St. Louis-based Promotional Products Association of the Midwest (PPAM), recently held its Passing of The Gavel ceremony to install its 2007 president.
Becky Blair, marketing coordinator at Dunbrooke, was handed the “gavel” from current PPAM president, Wendy Franklin, president of Franklin Promotional Group, signifying her installation as the organization’s 2007 president. This is the second time in PPAM history that the president has been from the Kansas City area. Historically, the leadership has come from St. Louis.
When asked what goals she has for PPAM in 2007, Blair said, “My first goal is to continue to provide benefits to our members, such as great education, quality networking events and a fabulous tradeshow. We annexed Nebraska last year, so we are focusing on building our membership in that area and providing them with the same great benefits we provide our other members.”
As for the organization’s long term goals, Blair said, “Our long term goal is grow to be one of the ‘big boys’ of regional associations, such as SAAC or SAAGNY. That doesn’t happen overnight or even in a few years, but it does start with baby steps.”
Blair, who will serve a one-year term as the organization’s president officially beginning in January, praised the efforts of the outgoing president. “Without Wendy, the 2006 Board of Directors and Karen, our executive director, PPAM would not be where it is today—successful and growing,” said Blair. “Wendy’s leadership and countless hours of hard work was the key to our success.”
Throughout the past year, Blair said PPAM’s Board of Directors worked hard to continue its efforts after cutting ties with its former management company. As a result, the organization has hired an executive director, updated its database and established committees for its Conversation Cafes, its Web site, membership, marketing, education and trade shows.
“We were doing some of these things, but we took them all to the next level,” noted Blair. “There is an excitement in the air when you attend a PPAM event. We are thankful for previous board members who gave us a great foundation to build on.”
The 2007 Board of Directors is evenly split between male and female, supplier and distributor and Kansas City and St. Louis members. Bill Wilder of The Vernon Company and Ted Fueh of Incentives International have joined the Board. PPAM has 219 member companies in the states of Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri.
For more information, call (314) 487-2166 or visit www.ppam.org.
