Sunbelt Promotional Products Association News

AAF District 7 Spring Conference

Ashanti Pretlow — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:25:04 GMT

AAF DISTRICT 7 SPRING CONFERENCE

“Ad Country”

April 12-14, 2012 • Nashville, TN

Information Current as of March 29, 2012

REGISTRATION:

Full Registration Early Bird $350 (by March 15^th)

Full Registration $375 (after March 15^th)

Full registration includes admission to the District ADDY Awards, Governor’s Gala, Welcome Reception, Pub Crawl, breakfast and lunch events on Friday and Saturday, all seminars and meetings.

AAF Nashville Member Registration $275 (by March 15^th)

AAF Nashville Member Registration $300 (after March 15^th)

Includes everything that the full registration does.

Student Registration $50

Student Registration includes admission to the Welcome Reception, NSAC Competition, boxed lunch on Friday, and the Salute to Students breakfast on Saturday. Tickets to the District ADDY Awards are not included in this price.

Friday All Day Pass (AAFN Member) $150

Friday All Day Pass (Non-Member) $175

This pass includes admission to the breakfast with Bridgestone, luncheon with Taylor Swift’s marketing manager, the District ADDY Awards, and all seminars and meetings on Friday.

District ADDY Awards $65

District ADDY Awards (students) $45

Covers your admission to the District ADDY Awards on Friday night, April 13^th at Cadillac Ranch. Heavy hors d’ oeuvres will be served. Special guests – The Jugg Sisters!

Friday Luncheon (AAFN Member) $35

Friday Luncheon (Non-Member) $50

Covers your admission to the luncheon on Friday, April 13^th at the Hilton. The guest speaker will be Michael Sloane, the digital marketing manager and web designer for Taylor Swift.

Governor’s Gala $65

Covers your admission to the Governor’s Gala on Saturday night, April 14^th at the Pinnacle Building. Dinner, dancing and live entertainment.

Observer (no meals or evening events) $200

As an observer you can attend only the meetings and seminars. Meals and evening events are not included.

HOTEL:

Hilton Downtown Nashville, 121 Fourth Avenue South, Nashville ,TN

The Hilton Downtown is offering a rate of $179 per night plus tax. Rooms must be reserved by March 13^th, 2012 to guarantee this rate and availability.

Make reservations online at http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/B/BNANSHF-AAF-20120412/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG

or call: 615-620-1000. Be sure to use group code AAF when making your reservations.

The Hilton Nashville Downtown hotel is the only AAA 4-Diamond, full-service, all-suite luxury hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. Named "America's Friendliest City" by Travel & Leisure magazine, Nashville truly has it all, rich music history, vibrant nightlife and legendary culture. Experience the Hilton Nashville Downtown hotel, located in the heart of Nashville, featuring luxurious accommodations and amenities in a convenient setting:

Across the street from the new Music City Center (opening early 2013)
Located in the heart of downtown Nashville, TN
Across the street from the Nashville Convention Center
Next door to the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Bridgestone Area, & the Schermerhorn Symphony Center
One block from the historic Ryman Auditorium, former home of the Grand Ole Opry
A short walk to the "Entertainment District" and legendary Second Avenue with a variety of honky-tonks, restaurants, shops and nightclubs
Only 15 minutes from Nashville International Airport (BNA)
Within blocks to LP Field, home of the Tennessee Titans
Only a few minutes to famed Music Row

Whether traveling to Tennessee for a business trip, vacation, corporate meeting or convention, from the moment you pull up to our meticulously landscaped three-acre park, enter our atrium lobby and gaze upon our breathtaking grand staircase, you'll know that the Hilton Nashville Downtown hotel offers an experience unlike any other.

Each of the 330 guest suites are beautifully decorated, offering modern conveniences and services with a special touch of southern elegance. The spacious living area and separate bedroom feature The Hilton Serenity Collection™ including The Serenity Bed and The Serenity Bath.

The Hilton Nashville Downtown offers savory dining options with four unique restaurants including:

The Palm Restaurant - the world-renowned steak and seafood house
THE sportsgrille - with 35 high-definition plasma TV's to watch your favorite sports team while enjoying mouth-watering appetizers and entrees
Parkview Café & Lounge - serving the finest coffee and your favorite martini or cocktail in casual sophistication
MarketStreet - where a bountiful breakfast is served with our famous Tennessee hospitality

The Hilton hotel in downtown Nashville, Tennessee will make the most of your stay in Music City with first class amenities including:

Full-service concierge desk
24-hour business center
High-speed wireless Internet access
Indoor pool and Precor® cardio fitness center
On-site Enterprise car-rental desk
Gift shop

The Hilton Nashville Downtown offers an experience unlike any other; combining luxury and comfort with premium value.

SCHEDULE:

All events are at the Hilton Downtown Nashville unless otherwise noted. Off site events are within walking distance.

Thursday, April 12th

Noon - 5pm Registration

3pm - 5pm Executive Committee

5pm - 6pm Tour of Hatch Show Print (limited to 20) (@ Hatch Show Print)

5:30pm - 6pm NSAC Advisors Meeting

6pm - 8pm Welcome Reception

6:15pm - 7:15pm NSAC Judges Orientation

8pm - ?? Pub Crawl

Friday, April 13th

7am - 4pm Registration

7am - 5pm NSAC Competition

8am Vendor Area Opens

8:30am - 10am Opening Breakfast

“Super Bowls and Super Stars”

Speaker: Michael Fluck, director, brand and retail marketing for Bridgestone

10:30am - 11:30am Professional Development

“Ignite Your Brand With Promotional Products”

a panel discussion led by Paul Bellantone, president and CEO of Promotional Products Assoc. International

10:30am - 11:30am Professional Development - TBA

10:30am - 11:30am Club Management

“How to Create Multi-Cultural Alliances for Club Diversity”

a panel discussion led by Lisa Howe, executive director of the Nashville GLBT Chamber

10:30am - 11:30am Regional Directors Meeting

Noon - 1:30pm Lunch

“A Swift Rise to the Top”

Speaker: Michael Sloane, digital marketing manager & web designer for Taylor Swift

2:00pm - 3pm Professional Development

“Lifting Lives and ROI”

Speaker: Peter Brown with G7 Entertainment

2:00pm - 3pm Professional Development - TBA

2:00pm - 3pm Club Management

“Using Public Service to Raise Awareness and Money for your Club”

Speaker: Judi Barnes, AAF Nashville public service chair

2:00pm - 3pm Council of Presidents

3:30pm - 4:30pm Alabama State Meeting

3:30pm – 4:30pm Songwriter’s Sessions with Billy Dean (tentative)

4:30pm - 5:30pm Governor's Reception

5:00pm - 6:00pm Tour of Hatch Show Print (limited to 20) (@ Hatch Show Print)

6pm - 7pm NSAC Celebration & Winners Announcement

7pm - 9:30pm District ADDY Awards “Denim & Diamonds” (@ Cadillac Ranch)

9pm - 3am Hospitality Suite

Saturday, April 14th

7:30am - Noon Registration

8am Vendor Area Opens

8:30am - 10:30am Breakfast

“Salute to Students”

presentation by winning NSAC team; scholarship presentation, recognize Student ADDY Best of Show

10:45am - 11:45am Professional Development

“It Takes an Army to Build a Brand”

Speaker: Kerry Kessler, iostudio, account supervisor for Army National Guard account

10:45am - 11:45am Professional Development

10:45am - 11:45am Club Management

“How to Win Club Achievement for Government Relations”

Speaker: Whit Adamson, District 7 Government Relations Coordinator

10:45am - 11:45am President Elect Meeting

Noon - 1:30pm Club Achievement Luncheon

“Branding Country Music – It’s All About the Fans!”

Speaker: Sheri Warnke, senior vice president of marketing & communications for the

Country Music Association (CMA)

2pm - 3:00pm District Board Meeting

3:15pm - 4:30pm Tour of Historic Ryman Auditorium (@ Ryman Auditorium)

7pm Governor's Gala (@ Pinnacle Building)

9pm - 3am Hospitality Suite

Sunday, April 15th

7:30am - 10am Farewell Brunch

KEYNOTE PROGRAMS:

Super Bowls and Super Stars

Friday Breakfast, 8:30am – 10:00am

Speaker: Michael Fluck, director, brand and retail marketing, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations

Over $3million for a television commercial? Really? Combine that investment with the sponsorship of the Super Bowl Halftime Show featuring performers like the Black Eyed Peas and Madonna and you really expect to get some return on that investment. Come hear first hand from one of the Super Bowl advertisers on how they measure that return, not only on the Super Bowl, but also their sponsorships of the PGA, NFL and NHL. You’ll also get a rare glimpse of the making of this year’s Super Bowl commercial and Halftime Show.

A Swift Rise to the Top

Friday Lunch, Noon – 1:30pm

Speaker: Michael Sloane, digital marketing manager and web designer, Taylor Swift

As one of the most successful female country artists in the last 10 years, Taylor Swift’s rise to the top of social media was almost as quick as her rise to the top of the country music charts. She was one of the first artists to use Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc. and her fans followed her by the millions. The music industry has made a huge evolution in the past several years – from only seeing the stars on stage and TV and buying their merch at a concert to huge e-commerce stores and interacting with them via social media. She has used digital marketing to grow her legion of fans and whether you like her music or not, you can definitely learn some marketing and business lessons from Taylor Swift.

Branding Country Music - it's all about the fans!

Saturday Lunch, Noon – 1:30pm

Speaker: Sheri Warnke, senior vice president of marketing and communications, Country Music Assoc. (CMA)

The numbers don't lie - the country shares a deep and abiding love for Country Music. From coast to coast, across income brackets and in big and small towns it is clear Americans connect with Country. The Country Music Association knows that the brand of Country is based on one simple premise - it's all about the fans. See how they apply this thinking into everything they do for promoting Country Music.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS:

Tours of Hatch Show Print

Thursday, Friday and Saturday – 5-6pm

Only 20 people each day. Please sign up for your slot at the registration desk.*

You’ve seen the unmistakable posters and heard the program, now is your chance to get a behind-the-scenes tour of one of the oldest working letterpress print shops in America. Jim Sherraden will lead you on this tour and give you a little tonic for the information age.

*Even if you can’t go on the tour, you can still shop at Hatch. They are open from 9-5 Monday-Friday, and 10-5 on Saturday.

Ignite Your Brand With Promotional Products

Friday – 10:30-11:30am

Lifting Lives & ROI

Friday – 2-3pm

Speaker: Peter Brown, director of client services for G7 Entertainment Marketing

Are you trying to breathe new life into a client’s existing program or event? Come hear how ConAgra Foods’ “Child Hunger Ends Here” campaign with Feed American got hip to how infusing entertainment content can take the program up a notch. You’ll learn key ways to rethink your client’s existing investments… whether it’s a cause, a sporting event, or a sampling tour.

It Takes an Army to Build a Brand

Saturday – 10:45-11:45am

Speaker: Kerry Kessler, account supervisor for Army National Guard, iostudio

CLUB MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS:

How to Create Multi-Cultural Alliances for Club Diversity

Friday – 10:30-11:30am

Great ideas can come from anywhere, right? So what can you do to create a stronger and more diverse club membership, while also learning tips on strengthening advertising and marketing messages to specific minority markets? This colorful topic isn’t simply black and white. A panel discussion will cover every spectrum of this issue.

Using Public Service to Raise Awareness and Money for Your Club

Friday – 2-3pm

Speaker: Judi Barnes, public service chair, AAF Nashville

Oh Law! Or How to Win Club Achievement for Government Relations

Saturday – 10:45-11:45am

Legislation, taxes, freedom of speech, lobbying. Yuck. You’re in advertising, not politics. But being aware of pending legislation and knowing how to help keep restrictive laws away from the advertising field are critical. This is a lively presentation (no kidding!) that will help make government relations interesting and offer advice you can use to win this club achievement category.

SPEAKERS:

Whit Adamson, government relations coordinator, AAF District 7

Judi Barnes, public service chair, AAF Nashville

Paul Bellantone, president and CEO, Promotional Products Association International (PPAI)

Paul Bellantone, CAE, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Promotional Products Association International, the not-for-profit association for more than 10,000 member companies of the $16.5 billion promotional products industry. He is committed to the advancement of the promotional products industry through visibility, viability and credibility. As President and CEO of 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 communications, has helped PPAI reach 10,000 members in 2011, an annual growth of 30 percent.

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.

Peter Brown, director of client services, G7 Entertainment

Peter Brown brings more than 16 years experience in the event and experience marketing industry. He is successful in executing and providing talent booking, entertainment content and sponsorship programs to clients including KC Masterpiece BBQ Pit Wagon Tour, CoverGirl Presents Taylor Swift’s “Speak Now” Tour, Camp Jeep, the Keith Urban “Escape Together” Tour with Kingsford Charcoal and KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce, the Clorox 2 “See to Believe” Tour, Country Financial Presents “Road Trips and Guitar Picks” Tour with Jason Aldean and Jewel.

Michael Fluck, director, brand and retail marketing, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations

Lisa Howe, executive director, Nashville GLBT Chamber of Commerce

Lisa Howe sparked a local and national debate last year on workplace discrimination and helped to change a private school’s discrimination policy. She is the first-ever executive director for the Nashville GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender) Chamber of Commerce. Howe, a former soccer coach at Belmont University, was vaulted into the national spotlight after she “came out” to share with her team that her partner was due to have a baby. A week later she left her job. Her new responsibilities at the Chamber include oversight and management of day-to-day operations, membership recruitment and retention, corporate partnership development, calendar development, recruitment and oversight of volunteers, and the development and execution of an annual fundraiser.

Kerry Kessler, account supervisor for Army National Guard, iostudio

Jim Sherraden, manager, curator, and chief designer, Hatch Show Print

A Kansas native and Nashville resident since 1977, Sherraden joined forces with Hatch in 1984. He helped revive the store’s past success by concentrating on its poster production and revisiting the imaginative method of letterpress printing. Using a process called letterpress that dates back to the 15^th century, each unique creation is individually handcrafted and inked onto paper, producing posters that through the years have been established as a downtown Nashville landmark. The Hatch posters and Sherraden’s original works re-examine the aesthetic impact of American entertainment and revisit the curiously colorful world of dancing girls, politics and music. Since 1992, Sherraden has also been creating original artwork based on Hatch Show Print’s shop archives.

Michel Sloane, digital marketing manager and web designer, Taylor Swift

Sloane began his journey as a banker and later a bank consultant, prior to a masters degree in business with the focus on entertainment. Through publishing, management, road management, and label gigs, he learned that the future of the music industry was online. Post MBA, Sloane worked with echomusic prior to and post Ticketmaster acquisition as a Client Manager for roughly 40% of the company’s roster. Moving on from echo, Sloane took a Senior Client Management with Ultrastar Entertainment | MusicToday both wholly owned by Live Nation. It was at that time he got to see, first hand, the famed 360 deals, and further his skills in marketing and client management, before leaving Live Nation to become a founding partner of Strategic Blend.

Sheri Warnke, senior vice president of marketing and communications for CMA

Sheri Warnke has been a tireless and dedicated supporter of Country artists and their music for nearly three decades. Her passion for the format, industry, and fans is clearly visible in every aspect of her position as CMA’s Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications. She is a brand ambassador, a strategic thinker, and an advocate for Country Music and CMA’s high-profile initiatives CMA Music Festival and the annual CMA Awards.

“Sheri’s vast experience and commitment to excellence make her a tremendous asset to the organization and a dynamic leader,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “She is a strong, passionate voice for Country Music and our industry.”

As CMA Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Warnke has direct oversight of several departments including Communications, Community Outreach, Membership and Balloting, Research, Strategic Marketing, Strategic Partnerships, and CMA’s vast online and social platforms. She is instrumental to the success and continued growth of CMA’s core events including CMA Music Festival, which is held in June and taped for a three-hour television broadcast on ABC; the CMA Awards, which are known as “Country Music’s Biggest Night™”; and CMA’s latest television venture, “CMA Country Christmas,” which also airs on ABC.

“We are fortunate to have such rich, diverse platforms for reaching consumers and representing every aspect of the Country Music format,” Warnke said. “Our Festival has a daily attendance of 65,000 people from every state and around the world; the Awards are the crown jewels for our industry; and ‘Country Christmas’ represents the themes and traditions which are at the heart of our deep connection to the fans.”

Warnke, who joined CMA in 2010, is a senior media and marketing executive with more than 27 years of national experience in magazine publishing, national advertising, entertainment and music marketing, experiential marketing, and event promotion. She has produced results in a variety of key areas including music, automotive, liquor, tobacco, and travel and tourism.

She is a respected leader in the industry and a frequent guest speaker at conferences and industry summits across the U.S. She served on the Board of Directors of the Country Music Association, Leadership Music, TJ Martell Foundation, and Gilda's Club, as well as maintaining memberships in organizations including the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, NARAS, and the National Advertising Federation.

Warnke was the Nashville-based representative for MS&L, one of the world’s leading communications firms, before joining CMA as the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, where she was responsible for securing and maintaining corporate sponsors/partners. She was promoted to her expanded role as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communication in March, 2012.

Her previous experience includes more than 15 years in high-level consumer magazine publishing roles – including four years as the VP/Group Publisher of Country Weekly and Country Music Magazine.

SPONSORS:

Singing Cowboys:

Lithographics

Promotional Products Association International (PPAI)

Coal Miners Daughters:

Athens Paper

DVL

Mindmatter Creative

Parris Printing

Tru Color Litho

Outlaws:

BOHAN Advertising | Marketing

Corrugated Container Corporation

Miami Ad School

OrangeApple Branding Boutique

Chocolate Inn / Taylor & Grant’s 2012 combined catalog is now available

Ashanti Pretlow — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:01:23 GMT

Chocolate Inn / Taylor & Grant’s 2012 combined catalog is now available -- featuring a combined and expanded product line, new world-famous Partner Brands (Godiva®, Lindt®, Jelly Belly® and Sheets®) and delicious new treats!

FREEPORT, NY; MILTON, ON

March 30, 2012, Chocolate Inn/Taylor & Grant (ASI: 44900; UPIC: CHOCINN; SAGE: 50684, PPPC: 920802) is excited to announce its new 72-page 2012 Catalog is available to distributors in both U.S. and Canadian pricing versions.

Featuring over 700 products, the 2012 Catalog includes:

• Broadest year-round product selection in the food category: mints, chocolates,

confectionery, wrapped candies, food gifts and more!

• State of-the-art direct imprinting methods: 1-to-4 color process

• Hundreds of Customized Chocolates

• New Partner Brands: Godiva®, Lindt®, Jelly Belly® and Sheets®

• New Products: Imprinted Truffles, Mini Custom Wrapper Bars, New Wrapped Candy

Selections and more!

“The 2012 Catalog is the culmination of the past several months of effort in getting these two great lines combined to deliver a unified presentation of over 700 products. This is our first combined catalog and we’re very excited to get it into the marketplace” said David Miller, President of Chocolate Inn.

“Joining forces has created the #1 supplier of year-round food gifts to the promotional products industry throughout North America,” added Dundee Staunton, President of Taylor & Grant. “We do so much more than decorate existing products. Our manufacturing and custom packaging capabilities are second-to-none and we adhere to the strictest food safety standards.”

To view the U.S. digital catalog, please click: http://www.zoomcatalog.com/catalogs/chocolate-inn-taylor-grant-2012

To view the Canadian digital catalog, please click: http://www.zoomcatalog.com/catalogs/chocolate-inn-taylor-grant-cdn-2012

About Chocolate Inn / Taylor & Grant

Chocolate Inn / Taylor & Grant is the largest North American year-round food gifts manufacturer to the promotional products industry. The Company produces over 700 customized food gift items -- from mint tins to wrapped candies to customized chocolates to food gifts and more! -- with a broad range of 1-to-4 color direct imprinting methods. Our Partner Brands range from the finest brands in specialty candy - Godiva®, Lindt®, Jelly Belly® - to the hottest new energy strip phenomenon, Sheets®. Chocolate Inn / Taylor & Grant’s award-winning customer service team is proud to be a 5-star ASI supplier and to have captured numerous Promo Marketing, Counselor, PPAI and other industry accolades.

For more information on the Chocolate Inn, visit www.chocolateinn.com and for Taylor & Grant, please go to www.taylor-grant.com.

Impact the Hill From Home—Join PPAI L.E.A.D. Online

Ashanti Pretlow — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 21:04:11 GMT

Industry Leaders,

Did you know the promotional products industry is headed to Washington, D.C. for the third annual PPAI Legislative Education and Action Day (L.E.A.D.)? March 7-8, promotional products professionals will be on Capitol Hill participating in nearly 250 meetings with key members of Congress. And, you can join your voice with ours without ever leaving your office.

1. Click L.E.A.D. Online for a summary of the issues we’ll be addressing in Washington, D.C. By following the links on this site, you’ll be able to send messages directly to your member of Congress. It takes three minutes to send these two letters … and, just imagine the difference it will make.

2. Encourage others to follow your example by spreading the message through your social media channels using #ppaileadundefinedwe’ve even provided the posts for you.

3. Track our progress on Twitter as we work our way through the halls of Congress. Follow @PPAILegislative and @Bellantone. Or, search for #ppailead. Be sure to retweet updates for your industry followers.

This year’s L.E.A.D. is going to be another powerful event; I hope you’ll join us as we make an impact on Washingtonundefinedtake action online in 2012, in person in 2013!

Thank you in advance for your support -

Paul Bellantone
#ppailead; @Bellantone

Invitation to bid - several promotional product items

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:24:53 GMT

Lake County Florida has an invitation to bid on several promotional product items including Die Cut Handle Bag, Golf Tee, Lanyard, Luggage Tags, Neck Wallets, and Pens.

Bid/RFP Number: 12-0414

Response Deadline: 2/16/2012 3:00:00 PM

Project Title: Promotional Items

Status: Open

Department: Procurement Services

Visit this web page for all items to view the invitation and attachments:
http://www.lakecountyfl.gov/departments/county_manager/procurement_services/bid_details.aspx?bid_number=12-0414

PPEF 2012 Scholarship Period Opens With Historic $1 Million Scholarship Program Goal

Ashanti Pretlow — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:01:35 GMT

PPEF 2012 Scholarship Period Opens With Historic $1 Million Scholarship Program Goal

The Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF) expects 2012 to be a historic year for the foundation; its scholarship program’s cumulative lifetime awards are anticipated to exceed the $1 million mark.

PPEF is an industry-based nonprofit organization that raises money to help students achieve their higher education goals. PPEF was founded to recognize and encourage scholastic ability and academic performance among promotional products industry employees and their children. Since its inception in 1989, PPEF has awarded approximately $942,000 in financial assistance.

Funded by PPAI and donations from the promotional products industry, the scholarship program enables young people and professionals to continue their education on a collegiate level. The Association and industry patrons have a long-standing commitment of service to the promotional products industry, and this fund supports those who demonstrate the same commitment.

Last year, 66 new and 28 renewal scholars were awarded $100,000 in scholarships. Scholarships were awarded to a total of 94 outstanding promotional products industry employees or their children who displayed remarkable academic achievement, extracurricular participation and community service.

The 2012-2013 scholarship application period is now open and the submission deadline is March 15, 2012. To learn more about the PPEF scholarship program, as well as for application forms and guidelines, visit www.ppef.us. Application information can also be obtained by contacting Sara Besly at SaraB@ppai.org. Winners of the scholarships will be announced in May.

CPSC Issues Recall On Lunch Boxes, Food Carriers Due To Poisoning Hazard In Freezer Gel Packs

Ashanti Pretlow — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:57:17 GMT

CPSC Issues Recall On Lunch Boxes, Food Carriers Due To Poisoning Hazard In Freezer Gel Packs

According to Promotional Products Business, "on January 23, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that in cooperation with California Innovations, Inc. (UPIC: CALINNOV), a Toronto, Ontario-based company, it was issuing a voluntary recall for two of the suppliers' products: an insulated lunch box with a freezer gel pack and a thermal food carrier kit, also with a freezer gel pack.

Please note: it is the freezer gel packs that are the reason for the recall, not the lunch boxes/food carriers themselves.

PPB goes on to say, "Suppliers and distributors offering products that use freezer gel packs should prepare for the potential of increased CPSC scrutiny."

Read the full story at PPB.

Breaking Bad Habits

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:17:26 GMT

From Promotional Consultant Today:

"Sales are sometimes generated out of habit, and that habit can be very annoying when a prospect or customer is ordering from someone else, and not you. They are using the competitor as a "default source." It's easy, but in reality, there's no real loyalty."

Read on for tips on breaking those habits and creating customer loyalty.

RFP for Plastic Carry Bags

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:16:48 GMT

This quotation will only be accepted until 5 p.m., Friday, January 20, 2012.
THIS IS NOT AN ORDER
Please quote on the following items on a NET-DELIVERED BASIS:
1. 58,000 ea. Plastic Carry Bags – reinforced die-cut handle; 12” x 16” x 3” (approx.); 2.5 mil; clearly marked #4 LDPE recyclable; white bag with 5 color PMS (black + 4 PMS matches); same artwork front and back, artwork approx. size 9 ¼ “ X 6 ½”. Camera ready art will be provided. Plastic Carry Bags are to be...

Access full RFP.
Access amendment document.

RFP Tee Shirts Granbury Independent School District

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:23:27 GMT

GRANBURY INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
600 W. BRIDGE, SUITE 6
GRANBURY, TEXAS 76048
REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SEALED PROPOSAL
The Granbury Independent School District is accepting competitive sealed proposals as specified in this document for an annual contract to provide tee shirts and miscellaneous clothing items ...

Read entire RFP.

RFP University of Tennessee

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:55:53 GMT

Due Date: 1/6/2012
1,000 White short sleeved polo shirts with logo

Access complete RFP.

RFP MIT Academy Uniform Patches

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:15:48 GMT

MIT Academy Uniform Patches

What: iron-on embroidered patches
Size: 3-5 inches x 3-5 inches
Quantity: 5,000 and 10,000 (separate quotes)
Logo: simplified Griffin/Shield logo - please email dlamb@mitacademy.org for exact logo to be used.

Additional details/contact info: http://www.mitacademy.org/business

The "Original" Showtime Showcase

Ashanti Pretlow — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:43:39 GMT

The ‘Original’

SHOWTIME

Accept No Substitutes!

Come see the longest running show

In the entire Southeast

Absolutely Free of Charge!!!

**WE ARE THE ORIGINAL**

SHOWTIME REPS

Steve Seifert, Mark Heidmann, Toni Prophitt, Steve Rater,

Mike Burky, Kimberly Burky, Jim McKinley, Jim Spencer, David Friedman,

Jack Friedman, Todd Peppler, Jamie Hudson, Karin Otterstrom

Lines include:

SanfordB2B: Paper Mate, Sharpie, Expo, uni-Ball, Quill, Parker, Waterman,

Maple Ridge Farms, Weatherproof, Pro-Innovative, Chocolate Inn, Haas-Jordan,

Express-A-Button, American Ad Bag, Barrington Mfg. Inc, Halls & Co/ID Line,

Payne Publishers, Preston Farms, Suntex, TradeNet, Apollo East, Bulldog Packaging,

Humphrey, Thermoserv, Rainkist, Golden-Pacific, Pencoa, Midnite Snax, Key-Bak,

Cedar Crest Mfg, Terry Town, Elliot Barry, Zorrel Int’l, Bishop Garment, ETS Express,

Vertical Source, Warwick/ Winthrop Atkins, The Chest/ The Repo Line, Hirsch Gift,

Modern Glass/Windsor Awards, Shepenco, Quikey, Guild line, Compass Industries,

DLX/Pamcolite, Leprechaun, Headwear Professionals, Pentel, Coaster Stone, Egrips,

Allen Colorcraft/Camelbak, MV Sport, Better Life Line, Sports Systems Bags, SAMCO,

Ready 4 Kits, K&R, Jornik, Reflect Me, Metropak, Spirit Line, Woodco,

The Magnet Group (Magnet LLC, Innovations, The Bag Factory,

Benchmark Clocks, Benchmark Crystal,)

See the best reps in the South with the top lines

NEW 2012 products, Specials, Giveaways, Catalogs

WHEN:

ALL TIMES 10-1

WHERE:

Birmingham

Wednesday, January 11

Cahaba Grand Conference Center

3660 Grandview Parkway

Birmingham, AL. 35243

Click here to view the flyer!

Branding with the Stars

Ashanti Pretlow — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 22:50:29 GMT

Branding with the Stars

Supplier Showcase

Thursday, January 12

Cahaba Grand Conference Center

3660 Grandview Parkway

Birmingham, AL 35243

9:30am - 2:00pm

Click here to download the PDF with full information.

Javier Galloza, SPPA Past-President, is now a CAS!

Ashanti Pretlow — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 09:59:28 GMT

Javier Galloza, CAS, of Optimum Promotional Products, Llc, Harvest, AL, passed the certification examination administered by Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) to receive the CAS industry certification.

The Master Advertising Specialist (MAS) and Certified Advertising Specialist (CAS) are the promotional products industry’s only professional designations. They are acquired through combined years of activeness in the industry, completion of rigorous course curriculum, industry contributions and other criteria. Individuals with MAS/CAS certification are recognized as industry leaders -those who have attained a superior standard of professionalism, knowledge and experience.