Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), Irving, Texas, the not-for-profit association for more than 8,500 member companies of the $16.5 billion promotional products industry, announced that its board of directors has named Paul Bellantone, CAE, as president and chief executive officer, effective July 1, 2011. Bellantone’s appointment highlights the association’s commitment to build and maintain a strong and dynamic management team by capitalizing on proven assets from within the organization’s leadership.
He succeeds long-time president and CEO, G. Stephen Slagle, CAE, who announced in April his intention to retire in January 2012 from PPAI after serving the association for more than 15 years.
“As the industry’s leading authority, it is crucial that we maintain consistency in our operating philosophy, our delivery capabilities and our focus on attracting members and serving their needs,” said Eric E. Ekstrand, MAS, board chairman of PPAI. “With our planned growth, it is imperative we have someone dedicated to making sure the association is best positioned to help our industry maximize its place as a highly effective advertising medium. I am pleased knowing Paul is that person.”
Bellantone will work directly with the senior management of the association to lead the growing promotional products association, serving more than 8,500 member companies throughout North America. He will play a pivotal role in the further advancement of the promotional products industry and work closely with the leadership team and the board of directors to enhance strategy, operations, and project management and performance improvement of the association.
“PPAI has become the industry’s largest international not-for-profit promotional products membership association by leveraging the critical thinking of its volunteers, leadership team and talented staff to drive breakthrough results for the industry and its members,” said Bellantone. “I’m excited for the opportunity to support PPAI’s future growth as we continue to help our industry become a preferred medium among advertisers.”
Bellantone’s history with PPAI began in 1998, when he joined the association as director of exhibitions and meetings. In that position, he rebuilt the association’s exhibitions and meetings department, developing and implementing a number of sweeping pre-show and on-site operational enhancements.
After leaving for a short tenure at the International Association for Exhibitions and Events, where he served as vice president of conventions and exhibitions, Bellantone returned to PPAI in 2001 as vice president of marketing and communications. In 2004, he assumed the role of vice president of marketing and business development. Bellantone has served as executive vice president of the association since 2007. In his time at PPAI, he has developed and implemented departmental and association-wide strategic, business and financial plans to achieve the vision, mission and goals of the association.
He 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.
For more information, visit www.ppai.org.
