In response to the growing need to create awareness about industry legislation, Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), Irving, Texas, announced it has formed a 13-member Government Relations Action Council (GRAC). The special interest group will assist the efforts of PPAI lobbyists, the regional association legislative committees and staff in influencing legislation and regulations affecting the promotional products industry.
“We have placed highly visible industry practitioners from around the country on this council who have agreed to dedicate time and energy to protect the promotional products community,” said chair Eric Ekstrand, MAS, senior vice president, The Mort C. McClennan Co.
Council members are Barbara Dail, MAS, The Creative Solution; Dale Denham, MAS, Advertising Specialty Institute; Eric Ekstrand, MAS, The Mort McClennan Co.; Molly Ginish, Imagery III; Wing Hughes, MAS, Forrester-Smith; Cheryl Landman, MAS, PSIncentives; Dale Limes, MAS, HALO/Lee Wayne; Steve Meyer, MAS, Molenaar LLC; Mary Elizabeth Murphy, Carolinas Association of Advertising and Marketing Professionals; Geoffrey Patack, Broadway Marketing; Margie Price, MAS, Premiums Plus; Phil Sibinski, MAS, Philip J. Sibinski, Inc.; and Anthony Stover, MAS, Promo Marketing.
Currently, the council is focused on legislation now before both the house of representatives and the senate that would require all manufacturers of covered drugs, devices or medical supplies to disclose payments (or any other “transfer of value”) made to a physician, a physician medical practice or a physician group practice—including promotional products.
“Our concern is that if every item must be reported, the reality is simple: Many companies will opt to give nothing of value, rather than report each item. If this bill is passed in its current form, it could have a staggering economic impact on our industry, on the small business owner, on you,” said Ekstrand.
“It is vitally important that everyone in the industry take action now,” continued Ekstrand. “Go to www.ppailaw.org to send an e-mail to your senators and representative. It is critical that they know that these bills, as written, will profoundly harm the promotional products industry. Once you take action, please encourage others to do so as well.”
For more information on PPAI, visit www.ppai.org.
