional Products Industry

     Contains 4 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 03/23/2018

    Join Larry Cohen for this session on the industry's changing landscape. What does the future hold for the promotional products industry? A convergence of factors—changing demographics, shifting consumer behaviors, new technologies—is transforming industries and redefining competitive advantage. The pace of change is only accelerating and will undoubtedly require businesses to adapt to a new and different landscape. Come hear about the trends that are likely to influence and reshape our industry in the coming years, and prepare your business for the changes ahead.

    Join Larry Cohen for this session on the industry's changing landscape. What does the future hold for the promotional products industry? A convergence of factors—changing demographics, shifting consumer behaviors, new technologies—is transforming industries and redefining competitive advantage. The pace of change is only accelerating and will undoubtedly require businesses to adapt to a new and different landscape. Come hear about the trends that are likely to influence and reshape our industry in the coming years, and prepare your business for the changes ahead.

    Larry Cohen

    President and CEO

    Larry has been President and CEO of Axis since he founded it in 1991.  A graduate of Duke University and The University of Pennsylvania Law School, Larry quickly realized that his entrepreneurial spirit and creative energies were not being harnessed working in law-related fields.  With a few good ideas, a lot of enthusiasm and a share of naiveté, Larry began Axis with a mission to develop a full-service promotional products company that focused on delivering creative solutions and not merely selling products. It is all about the strategy behind the products.  Our tag line says a lot about what drives us - 180 Degrees From Ordinary. At Axis, we are passionate about helping the best brands in the world tell stories.  Stories that solve problems.  Stories that change behaviors.  Stories that are told on tangible products that leave a lasting impression.  From humble beginnings around his kitchen table, Axis’ has grown to over 70 employees with offices in New York City, White Plains, New York, Boston, Massachusetts and Chicago, Illinois. AXIS’ client base covers an exceptionally broad cross-section of industries (Pharmaceutical, Entertainment, Financial, Beauty and Fashion, Publishing and Sports) including companies such as American Express (under contract nationally).  Axis has been named Counselor Magazine’s Top 40 Distributors five years in a row, Promo Marketing Magazine Top 40 Distributor, 4 Gold 2015 PPAI Awards, SAAGNY Distributor of the Year, and PPB’s Greatest Companies to Work For. Axis now ranks as one of the top promotional merchandising agencies in the United States. When Larry is not busy growing Axis, he is lending his expertise serving on the board of the Promotional Products Association International, PromoKitchen Advisory Board, Peernet Marketing Committee, and former chair of the North American Leadership Conference.

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  • Best of The PPAI Expo 2018: Marketing Strategies That Eliminate Price Resistance And Increase Sales Revenue

     Contains 4 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 03/09/2018

    The promotional products industry is changing and currently is in a state of mass disruption regarding how business is done. Suppliers are now going direct, the demographics of buyers are changing and the internet is now where buyers search first for promotional items. It is also how they determine who to trust and buy from.

    The promotional products industry is changing and currently is in a state of mass disruption regarding how business is done. Suppliers are now going direct, the demographics of buyers are changing and the internet is now where buyers search first for promotional items. It is also how they determine who to trust and buy from. In this program, Johnny Campbell will explain the seven marketing strategies that eliminate price traps, increase referrals and double sales.

    Johnny Campbell

    Rise-Up and Win International

    Million dollar sales producer, trainer and author, Johnny helps clients turn their products and services into profits. Johnny is CEO of Rise-Up and Win International, the publisher of the “Promotional Product Sales Confidential Newsletter" and the video pitchman of “Just Sell It", an online WebTV show that educates distributors on the newest promotional products & the most profitable ways to sell them to prospects and clients using social media.

    Johnny's business expertise is in team management, lead generation and sales conversion methods for revenue enhancement. He is also an Accredited Speaker a designation presented by Toastmaster International and is held by only 65 professional speakers in the world for excellence in public speaking. Based Johnny's sales results, experiences and his ability to help business owners make changes in their businesses that boost sales and increase profits he is called: “The Transition Man"

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  • CAS: Dressing A Brand: Be The Apparel Expert Your Customers Need

     Contains 5 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 02/21/2018

    Do you sell stuff, or create impression sessions? Become a value-added extension of your client’s marketing efforts with advanced apparel expertise and the ability to help them reach branding goals. After participating in this education session, you’ll gain tips and facts that will instantly set you apart.

    Do you sell stuff, or create impression sessions? Become a value-added extension of your client’s marketing efforts with advanced apparel expertise and the ability to help them reach branding goals. After participating in this education session, you’ll gain tips and facts that will instantly set you apart. Join Teresa Fudenburg and Doug Jackson for this session and you’ll help your customers make smart apparel buying decisions that drive greater brand awareness and ROI.

    Teresa Fudenberg

    CEO

    Teresa has a 25-year track record of helping growth companies carve their unique market space through highly efficient, on-the-mark business and marketing strategies. Serving the gamut of industries including transportation, professional services, pharmaceutical and consumer products – as well as her own start-up – Teresa takes aim at distinguishing an organization through results-oriented branding, marketing and sales strategy. 

     

    Teresa brought this passion to Storm Creek in 2014 with a vision to enhance brands through better apparel. As CEO and majority owner of Storm Creek, she is also the marketing strategist. She’s been instrumental in forging the company’s business model change away from wholesalers to working directly with distributors. 

    Doug Jackson

    President

    Doug has been making high-quality technical outdoor apparel for nearly three decades. After starting his apparel career in the skiwear and retail sectors, Doug noticed a need for high quality, high value outerwear in the promotional products industry – so that became his focus in 1995. Dubbed “Jacket Jackson” by his peers and customers, he demonstrates a relentless pursuit of apparel that fits, works, looks great and is priced right.

    Throughout his career, Doug has traveled the world finding the best technical fabrics and apparel innovations, along with building valuable factory partnerships. This masters-level knowledge of apparel from initial design/ideation to finished garments gives him a 360-degree understanding of what it takes to make best-in-class product. Over the years, he’s built many outdoor apparel brands as well as private label offerings, and in 2006 he launched the Storm Creek brand. As president of and co-owner of Storm Creek, he is the company’s product visionary and sourcing strategist. 

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  • Certified Advertising Specialist Package

     Contains 27 Product(s)

    Get all your sessions registered in one-stop shopping style and complete at your own pace!

    Get all your sessions registered in one-stop shopping style and complete at your own pace! Please note in order to start working on your CAS please make sure you have completed the TAS Certificate program first.

  • The PPAI Expo 2018: The Exhibit Clinic: How To Get Better Results At Trade Shows

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 01/18/2018

    Learn what makes a trade show different, how to differentiate expectations of attendees, learn the do’s and don’ts of working the booth and the event, and learn creative ways to follow up after the show ends.

    Join Mary Ellen Sokalski, MAS for this interactive session.  It will help even the most seasoned trade show exhibitors maximize the potential they have to create an extraordinary booth experience. Learn what makes a trade show different, how to differentiate expectations of attendees, learn the do’s and don’ts of working the booth and the event, and learn creative ways to follow up after the show ends.

    Mary Ellen Sokalski, MAS

    Director of Marketing Communications

    Mary Ellen Sokalski, MAS, is a 33-year industry veteran noted for her fun and interactive educational sessions which earned her the Promotional Products Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Education Excellence, PPAI’s Distinguished Service Award and its Facilitator Excellence Award. Currently the owner of The Scarlet Marketeer, a creative content marketing firm, she has presented hundreds of sessions on the topics of Marketing, Communications, Selling, Apparel, Direct Mail, Creativity, Promotional Programs, Supplier-Distributor Relations, and How to Have a Happy Life. A multi-winner of PPA’s Supplier Achievement Awards and the Golden Pyramid, ASI’s Distinguished Women in Promotional Products, one of ASI’s Women to Watch in Promotional Products in 2011, as well as numerous other communications awards, she has captured more marketing and speaking honors than any other industry professional. She is also a featured author in industry publications, and originator of the Promotional Apparel Advisory Council for PPAI. Past presidents of SACDV and PPNA, former Vice Chair of Marketing for PPAI, member of the PPAI Board of Directors, and inducted into the PAPPA Hall of Fame.

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  • Expo 2018: Networking To Gain Even More Business

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 01/18/2018

    Join this interactive session in best practices for networking to gain even more valuable leads that can develop into long term clients. Learn the right way to approach networking, develop a powerful elevator speech that positions you as a solution provider, and learn effective ways to follow up.

    Join Mary Ellen Sokalski for this interactive session in best practices for networking to gain even more valuable leads that can develop into long term clients. Learn the right way to approach networking, develop a powerful elevator speech that positions you as a solution provider, and learn effective ways to follow up. Understand practices to avoid and have fun practicing tips and secrets to improving your networking exchanges with new prospects and existing contacts.

    Mary Ellen Sokalski, MAS

    Director of Marketing Communications

    Mary Ellen Sokalski, MAS, is a 33-year industry veteran noted for her fun and interactive educational sessions which earned her the Promotional Products Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Education Excellence, PPAI’s Distinguished Service Award and its Facilitator Excellence Award. Currently the owner of The Scarlet Marketeer, a creative content marketing firm, she has presented hundreds of sessions on the topics of Marketing, Communications, Selling, Apparel, Direct Mail, Creativity, Promotional Programs, Supplier-Distributor Relations, and How to Have a Happy Life. A multi-winner of PPA’s Supplier Achievement Awards and the Golden Pyramid, ASI’s Distinguished Women in Promotional Products, one of ASI’s Women to Watch in Promotional Products in 2011, as well as numerous other communications awards, she has captured more marketing and speaking honors than any other industry professional. She is also a featured author in industry publications, and originator of the Promotional Apparel Advisory Council for PPAI. Past presidents of SACDV and PPNA, former Vice Chair of Marketing for PPAI, member of the PPAI Board of Directors, and inducted into the PAPPA Hall of Fame.

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  • Expo 2018: Best Of 2017: Ten Small Secrets To Small-Business Success And Profitability

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 01/18/2018

    Most businesses start without a plan, letting their entrepreneurial spirit to drive their success. But when the business begins to get away from the owner, frustration, angst and confusion creep in. This seminar will bring to light 10 tools that, when applied and honed, can get your business back on the right track, putting you in complete control once again.

    Join Cliff Quicksell, MAS+ for this session on profitability. Most businesses start without a plan, letting their entrepreneurial spirit to drive their success. But when the business begins to get away from the owner, frustration, angst and confusion creep in. This seminar will bring to light 10 tools that, when applied and honed, can get your business back on the right track, putting you in complete control once again.

    Cliff Quicksell, MAS+

    CEO

    Cliff Quicksell, Jr., MAS+ has been involved in the promotional marketing and sportswear industries for 32 years. During this time he has achieved the MAS+ certification and has been actively involved in PPAI as a volunteer. Cliff’s He has served five terms as the education chairperson for the Chesapeake Promotional Products Association and is the recipient of several PPAI Pyramid Awards and PPAI Ambassador Speaker of the Year Awards. Cliff consults for and directs the marketing efforts for distributor iPROMOTEu.

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  • The PPAI Expo 2018: Inbound Marketing: How To Weave Merchandise Into Your Client's Strategy

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 01/18/2018

    In the ever-changing world of marketing, promotional distributors need to find an edge on how to pitch merchandise to clients. In this session you’ll learn about inbound marketing and how it can form an essential part of an integrated promotional marketing strategy, helping you position yourself as a valuable resource to your clients.

    Join Justin Reynolds for this session on client strategy. In the ever-changing world of marketing, promotional distributors need to find an edge on how to pitch merchandise to clients. In this session you’ll learn about inbound marketing and how it can form an essential part of an integrated promotional marketing strategy, helping you position yourself as a valuable resource to your clients.

    Justin Reynolds

    Managing Director

    An industry thought leader with 20 years of experience in the sales and marketing space.  His goal is to help take our industry to new levels and create unforeseen value to marketing professionals by using effective promotional merchandise strategies. Justin aims to do this by approaching new client projects with vigour and passion to ensure that his clients are getting the best value for their promotional marketing spend.  Justin holds an MBA from Jacksonville University and is the founder and Managing Director of Red Tomato | Promotional Marketing Agency.  They service a variety of blue chip companies in Australia and abroad.

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  • CAS:The Business Of Doing Good

     Contains 4 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 01/18/2018

    The promotional products industry has a responsibility to deliver goods that are created in an ethical and responsible way by people in this country and around the world. In this panel presentation, Jeremy Lott and other key industry leaders will address the business imperatives of making a difference in the communities where we source, sell and ship our products.

    The promotional products industry has a responsibility to deliver goods that are created in an ethical and responsible way by people in this country and around the world.  In this panel presentation, Jeremy Lott and other key industry leaders will address the business imperatives of making a difference in the communities where we source, sell and ship our products. By working within industry guidelines and with international labor organizations, as well as building measurable compliance and social programs, we all can make a difference.  Making social responsibility a cornerstone of a company’s strategy means that key decisions about sourcing, partnerships and product design are all heavily influenced by the company’s commitment to doing the right thing.

    Jeremy Lott

    President

    A picture on SanMar's very first catalog cover with a two-year-old peddling a big wheel proves it — Jeremy has worked at SanMar for nearly his entire life. 

    Today, as President of the family-owned business, Jeremy works in partnership with his father, Marty and his brother, Jordan. Over the years Jeremy learned the business from the inside out, from pulling orders to purchasing. After college and a stint studying in Hong Kong, he launched his career as an analyst for investment bank Piper Jaffray's technology team. Jeremy moved to Chicago in 2001 to earn his MBA, and then joined SanMar full-time. Adding strategy to vision, he continues to steward the company toward long-term growth and health. Proud of the opportunities given to so many tenured staff members to thrive, he often spends time "table-hopping" at the company's on-site café. He learns a lot during those casual conversations because, he says, employees have the pulse on what's really going on in their arenas.

    The father of six young children, Jeremy discovered that a work/life balance holds the key to maximum productivity. He enjoys spending time outdoors — skiing, hiking, boating and generally staying active.

    Emily Gigot

    Social Responsibility Specialist

    As a Social Responsibility Specialist, Emily works to ensure that all SanMar products are produced in compliance with the highest social and environmental standards. She believes that business done well has the power to do good, and joined SanMar in 2016 to see that vision through. Her mission is to improve worker well-being and minimize environmental impacts in the apparel supply chain. With diverse experience spanning apparel, international community development and sustainability, she’s a Pacific Northwesterner who’s as at home in the rain as she is in the streets of Bangkok. She holds an MBA in Sustainable Business from Pinchot and a BA in Diplomacy and World Affairs from Occidental College.

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  • The PPAI Expo 2018: Three Essential Ingredients To Scale Your Business

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 01/18/2018

    At some point in time, many companies hit a wall in their growth. This could be due to a lack of resources and process, or simply not knowing how to take the next step in structuring a team. Who do you hire first? How do you put in place processes to allow the company to grow beyond you or your original core team? In this session, attendees will learn three essential ingredients required to push past this wall and position for growth.

    At some point in time, many companies hit a wall in their growth. This could be due to a lack of resources and process, or simply not knowing how to take the next step in structuring a team. Who do you hire first? How do you put in place processes to allow the company to grow beyond you or your original core team? In this session, attendees will learn three essential ingredients required to push past this wall and position for growth.

    Catherine Graham

    CEO

    Catherine Graham is the CEO of commonsku and the President of RIGHTSLEEVE. Commonsku is a cloud-based CRM, order management and supply chain collaboration platform for the promotional products industry. RIGHTSLEEVE is a promotional products agency and has been the recipient of numerous industry awards including ASI Distributor Entrepreneur of the Year, PPAI Web Award and Counselor's Best Places to Work. Catherine has previously been named as a PPB's Best Boss and ASI Rising Star.

    Prior to RIGHTSLEEVE and commonsku, Catherine worked for TD Bank, eBay and A.T. Kearney and obtained an MBA. Outside of work, Catherine is a mother to 3 children ranging in age from 9 to 4 years old. She has a passion for learning and is an avid sports enthusiast playing ice hockey, squash and running.

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  • The PPAI Expo 2018: The Accomplished Life: The Art Of Getting More Done

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 01/18/2018

    Every business professional wants to maximize productivity and get more done in less time. This presentation will provide specific tips and tactics on how to get more done and be happier while doing it.

    Every business professional wants to maximize productivity and get more done in less time. Join Kirby Hasseman for this presentation as and he will provide specific tips and tactics on how to get more done and be happier while doing it.

    Kirby Hasseman

    CEO

    Kirby Hasseman is the CEO of Hasseman Marketing & Communications, a full service marketing company and promotional products distributor. Hasseman Marketing has 4 full-time internal employees and 6 sales people. Hasseman is beginning to make his name known in the promotional products industry! He is on the board of PromoKitchen, a non-profit agency that is dedicated to education and mentorship in Promo. He was recognized as a 2015 PPB Rising Star. In addition, out of 300,000 (some) industry professionals, he was recognized as a top social media influencer on two different industry lists. Kirby hosts a weekly Web show called Delivering Marketing Joy where he interviews business leaders from around the country. In addition, he puts out a Weekly Word, a short video on personal development (of course) each week. Kirby has published two books. His first called Think Big Marketing For Small Business and the next called Delivering Marketing Joy. He is working on his third. Kirby is most proud of his titles “father" and “husband". He is married to Amy Hasseman and father to Skylar and Jade.

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  • The PPAI Expo 2018: Basic SEO For The Promotional Products Industry: Separating Fact From Fiction

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 01/18/2018

    Selling promotional products online is not for the faint of heart. Maintaining a website, keeping content fresh, getting your site to appear in applicable search results … there is an art and a science (and some luck) to optimizing your online presence. With literally thousands of sites selling essentially the same products, it takes a lot more work to be successful in an ecommerce-driven world. This session discusses the basics of optimizing your website, and the tools available to help you analyze your efforts and retool your strategy where necessary.

    Selling promotional products online is not for the faint of heart. Maintaining a website, keeping content fresh, getting your site to appear in applicable search results … there is an art and a science (and some luck) to optimizing your online presence. With literally thousands of sites selling essentially the same products, it takes a lot more work to be successful in an ecommerce-driven world. Join David Shultz for this session as he discusses the basics of optimizing your website, and the tools available to help you analyze your efforts and retool your strategy where necessary.

    David Shultz

    Vice President

    As a member of the executive team responsible for overall day-to-day operational performance of industry-leading technology firm, DistributorCentral, LLC, I provide leadership and strategic support to our software development, sales, marketing and customer support teams and serve as key technical contact for many of our enterprise-level customers and partners. Innovation and collaboration are two of our basic tenets at DistributorCentral, and the ones that allow us to help our clients focus on their key strengths in order to drive revenue growth.

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  • The PPAI Expo 2018: Fixer Upper: How To Rehab Your Business To Be Profitable And Resilient

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 01/18/2018

    Do you know what it takes to build a healthy distributorship?  Do you struggle with the operational necessities of running a strong company?  This seminar will address the many challenges owners face when running a distributorship and how to implement the right strategies to make a growing distributorship successful.

    Do you know what it takes to build a healthy distributorship?  Do you struggle with the operational necessities of running a strong company?  Join Jamie Watson, MAS and Jeffry Meyer, MAS for this seminar and they will address the many challenges owners face when running a distributorship and how to implement the right strategies to make a growing distributorship successful.

    Jamie Watson, MAS, CPA

    Senior Financial Analyst for Certified Marketing Consultants, LLC

    Jamie Watson, MAS, CPA is Senior Financial Analyst for Certified Marketing Consultants, LLC. Jamie has been involved various aspects of Finance and Accounting for over 12 years. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Business Administration from Stetson University and then earned her Masters of Accountancy from Manchester College. She qualified as a CPA in the state of Indiana where she worked for the regional accounting firm of Alerding & Co., LLC. Jamie has been involved in the consulting of both supplier and distributor companies in the Promotional Products Industry for over 7 years. Jamie has earned the CAS designation from PPAI and the BASI designation from ASI.

    Jeffry C. Meyer, MAS

    CEO, CPA, CFO

    Jeffry C. Meyer has been involved in various aspects of finance for more than 36 years. He earned his bachelor's degree in accounting and finance from Manchester College. He qualified as a CPA in the state of Indiana where he worked for the international accounting firm of Ernst & Young (formerly Ernst & Ernst). He has been active in the promotional products industry for 32 years in various CFO and CEO capacities, during which time he consolidated the largest group of companies in the industry. During his career he has evaluated, negotiated and consummated many acquisitions in the promotional products industry and performed valuations on many more. He joined Certified Marketing Consultants, Ltd. in 1998, where as CEO and partner he and his two partners only serve companies in the promotional products industry. Services include mergers and acquisitions, business valuations, strategic planning, business plans, marketing plans and general consulting. The team also teaches various industry education seminars.

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  • The PPAI Expo 2018: Making Your Prices Stick Without Getting Stuck

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 01/18/2018

    Are you pricing your goods and services to capture your fair share of the market while still achieving profitability? Do your revenues exceed the operating and overhead expenses for healthy business growth? Explore these questions and learn ways to defend the prices you must charge to grow and succeed.

    Are you pricing your goods and services to capture your fair share of the market while still achieving profitability? Do your revenues exceed the operating and overhead expenses for healthy business growth? Explore these questions and learn ways to defend the prices you must charge to grow and succeed. Join Vince DiCecco for this spirited and idea-filled seminar will dissect and explore what you can do to sell at prices higher than your competition, and uphold your professional image at the same time. Learn how to handle the tactic “I can get the same stuff down the block cheaper” and discover the powerful “what if” tool, The Break Even Formula.

    Vince DiCecco

    Business Coach, Founder, and Owner

    Vince DiCecco is a dynamic and sought-after business coach and seminar leader with a unique yet practical perspective on the art and science of selling, strategic planning, business development, and leadership and management subjects. As the founder and owner of the metro Atlanta-based consultancy, Your Personal Business Trainer, Inc., Vince sparks the kind of passion within his client business owners and sales professionals that creates customer delight and loyalty, sharpens their competitive edge and delivers double-digit gains in profitability to an organization’s bottom line.

    As an award-winning professional with over 36 years of roll-up-your-sleeves experience in training, sales and marketing, Vince has made significant contributions to the success of two Fortune 200 companies, the United States Coast Guard and numerous small- to mid-sized businesses. He has been a presenting speaker at many industry expos—including SGIA—and is a monthly columnist and featured author for several trade publications—including Awards & Engraving magazine.

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  • The PPAI Expo 2018: Finding And Keeping Star Employees

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 01/18/2018

    One of the biggest challenges within the promotional products industry is finding and keeping talent. Ever heard the saying, “You’re only as good as your worst employee”? Most of the top distributors and suppliers are often successful because they have great staff. Do you have a retention strategy?

    One of the biggest challenges within the promotional products industry is finding and keeping talent. Ever heard the saying, “You’re only as good as your worst employee”? Most of the top distributors and suppliers are often successful because they have great staff. Do you have a retention strategy? It’s expensive to recruit and train people, so the last thing you want is for them to leave or not work out. Join Gordon Glenister for this session and explore training and development opportunities as well as loads of innovative ways to help you look after your staff. Come away with a defined strategy to retain your top performers, a guide to finding the very best people and a way of measuring the success of your recruitment process.

    Gordon Glenister

    Director General of the British Promotional Merchandise Association

    Gordon Glenister is a director general of the British Promotional Merchandise Association and has had over 20 years of experience in the promotional products industry. He has also run his own distributor business and worked with major international brands. Gordon believes passionately in the power of promotional products and its relevance to the marketing mix. Gordon launched the BPMA academy many years ago, an online education platform for industry professionals, this has now been superseded by a top-class development program. Gordon’s sessions will be lively and illuminating.

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  • The PPAI Expo 2018: Selling Schemes Around The World

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 01/18/2018

    The world is getting smaller. Globalization means that your customers are trading on a global scale. More and more buyers are looking at cutting cost out of the supply chain while retaining product choice and quality. You don’t have to be a big player to trade internationally. Knowledge is power, and this session will help you understand how best to approach and sell merchandise internationally.

    The world is getting smaller. Globalization means that your customers are trading on a global scale. More and more buyers are looking at cutting cost out of the supply chain while retaining product choice and quality. You don’t have to be a big player to trade internationally. Knowledge is power, and this session will help you understand how best to approach and sell merchandise internationally. Join Gordon Glenister as he explains the opportunities of trading internationally, how to have a strategy to win more international clients and revisit how best you promote schemes.

    Gordon Glenister

    Director General of the British Promotional Merchandise Association

    Gordon Glenister is a director general of the British Promotional Merchandise Association and has had over 20 years of experience in the promotional products industry. He has also run his own distributor business and worked with major international brands. Gordon believes passionately in the power of promotional products and its relevance to the marketing mix. Gordon launched the BPMA academy many years ago, an online education platform for industry professionals, this has now been superseded by a top-class development program. Gordon’s sessions will be lively and illuminating.

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    1 Point

  • The PPAI Expo 2018: How To Bring Your A-Game to Every Presentation

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 01/18/2018

    Bringing your “A” game means not only being ready with relevant and well-researched information for your sales presentation, but also coming in with your best attitude, look and abilities. Regardless if it’s personal or work-related, to be your very best and to have the most success you need to have a plan—and follow that plan. This session will discuss the nine key points you need to make every single presentation you deliver a home run. This program will be fun and full of energy, and you will leave empowered knowing every time you step up to the plate, your batting average will increase dramatically.

    Bringing your “A” game means not only being ready with relevant and well-researched information for your sales presentation, but also coming in with your best attitude, look and abilities. Regardless if it’s personal or work-related, to be your very best and to have the most success you need to have a plan—and follow that plan. Join Cliff Quicksell, MAS+ for this session as he discusses the nine key points you need to make every single presentation you deliver a home run. This program will be fun and full of energy, and you will leave empowered knowing every time you step up to the plate, your batting average will increase dramatically.

    Cliff Quicksell, MAS+

    CEO

    Cliff Quicksell, Jr., MAS+ has been involved in the promotional marketing and sportswear industries for 32 years. During this time he has achieved the MAS+ certification and has been actively involved in PPAI as a volunteer. Cliff’s He has served five terms as the education chairperson for the Chesapeake Promotional Products Association and is the recipient of several PPAI Pyramid Awards and PPAI Ambassador Speaker of the Year Awards. Cliff consults for and directs the marketing efforts for distributor iPROMOTEu.

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    1 Point

  • The PPAI Expo 2018: Finding Your Voice

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 01/18/2018

    In a mature industry with over 22,000 distributors selling the same merchandise at similar pricing to the same target audience, the single biggest challenge is differentiation. Standing out from the crowded marketplace is simultaneously the most critical and difficult undertaking in the promotional products industry. This session will take a deep dive into the steps necessary to truly find your voice and elevate you, your company, and your brand from the clamorous crowd that is your competition.

    In a mature industry with over 22,000 distributors selling the same merchandise at similar pricing to the same target audience, the single biggest challenge is differentiation. Standing out from the crowded marketplace is simultaneously the most critical and difficult undertaking in the promotional products industry. Join Bill Petrie for this session as he takes a deep dive into the steps necessary to truly find your voice and elevate you, your company, and your brand from the clamorous crowd that is your competition.

    Bill Petrie

    President

    Bill has over 17 years working in executive leadership positions at leading promotional products distributorships. Through his career, his primary focus has been working collaboratively with others to achieve common goals. In 2014, he launched brandivate – the first executive outsourcing company solely focused on helping small and medium sized promotional products enterprises responsibly grow their business. In 2017, brandivate was acquired by PromoCorner where he now serves as president. A featured speaker at numerous national and international industry events, a serial creator of content marketing, and PromoKitchen chef, Bill has extensive experience coaching sales teams, creating successful marketing campaigns, developing operational policies and procedures, creating and developing winning RFP responses, and presenting winning promotional products solutions to Fortune 500 clients. Service has always been at the forefront of Bill’s industry activities. Before relocating to Nashville, TN in 2011, Bill served on the board of Directors for PPAChicago and is the current president for the Promotional Products Association of the Mid-South (PPAMS). Additionally, Bill is on the board of directors of the Regional Association Council (RAC) board and has worked closely with senior executives at Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) on several committees and work groups – most recently for the North American Leadership Conference. In appreciation of his years of service to the promotional products industry, Bill was named as an inaugural PPAI Fellow – a program designed to recognize influential individuals who have actively supported the industry through personal involvement.

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    1 Point

  • The PPAI Expo 2018: Power Keynote: Relationship Revolution: Elevating Your Impact And Influence In The Connected Age

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 01/18/2018

    We are entering the greatest period of business transformation the world has ever known. The rigid models and long-standing rules we’ve come to count upon are no longer reliable. The constant state of disruption mandates a new level of courage and influence in order to effectively impact our organizations, our customers, and our communities.

    We are entering the greatest period of business transformation the world has ever known. The rigid models and long-standing rules we’ve come to count upon are no longer reliable. The constant state of disruption mandates a new level of courage and influence in order to effectively impact our organizations, our customers, and our communities. Join Seth Mattison for this highly engaging keynote designed to help leaders and sales professionals understand the forces affecting the new state of work today, arm them with the practical tools and techniques to deepen their connection to those around them, and amplify their capacity to positively effect change and influence outcomes.

    Seth Mattison

    International Speaker

    Millennial Seth Mattison is making quite a name for himself on the international speaking circuit. His primary interest is in workforce trends and his generation—the Millennials. His presentations focus on the generational divide between younger and older generations and how bridging the gaps can infuse new ideas and energy into organizations everywhere. Seth works with executives across the country to help them understand how they can best maximize their young talent, as well as maintain connections with their experienced workforce, to drive innovation and sustainability. As one of the millions of Millennials/Gen Yers around the world trying to make an impact in their communities and companies, Seth helps organizations deal with the challenges of effectively recruiting, managing, and retaining top young talent. His success is driven by his unique ability to communicate and connect with all four generations to help them better understand not only their differences, but their commonalities, thus creating engaging environments for employees, customers and members.

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    1 Point

  • The PPAI Expo 2018: Keynote Luncheon: Stand Out! Selling From A Position Of Power

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 01/18/2018

    Why should I buy from you? In a world where buyers want to commoditize suppliers, your brand has to stand out from the crowd as a different and better option. And, your salespeople have to present your company and your products accordingly. In this session, we'll take a hard look at branding and positioning as they apply to the business-to-business sales process.

    Why should I buy from you? In a world where buyers want to commoditize suppliers, your brand has to stand out from the crowd as a different and better option. And, your salespeople have to present your company and your products accordingly. In this session, we'll take a hard look at branding and positioning as they apply to the business-to-business sales process. You'll use Larry's Brand Ladder to walk prospects step-by-step, from total stranger to customer to evangelist (They blog, tweet and tell their colleagues about you.). You'll use the Four Market Positions to position your business versus the other options they might consider. Then you'll get the Five Traits of a Sales Superstar. Whether you hire and train a sales team, or you ARE your sales team, this segment alone will be worth the trip to Las Vegas! Start getting the return on investment you deserve from your marketing budget and sales activities.

    Larry Mersereau

    Author and Differentiation Specialist

    Smart business owners, marketers and sales professionals know who to turn to for the ideas and insights they need to grow their sales and profits; Larry Mersereau, CTC. Niched as a differentiation specialist, he is the author of four books on the topic and a professional speaker who addresses dozens of audiences, in a broad range of industries every year. He’s the only speaker who shares the simple, doable… effective growth strategies and tactics that made his books so popular and have helped so many businesses and sales professionals succeed.

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    1 Point

  • The PPAI Expo 2018: Keynote Luncheon: Open More Doors, Close More Sales

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 01/18/2018

    You followed all the rules. You’ve read all the books. You’ve implemented the strategies. But you’re still you’re struggling to hit the goals. Face it, the rules have changed and selling today is different. Customers demand more. Sales cycles are longer. Competition is stronger. And getting above the white noise is damn near impossible. Sales success today means attracting, investing and powerfully adding value but it also means having a purpose and designing a strategy that gets results. Join Meridith Elliott Powell for this energizing, highly engaging and power-packed content keynote as she delivers it all: motivation, entertainment and content. Develop business growth strategies you need to dominate your market, leaving the competition in the dust.

    You followed all the rules. You’ve read all the books. You’ve implemented the strategies. But you’re still you’re struggling to hit the goals. Face it, the rules have changed and selling today is different. Customers demand more. Sales cycles are longer. Competition is stronger. And getting above the white noise is damn near impossible.  Sales success today means attracting, investing and powerfully adding value but it also means having a purpose and designing a strategy that gets results. Join Meridith Elliott Powell for this energizing, highly engaging and power-packed content keynote as she delivers it all: motivation, entertainment and content. Develop business growth strategies you need to dominate your market, leaving the competition in the dust.

    Meridith Elliott Powell

    Award-winning author, keynote speaker and business strategist

    Voted one of the Top 15 Business Growth Experts to watch by Currency Fair, and one of the top 20 Sales Experts To Follow by Linked In. Meridith Elliott Powell is an award-winning author, keynote speaker and business strategist. With a background in corporate sales and leadership, her career expands over several industries including banking, healthcare and finance.  Meridith worked her way up from entry-level to earn her position in the C-Suite. She is a Master Certified Strategist, Executive Coach and Certified Speaking Professional, a designation held by less than twelve percent of professional speakers.  She is Master Certified DISC Trainer and Coach, and has facilitated and coached thousands in the program. 

    She has a cutting-edge message, rooted in real-life examples and real-world knowledge. She  is the author of four books, including Winning In The Trust & Value Economy (a finalist in the USA Best Book Awards) and her latest “Own It: Redefining Responsibility – Stories of Power, Freedom & Purpose about how to build cultures the inspire ownership at every level to create profits at every turn. 

    Meridith is regularly featured in publications such as Forbes, Fast Company, Inc., Investment News, and American Banker among others. High energy and highly interactive, Meridith’s helps leaders and business owners learn the new rules of success today. How today’s economy has changed. How that has changed today’s customers and employees. And specifically how that affects your business.

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    1 Point

  • The PPAI Expo 2018: Keynote Luncheon: PPAI Association Update With Paul Bellantone, CAE

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.50 credits offered Recorded On: 01/18/2018

    Join Paul Bellantone, CAE, president and CEO of PPAI, for this town hall-style keynote covering current key issues and opportunities faced by the promotional products industry, the Association and its more than 15,000 member companies. This presentation will include Association initiatives designed to deliver compelling member value, and to protect and grow the industry.

    Join Paul Bellantone, CAE, president and CEO of PPAI, for this town hall-style keynote covering current key issues and opportunities faced by the promotional products industry, the Association and its more than 15,000 member companies. This presentation will include Association initiatives designed to deliver compelling member value, and to protect and grow the industry. 

    Paul Bellantone, CAE (Moderator)

    President and Chief Executive Officer of the Promotional Products Association International

    Paul Bellantone, CAE, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Promotional Products Association International, the not-for-profit association for more than 10,600 member companies of the 17.7 billion promotional products industry. He is committed to the advancement of the promotional products industry through visibility, viability, credibility and community. As President and CEO of Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), Bellantone is responsible for successfully executing the strategies and vision of the PPAI Board of Directors and advocating for the industry and its professional practitioners. His focus on delivering compelling member value and business-building products and services, combined with his commitment to active and meaningful member communication, has helped PPAI achieve marked growth in the past two years.

    Bellantone holds a bachelor's degree from Rutgers University and an MBA from the School of Management at Texas Woman's University. He is a Certified Association Executive and is an active member of the American Society of Association Executives, the Dallas Fort Worth Association Executives, the American Marketing Association, the Dallas/Fort Worth AMA and a board trustee for The Forum: Business Results Through People.

    Mary Jo Tomasini, MAS+

    Founder, Owner, PPAI Board of Directors

    Mary Jo founded Competitive Edge in 1993 working alone in a store basement. Now, over 20 years later, she has 25 employees working in an office building overlooking Lake Michigan. Mary Jo’s success is driven by her belief in going above and beyond customer expectations to deliver incredible levels of service. Prior to being elected to the PPAI Board of Directors in 2014, Mary Jo served on the PPAI Public Relations committee, and in 2015 she served on the Certification Committee. She currently serves on GRAC (Government Relations Advisory Committee) and is a Michigan delegate for LEAD (Legislative Education Action Day).  In addition to being a successful business person, Mary Jo still finds time for volunteer work. She currently serves on the Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees, Foundation and Alumni Boards.  Her desire and dedication to give back to the community is evident as she offers her services and expertise to a long list of organizations that include United Way, Junior Achievement and Hospice.  Mary Jo lives in Stevensville, Michigan with her husband and number one fan, Fred.

    Dale Denham, MAS+

    Chief Information Officer

    Dale Denham, MAS+, is the CIO for top 40 distributor Geiger and previously served as Senior Vice President of ASI. Recognized as the industry's top technologist, Dale has continued to deliver innovative, helpful products and solutions during his 20 years in the industry.

    Among the first 10 people certified as a Master Advertising Specialist+ by PPAI., Dale was also recognized by ASI Counselor Magazine as one of “40 under 40" and named one of Corporate Logo's Most Influential People in 2004.

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    1.5 Point

  • The PPAI Expo 2018: Sales CRUSH Planning Workshop

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 01/18/2018

    New to the industry? Want to get a jump start on your sales for 2018? Want to sell more volume in 2018 than ever before? Then let's create a sales plan for you and your business. You will walk away from this session with a personalized plan to help you grow faster and more profitably. Plan your work, then work your plan.

    New to the industry?  Want to get a jump start on your sales for 2018?  Want to sell more volume in 2018 than ever before?  Then let's create a sales plan for you and your business. Join Josh Frey for this session and walk away from this session with a personalized plan to help you grow faster and more profitably. Plan your work, then work your plan.  

    Josh Frey

    Small Business Owner

    2018 is the Year of the Entrepreneur and Small Business Owner (at least according to me and my small-business-owner-friends that I know and hang with!).  I am a business junkie and Kool-aid drinking entrepreneur, having started my own swag business and career at the ripe old age of 22 with no experience, contacts or resources (yeah, so I am a little old(er), but a little wiser too).


    Josh is a front line sales guy who has coached and helped others launch dozens of businesses in the promotional products industry (and other industries), simply by teaching the very same best sales and business practices I use to support my own family and lifestyle. In 2012 I launched the The Swag Coach™ Program, a step-by-step guide for "how to start and grow" your very own promotional products business, with the help and support of a 20+ yr seasoned entrepreneur and sales veteran.

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    1 Point

  • The PPAI Expo 2018: The Art Of Building A Great Distributor Brand

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 01/18/2018

    How do you build a distributor brand that connects in a way that helps it pays big dividends? Connecting with customers through the art of purposeful branding results in stronger margins, longer customer lifetime value, and sustains a long-term business. Come to this session and see examples of brands that demonstrate how you can carve out your own special place in a crowded world.

    How do you build a distributor brand that connects in a way that helps it pays big dividends? Connecting with customers through the art of purposeful branding results in stronger margins, longer customer lifetime value, and sustains a long-term business. Come to this session and see examples of brands that demonstrate how you can carve out your own special place in a crowded world. Branding and community building are interrelated, and the best brands make the connection seamlessly and in an authentic way that generates results and gives meaning and purpose to commerce. Join Mark Graham for this session and learn why successful branding is the key to long-term value creation, and why good branding equals strong margins.

    Mark Graham

    Founder of Rightsleeve.com

    Mark Graham is the founder of RIGHTSLEEVE.COM, one of the industry's leading web based promotional products distributors. Mark's online marketing strategy has allowed RIGHTSLEEVE to scale, enhance margins as well as provide a point of differentiation within a crowded and mature industry.

    RIGHTSLEEVE is the National winner of the Dell Small Business Excellence Award, an honor presented to businesses that use technology in innovative ways to enhance customer experience and company growth. In 2011, Mark was named Distributor Entrepreneur of the Year (Counselor Awards). In the same year, he was inducted into ASI's Hot List and PPAI's Rising Stars.

    Mark has been featured in several major media publications on his approach technology and social media, including PPB, Counselor Magazine, Stitches and Advantages. Mark has presented multiple times on web marketing and social media best practices to promotional industry professionals across North America (PPAI Expo, ASI Chicago, ASI San Diego, PPPC, MAPPA, SPPA, Promo East, Partnering Group, NALC, ASI Power Summit).

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    1 Point

  • The PPAI Expo 2018: First-Time Attendees: Navigating The PPAI Expo

     Contains 3 Component(s), 0.50 credits offered Recorded On: 01/18/2018

    Walking onto the trade show floor may seem like an overwhelming experience. If it’s your first time at The PPAI Expo, it might even feel a bit chaotic. Start here to learn about the physical challenges of the trade show and how to be best prepared for them. Learn to develop a plan of attack and understand what you can expect to accomplish at the show. Learn tips on show etiquette, best practices, supplier expectations and what to do once you get home after the show. You’ll leave this session a trade-show pro.

    Walking onto the trade show floor may seem like an overwhelming experience. If it’s your first time at The PPAI Expo, it might even feel a bit chaotic. Join Natalie Clark and Jeff Coulter for this session and learn the physical challenges of the trade show and how to be best prepared for them. Learn to develop a plan of attack and understand what you can expect to accomplish at the show. Learn tips on show etiquette, best practices, supplier expectations and what to do once you get home after the show. You’ll leave this session a trade-show pro.

    Jeff Coulter

    PPAI Member Care Representative

    Jeff has been with PPAI since 2015 as a Member Care Representative. He assists members with day to day questions about the memberships with PPAI. Before he was with PPAI, Jeff worked for MultiView as an Account Manager where he was responsible for selling online advertising for trade associations. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington where he received a bachelors in Kinesiology.

    Natalie Clark

    Manager of the PPAI Membership Services Department

    As the manager of PPAI's membership services department, Natalie oversees recruiting and retention efforts for the Association. Natalie has over 20 years of experience in sales, service and operations. She joined PPAI in 2013, oversees a staff of 13 and is responsible for approximately 40% of the overall revenue for the association.

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    0.5 Point

  • CAS: 14 Ways To Manage The Time You Don't Have

     Contains 4 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 01/18/2018

    In our business, it’s all about the details. So how do you keep them all straight, in a timely manner? Time seems to be the one thing we all wish we had more of, and we can generally agree it’s also the one thing we’re not always using effectively. In this session, we’ll identify the key things in our lives that steal our time, discuss three strategies for organization, and learn a host of practical tips to help us get the most out of our day.

    In our business, it’s all about the details. So how do you keep them all straight, in a timely manner? Time seems to be the one thing we all wish we had more of, and we can generally agree it’s also the one thing we’re not always using effectively. Join Christopher Duffy, MAS for this session, we’ll identify the key things in our lives that steal our time, discuss three strategies for organization, and learn a host of practical tips to help us get the most out of our day.

    Christopher Duffy, MAS

    Senior Vice President of Marketing

    Christopher Duffy, MAS is the Director of Marketing for Top 40 Supplier Ariel Premium Supply. A 25 year industry veteran, Christopher is a long-time award winning speaker for PPAI on a variety of key industry and business topics, including supplier/distributors relations, time management, business writing and strategic planning. Christopher has been honored with PPAI’s Distinguished Service Award, served on the PPEF Board of Trustees and holds 2 masters degrees.

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    1 Point

  • The PPAI Expo 2018: Seven Highly Effective Low-Cost Marketing Habits That Will Get Your Business Noticed

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 01/18/2018

    Do your marketing efforts convey and support the widely-accepted belief that people buy from people whom they like, trust and with whom it is convenient to do business? Learn how becoming a brand name that’s recognized throughout your marketplace is easier and more affordable than you may think.

    Do your marketing efforts convey and support the widely-accepted belief that people buy from people whom they like, trust and with whom it is convenient to do business? Learn how becoming a brand name that’s recognized throughout your marketplace is easier and more affordable than you may think. Join Vine DiCecco as he gives tips and techniques to ensure your customers think of you first when they are shopping for the things you sell. Topics include social media marketing, establishing a unique value proposition, measuring marketing IQ, and more.

    Vince DiCecco

    Business Coach, Founder, and Owner

    Vince DiCecco is a dynamic and sought-after business coach and seminar leader with a unique yet practical perspective on the art and science of selling, strategic planning, business development, and leadership and management subjects. As the founder and owner of the metro Atlanta-based consultancy, Your Personal Business Trainer, Inc., Vince sparks the kind of passion within his client business owners and sales professionals that creates customer delight and loyalty, sharpens their competitive edge and delivers double-digit gains in profitability to an organization’s bottom line.

    As an award-winning professional with over 36 years of roll-up-your-sleeves experience in training, sales and marketing, Vince has made significant contributions to the success of two Fortune 200 companies, the United States Coast Guard and numerous small- to mid-sized businesses. He has been a presenting speaker at many industry expos—including SGIA—and is a monthly columnist and featured author for several trade publications—including Awards & Engraving magazine.

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    1 Point

  • First-Time Attendees: Navigating The PPAI Expo

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 01/10/2018

    Walking onto the trade show floor may seem like an overwhelming experience. If it’s your first time at The PPAI Expo, it might even feel a bit chaotic. Start here to learn about the physical challenges of the trade show and how to be best prepared for them. Learn to develop a plan of attack, and understand what you can expect to accomplish at the show. Learn tips on show etiquette, best practices, supplier expectations and what to do once you get home after the show. You’ll leave this session a trade show pro.

    Walking onto the trade show floor may seem like an overwhelming experience. If it’s your first time at The PPAI Expo, it might even feel a bit chaotic. Start here to learn about the physical challenges of the trade show and how to be best prepared for them. Learn to develop a plan of attack, and understand what you can expect to accomplish at the show. Learn tips on show etiquette, best practices, supplier expectations and what to do once you get home after the show. You’ll leave this session a trade show pro.

    Natalie Clark

    Manager of the PPAI Membership Services Department

    As the manager of PPAI's membership services department, Natalie oversees recruiting and retention efforts for the Association. Natalie has over 20 years of experience in sales, service and operations. She joined PPAI in 2013, oversees a staff of 13 and is responsible for approximately 40% of the overall revenue for the association.

    Jeff Coulter

    PPAI Member Care Representative

    Jeff has been with PPAI since 2015 as a Member Care Representative. He assists members with day to day questions about the memberships with PPAI. Before he was with PPAI, Jeff worked for MultiView as an Account Manager where he was responsible for selling online advertising for trade associations. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington where he received a bachelors in Kinesiology.

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    1 Point

  • CAS: Creating Client Loyalty

     Contains 5 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 04/14/2017

    In this session, join Ruth Verver to learn how to create a customized loyalty plan for your top clients. This enhances your relationship with them and solidifies future business. Through a combination of self-promos, customer loyalty techniques and VIP attention, you’ll find ways to innovate your business and take your business to the next level. Participants will walk away with three primary elements: new ideas for self-promos that will surprise and delight their customers, a unique and unexpected approach to building customer relationships, and a plan to execute that involves critical touch points for the important customers.

    In this session, join Ruth Verver to learn how to create a customized loyalty plan for your top clients. This enhances your relationship with them and solidifies future business. Through a combination of self-promos, customer loyalty techniques and VIP attention, you’ll find ways to innovate your business and take your business to the next level. Participants will walk away with three primary elements: new ideas for self-promos that will surprise and delight their customers, a unique and unexpected approach to building customer relationships, and a plan to execute that involves critical touch points for the important customers.

    Ruth Verver

    Co-founder, Paperclip Promotions

    Ruth Verver, CAS with over 15 years of marketing and operations experience. After graduating with a BA in marketing from Southwest Texas State (Now Texas State University), she worked for a promotional company as the operations manager where she assisted in growing its sales 400 percent in just 10 years. In 2007, she spread her wings and co-founded Paperclip Promotions, a distributorship in Austin. She served as vice president and membership chair for her regional association and she has served on a PPAI Action Group and Committee. She is married to her high school sweetheart, loves animals and believes we should all find a way to learn, love and laugh a little each day.

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    1 Point

  • Best of Expo 2017: Using Promo to Sell Promo

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 04/07/2017

    We say that promotional products are the most effective tool in the marketing tool box, yet as professionals in the industry we use cold calls etc. to market our own businesses. If we tout that what we do provides marketers the best bang for the buck, then we need to work on having our businesses be our best case studies! In this session, attendees will walk through how to define your target audience, picking the best self-promo for your business, and how to measure success.

    Join Charity Gibson for this session on how to use promo items to sell more promo items. We say that promotional products are the most effective tool in the marketing tool box, yet as professionals in the industry we use cold calls etc. to market our own businesses. If we tout that what we do provides marketers the best bang for the buck, then we need to work on having our businesses be our best case studies! In this session, attendees will walk through how to define your target audience, picking the best self-promo for your business, and how to measure success.

    Charity Gibson

    National Account Coordinator

    Charity Gibson spent 16 years as a distributor prior to founding green banana social, an industry social media consultancy, and eventually moving to the supplier side of the industry. She is currently the National Account Coordinator for Peerless, and editor for the well known industry 501c3 non-profit, PromoKitchen.

    Charity has counter intuitive thinking and marketplace disruption hard-coded into her dna. In addition, she has been gifted with unparalled creativity, a keen eye for eye-catching design, and a personality that has been described as both playful and magnetic. With these skills as a foundation, and creative marketing strategies that include leveraging both traditional and digital mediums, Charity has built a reputation as a tech savvy promotional marketing powerhouse.

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    1 Point

  • Best of Expo 2017: Hybrid Selling: How to Succeed as Online Business Grows

     Contains 4 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 03/31/2017

    Customer shopping expectations are racing ahead at light speed. We are at the point where buying online is often simpler and preferred over talking with a person. When that happens, new value is created, and a new buying preferences are formed. In this session, you will learn how to leverage your relationships, while participating in the burgeoning online channel. We’ll dig into how a great web experience enhances customer relationships – and drives more sales. You will leave with actionable information to help you create your own strategy for hybrid selling.

    Join Dale Denham, MAS+ for this session on hybrid selling. Customer shopping expectations are racing ahead at light speed. We are at the point where buying online is often simpler and preferred over talking with a person. When that happens, new value is created, and a new buying preferences are formed. In this session, you will learn how to leverage your relationships, while participating in the burgeoning online channel. We’ll dig into how a great web experience enhances customer relationships – and drives more sales. You will leave with actionable information to help you create your own strategy for hybrid selling.

    Dale Denham, MAS+

    Chief Information Officer

    Dale Denham, MAS+, is the CIO for top 40 distributor Geiger and previously served as Senior Vice President of ASI. Recognized as the industry's top technologist, Dale has continued to deliver innovative, helpful products and solutions during his 20 years in the industry.

    Among the first 10 people certified as a Master Advertising Specialist+ by PPAI., Dale was also recognized by ASI Counselor Magazine as one of “40 under 40" and named one of Corporate Logo's Most Influential People in 2004.

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    1 Point

  • Best of Expo 2017: Marketing and Building Your Distributorship

     Contains 4 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 03/24/2017

    So, you have a small distributorship, want to grow it, and don't have a lot of resources. Joseph Scott will take you through the mistakes, successes, and budget-friendly tools and ideas he and his wife Katie used to grow their business from $0 into a multi-million dollar enterprise.

    So, you have a small distributorship, want to grow it, and don't have a lot of resources. Joseph Scott will take you through the mistakes, successes, and budget-friendly tools and ideas he and his wife Katie used to grow their business from $0 into a multi-million dollar enterprise.

    Joseph Scott

    Founder

    Joseph Scott co-founded Scott & Associates, Inc. with his wife Katie in 1993. Second generation joined company in 2009. Selling Principal: $25 million + in career Promotional Products sales. Joe has transitioned his Distributorship into an Agency that gets paid for their time and the results that they generate for their clients. He makes his living selling Promotional Products and Advertising Services. Public Speaking is a fun, side-business.

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    1 Point

  • Best of Expo 2017: Marketing On A Shoestring

     Contains 4 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 03/17/2017

    The promotional marketing industry has some of the most advanced suppliers providing exceptional options to foster your continued growth. With this high level of sophistication, why is it that we only resort to handing out “stuff” with our names on it? Developing great marketing campaigns that are targeted and resonate with our target audiences is now something everyone can do.

    Join Cliff Quicksell, MAS+ for this session on Marketing on a Shoestring. The promotional marketing industry has some of the most advanced suppliers providing exceptional options to foster your continued growth. With this high level of sophistication, why is it that we only resort to handing out “stuff” with our names on it? Developing great marketing campaigns that are targeted and resonate with our target audiences is now something everyone can do. With a little creativity, the right suppliers, and a bit of imagination you can create amazing marketing tools for a fraction of what cost in the past. Learn the questions to ask key vendors, learn how to build unique marketing programs that resonate with your client and prospects inexpensively, and learn how to effectively implement these programs in the market.

    Cliff Quicksell, MAS+

    CEO

    Cliff Quicksell, Jr., MAS+ has been involved in the promotional marketing and sportswear industries for 32 years. During this time he has achieved the MAS+ certification and has been actively involved in PPAI as a volunteer. Cliff’s He has served five terms as the education chairperson for the Chesapeake Promotional Products Association and is the recipient of several PPAI Pyramid Awards and PPAI Ambassador Speaker of the Year Awards. Cliff consults for and directs the marketing efforts for distributor iPROMOTEu.

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    1 Point

  • Expo 2017: The Leadership Advantage

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Join Kim Busse for this session on the Leadership Advantage! Successful leaders recognize and appreciate the differences within their teams and manage to those preferences. This session explores how behavior influences your management style. Learn how to use behavioral insight to build and maintain a cohesive, loyal and productive team. Walk away with real advice on how to handle different types of employees. Understanding your team’s natural work practices and communication preferences allows you to play into their strengths and navigate around weaknesses. Learn more about who you are and how you communicate. Receive honest feedback into your strengths and challenges and how to use that knowledge to your advantage.

    Join Kim Busse for this session on the Leadership Advantage! Successful leaders recognize and appreciate the differences within their teams and manage to those preferences. This session explores how behavior influences your management style. Learn how to use behavioral insight to build and maintain a cohesive, loyal and productive team. Walk away with real advice on how to handle different types of employees. Understanding your team's natural work practices and communication preferences allows you to play into their strengths and navigate around weaknesses. Learn more about who you are and how you communicate. Receive honest feedback into your strengths and challenges and how to use that knowledge to your advantage.

    Kim Busse

    Key Relationship Manager

    Kim Busse is the Key Relationship Manager at The Omnia Group, an employee selection and management consulting firm. In her current role, Kim partners with her clients to select top talent, manage more effectively, build high-performance teams, and succession planning using behavioral assessment tools/concepts.

    Utilizing over 20 years of human resource management and business development experiences, she has provided guidance to hundreds of businesses in a wide range of industries, including insurance, financial services, automotive, staffing, and healthcare. Prior to joining the Omnia team, Kim was in the financial industry for 10 years serving in various roles such as branch manager, business development, NMLS registered mortgage loan originator, small business relationship banker, and certified trainer.

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    1 Point

  • Expo 2017: Creating A Sales Culture: Coaching CSRs To Sell

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Join Kim Busse for this session on Creating A Sales Culture! As the needs of your business change, your customer service representatives are required to adjust and take on more tasks and responsibilities. They also find themselves in the position to sell more products or services. If you are creating a sales culture, you have to make selling comfortable for CSRs. It’s no secret most dislike it and prefer to simply avoid the task altogether. It is the manager’s responsibility to help representatives understand that great customer service includes an additional sales offer. Gaining insight into your CSRs’ natural work practices and communication styles allow you to play into strengths and navigate around weaknesses when it comes to making confident cross-sellers of service workers.

    Join Kim Busse for this session on Creating A Sales Culture! As the needs of your business change, your customer service representatives are required to adjust and take on more tasks and responsibilities. They also find themselves in the position to sell more products or services. If you are creating a sales culture, you have to make selling comfortable for CSRs. It's no secret most dislike it and prefer to simply avoid the task altogether. It is the manager's responsibility to help representatives understand that great customer service includes an additional sales offer. Gaining insight into your CSRs' natural work practices and communication styles allow you to play into strengths and navigate around weaknesses when it comes to making confident cross-sellers of service workers.

    Kim Busse

    Key Relationship Manager

    Kim Busse is the Key Relationship Manager at The Omnia Group, an employee selection and management consulting firm. In her current role, Kim partners with her clients to select top talent, manage more effectively, build high-performance teams, and succession planning using behavioral assessment tools/concepts.

    Utilizing over 20 years of human resource management and business development experiences, she has provided guidance to hundreds of businesses in a wide range of industries, including insurance, financial services, automotive, staffing, and healthcare. Prior to joining the Omnia team, Kim was in the financial industry for 10 years serving in various roles such as branch manager, business development, NMLS registered mortgage loan originator, small business relationship banker, and certified trainer.

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    1 Point

  • CAS: Customer Engagement In A Digital World

     Contains 4 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Join David Shultz for this session on Customer Engagement In A Digital World. This session is designed for distributors interested in learning how to leverage their website and other digital properties to increase customer engagement. It will look at the elements of an effective website including overall design and usability, the importance of responsiveness/mobile usability when designing a website, product research and presentation tools, virtual sampling tools, social sharing tools, and the incorporation of video into your website. We will also explore ways to use blogs, social media and email marketing to build and grow relationships with your customers to keep them coming back for more as well as touch on the basics of search engine optimization (SEO) and ways to use analytics to help refine your digital efforts.

    Join David Shultz for this session on Customer Engagement In A Digital World. This session is designed for distributors interested in learning how to leverage their website and other digital properties to increase customer engagement. It will look at the elements of an effective website including overall design and usability, the importance of responsiveness/mobile usability when designing a website, product research and presentation tools, virtual sampling tools, social sharing tools, and the incorporation of video into your website. We will also explore ways to use blogs, social media and email marketing to build and grow relationships with your customers to keep them coming back for more as well as touch on the basics of search engine optimization (SEO) and ways to use analytics to help refine your digital efforts.

    David Shultz

    Vice President

    As a member of the executive team responsible for overall day-to-day operational performance of industry-leading technology firm, DistributorCentral, LLC, I provide leadership and strategic support to our software development, sales, marketing and customer support teams and serve as key technical contact for many of our enterprise-level customers and partners. Innovation and collaboration are two of our basic tenets at DistributorCentral, and the ones that allow us to help our clients focus on their key strengths in order to drive revenue growth.

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    1 Point

  • Expo 2017: How Full And How Strong Is Your Sales Pipeline?

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Join Dave Fellman for this session on How Full and How Strong Is Your Sales Pipeline. You have some good customers, but do you really have enough of them to get beyond your current income level, to make the kind of money you really want to make? Here’s an equally important question, do you have enough prospects in your pipeline to ensure that you’ll get where you want to go? This session will prepare you to build and strengthen your pipeline, teaching you who to prospect and how to prospect for maximum success in the modern marketplace.

    Join Dave Fellman for this session on How Full and How Strong Is Your Sales Pipeline. You have some good customers, but do you really have enough of them to get beyond your current income level, to make the kind of money you really want to make? Here's an equally important question, do you have enough prospects in your pipeline to ensure that you'll get where you want to go? This session will prepare you to build and strengthen your pipeline, teaching you who to prospect and how to prospect for maximum success in the modern marketplace.

    Dave Fellman

    president

    David M. Fellman is the president of David Fellman & Associates, a sales & marketing consulting firm serving numerous segments of the graphic arts and promotional products industries. He is the author of Sell More Printing (2009) and Listen to the Dinosaur (2010), which Selling Power magazine listed as one of its “10 Best Books to Read in 2010." His articles on sales, marketing and management topics have appeared in a variety of industry publications, and he is a popular speaker who has delivered seminars and keynotes at industry events across the United States, Canada, England, Ireland and Australia.

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    1 Point

  • Expo 2017: Sales Management: How To Hire A Winner

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Join Dave Fellman for this session on Sales Management. You've decided that it's time to hire a salesperson, either to open new territory, or to replace a salesperson who's leaving (or being discharged!) This can be an exciting time for your company, but it's also a dangerous time. You want to hire a top performer, not an underachiever who'll cost you time and money and never deliver a return on your investment. There's a lot more to hiring a winner than just running an ad in the paper or on monster.com. Learn how to profile the ideal candidate for your sales position, ask the right questions in the interview stage and test the most important success factors.

    Join Dave Fellman for this session on Sales Management. You've decided that it's time to hire a salesperson, either to open new territory, or to replace a salesperson who's leaving (or being discharged!) This can be an exciting time for your company, but it's also a dangerous time. You want to hire a top performer, not an underachiever who'll cost you time and money and never deliver a return on your investment. There's a lot more to hiring a winner than just running an ad in the paper or on monster.com. Learn how to profile the ideal candidate for your sales position, ask the right questions in the interview stage and test the most important success factors.

    Dave Fellman

    president

    David M. Fellman is the president of David Fellman & Associates, a sales & marketing consulting firm serving numerous segments of the graphic arts and promotional products industries. He is the author of Sell More Printing (2009) and Listen to the Dinosaur (2010), which Selling Power magazine listed as one of its “10 Best Books to Read in 2010." His articles on sales, marketing and management topics have appeared in a variety of industry publications, and he is a popular speaker who has delivered seminars and keynotes at industry events across the United States, Canada, England, Ireland and Australia.

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    1 Point

  • Expo 2017: PromoKitchen Presents: Salt And Pepper LIVE!

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Bill Petrie and Kirby Hasseman will discuss relevant industry topics to present differing views in an educational environment. Utilizing the debate structure similar to politicians, Petrie and Hasseman will share their thoughts on a variety of issues that affect both suppliers and distributors, and will take questions from the audience.

    Bill Petrie and Kirby Hasseman will discuss relevant industry topics to present differing views in an educational environment. Utilizing the debate structure similar to politicians, Petrie and Hasseman will share their thoughts on a variety of issues that affect both suppliers and distributors, and will take questions from the audience.

    Bill Petrie

    President

    Bill has over 17 years working in executive leadership positions at leading promotional products distributorships. Through his career, his primary focus has been working collaboratively with others to achieve common goals. In 2014, he launched brandivate – the first executive outsourcing company solely focused on helping small and medium sized promotional products enterprises responsibly grow their business. In 2017, brandivate was acquired by PromoCorner where he now serves as president. A featured speaker at numerous national and international industry events, a serial creator of content marketing, and PromoKitchen chef, Bill has extensive experience coaching sales teams, creating successful marketing campaigns, developing operational policies and procedures, creating and developing winning RFP responses, and presenting winning promotional products solutions to Fortune 500 clients. Service has always been at the forefront of Bill’s industry activities. Before relocating to Nashville, TN in 2011, Bill served on the board of Directors for PPAChicago and is the current president for the Promotional Products Association of the Mid-South (PPAMS). Additionally, Bill is on the board of directors of the Regional Association Council (RAC) board and has worked closely with senior executives at Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) on several committees and work groups – most recently for the North American Leadership Conference. In appreciation of his years of service to the promotional products industry, Bill was named as an inaugural PPAI Fellow – a program designed to recognize influential individuals who have actively supported the industry through personal involvement.

    Kirby Hasseman

    CEO

    Kirby Hasseman is the CEO of Hasseman Marketing & Communications, a full service marketing company and promotional products distributor. Hasseman Marketing has 4 full-time internal employees and 6 sales people. Hasseman is beginning to make his name known in the promotional products industry! He is on the board of PromoKitchen, a non-profit agency that is dedicated to education and mentorship in Promo. He was recognized as a 2015 PPB Rising Star. In addition, out of 300,000 (some) industry professionals, he was recognized as a top social media influencer on two different industry lists. Kirby hosts a weekly Web show called Delivering Marketing Joy where he interviews business leaders from around the country. In addition, he puts out a Weekly Word, a short video on personal development (of course) each week. Kirby has published two books. His first called Think Big Marketing For Small Business and the next called Delivering Marketing Joy. He is working on his third. Kirby is most proud of his titles “father" and “husband". He is married to Amy Hasseman and father to Skylar and Jade.

    Jon Norris

    Vice President

    Jon Norris is the vice president of operations for Starline USA Inc, located in Grand Island, New York, where he oversees manufacturing, warehousing, customer service and technology functions. Norris is currently the chair of the PPAI Technology Committee. Norris is currently helping drive an industry data integrations project, labeled PromoStandards, that believes that this is the future of our industry long term sustainability.He also is a PromoKitchen volunteer and Chef. As an industry Millennial, he is involved in numerous millennial initiatives industrywide to help drive the awareness of the changing workplace.

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    1 Point

  • Expo 2017: Seven Marketing Strategies That Eliminate Price Resistance And Increase Sales Revenue

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Join Johnny Campbell for this session on Seven Marketing Strategies that Eliminate Price Resistance. The promotional products industry is changing and currently is in a state of mass disruption regarding how business is done. Suppliers are now going direct, the demographics of buyers are changing and the internet is now where buyers search for promotional items. It is also how they determine who to trust and buy from. In this program, you will learn seven marketing strategies that eliminate price traps, increase referrals and double sales.

    Join Johnny Campbell for this session on Seven Marketing Strategies that Eliminate Price Resistance. The promotional products industry is changing and currently is in a state of mass disruption regarding how business is done. Suppliers are now going direct, the demographics of buyers are changing and the internet is now where buyers search for promotional items. It is also how they determine who to trust and buy from. In this program, you will learn seven marketing strategies that eliminate price traps, increase referrals and double sales.

    Johnny Campbell

    Rise-Up and Win International

    Million dollar sales producer, trainer and author, Johnny helps clients turn their products and services into profits. Johnny is CEO of Rise-Up and Win International, the publisher of the “Promotional Product Sales Confidential Newsletter" and the video pitchman of “Just Sell It", an online WebTV show that educates distributors on the newest promotional products & the most profitable ways to sell them to prospects and clients using social media.

    Johnny's business expertise is in team management, lead generation and sales conversion methods for revenue enhancement. He is also an Accredited Speaker a designation presented by Toastmaster International and is held by only 65 professional speakers in the world for excellence in public speaking. Based Johnny's sales results, experiences and his ability to help business owners make changes in their businesses that boost sales and increase profits he is called: “The Transition Man"

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    1 Point

  • Expo 2017: Effective Presentation Skills For Women

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Join Jessica Hiner for this session on Effective Presentation Skills For Women. A presentation is one of the most important tools a professional has for getting things done and influencing others. Whether you are persuading colleagues, selling to a client, energizing a team or recommending an idea to senior leaders, an effective presentation can be the difference between your success and failure. This fun, one-hour session will help you focus on the visual, vocal and verbal components of presentation delivery so that your message has the intended impact on your audience.

    Join Jessica Hiner for this session on Effective Presentation Skills For Women. A presentation is one of the most important tools a professional has for getting things done and influencing others. Whether you are persuading colleagues, selling to a client, energizing a team or recommending an idea to senior leaders, an effective presentation can be the difference between your success and failure. This fun, one-hour session will help you focus on the visual, vocal and verbal components of presentation delivery so that your message has the intended impact on your audience.

    Jessica Hiner

    Vice President of Key Accounts

    Jessica is the Vice President of Key Accounts for a Top 40 Promotional Products Supplier, with experience on both the supplier and distributor sides of the industry. Dedicated to the value and importance of partnering with customers to reach their business goals and objectives, with the use of promotional products and marketing tools. Expertise includes sales presentations, corporate and incentive programs, merchandising, sales evaluations and growth review, contract negotiation, networking and much more.

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    1 Point

  • Expo 2017: Win And Win BIG!

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Join Tom Rizzi and Greg Armstrong for the session Win and Win Big! Discover proven tools, processes and strategies to help you win million and multi-million dollar deals. Learn how to position yourself and your solution to win large deals and contracts and how to quickly and efficiently implement your solution to capture the cash.

    Join Tom Rizzi and Greg Armstrong for the session Win and Win Big! Discover proven tools, processes and strategies to help you win million and multi-million dollar deals. Learn how to position yourself and your solution to win large deals and contracts and how to quickly and efficiently implement your solution to capture the cash.

    Tom Rizzi

    ​Senior Sales Executive

    Tom Rizzi is the Senior Sales Executive with over 20 years of experience in winning large enterprise account deals in the promotional products, print and packaging industries. Has won over $1 Billion in new sales during career. Expertise in sales process, deal qualification, presentation development and delivery. Extensive management and leadership experience. Has led sales teams of over 500 people producing in excess of $1 Billion in annual sales. Experienced in conducting sales and sales process training focused on winning large enterprise accounts.

    Greg Armstrong

    Former Vice President of Sales & Marketing

    Greg Armstrong, formerly the Vice President of Sales & Marketing with AIA Corporation, has joined Proforma as its Vice President of Sales Development. In this role, Armstrong will help Proforma Owners identify, pursue and win enterprise level accounts. Based in Fountain Valley, CA, Armstrong will work closely with Proforma Owners primarily on the west coast to secure major account opportunities.

    Armstrong has more than 20 years of experience in all facets of the print and promotional products industry as a supplier, distributor and buyer. Prior to his recent position with AIA, Armstrong held the title of Director of Supplier Relations for Alcone Marketing. On the supplier side, Armstrong served in managerial sales roles with Headmaster, Logomark and Gemline. He was also a buyer for Sechrist Clinical Services as their Marketing Manager.

    Armstrong served on the Board of Directors for Specialty Advertising Association of California (SAAC), is a member of the American Marketing Association and was selected as one of PPB magazine's 13 Rising Star's in 2012.

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    1 Point

  • Expo 2017: Social Media Sales Blueprint: Creating A Social Media Campaign That Works

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.50 credits offered

    Join Johnny Campbell in the session Social Media Sales Blueprint! Social media is one of the most powerful new marketing tools for business growth in the world. In fact, it is safe to say that if your business has not started to integrate social media marketing campaigns into your over-all marketing plans, then your business is missing out on additional income streams and business growth opportunities. In this program, Johnny Campbell will provide you with a three step social media marketing template that will help you to generate more leads, more sales and more money in your business.

    Join Johnny Campbell in the session Social Media Sales Blueprint! Social media is one of the most powerful new marketing tools for business growth in the world. In fact, it is safe to say that if your business has not started to integrate social media marketing campaigns into your over-all marketing plans, then your business is missing out on additional income streams and business growth opportunities. In this program, Johnny Campbell will provide you with a three step social media marketing template that will help you to generate more leads, more sales and more money in your business.

    Johnny Campbell

    Rise-Up and Win International

    Million dollar sales producer, trainer and author, Johnny helps clients turn their products and services into profits. Johnny is CEO of Rise-Up and Win International, the publisher of the “Promotional Product Sales Confidential Newsletter" and the video pitchman of “Just Sell It", an online WebTV show that educates distributors on the newest promotional products & the most profitable ways to sell them to prospects and clients using social media.

    Johnny's business expertise is in team management, lead generation and sales conversion methods for revenue enhancement. He is also an Accredited Speaker a designation presented by Toastmaster International and is held by only 65 professional speakers in the world for excellence in public speaking. Based Johnny's sales results, experiences and his ability to help business owners make changes in their businesses that boost sales and increase profits he is called: “The Transition Man"

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    1.5 Points

  • Expo 2017: Podcasting 101

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    In today’s busy media landscape, podcasting has emerged as one of the most dynamic ways to capture your customer's attention. Previously the domain of expensive production studios, podcasts can now be recorded with simple software tools and published to the Internet within hours. In this session, Mark Graham will show you why podcasts are such an effective communication tool, how to craft a great interview, how to land a high-profile guest, and how to produce and record your very own podcast. Mark Graham has hosted the popular PromoKitchen podcast since its founding in 2011. He is also the host of the commonsku podcast, skucast.

    In today's busy media landscape, podcasting has emerged as one of the most dynamic ways to capture your customer's attention. Previously the domain of expensive production studios, podcasts can now be recorded with simple software tools and published to the Internet within hours. In this session, Mark Graham will show you why podcasts are such an effective communication tool, how to craft a great interview, how to land a high-profile guest, and how to produce and record your very own podcast. Mark Graham has hosted the popular PromoKitchen podcast since its founding in 2011. He is also the host of the commonsku podcast, skucast.

    Mark Graham

    Founder of Rightsleeve.com

    Mark Graham is the founder of RIGHTSLEEVE.COM, one of the industry's leading web based promotional products distributors. Mark's online marketing strategy has allowed RIGHTSLEEVE to scale, enhance margins as well as provide a point of differentiation within a crowded and mature industry.

    RIGHTSLEEVE is the National winner of the Dell Small Business Excellence Award, an honor presented to businesses that use technology in innovative ways to enhance customer experience and company growth. In 2011, Mark was named Distributor Entrepreneur of the Year (Counselor Awards). In the same year, he was inducted into ASI's Hot List and PPAI's Rising Stars.

    Mark has been featured in several major media publications on his approach technology and social media, including PPB, Counselor Magazine, Stitches and Advantages. Mark has presented multiple times on web marketing and social media best practices to promotional industry professionals across North America (PPAI Expo, ASI Chicago, ASI San Diego, PPPC, MAPPA, SPPA, Promo East, Partnering Group, NALC, ASI Power Summit).

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    1 Point

  • Expo 2017: Designing A Sales Compensation Plan That Works

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Designing an effective sales compensation plan is one of the best tools you have as a sales manager/business owner, yet, it’s one of the hardest and most frustrating things to get right. Catherine Graham shares her successes (and many failures) in designing a sales compensation plan at RIGHTSLEEVE that now gets results.

    Designing an effective sales compensation plan is one of the best tools you have as a sales manager/business owner, yet, it's one of the hardest and most frustrating things to get right. Catherine Graham shares her successes (and many failures) in designing a sales compensation plan at RIGHTSLEEVE that now gets results.


    Catherine Graham

    CEO

    Catherine Graham is the CEO of commonsku and the President of RIGHTSLEEVE. Commonsku is a cloud-based CRM, order management and supply chain collaboration platform for the promotional products industry. RIGHTSLEEVE is a promotional products agency and has been the recipient of numerous industry awards including ASI Distributor Entrepreneur of the Year, PPAI Web Award and Counselor's Best Places to Work. Catherine has previously been named as a PPB's Best Boss and ASI Rising Star.

    Prior to RIGHTSLEEVE and commonsku, Catherine worked for TD Bank, eBay and A.T. Kearney and obtained an MBA. Outside of work, Catherine is a mother to 3 children ranging in age from 9 to 4 years old. She has a passion for learning and is an avid sports enthusiast playing ice hockey, squash and running.

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    1 Point

  • Expo 2017: Putting The Social In Your Media

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Join Bill Petrie and Kirby Hasseman for the session Putting the Social in Your Media! Every company, every brand and every person is a media company, but very few act like it. Just as media company creates a wide variety of programming to reach different target audiences, promotional products professionals need to leverage different media types to reach a high level of engagement. From content marketing to video to blogging, this session will teach you how to leverage your unique voice to create meaningful media content that moves your target audience.

    Join Bill Petrie and Kirby Hasseman for the session Putting the Social in Your Media! Every company, every brand and every person is a media company, but very few act like it. Just as media company creates a wide variety of programming to reach different target audiences, promotional products professionals need to leverage different media types to reach a high level of engagement. From content marketing to video to blogging, this session will teach you how to leverage your unique voice to create meaningful media content that moves your target audience.

    Bill Petrie

    President

    Bill has over 17 years working in executive leadership positions at leading promotional products distributorships. Through his career, his primary focus has been working collaboratively with others to achieve common goals. In 2014, he launched brandivate – the first executive outsourcing company solely focused on helping small and medium sized promotional products enterprises responsibly grow their business. In 2017, brandivate was acquired by PromoCorner where he now serves as president. A featured speaker at numerous national and international industry events, a serial creator of content marketing, and PromoKitchen chef, Bill has extensive experience coaching sales teams, creating successful marketing campaigns, developing operational policies and procedures, creating and developing winning RFP responses, and presenting winning promotional products solutions to Fortune 500 clients. Service has always been at the forefront of Bill’s industry activities. Before relocating to Nashville, TN in 2011, Bill served on the board of Directors for PPAChicago and is the current president for the Promotional Products Association of the Mid-South (PPAMS). Additionally, Bill is on the board of directors of the Regional Association Council (RAC) board and has worked closely with senior executives at Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) on several committees and work groups – most recently for the North American Leadership Conference. In appreciation of his years of service to the promotional products industry, Bill was named as an inaugural PPAI Fellow – a program designed to recognize influential individuals who have actively supported the industry through personal involvement.

    Kirby Hasseman

    CEO

    Kirby Hasseman is the CEO of Hasseman Marketing & Communications, a full service marketing company and promotional products distributor. Hasseman Marketing has 4 full-time internal employees and 6 sales people. Hasseman is beginning to make his name known in the promotional products industry! He is on the board of PromoKitchen, a non-profit agency that is dedicated to education and mentorship in Promo. He was recognized as a 2015 PPB Rising Star. In addition, out of 300,000 (some) industry professionals, he was recognized as a top social media influencer on two different industry lists. Kirby hosts a weekly Web show called Delivering Marketing Joy where he interviews business leaders from around the country. In addition, he puts out a Weekly Word, a short video on personal development (of course) each week. Kirby has published two books. His first called Think Big Marketing For Small Business and the next called Delivering Marketing Joy. He is working on his third. Kirby is most proud of his titles “father" and “husband". He is married to Amy Hasseman and father to Skylar and Jade.

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    1 Point

  • Expo 2017: A Salesperson's Guide To Understanding Financial Statements

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Join Jamie Watson for the session A Salesperson's Guide to Understanding Financial Statements. The financial side of any business can be intimidating to someone who doesn’t have experience managing it. However, understanding financials is essential to evaluating success and planning for the future. An owner doesn’t have to have a degree in accounting to understand the basic elements of a financial statement and what they mean to the business. This seminar will explain the key parts of a financial statement and how they impact a distributor’s success.

    Join Jamie Watson for the session A Salesperson's Guide to Understanding Financial Statements. The financial side of any business can be intimidating to someone who doesn't have experience managing it. However, understanding financials is essential to evaluating success and planning for the future. An owner doesn't have to have a degree in accounting to understand the basic elements of a financial statement and what they mean to the business. This seminar will explain the key parts of a financial statement and how they impact a distributor's success.

    Jamie Watson, MAS, CPA

    Senior Financial Analyst for Certified Marketing Consultants, LLC

    Jamie Watson, MAS, CPA is Senior Financial Analyst for Certified Marketing Consultants, LLC. Jamie has been involved various aspects of Finance and Accounting for over 12 years. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Business Administration from Stetson University and then earned her Masters of Accountancy from Manchester College. She qualified as a CPA in the state of Indiana where she worked for the regional accounting firm of Alerding & Co., LLC. Jamie has been involved in the consulting of both supplier and distributor companies in the Promotional Products Industry for over 7 years. Jamie has earned the CAS designation from PPAI and the BASI designation from ASI.

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    1 Point

  • Expo 2017: Power Keynote: How Digital Is Inspiring A New Era Of Experience Design

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Join Brian Solis for the session How Digital Is Inspiring a New Era of Experience Design. People don’t want products, they want experiences. This is one of the reasons why businesses over the next 10 years are going to increase investments in customer experience to more effectively compete. The secret to success however, is understanding the relationship between digital and the evolution of customer expectations, behaviors and preferences. What people value, what they find relevant, the experiences they want, are ours to discover. And, they’re not what we think. In his presentation, digital analyst, anthropologist and futurist Brian Solis will share why and how digital will help businesses design meaningful and relevant experiences that people love online and in the real world. More so, he will share insights into how see the world differently to design for a different generation of connected customers.

    Join Brian Solis for the session How Digital Is Inspiring a New Era of Experience Design. People don't want products, they want experiences. This is one of the reasons why businesses over the next 10 years are going to increase investments in customer experience to more effectively compete. The secret to success however, is understanding the relationship between digital and the evolution of customer expectations, behaviors and preferences. What people value, what they find relevant, the experiences they want, are ours to discover. And, they're not what we think. In his presentation, digital analyst, anthropologist and futurist Brian Solis will share why and how digital will help businesses design meaningful and relevant experiences that people love online and in the real world. More so, he will share insights into how see the world differently to design for a different generation of connected customers.

    Brian Solis

    Principal Analyst

    Brian Solis is Principal Analyst at Altimeter Group, a Prophet company. Solis studies the effects of disruptive technology on business and society. He has a very special ability to humanize all of these incredible trends to help us see how technology and people are changing and what to do about it.

    He is an award-winning author and avid keynote speaker who is globally recognized as one of the most prominent thought leaders in digital transformation, innovation and experience. Brian has authored several best-selling books. His latest book “X,” explores the intersection of where business meets design to create engaging and meaningful customer experiences.

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    1 Point

  • Expo 2017: The Lessons Of 100%: Strategies To Reduce Friction To Sell More

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Join Bill Petrie for this session on The Lessons of 100%. In our continually evolving marketplace, clients are seeking sales experiences that are as friction-less as possible. It’s about going beyond the “big things” all distributors do well: source, decorate, deliver, and invoice for merchandise. To truly stand out and reduce client friction in an Amazon world, it’s the seemingly little areas where it’s critical to give 100 percent. In this session, Bill Petrie will outline easily implemented, tactical actions that can be taken immediately to create an experience clients will gladly pay for again and again.

    Join Bill Petrie for this session on The Lessons of 100%. In our continually evolving marketplace, clients are seeking sales experiences that are as friction-less as possible. It’s about going beyond the “big things” all distributors do well: source, decorate, deliver, and invoice for merchandise. To truly stand out and reduce client friction in an Amazon world, it’s the seemingly little areas where it’s critical to give 100 percent. In this session, Bill Petrie will outline easily implemented, tactical actions that can be taken immediately to create an experience clients will gladly pay for again and again.

    Bill Petrie

    President

    Bill has over 17 years working in executive leadership positions at leading promotional products distributorships. Through his career, his primary focus has been working collaboratively with others to achieve common goals. In 2014, he launched brandivate – the first executive outsourcing company solely focused on helping small and medium sized promotional products enterprises responsibly grow their business. In 2017, brandivate was acquired by PromoCorner where he now serves as president. A featured speaker at numerous national and international industry events, a serial creator of content marketing, and PromoKitchen chef, Bill has extensive experience coaching sales teams, creating successful marketing campaigns, developing operational policies and procedures, creating and developing winning RFP responses, and presenting winning promotional products solutions to Fortune 500 clients. Service has always been at the forefront of Bill’s industry activities. Before relocating to Nashville, TN in 2011, Bill served on the board of Directors for PPAChicago and is the current president for the Promotional Products Association of the Mid-South (PPAMS). Additionally, Bill is on the board of directors of the Regional Association Council (RAC) board and has worked closely with senior executives at Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) on several committees and work groups – most recently for the North American Leadership Conference. In appreciation of his years of service to the promotional products industry, Bill was named as an inaugural PPAI Fellow – a program designed to recognize influential individuals who have actively supported the industry through personal involvement.

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  • Expo 2017: Keynote Luncheon: Mark Graham In Conversation With Norm Hullinger - A Look Inside The Industry's First Billion Dollar Company

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    ​In this special fireside chat, Mark Graham will sit down with Norm Hullinger CEO of alphabroder to uncover the ups and downs of running the industry's largest company. We'll explore themes as wide ranging as the state of the apparel sector, industry consolidation, how Alibaba and Amazon are changing how we buy wearables as well as Norm's rituals and routines for managing an organization that spans the globe with thousands of partners and employees.

    In this special fireside chat, Mark Graham will sit down with Norm Hullinger CEO of alphabroder to uncover the ups and downs of running the industry's largest company. We'll explore themes as wide ranging as the state of the apparel sector, industry consolidation, how Alibaba and Amazon are changing how we buy wearables as well as Norm's rituals and routines for managing an organization that spans the globe with thousands of partners and employees. This is the first time Norm has spoken publicly about these issues. The format will be real and honest. Mark will ask a range of questions that will get at what's really at stake for our industry as seen through the eyes of one of the most influential companies in our industry today.

    Mark Graham

    Founder of Rightsleeve.com

    Mark Graham is the founder of RIGHTSLEEVE.COM, one of the industry's leading web based promotional products distributors. Mark's online marketing strategy has allowed RIGHTSLEEVE to scale, enhance margins as well as provide a point of differentiation within a crowded and mature industry.

    RIGHTSLEEVE is the National winner of the Dell Small Business Excellence Award, an honor presented to businesses that use technology in innovative ways to enhance customer experience and company growth. In 2011, Mark was named Distributor Entrepreneur of the Year (Counselor Awards). In the same year, he was inducted into ASI's Hot List and PPAI's Rising Stars.

    Mark has been featured in several major media publications on his approach technology and social media, including PPB, Counselor Magazine, Stitches and Advantages. Mark has presented multiple times on web marketing and social media best practices to promotional industry professionals across North America (PPAI Expo, ASI Chicago, ASI San Diego, PPPC, MAPPA, SPPA, Promo East, Partnering Group, NALC, ASI Power Summit).

    Noarm Hullinger

    CEO

    CEO of alphabroder

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  • Expo 2017: Keynote Luncheon: It's Not Who You Know, It's Who Knows You! How To Build Your Business By Building Your Brand

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 01/11/2017

    With so many choices confronting your prospective customers and clients, the question is: Why should they choose you? In his eye-opening, energetic and entertaining signature-presentation, internationally-renowned business marketing speaker and expert David Avrin, The Visibility Coach, will reveal what it truly takes to recognize and promote your true competitive advantage while building a category-leading brand identity.

    With so many choices confronting your prospective customers and clients, the question is: Why should they choose you? In his eye-opening, energetic and entertaining signature-presentation, internationally-renowned business marketing speaker and expert David Avrin, The Visibility Coach, will reveal what it truly takes to recognize and promote your true competitive advantage while building a category-leading brand identity. Based on the lessons in his breakout book: It’s Not Who You Know, It’s Who Knows You! David Avrin’s engaging business marketing presentation will leave you with a new perspective of what it takes to stand out and a head full of new ideas and actionable strategies to become top-of-mind with your top prospects.

    David Avrin, CSP

    Former CEO Group-Leader and Business Marketing Firm Owner

    One of the most in-demand business branding speakers in the world today, David Avrin, CSP has shared his content-rich, entertaining hard hitting, hilarious and memorable presentations to enthusiastic audiences across North America and around the world, including recent presentations in Singapore, Bangkok, Melbourne, Brisbane, Antwerp, Buenos Aires, Sri Lanka, Manila, Glasgow, Rotterdam, Barcelona, Monte Carlo, London, Johannesburg and Dubai. David Avrin shows business owners and leaders, sales professionals, HR audiences and entrepreneurs how to ferret-out, recognize, craft and promote compelling competitive advantages. 

    A former CEO group-leader and business marketing firm owner, David's business insights have been featured on hundreds of broadcast media outlets and thousands of online and print publications around the world. He is also the author of three books including the acclaimed: "It's Not Who You Know, It's Who Knows You!" His new book "Visibility Marketing — The No-Holds-Barred Truth About What It Takes to Grab Attention, Build Your Brand and Win New Business” will be released internationally in July.

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  • Expo 2017: General Session: Recipe For Brand Loyalty

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    In this session, Johnny will piece together how his success reinforces the power of details, experience and loyalty. Through his inspiring, and certainly unpredictable journey, Johnny exudes the fundamental connection between the person and the brand. Johnny's presentation provides comprehensive blueprints for getting any small business, passion or idea off the ground, while also expanding the way existing creators think.

    Why have thousands of customers from around the world chosen to get the Johnny Cupcakes' logos tattooed on themselves? And how does Johnny get hundreds of people to camp outside his fake bakeries? Over the past decade Johnny Cupcakes, founded by speaker Johnny Earle, has grown from a "joke" to a multi-million dollar, highly exclusive t-shirt brand driven by a community of world-wide collectors. Johnny shares his story of how he took his t-shirt brand from the trunk of his rusty car at age 19, with a learning disability, to some of the world's most sought after retail locations.

    In this session, Johnny will piece together how his success reinforces the power of details, experience and loyalty. Through his inspiring, and certainly unpredictable journey, Johnny exudes the fundamental connection between the person and the brand. Johnny's presentation provides comprehensive blueprints for getting any small business, passion or idea off the ground, while also expanding the way existing creators think. Johnny has been named Americas #1 Young Entrepreneur by BusinessWeek, one of the top innovative people in Massachusetts by The Boston Globe, he has been recognized 4 years in a row for making it into the INC 500/5000 fastest growing independent companies in America, and has been featured on MTV, NPR, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and as a case study in several branding and business books.

    Johnny Earle

    CEO and Founder

    Johnny has been named Americas #1 Young Entrepreneur by BusinessWeek, one of the top innovative people in Massachusetts by The Boston Globe, he has been recognized 4 years in a row for making it into the INC 500/5000 fastest growing independent companies in America, and has been featured on MTV, NPR, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and as a case study in several branding and business books.

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    1 Point

  • Best of Expo 2016: How Mobile Friendly Stores Are Changing The Landscape Of Selling Promotional Products

    Contains 4 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 03/11/2016

    It’s hard to ignore the role mobile technology plays in our everyday life. Adults in the U.S. own, on average, three connected devices. Studies show that six out of 10 adults expect companies to have a mobile-friendly site. Understanding how buyers are utilizing ecommerce sites and how they are conducting research is key to growing any promotional products business. Learn how to generate mobile sales as well as apply current best practices when taking a company store or catalog to a mobile-friendly platform.

    Join Dan Halama for this session on mobile friendly stores. It's hard to ignore the role mobile technology plays in our everyday life. Adults in the U.S. own, on average, three connected devices. Studies show that six out of 10 adults expect companies to have a mobile-friendly site. Understanding how buyers are utilizing ecommerce sites and how they are conducting research is key to growing any promotional products business. Learn how to generate mobile sales as well as apply current best practices when taking a company store or catalog to a mobile-friendly platform.

    Dan Halama

    Owner and President

    Dan Halama is the owner and President of BrightStores, Inc. As a previous distributor of promotional products, Dan has over 20 years of experience in the industry. When he was a distributor, Dan realized the need for an online ordering solution that would connect distributors with their clients to efficiently manage orders as well as control branding and spending without the need of pen-and-paper catalogs. At the time, there was no ecommerce company store solution on the market geared specifically for the promotional products industry. Dan launched BrightStores from that vision and has grown the company to an industry-leading provider of company store solutions, launching over 5,000 stores for the world's most recognized brands.

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  • Expo 2016: Incentives 101: An Overview For Promotional Product Professionals

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    A basic primer on how offering incentive solutions is similar to offering promotional products, what the significant differences are, and how you can expand your promotional products sales by offering incentives.

    Join Sean Roark for this session on incentives 101. A basic primer on how offering incentive solutions is similar to offering promotional products, what the significant differences are, and how you can expand your promotional products sales by offering incentives.

    Sean Roark, CPIM

    Stage Manager, a corporate Marketing Director and Chief Operating Officer

    A true Renaissance man, Sean brings his expertise as a theatrical Stage Manager, a corporate Marketing Director and Chief Operating Officer in widely diverse companies such as a Broadway costume house, voice-recognition company and a web-based video conferencing service, to bear in everything he does. Listing his extensive experience does not begin to describe his marketing genius. Sean is able to see things that most are not, and he easily communicates these insights to our clients, large and small. Combining his gift with his managerial experience and creative talents, Sean brings unique and complete solutions to every client interaction.

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  • Expo 2016 Keynote: Secrets Of The Millennial Code

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    As a film director who specializes in making movies with environmental messages popular with the 18-35 year old demographic Josh Tickell will reveal the secret world of social and psychological triggers that drive this generation.

    As a film director who specializes in making movies with environmental messages popular with the 18-35 year old demographic Josh Tickell will reveal the secret world of social and psychological triggers that drive this generation. You will learn how their “future-focused” value set differs from the previous generations (“Generation X” and the “Baby Boomers”) and – most importantly – you will learn how to tailor your sustainability policies, communication, HR and customer service to meet the needs of the next generation of the marketplace. Born from 1980 to 2000, Generation Y (a.k.a. “the Millennials”) is the largest generation ever with 80 million people in the United States and 2.3 billion people worldwide. As the most digitally connected and educated generation – they have a keen eye on what it will mean to live on earth in the near future – making them intensely interested in sustainability.

    Josh Tickell

    Film Director

    Josh Tickell is a film director who specializes in connecting with the Millennial Generation, those born between 1980-2000, (a.k.a. “Generation Y”). This year, Inc. Magazine called him “America's #1 expert on the Millennials Generation”.

    Tickell grew up in Louisiana next to waterways polluted by petroleum refineries. In 1997 he captured national attention by driving a van powered by used French Fry oil across the United States with his college sweetheart. “The Veggie Van” as it was called was a viral sensation. Only four years after the first web browser was introduced, Tickell's Veggie Van Web Site with its early “blog” received over 1 million unique visitors (continuously crashing its server due to overwhelming traffic). The Veggie Van Voyage spurred an international wave of media coverage pushing Tickell into the spotlight as a voice of change for the young generation.
    By 1998, Tickell had published his first book and was touring colleges giving talks to the first members of “Generation Y” (a.k.a. “The Millennials”). College students enthusiastically embraced Tickell's philosophy of making the world a better place through smarter technologies.

    Tickell continued his lecture tour de force for a decade – going to over 100 colleges; serving as a breakthrough business consultant for a number of high profile companies; and earing a Master's Degree in Film from FSU along the way. His journey culminated in 2008 with the release of his first feature film, FUEL (a.k.a. 'Fields of Fuel'). FUEL won the Sundance Audience Award for Best Documentary and was released theatrically in the United States. FUEL became a global sensation gaining millions of viewers on Netflix, iTunes, Hulu and CNBC, Russia TV, TeleSur and beyond. The movie was screened in the White House for energy and environment staff working in the Obama Administration and was shortlisted for an Oscar.

    During the production of FUEL, Tickell met his wife Rebecca Harrell, (a Millennial) who was at the time a producer on the movie. The two married in 2010 and have made several films together. The Tickells run a film studio called The Big Picture Ranch in the California resort town of Ojai.

    Josh Tickell directed the Cannes Film Festival movie, The Big Fix (2011). The film explores the corporate and political malfeasance that led to the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. His latest documentary PUMP (2014) exposes a conspiracy to block fuel choice at the gas pump and is being theatrically released by Submarine Entertainment in select theaters in September. He is currently in production on Good Fortune (2015), The Official Biography of John Paul DeJoria, Co-Founder of Patrón Tequila and Paul Mitchell Systems.
    Today Tickell spends much of his time working for companies on strategies that engage members of the millennial generation. He achieves breakthrough results by modifying internal and external corporate practices to meet the desires and needs of Generation Y. By combining aspects of Corporate Social Value, Participation, Emotional Response and Product Design and Functionality, Tickell provides a wide variety of organizations with unprecedented success in working with the next generation.
    He also consults with many large corporations and governments on sustainability and the future of energies and fuels.

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  • Best of Expo 2016: Breaking Free Of Your Business. The Entrepreneurs Plan To Independence

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    While the word ‘entrepreneur’ summons images of wealth and freedom, the reality is that many business owners feel like self-employed wage slaves. They feel chained to their desks and accountable to their employees. Many work nights, weekends and holidays to support the salaries and benefits of employees who don't work nearly as much. In this session, learn how to move from self-employed wage slave to company president to liberated entrepreneur. Attendees will walk away with a process for creating consistent results in their business without having to do it all themselves.

    Join David Blaise for this session on the entrepreneurs plan to independence. While the word 'entrepreneur' summons images of wealth and freedom, the reality is that many business owners feel like self-employed wage slaves. They feel chained to their desks and accountable to their employees. Many work nights, weekends and holidays to support the salaries and benefits of employees who don't work nearly as much. In this session, learn how to move from self-employed wage slave to company president to liberated entrepreneur. Attendees will walk away with a process for creating consistent results in their business without having to do it all themselves.

    David Blaise

    Industry entrepreneur, author and business consultant

    What do the promotional product industry's first video podcast, audio podcast, extreme makeover and theme song all have in common? Industry entrepreneur, author and business consultant David Blaise. In 1998, Blaise created Top Secrets of Promotional Products Sales, the industry's premier “success system in a box." Since then, he has built the most recognized and successful training brands in the industry, including Getting Started, Top Secrets of Customer Acquisition, Top Secrets of Multi-Million Dollar Producers and The Power of Promotional Products. Currently Blaise's company helps thousands of industry professionals each year increase sales, improve profit margins and grow their businesses on a guaranteed basis.

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  • Best of Expo 2016: How Full Is Your Bucket? Positive Strategies For Work And Life

    Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Based on the bestselling book by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton, this session will show attendees how to bring positive strategies to their work and personal lives. Even the briefest interactions can affect productivity, relationships and even health. Higher worker satisfaction from more engaged employees who deliver a better brand experience to your customers is the result of creating a more positive work environment. Proven, scientifically sound research from the Gallup Organization outlines how to build a stronger workplace through positive strategies. Attendees will learn: How to Prevent Bucket Dipping, How to Shine a Light on What’s Right, How to Make Best Friends, Give Unexpectedly, and How to Reverse the Golden Rule.

    Join Paul Kiewiet, MAS+ for this session on positive strategies for work and life. Based on the bestselling book by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton, this session will show attendees how to bring positive strategies to their work and personal lives. Even the briefest interactions can affect productivity, relationships and even health. Higher worker satisfaction from more engaged employees who deliver a better brand experience to your customers is the result of creating a more positive work environment. Proven, scientifically sound research from the Gallup Organization outlines how to build a stronger workplace through positive strategies. Attendees will learn: How to Prevent Bucket Dipping, How to Shine a Light on What's Right, How to Make Best Friends, Give Unexpectedly, and How to Reverse the Golden Rule.


    Paul Kiewiet, MAS+

    Founder, Promotion Concepts, Inc.

    Paul A Kiewiet MAS+ founded a sales promotion agency and sold consumer sales promotions, dealer incentives, years of service and other premium, incentive and recognition programs to companies such as Kellogg’s, Whirlpool, Borden and Coca-Cola. He was chairman of PPAI, inducted into the PPAI Hall of Fame and currently serves as the executive director of MiPPA.

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  • Best of Expo 2016: Using The Marketing Funnel To Outperform The Competition

    Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Focus. Focus is the name of the game when you are trying to maximize your marketing energies. The shotgun approach that most folks incorporate today is grossly ineffective and expensive. Using a marketing funnel tool to creatively target the right clients and prospects will help dramatically in flattening the curve and maximizing your marketing efforts. A couple of examples with great results will be demonstrated in this session. Attendees will leave with an in-depth understanding of the effectiveness of the marketing funnel, how to use the tool in developing personal marketing, how to incorporate this tool in discussions with clients, and hear actual case histories and their successes.

    Join Cliff Quicksell, MAS+ for this session on using the market funnel. Focus. Focus is the name of the game when you are trying to maximize your marketing energies. The shotgun approach that most folks incorporate today is grossly ineffective and expensive. Using a marketing funnel tool to creatively target the right clients and prospects will help dramatically in flattening the curve and maximizing your marketing efforts. A couple of examples with great results will be demonstrated in this session. Attendees will leave with an in-depth understanding of the effectiveness of the marketing funnel, how to use the tool in developing personal marketing, how to incorporate this tool in discussions with clients, and hear actual case histories and their successes.

    Cliff Quicksell, MAS+

    CEO

    Cliff Quicksell, Jr., MAS+ has been involved in the promotional marketing and sportswear industries for 32 years. During this time he has achieved the MAS+ certification and has been actively involved in PPAI as a volunteer. Cliff’s He has served five terms as the education chairperson for the Chesapeake Promotional Products Association and is the recipient of several PPAI Pyramid Awards and PPAI Ambassador Speaker of the Year Awards. Cliff consults for and directs the marketing efforts for distributor iPROMOTEu.

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  • Best of Expo 2016: Industry Technology Automation And Integration

     Contains 4 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered Recorded On: 03/25/2016

    Companies all across the industry are streamlining processes, from order entry and product data sharing to inventory look-ups. This growing segment of the population is the future of communication between industry suppliers, distributors and service providers. Companies of all sizes should be aware of the current variety of technology automation and integration. This session will walk through some of the larger more successful industry technology automation and integration projects happening in the industry today.

    Join Jon Norris for this session on industry technology automation and integration. Companies all across the industry are streamlining processes, from order entry and product data sharing to inventory look-ups. This growing segment of the population is the future of communication between industry suppliers, distributors and service providers. Companies of all sizes should be aware of the current variety of technology automation and integration. This session will walk through some of the larger more successful industry technology automation and integration projects happening in the industry today.

    Jon Norris

    Vice President

    Jon Norris is the vice president of operations for Starline USA Inc, located in Grand Island, New York, where he oversees manufacturing, warehousing, customer service and technology functions. Norris is currently the chair of the PPAI Technology Committee. Norris is currently helping drive an industry data integrations project, labeled PromoStandards, that believes that this is the future of our industry long term sustainability.He also is a PromoKitchen volunteer and Chef. As an industry Millennial, he is involved in numerous millennial initiatives industrywide to help drive the awareness of the changing workplace.

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  • Expo 2016: From The Breakroom To The Boardroom: Everyone Plays A Role In Sales

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    In this session attendees will learn that no matter what title they have in their company, they are in sales. Every encounter in life involves communication; thus, the concept of sales is reframed to communication. This means we are all in sales. Sales (when done right) is about a two-way dialogue with another person built on trust. There are no shortcuts, gimmicks or tricks. Instead, sales is built upon a PACT mindset (Passion, Authenticity, Creativity and Trust). This session will explain how we must adapt our own preferred styles of communicating to meet another

    Join Ryan Sauers for this session on how everyone plays a role in sales. In this session attendees will learn that no matter what title they have in their company, they are in sales. Every encounter in life involves communication; thus, the concept of sales is reframed to communication. This means we are all in sales. Sales (when done right) is about a two-way dialogue with another person built on trust. There are no shortcuts, gimmicks or tricks. Instead, sales is built upon a PACT mindset (Passion, Authenticity, Creativity and Trust). This session will explain how we must adapt our own preferred styles of communicating to meet another

    Ryan Sauers, MS, CME

    President of Sauers Consulting Strategies

    Ryan T. Sauers is President of Sauers Consulting Strategies. The firm consults with the front end of printing, promotional products, and related organizations across North America. Key focus areas include: sales growth, brand positioning, organizational strategy, and integrated marketing (emphasis on social media). Ryan is a national speaker and writes feature articles in global publications and blogs. His blog on the Printing Impressions website is named Perception IS Reality and blog on the Print and Promo website is titled Leaders Look Up. Sauers is an adjunct university professor teaching leadership, communication, and entrepreneurship to business leaders. Ryan is a Certified Myers Briggs and DiSC Practitioner as well as a Certified Marketing Executive. Sauers is author of the best-selling books Everyone is in Sales and Would You Buy from You?

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  • Expo 2016: Strategic Planning For Companies Big And Small

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Many small companies were started by individuals who pursued an opportunity and built a business out of chance. Chance itself defines much of what small and large companies respond to, but in a true game of chance, you win as often as you lose. Running a business should be more sound than that. Explore the purpose behind the planning and components of strategic planning, as well as tools for individuals to use when conducting their own strategic planning activities.

    Join Claudia St. John in the session Expo 2016: Strategic Planning For Companies Big And Small. Many small companies were started by individuals who pursued an opportunity and built a business out of chance. Chance itself defines much of what small and large companies respond to, but in a true game of chance, you win as often as you lose. Running a business should be more sound than that. Explore the purpose behind the planning and components of strategic planning, as well as tools for individuals to use when conducting their own strategic planning activities.

    Claudia St John, SPHR

    President of Affinity HR Group, LLC

    Claudia St. John is President of Affinity HR Group, LLC – a national human resources consulting firm that serves as an affinity partner for PPAI members. Claudia is an HR professional with 20 years' experience in global human resources, employee benefits, management consulting and communications. She specializes in strategic planning, employee engagement, organizational development, recruitment and executive career management.

    Claudia's prior experience includes serving as senior consultant for Mercer Human Resources Consulting, the nation's top HR consulting firm, in Washington DC and Geneva Switzerland, Vice President for People for POMCO Group, Manager of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association's National Labor Office and Senior Policy Associate for the AFL-CIO. She holds an undergraduate degree in employee benefits and labor relations from The American University and a master's degree in business and public administration from The George Washington University. She holds a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification and is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and maintains many certifications in workplace testing.

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  • Expo 2016: How To Navigate Brand: Where Promotional Products Meet Incentives!

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    A panel discussion with major industry representatives on how to get the most out of your time on the BRAND show floor, including a review of the different opportunities represented by exhibitors from the incentive marketplace.

    Join Sean Roark for this session how to navigate BRAND. A panel discussion with major industry representatives on how to get the most out of your time on the BRAND show floor, including a review of the different opportunities represented by exhibitors from the incentive marketplace.

    Sean Roark, CPIM

    Stage Manager, a corporate Marketing Director and Chief Operating Officer

    A true Renaissance man, Sean brings his expertise as a theatrical Stage Manager, a corporate Marketing Director and Chief Operating Officer in widely diverse companies such as a Broadway costume house, voice-recognition company and a web-based video conferencing service, to bear in everything he does. Listing his extensive experience does not begin to describe his marketing genius. Sean is able to see things that most are not, and he easily communicates these insights to our clients, large and small. Combining his gift with his managerial experience and creative talents, Sean brings unique and complete solutions to every client interaction.

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  • Expo 2016: Millennials: Maximizing Value To Your Organization Right Now

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    In this interactive session, connect directly with industry millennials about what they can do to step up and be leaders within their companies right now. The Millennial generation holds the key to future success within the industry. The knowledge and insight held by this group can increase company ROI and maximize industry awareness to the younger consumer market. Learn how to identify, vocalize, implement, and integrate the hidden talents and tools that your managers may not be aware of. You know what you are capable of; learn how to maximize your potential.

    Join Seth Barnett and Jessica Hutwelker for this interactive session. Connect directly with industry millennials about what they can do to step up and be leaders within their companies right now. The Millennial generation holds the key to future success within the industry. The knowledge and insight held by this group can increase company ROI and maximize industry awareness to the younger consumer market. Learn how to identify, vocalize, implement, and integrate the hidden talents and tools that your managers may not be aware of. You know what you are capable of; learn how to maximize your potential.

    Jessica Hutwelker, MAS

    Account Manager

    Jessica Hutwelker is the Account Manager for Sunrise Identity. She was previously Director of National Accounts at Match-Up Promotions based in Florida. Jessica has been in the promotional products industry since 2005 as a part of the team that has grown Match-Up's business from $6.4M in 2005 to $15.6M in 2013, placing Match-Up in the top 1% of distributors in the industry. Jessica was a recent speaker/panelist at the PPAI Leadership Summit and has been featured on two PromoKitchen podcasts, the first about Managing and Empowering the Millennial Employee and the second about Women's Empowerment.

    Seth Barnett

    Diversity Development and Engagement Manager

    Seth Barnett is the Diversity Development Manager for Promotional Products Association International (PPAI). As an advocate for the industry's marketplace success, he develops new ways for business to meet the growing demand of a diverse workforce and a changing consumer market. Barnett spent his first three years in the industry as the association's Government Relations Manager where he coordinated legislative and regulatory obligations for the industry. Barnett holds a bachelor's degree in management, a master's degree in public administration, and a master's degree in law. Barnett is a lecturer and tutor for Texas Christian University and has been a guest lecturer at Boise State University, Johnson & Wales University, the Florida Institute of Technology, and the College of Western Idaho.

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  • Expo 2016: Five-Sense Branding Strategy

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Savvy advertisers want products that have reach, recall and low cost-per-impression, and branded promotional items provide all that and more. In fact, promotional products are the only advertising medium that can engage all five senses. People can touch a soft logoed hoodie or savor delicious custom-branded chocolates. The right promotional product can give your clients advantages that simply aren

    Join Chris Piper for this session on five-sense branding. Savvy advertisers want products that have reach, recall and low cost-per-impression, and branded promotional items provide all that and more. In fact, promotional products are the only advertising medium that can engage all five senses. People can touch a soft logoed hoodie or savor delicious custom-branded chocolates. The right promotional product can give your clients advantages that simply aren

    Chris Piper

    President of Northwest Promotional Marketing Association and Regional Vice President, NW with Halo Branded Solutions

    Chris is President of Northwest Promotional Marketing Association and Regional Vice President, NW with Halo Branded Solutions. He is an active volunteer in our industry too – he currently is President of the Northwest Promotional Marketing Association (NWPMA) and is a certified advocate for PPAI as well as a past L.E.A.D participant. Chris has presented 5 Sense Branding Solutions to the Association of Luxury Suite Directors, Fan Loyalty Managers with national sports organizations. Business' such as Nike and Intel, small & medium sized businesses, and Universities have also appreciated Chris's education and case studies about the Promotional Products Industry as an effective advertising medium that targets all 5 senses of the consumer and employee. Chris advocates that, “Traditional Marketing can't work alone in this day of technology – Brands must escape the clutter, beat their chest, and engage the consumer to take an action. Savvy businesses want products that have REACH, RECALL, and LOW COST-PER IMPRESSION and the promotional product provides all that and more! The right promotional product, with a plan behind the branded product, can give your customers advantages that simply aren't available with other advertising media.” During Chris' interactive session, you'll hear case studies of what's worked and discover proven research that will help you create a customer sensory experience for your clients that will engage and motivate your client's customers to take action. Chris has 20+ years of hands on experience in the Promotional Products Industry and resides in Bend, Oregon

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    1 Point

  • Expo 2016: Stirring Your Creative Mojo: Ideas To Improve Marketing Quality And Sales

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.50 credits offered

    Ready or not, we are constantly faced with on-the-spot decisions or opportunities that call for quick creative thought. Far too many times we become our own worst enemy when we tell ourselves,

    Join Tee Hamilton for this session on stirring your creativity. Ready or not, we are constantly faced with on-the-spot decisions or opportunities that call for quick creative thought. Far too many times we become our own worst enemy when we tell ourselves,

    Tee Hamilton

    Artist/designer for CreativeAlchemy

    Tee Hamilton is a Florida based artist/designer providing design and marketing services to the Promotional Product Industry through her company CreativeAlchemy. Her work ranges from illustration, product design, graphic design, branding/brand management, media/technology design and development, copy/script writing, and marketing. For several years she has also worked very closely with many different Promotional industry Regionals such as SAAC, SAAGNY, PPAF, MIPPA and OPPA, and is a Promokitchen.com Chef.

    Before working in the Promotional Products Industry, Tee lived 11 years in Australia. She worked as a senior designer/art director for one of Australia's largest web/software firms, Sausage Interactive – working on projects for companies such as Telsta, Ansett Airlines, Grand Prix Racing, and as well for the Dalai Lama's tour of Australia. She had also designed over 300 toys for Skansen Giftware - Most notable was the popular line of collectable plush bears “Beanie Kids”, Australia's most popular collectable toy. She created toys for Hungry Jacks/Burger King, Make-a-Wish Foundation, and much more! Her work has been published in books, magazines and websites by many notable publishers such as Scholastic, Andrews McMeel, Lonely Planet, Universal Press Syndicate, Disney, and Barbie Magazine to name a few. Tee illustrated one of the first interactive comic series “AnimalHood” for VivoMoco in Australia which was a finalist for the Australian Interactive Media Industry Association (AIMIA) Best Children's Award.

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    1.5 Point

  • Expo 2016: Insights From Exceptional Industry Women Leaders

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Don’t miss this one hour, fast paced session filled with insights from some of the most accomplished women in our industry. This facilitated discussion will include questions about business development, entrepreneurship, leadership, and the future.

    Join Jo-an Lanz for this session on insights from exceptional industry women leaders. Don't miss this one hour, fast paced session filled with insights from some of the most accomplished women in our industry. This facilitated discussion will include questions about business development, entrepreneurship, leadership, and the future.

    Jo-an Lantz, MAS

    Chief Operating Officer, EVP and a member of the Board of Directors for Geiger

    Jo-an Lantz, MAS is Chief Operating Officer, EVP and a member of the Board of Directors for Geiger.  She represents Geiger as the sole US member of the international group WAGE (World Advertising Gift Exchange) serving on their Presidium as Secretary / Treasurer. She served as President for 6 years. WAGE is a 60 year organization with 21 members from 20 different countries.  She has served on a variety of different industry groups and associations including former Chair of the Board of Directors of PPAI.  Jo-an was inducted in the PPAI Hall of Fame in 2009. She is a former ASI International Person of the Year (2004), and a member of ASI Power 50, and the 2014 PPB Woman of Distinction.  Jo-an is an avid Fund Raiser serving on the PPEF Board twice, once as Chair.  She also works with a number of non-profits in training fund raisers in endurance events.

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    1 Point

  • Expo 2016: Best Of 2015-Differentiate Or Go Home: Setting Yourself Apart In A Crowded Market

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.50 credits offered

    In a crowded market how do you set yourself a part from the completion? If you are not different then you are indeed the same. This session helps you understand what makes you different, what is it about YOU that will make clients and prospects want to come back time and time again? The market continues to grow and the buyer pool continues to shrink…what will you do be seen as a viable resource? Come find out.

    Join Cliff Quicksell, MAS+ for this session on how to differentiate yourself.  If you are not different then you are indeed the same. This session helps you understand what makes you different, what is it about YOU that will make clients and prospects want to come back time and time again? The market continues to grow and the buyer pool continues to shrink…what will you do be seen as a viable resource? Come find out.

    Cliff Quicksell, MAS+

    CEO

    Cliff Quicksell, Jr., MAS+ has been involved in the promotional marketing and sportswear industries for 32 years. During this time he has achieved the MAS+ certification and has been actively involved in PPAI as a volunteer. Cliff’s He has served five terms as the education chairperson for the Chesapeake Promotional Products Association and is the recipient of several PPAI Pyramid Awards and PPAI Ambassador Speaker of the Year Awards. Cliff consults for and directs the marketing efforts for distributor iPROMOTEu.

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    1.5 Point

  • Expo 2016 Keynote: Beyond Me: Finding Your Way To Life's Next Level

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Through poignant, often humorous stories, you will discover the secrets to Melinda's success, finding practical help to overcome your own obstacles to achieve the next level in any area of life. Because she was tone deaf as a child, Doolittle's choir director would plead with her to just move her mouth and not let any sound come out. Undaunted, her love of singing drove her to enter a contest in the 7th grade and, miraculously, she won. Melinda began to realize that success in life was something bigger than her---or, as she puts it, 'It's beyond me!' She began setting and systematically reaching her goals, such as singing background vocals for her many of her favorite music artists. Then by an amazing turn of events, she burst onto the music scene with her flawless vocal performances on American Idol -- becoming the clear favorite of the show's most difficult judge, Simon Cowell. This session provides you a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of one of America's biggest pop culture phenomenon, American Idol, and how she turned that stress-filled environment into a springboard from which she could soar.

    Through poignant, often humorous stories, you will discover the secrets to Melinda's success, finding practical help to overcome your own obstacles to achieve the next level in any area of life. Because she was tone deaf as a child, Doolittle's choir director would plead with her to just move her mouth and not let any sound come out. Undaunted, her love of singing drove her to enter a contest in the 7th grade and, miraculously, she won. Melinda began to realize that success in life was something bigger than her---or, as she puts it, 'It's beyond me!' She began setting and systematically reaching her goals, such as singing background vocals for her many of her favorite music artists. Then by an amazing turn of events, she burst onto the music scene with her flawless vocal performances on American Idol -- becoming the clear favorite of the show's most difficult judge, Simon Cowell. This session provides you a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of one of America's biggest pop culture phenomenon, American Idol, and how she turned that stress-filled environment into a springboard from which she could soar.

    Melinda Doolittle

    Speaker songwriter

    Melinda Doolittle is a soul–stirring songstress. She is a flawless vocalist with irresistible artistry and effortless style compelling her audiences to keep listening. Tone deaf as a child, Melinda's choir teacher would plead with her not to sing, but just silently move her mouth. Undaunted, her love of singing drove her to enter a talent show in the seventh grade where she stunned the audience with her miraculously spot on vocals and beautiful voice. She never looked back!


    Melinda graduated with a Bachelors in Music from Belmont University in Nashville, TN. She became a highly sought after background vocalist singing for musical icons including Michael McDonald, Aretha Franklin, BeBe and CeCe Winans, Aaron Neville and Jonny Lang. Doolittle became a household name during season six of American Idol in 2007. She came in third in the voting, first with Simon Cowell calling her his “personal favorite” and quickly became the sweetheart of American Idol winning over the hearts of all with her stunning powerhouse vocals and her personal charm.

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    1 Point

  • Expo 2016 Keynote: Becoming Remember-able

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    “If you can’t create an emotional connection with your customers, you’re going to lose them”. In this entertaining, funny, and informative program, former Nashville songwriter and current SiriusXM Radio personality, Patrick Henry, will share three mindsets to building an extraordinary customer experience. Patrick is what happens when Keynotes, Comedy, and Concerts…Collide.

    “If you can't create an emotional connection with your customers, you're going to lose them". In this entertaining, funny, and informative program, former Nashville songwriter and current SiriusXM Radio personality, Patrick Henry, will share three mindsets to building an extraordinary customer experience. Patrick is what happens when keynotes, comedy, and concerts…collide.

    Patrick Henry

    Patrick Henry is a former Nashville songwriter and featured performer

    Patrick Henry is a former Nashville songwriter and featured performer on the Sirius XM Radio Family Comedy Channel and Blue Collar Radio. He will share original songs and laugh-out-loud stories from his book “The Pancake Principle: Seventeen sticky ways to make your customers FLIP for you, along with real world examples that show attendees the three mindsets to build an extraordinary customer experience.

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    1 Point

  • Expo 2016 Keynote: Regression Or Progression

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Six years post recession, how is the current recovery measuring up with past expansions? Will rising rates, a national election, slow growth and turmoil overseas tip the United States from progression to recession? In this presentation, finance expert Monica Mehta will explore the economic outlook in 2016 for consumers, businesses and investors facing turbulent times.

    Six years post recession, how is the current recovery measuring up with past expansions? Will rising rates, a national election, slow growth and turmoil overseas tip the United States from progression to recession? In this presentation, finance expert Monica Mehta will explore the economic outlook in 2016 for consumers, businesses and investors facing turbulent times.

    Monica Mehta

    a finance expert that offers cultural commentary on money

    Monica Mehta is a finance expert that offers cultural commentary on money — how it impacts the economy, politics and our ability to lead entrepreneurial lives. She is a managing principal at Texas based investment firm Seventh Capital with 16 years placing capital. She appears regularly as an economic commentator on CNN, CNBC, Fox News, Real Time with Bill Maher and has written for Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, INC and Entrepreneur Magazine. She is the author of the bestselling book 'The Entrepreneurial Instinct' (McGraw-Hill 2012).

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    1 Point

  • Expo 2016 Keynote: Make A Life, Not Just A Living: Overcome Fear, Harness Failure, And Tap Into Our True Mission To Solve The Big Problems Of Our Time

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Make A Life, Not Just A Living: Overcome Fear, Harness Failure, And Tap Into Our True Mission To Solve The Big Problems Of Our Time

    Join Casey Gerald for this session on how to overcome fear, harness failure, and tap into our true mission. 

    Casey Gerald

    Speaker

    Casey is the co-founder and CEO of MBA's Across America, a national movement of MBA's and entrepreneurs working together to revitalize America. He began his career in economic policy and government innovation at the Center for American Progress, and has worked as a strategist with startup social ventures, including Reboot and The Future Project, as well as companies like The Neiman Marcus Group.


    A native Texan, Casey received an MBA from Harvard Business School, and a BA in Political Science from Yale College, where he was a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship. He has been featured on MSNBC, in the New York Times, Financial Times, The Guardian, and other media outlets.


    Casey gave the commencement speech at the 2014 Harvard Business School graduation. The speech has gone viral and since then, he has been featured on the cover of Fast Company, which also named him one of the “Most Creative People in Business.” Casey serves on the advisory boards of the Aspen Institute's Franklin Project and NPR's Generation Listen, and has emerged as a voice of the Millennial generation for business, entrepreneurship, and finding your purpose.

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    1 Point

  • Expo 2016: PromoKitchen Presents: How To Compete In An amazon

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    A massive shift toward online selling is disrupting how end buyers are purchasing promotional products. The specter of Amazon looms large in our industry as they have single handedly changed customers' expectations about buying online. Today, the online segment is the fastest growing space in the industry and it's challenging many traditional business models. This session is designed to help distributors rethink their business models in an age when buying online is the norm, not the exception. Presenters will share what they have learned when it comes to earning--and retaining--customers in this digital age.

    Join Mark Graham and Danny Rosin for this session on how to compete in an amazon world. A massive shift toward online selling is disrupting how end buyers are purchasing promotional products. The specter of Amazon looms large in our industry as they have single handedly changed customers' expectations about buying online. Today, the online segment is the fastest growing space in the industry and it's challenging many traditional business models. This session is designed to help distributors rethink their business models in an age when buying online is the norm, not the exception. Presenters will share what they have learned when it comes to earning--and retaining--customers in this digital age. 

    Mark Graham

    Founder of Rightsleeve.com

    Mark Graham is the founder of RIGHTSLEEVE.COM, one of the industry's leading web based promotional products distributors. Mark's online marketing strategy has allowed RIGHTSLEEVE to scale, enhance margins as well as provide a point of differentiation within a crowded and mature industry.

    RIGHTSLEEVE is the National winner of the Dell Small Business Excellence Award, an honor presented to businesses that use technology in innovative ways to enhance customer experience and company growth. In 2011, Mark was named Distributor Entrepreneur of the Year (Counselor Awards). In the same year, he was inducted into ASI's Hot List and PPAI's Rising Stars.

    Mark has been featured in several major media publications on his approach technology and social media, including PPB, Counselor Magazine, Stitches and Advantages. Mark has presented multiple times on web marketing and social media best practices to promotional industry professionals across North America (PPAI Expo, ASI Chicago, ASI San Diego, PPPC, MAPPA, SPPA, Promo East, Partnering Group, NALC, ASI Power Summit).

    Danny Rosin, CAS

    Co-owner

    Danny Rosin is co-owner of Brand Fuel, Inc. He is a longtime industry professional who has served on a number of PPAI committees and presented at North American Leadership Conference as a featured speaker. Rosin is a co-founder of PromoKitchen and has served as president of CAAMP, his regional association. In his community, Rosin volunteers with the Jamie Kirk Hahn Foundation, Operation Smile International, and Band Together, of which he is a co-founder. Additionally he has been a speaker at the North Carolina Emerging Issues Discovery Forum and a member of the NC State University Centennial Campus Vision Project. Rosin and his wife have two daughters.

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    1 Point

  • Expo 2016 Keynote: Invisible Or Remarkable - Notes From The Revolution

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Bestselling author Seth Godin talks about ideas that spread, doing work that matters and making an impact in revolutionary times.

    Bestselling author Seth Godin talks about ideas that spread, doing work that matters and making an impact in revolutionary times.

    Seth Godin

    Speaker

    Bestselling author Seth Godin talks about ideas that spread, doing work that matters and making an impact in revolutionary times.

    Seth Godin, bestselling author, blogger and agent of change. Godin, the founder of altMBA.com, was recently inducted into the Direct Marketing Hall of Fame, one of three chosen for this honor in 2013. His latest book, What To Do When It's Your Turn (And It's Always Your Turn), uses new ideas in format and distribution to challenge people to step up and do work that matters.


    Before his work as a writer and blogger, Godin was vice president of direct marketing at Yahoo!, a job he got after selling them his pioneering 1990s online startup, Yoyodyne.

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    1 Point

  • Expo 2016: Millennials In The Workplace: Tips For Managing Your Multi-generational Workforce

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Times are changing. Older workers (Traditional and Baby Boomers) are delaying their retirement just as Millennial workers are entering the workforce. Multi-generational workplaces are enriching, dynamic and often fraught with conflict and challenge. This session explores the basic differences and similarities between each generational group and offers ideas on how to improve collaboration and teamwork.

    Join Claudia St. John in the session Expo 2016: Millennials In The Workplace: Tips For Managing Your Multi-generational Workforce. Times are changing. Older workers (Traditional and Baby Boomers) are delaying their retirement just as Millennial workers are entering the workforce. Multi-generational workplaces are enriching, dynamic and often fraught with conflict and challenge. This session explores the basic differences and similarities between each generational group and offers ideas on how to improve collaboration and teamwork.

    Claudia St John, SPHR

    President of Affinity HR Group, LLC

    Claudia St. John is President of Affinity HR Group, LLC – a national human resources consulting firm that serves as an affinity partner for PPAI members. Claudia is an HR professional with 20 years' experience in global human resources, employee benefits, management consulting and communications. She specializes in strategic planning, employee engagement, organizational development, recruitment and executive career management.

    Claudia's prior experience includes serving as senior consultant for Mercer Human Resources Consulting, the nation's top HR consulting firm, in Washington DC and Geneva Switzerland, Vice President for People for POMCO Group, Manager of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association's National Labor Office and Senior Policy Associate for the AFL-CIO. She holds an undergraduate degree in employee benefits and labor relations from The American University and a master's degree in business and public administration from The George Washington University. She holds a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification and is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and maintains many certifications in workplace testing.

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    1 Point

  • EXPO 2015: LEARN FROM THE PROS: Managing a Sales Force and Operating a Small Distributorship

     Contains 3 Component(s), 2.00 credits offered

    This session will teach the day-to-day running of a small distributorship and how to hire, train and manage a sales force in a small distributorship.

    Join Danny Friedman for this session on learning from the pros. This session will teach the day-to-day running of a small distributorship and how to hire, train and manage a sales force in a small distributorship.

    Danny Friedman

    Sales Trainer

    Danny Friedman has over 25 years of sales experience and is a multi-million-dollar producer. Friedman's clientele include some of the top companies in the Fortune 500. Friedman combines his promotional products industry experience with other industries he has been in, including office products, real estate and being a multi-line representative in the sporting goods industry. He has been a sales manager and sales trainer for the past 12 years.

    Laura Forbes, MAS

    Former president of Zebra Marketing Corp

    Laura Forbes, MAS, recently retired after 33 years in the promotional products business. Laura who served as president of Memphis, Tennessee distributor Zebra Marketing Corp grew her company from a single location in Jackson, Mississippi, to an organization with almost 30 representatives in eight states.Forbes, whose involvement in the industry includes serving on the PPAI and Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF) boards, as well as numerous committees and task forces, an ASI Woman of Distinction honoree and a founding member of The Partnering Group, continues to manage several client relationships for Zebra Marketing.

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    2 Points

  • EXPO 2015: Manage Your Cash Flow Every Day

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Everyone knows they need positive cash-flow to run a business. This session will provide the tools to manage cash-flow to avoid unpleasant surprises and improve your quality of sleep.

    Join John Schimmollier for this session on how to manage your cash flow every day. Everyone knows they need positive cash-flow to run a business. This session will provide the tools to manage cash-flow to avoid unpleasant surprises and improve your quality of sleep.

    John Schimmoller

    Chief Operating Officer of Certified Marketing Consultants, LLC

    John Schimmoller, CPA is Chief Operating Officer of Certified Marketing Consultants, LLC. John has been involved in various aspects of finance for over 30 years. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Accounting from Ohio Northern University. He qualified as a CPA in the state of Ohio while employed by the international accounting firm KPMG Peat Marwick. He has been active in evaluation, valuation and negotiation of mergers and acquisitions throughout his career. John has been involved with the operations of both supplier and distributor companies in the Promotional Products Industry for over 20 years.

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    1 Point

  • EXPO 2015: Ten Critical Mistakes That Distributors Should Avoid

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Distributors are sales machines. Often they make management / operational mistakes that are detrimental to the business. This session will identify 10 common mistakes and how to avoid them.

    Join Jamie Watson for this session on 10 critical mistakes distributors should avoid. Distributors are sales machines. Often they make management / operational mistakes that are detrimental to the business. This session will identify 10 common mistakes and how to avoid them.

    Jamie Watson, MAS, CPA

    Senior Financial Analyst for Certified Marketing Consultants, LLC

    Jamie Watson, MAS, CPA is Senior Financial Analyst for Certified Marketing Consultants, LLC. Jamie has been involved various aspects of Finance and Accounting for over 12 years. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Business Administration from Stetson University and then earned her Masters of Accountancy from Manchester College. She qualified as a CPA in the state of Indiana where she worked for the regional accounting firm of Alerding & Co., LLC. Jamie has been involved in the consulting of both supplier and distributor companies in the Promotional Products Industry for over 7 years. Jamie has earned the CAS designation from PPAI and the BASI designation from ASI.

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    1 Point

  • EXPO 2015: Selling Direct Mail As A Promotional Product

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    This session will detail: What is Direct Mail? How to sell direct mail as an extension of promotional products. Overcoming fear of selling mail services and mail products. Convincing your existing customer base that as a promotional products professional you are qualified to help them with their direct mail needs. Basics of direct mail and available mailing options. Available USPS products that fit the promotional products mold.

    Join Scott Perry for this session on selling direct mail. This session will detail: What is Direct Mail? How to sell direct mail as an extension of promotional products. Overcoming fear of selling mail services and mail products. Convincing your existing customer base that as a promotional products professional you are qualified to help them with their direct mail needs. Basics of direct mail and available mailing options. Available USPS products that fit the promotional products mold.

    Scott Perry

    Director of Pre-Production Services at TradeNet Publishing

    As Director of Pre-Production Services at TradeNet Publishing, Scott is directly involved in the development, production and distribution of an array of printed promotional products. With 15 years of industry experience, Scott presides over the TradeNet Mail Services Department. This full service mail house specializes in making it easy and economical for distributors to put mailed promotions into the hands of target audiences and deals with all aspects of direct mail promotions including production, list development, pre-sorting and fulfillment.

    With a strong management and sales background, Scott is an experienced presenter whether in front of an audience or conducting webinars. He attended both the University of Kansas and Emporia State University. Scott is currently an active member of the Editorial Advisory Council of PPB Magazine.

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    1 Point

  • EXPO 2015: Troubleshooting And Coaching Sales Performance

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.50 credits offered

    Sales Managers think that their job is about hiring, firing, and counting numbers. That's not true. The most critical skill of sales management is the ability to coach and troubleshoot performance issues with sales reps. If you'd like to know how to continually develop your sales reps to perform at higher and higher levels, this program is for you! This workshop will demonstrate and transfer these skills to your attendees. Topics covered: 1)Quantitative vs. Qualitative analysis; how to spot the problem (or the opportunity) 2)The effective coaching call; setting the stage and the right in-call behaviors 3)The one thing you MUST do to coach effectively (and it might be the hardest thing for you to do) 4)Effecting behavioral change by persuading your salespeople 5)Why your top salespeople should be coached at least as much as your bottom salespeople. And more!

    Join Troy Harrison for this session on coaching sales performance. Sales Managers think that their job is about hiring, firing, and counting numbers.That's not true. The most critical skill of sales management is the ability to coach and troubleshoot performance issues with sales reps. If you'd like to know how to continually develop your sales reps to perform at higher and higher levels, this program is for you! This workshop will demonstrate and transfer these skills to your attendees. Topics covered: 1)Quantitative vs. Qualitative analysis; how to spot the problem (or the opportunity) 2)The effective coaching call; setting the stage and the right in-call behaviors 3)The one thing you MUST do to coach effectively (and it might be the hardest thing for you to do)4)Effecting behavioral change by persuading your salespeople 5)Why your top salespeople should be coached at least as much as your bottom salespeople. And more!

    Troy Harrison

    Sales Manager

    Troy Harrison & Associates is owned and operated by Troy Harrison. Troy has been a top salesperson and sales manager for over fifteen years, and has turned around territories and entire sales forces. While working for a national managed services provider, he turned one of the company's worst sales forces into a two-time consecutive National Champion, with six President's Club salesperson awards and two National Champion Sales Manager awards. From there, he has worked as a “turnaround specialist," producing dramatic annual growth in sales and profitability. A track record of consistent overachievement against quota, and a thirst for selling knowledge, has produced one of America's finest sales consultants and trainers.


    In 2008, Troy authored “Sell Like You Mean It! – Outselling Your Competitors by Understanding Your Customers," which has sold over 5,000 copies nationwide and was a nominee for the 2008 Axiom Business Book of the Year Award. Troy has become a recognized leader in the sales training profession. He is sought out by leading publications such as Selling Power Magazine, Sales and Marketing Magazine, as well as high profile websites like CareerBuilder.com and the Wall Street Journal's digital network for advice and insight as to the state of the selling profession.

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    1.5 Point

  • Expo 2015 Keynote Luncheon: Revenue Through Relationships With Troy Hazard

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.50 credits offered

    In a world of connectivity, why is it that we sometimes fail to really ‘connect’ as humans? In our personal lives we all enjoy relationships that revolve around authenticity, honesty, openness, vulnerability, and respect. Yet in business we often treat the development of key relationships as a mechanical, somewhat technical event, as opposed to an emotional bond with another person. Why? Given the new normal for business is faster, better, yesterday, it’s no surprise that the way we interact with our customer base has changed. However, the core reason for them wanting to connect has not. Troy Hazard will demonstrate how to develop effective and efficient strategies to embrace the true emotion of a relationship in business and harness that with the technology we have come to rely on so heavily. He will offer real world examples of what he has done in his businesses to not only stay relevant to his customer base, but also remain significant, in turn facilitating extraordinary growth.

    In a world of connectivity, why is it that we sometimes fail to really 'connect' as humans? In our personal lives we all enjoy relationships that revolve around authenticity, honesty, openness, vulnerability, and respect. Yet in business we often treat the development of key relationships as a mechanical, somewhat technical event, as opposed to an emotional bond with another person. Why? Given the new normal for business is faster, better, yesterday, it's no surprise that the way we interact with our customer base has changed. However, the core reason for them wanting to connect has not. Troy Hazard will demonstrate how to develop effective and efficient strategies to embrace the true emotion of a relationship in business and harness that with the technology we have come to rely on so heavily. He will offer real world examples of what he has done in his businesses to not only stay relevant to his customer base, but also remain significant, in turn facilitating extraordinary growth.

    Troy Hazard

    Former International President of the elite Entrepreneurs’ Organization, on their Global Board

    Troy Hazard There are few situations in the business world that our next speaker has not experienced and survived. He is a serial entrepreneur, who has founded and nurtured eleven businesses over two decades, and has consulted to countless successful companies around the world over the last 20 years. He has also been a 'leader of leaders', having served as International President of the elite Entrepreneurs' Organization, on their Global Board. Troy now shares his experiences through his speaking engagements, his television talk show, and his books. His most recent, Future-Proofing Your Business is an Amazon Business Bestseller.

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    1.5 Point

  • Expo 2015 Keynote Luncheon: A Live PromoKitchen Interview with Mark Graham and Bobby Lehew, CAS

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Join us for a very special PromoKitchen podcast live recording featuring two of the most successful leaders in the industry.

    Join us for a very special PromoKitchen podcast live recording featuring two of the most successful leaders in the industry, SanMar's Marty Lott and Geiger's Jo-an Lantz, MAS. PromoKitchen Chefs Mark Graham and Bobby Lehew sit down with Marty and Jo-an to chat about more than just profits and progress, taking the discussion beyond the top line or the bottom line and getting to the heart what really matters: life, values, and finding meaning in a fast-paced, always-on, high-risk world. A transparent conversation over coffee that will inspire and encourage you to kick off your selling year in a way that brings authenticity and value to what you do.

    Mark Graham

    Founder of Rightsleeve.com

    Mark Graham is the founder of RIGHTSLEEVE.COM, one of the industry's leading web based promotional products distributors. Mark's online marketing strategy has allowed RIGHTSLEEVE to scale, enhance margins as well as provide a point of differentiation within a crowded and mature industry.

    RIGHTSLEEVE is the National winner of the Dell Small Business Excellence Award, an honor presented to businesses that use technology in innovative ways to enhance customer experience and company growth. In 2011, Mark was named Distributor Entrepreneur of the Year (Counselor Awards). In the same year, he was inducted into ASI's Hot List and PPAI's Rising Stars.

    Mark has been featured in several major media publications on his approach technology and social media, including PPB, Counselor Magazine, Stitches and Advantages. Mark has presented multiple times on web marketing and social media best practices to promotional industry professionals across North America (PPAI Expo, ASI Chicago, ASI San Diego, PPPC, MAPPA, SPPA, Promo East, Partnering Group, NALC, ASI Power Summit).

    Bobby Lehew

    Chief Content Officer at commonsku

    Bobby Lehew is the Chief Content Officer at commonsku, a cloud-based CRM, order management, and social collaboration platform designed for the promotional products industry by promotional product experts. A 25-year industry veteran, Bobby was formerly the CEO at Robyn, a branded products fulfillment company that specialized in private-label, e-commerce company stores. A PPAI Gold Pyramid Award winner, a PPAI Silver Technology recipient, an Addy Award recipient, and recognized (in his work with Robyn) three years in a row by Inc. Magazine as one of the 5,000 fastest growing private companies in the U.S., Bobby is a national speaker on topics related to B2B marketing, company stores, productivity, and storyselling. Featured in ASI’s Counselor magazine as one of “41 people who are shaking up the market with new and innovative approaches” (2010) and in OKC Biz magazine’s “Forty Under 40″ (2009), Bobby is an ardent bibliophile and loves working at the intersection of art and commerce. 

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    1 Point

  • Expo 2015: Making Money Through And Online Advertising

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    Many of your clients know that they should be using social media to promote their businesses, but they don’t have the knowledge or time. They also want to know how they can calculate ROI. Joseph G. Scott, added social media services to his company’s sales offerings in 2007 and will show you how to do the same.

    Many of your clients know that they should be using social media to promote their businesses, but they don't have the knowledge or time. They also want to know how they can calculate ROI. Joseph G. Scott, added social media services to his company's sales offerings in 2007 and will show you how to do the same.

    Joseph Scott

    Founder

    Joseph Scott co-founded Scott & Associates, Inc. with his wife Katie in 1993. Second generation joined company in 2009. Selling Principal: $25 million + in career Promotional Products sales. Joe has transitioned his Distributorship into an Agency that gets paid for their time and the results that they generate for their clients. He makes his living selling Promotional Products and Advertising Services. Public Speaking is a fun, side-business.

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    1 Point

  • Best of EXPO 2014: Double Sales, Double Profit, Double The Fun

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.00 credit offered

    In this session, you will learn first and foremost how to change your perspective and attitude in selling and the sales process. You will also be able to identify the critical resources needed to maximize results in growing sales and profits.

    Join Greg Muzzillo for this session on sales. It is all a matter of perspective, attitude and results. In this session, you will learn first and foremost how to change your perspective and attitude in selling and the sales process. You will also be able to identify the critical resources needed to maximize results in growing sales and profits. Whether you are new to this industry or a seasoned professional, you will walk away from this session with a fresh outlook on sales, a new or renewed passion to at least double your sales and profits, and the secrets to making it all fun. Participants will learn the top 3 secrets to making selling fun, the 7 critical steps to earning new customers, as well as the 5 tools you MUST have to differentiate yourself from the competition and position yourself for success.

    Greg Muzzillo

    Founder

    Greg Muzzillo founded Proforma in 1978 as an industry distributor. Within five years he built the company from zero to several million in sales. By the mid 1980's Proforma had been recognized by Inc. magazine as an Inc. 500 fastest growing company three years in a row as Muzzillo grew his distributorship to more than $25 million in annual sales.

    In the late 1980's Proforma introduced its membership program to enable distributors to retain their business ownership and independence. This enabled them to share in sales and marketing resources, purchasing power with industry suppliers, one back office including all billing, accounting, vendor payments, cash flow, computer systems and more.

    Today, Proforma has more than 750 members with more than $400 million in sales. Proforma has more than 100 members of its Million Dollar Club and more than 40 members of its Multi-Million Dollar Club. In 2012, eight Proforma Owners earned a spot on Inc. magazine's list of the 5000 fastest-growing, private companies in America.

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    1 Point

  • EXPO 2014 Keynote Luncheon: Resilient And Ready - Thrive Through Challenge and Change

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.50 credits offered

    Today's marketplace requires the ability to adapt during change and thrive despite the challenges that occur. Valorie Burton will help you understand how to create the building blocks of resilience so you can bounce back from setbacks, withstand pressure and maintain a positive perspective and navigate disappointments in a way that makes you better, not bitter. Using practical takeaways and application steps, Valorie will equip you with a survival toolkit to face any challenge that comes your way!

    Today's marketplace requires the ability to adapt during change and thrive despite the challenges that occur. Valorie Burton will help you understand how to create the building blocks of resilience so you can bounce back from setbacks, withstand pressure and maintain a positive perspective and navigate disappointments in a way that makes you better, not bitter. Using practical takeaways and application steps, Valorie will equip you with a survival toolkit to face any challenge that comes your way!

    Valorie Burton

    Bestselling author, speaker and life coach

    Valorie Burton is a bestselling author, speaker and life coach dedicated to helping people get unstuck and become unstoppable in every area of life. She is the founder of The Coaching and Positive Psychology (CaPP) Institute and has served as a Certified Personal and Executive Coach to hundreds of clients in more than 40 states and 10 countries.Valorie is a regular guest on the TODAY Show, appearing monthly to coach viewers on life and career challenges. She has also appeared on the Dr. Oz Show, CNN, HLN and hundreds of other radio and television shows. As a speaker, she has inspired audiences for GE, McDonald's, Goldman Sachs, State Farm, Wells Fargo, BlueCross BlueShield and hundreds of others. Valorie has a master's degree in applied positive psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and a master's degree in journalism from Florida A&M University. She has a bachelor's degree in international affairs from Florida State University.

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    1.5 Point

  • EXPO 2014 Keynote Luncheon: Survive and Thrive for the Future - A Glimpse At Three Models For Growth

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.50 credits offered

    Walk through the three important models to consider for your business and learn how to market your business to not merely survive these turbulent times but to stay live and thrive.

    Radical change has seized our industry in the form of technology, direct selling, and a volatile refinements in buyers' behaviors. It's no secret seismic shifts in strategy are occurring and the most successful distributorships are shoring up their value propositions in ways that will ensure future success. Join us in this keynote session as Mark Graham, of RIGHTSLEEVE and Bobby Lehew, of Robyn Promotions walk through the three important models to consider for your business and learn how to market your business to not merely survive these turbulent times but to stay alive and thrive.

    Mark Graham

    Founder of Rightsleeve.com

    Mark Graham is the founder of RIGHTSLEEVE.COM, one of the industry's leading web based promotional products distributors. Mark's online marketing strategy has allowed RIGHTSLEEVE to scale, enhance margins as well as provide a point of differentiation within a crowded and mature industry.

    RIGHTSLEEVE is the National winner of the Dell Small Business Excellence Award, an honor presented to businesses that use technology in innovative ways to enhance customer experience and company growth. In 2011, Mark was named Distributor Entrepreneur of the Year (Counselor Awards). In the same year, he was inducted into ASI's Hot List and PPAI's Rising Stars.

    Mark has been featured in several major media publications on his approach technology and social media, including PPB, Counselor Magazine, Stitches and Advantages. Mark has presented multiple times on web marketing and social media best practices to promotional industry professionals across North America (PPAI Expo, ASI Chicago, ASI San Diego, PPPC, MAPPA, SPPA, Promo East, Partnering Group, NALC, ASI Power Summit).

    Bobby Lehew

    Chief Content Officer at commonsku

    Bobby Lehew is the Chief Content Officer at commonsku, a cloud-based CRM, order management, and social collaboration platform designed for the promotional products industry by promotional product experts. A 25-year industry veteran, Bobby was formerly the CEO at Robyn, a branded products fulfillment company that specialized in private-label, e-commerce company stores. A PPAI Gold Pyramid Award winner, a PPAI Silver Technology recipient, an Addy Award recipient, and recognized (in his work with Robyn) three years in a row by Inc. Magazine as one of the 5,000 fastest growing private companies in the U.S., Bobby is a national speaker on topics related to B2B marketing, company stores, productivity, and storyselling. Featured in ASI’s Counselor magazine as one of “41 people who are shaking up the market with new and innovative approaches” (2010) and in OKC Biz magazine’s “Forty Under 40″ (2009), Bobby is an ardent bibliophile and loves working at the intersection of art and commerce. 

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    1.5 Point

  • EXPO 2014 General Session: Delivering Happiness with Tony Hsieh

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.50 credits offered

    Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos.com and author of Delivering Happiness, was The PPAI Expo 2014 keynote speaker. Hsieh leads Zappos.com, a company that has enjoyed tremendous success for its capacity to define and instill value-based principles in an innovative way by putting one’s community first. In his energetic and motivational keynote, Hsieh will welcome The PPAI Expo attendees to his home city of Las Vegas to share his unique perspective on how Zappos fosters its culture, creative ways to align an organization around core values, the “wow effect” as a marketing strategy and how to build a business model around happiness. Tony is applying his very successful Zappos corporate culture model to help build the most community-focused large city in the world in the place you would least expect it: downtown Las Vegas. With his new $350 million Downtown Project, Tony is creating a unique hybrid of corporation, community and city to drive productivity and innovation both for Zappos and for the city itself.

    Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos.com and author of Delivering Happiness, was The PPAI Expo 2014 keynote speaker. Hsieh leads Zappos.com, a company that has enjoyed tremendous success for its capacity to define and instill value-based principles in an innovative way by putting one's community first. In his energetic and motivational keynote, Hsieh will welcome The PPAI Expo attendees to his home city of Las Vegas to share his unique perspective on how Zappos fosters its culture, creative ways to align an organization around core values, the “wow effect” as a marketing strategy and how to build a business model around happiness. Tony is applying his very successful Zappos corporate culture model to help build the most community-focused large city in the world in the place you would least expect it: downtown Las Vegas. With his new $350 million Downtown Project, Tony is creating a unique hybrid of corporation, community and city to drive productivity and innovation both for Zappos and for the city itself.

    Tony Hsieh

    CEO of Zappos.com and author of Delivering Happiness

    Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos.com and author of Delivering Happiness

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    1.5 Point

  • Expo 2013 Keynote Luncheon: Do More With Less

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.50 credits offered

    The fact is: we are all forced to do more with less – fewer staff, declining resources, and 40 hours of stuff to do in a 24-hour day. This can really wear us down! What to do? Sure you can waste energy complaining, but how productive is that!? Be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Christine will share the secret to getting what you want with what you’ve got, and she’ll show you that you have what it takes right now to make a difference in your workplace and your life.

    Join Christine Cashen for this session on how to do more with less. The fact is: we are all forced to do more with less – fewer staff, declining resources, and 40 hours of stuff to do in a 24-hour day. This can really wear us down! What to do? Sure you can waste energy complaining, but how productive is that!? Be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Christine will share the secret to getting what you want with what you've got, and she'll show you that you have what it takes right now to make a difference in your workplace and your life.

    Christine Cashen

    University admissions officer, corporate trainer and broadcaster

    Before hitting the speaking scene, Christine Cashen was a university admissions officer, corporate trainer and broadcaster. Christine holds a Bachelors Degree in Communication and a Masters Degree in Adult Education. She is a member of the National Speakers Association and is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP). CSP is an earned designation awarded by the National Speakers Association and the International Federation for Professional Speakers to recognize demonstrated commitment to the speaking profession through proven speaking experience. Fewer than 10% of the speakers on the planet hold this designation. What makes her unique is the “real” factor. Whether talking about her “hottie engineer” husband, pet peeves or growing up in an Italian/Irish household, audience members can relate to her experiences, struggles and lessons. She combines a down-to-earth attitude with a colorful artistic streak. Comments from audience members such as “I feel like I've known her forever,” “we must take her back to our workplace” and “it felt as if Christine was speaking directly to me,” are a testament to her effectiveness and style.

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    1.5 Point

  • EXPO 2012 Keynote Luncheon: Capture the Mindshare and the Market Share Will Follow

     Contains 3 Component(s), 1.50 credits offered

    A guide for you to powerfully articulate your brand so you stand out from the crowd and achieve the success you desire.

    Executive coach, brand strategist and bestselling author Libby Gill shows you how to create distinctive brands based on your unique gifts and authentic customer value. As the former head of PR & communications for Universal, Sony & Turner Broadcasting

    Libby Gill

    A corporate entertainment veteran

    A corporate entertainment veteran, Libby Gill held senior management positions in public relations and communications at Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal Studios and Turner Broadcasting, and was also the branding brain behind the launch of the Dr. Phil Show. During her 15-year Hollywood tenure in an industry known for cutthroat competition, she survived more than a dozen management restructures, transitions and takeovers. Yet with each change, Libby positioned her company to maintain their competitive edge – and emerged as a leader herself.

    Rising rapidly up the corporate ladder, Libby moved from office temp to C-suite division head in just five years. She will share her leadership strategies with her proven “Clarify, Simplify & Execute” process and guide you to create bold leaders at every level of your organization.

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    1.5 Point