More than 200 attendees, including AIA owners, suppliers and employees, headed to the mountains this month for AIA’s annual National Sales Meeting.
Held in Park City, Utah, at the Grand Summit Hotel, the AIA community convened for four days of learning and networking focused on personal and professional growth. Owners participated in curated experiences and events, providing direct access to AIA’s tools, technology and resources–all geared to propel their growth through marketing, innovative business solutions and personalized coaching.
“It was amazing to experience the energy and collaboration of our tight-knit AIA Community during our time together in Park City,” said Matt Gresge, CEO of AIA Corporation. “This meeting is an opportunity for our owners to take a step back, look at the big picture and map a plan for continued success with AIA by their side. I am constantly impressed by the caliber of our owner and supplier partners, and the tenacity they possess in this competitive industry.”
Guest speakers included Tim Andrews, president and CEO of the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), who provided attendees with a state of the industry and spoke to the strong need for the industry to make technological advancements when it comes to tracking orders.
Additionally, Alice Heiman, a nationally-known author, speaker, coach and sales expert, spoke with owners about the important role that mindset, skill-set and tool-set play in driving growth. She spoke specifically about closing big deals and helped owners understand how the brain can power their selling, and how their choices change the way they sell for the better.
“From the opening session to the guest speakers, the entire event carried such a positive tone,” said Dean York, owner of PMG Plus. “It was well run and informative. And it was clear that the entire AIA management team has a solid understanding of the industry, listened to owners’ needs and acted on them.”
Strengthening relationships with AIA suppliers was also a key focus of the event. This includes AIA’s top 12 MVP suppliers who attended: alphabroder/Prime Line, SanMar, S&S, Hit Promotional Products, Gemline, Showdown, iClick, Bic Graphic, Sweda, Hub Promotional
Products, PCNA and The Magnet Group.
AIA owners met one-on-one with more than 25 MVP Suppliers to discuss fourth-quarter selling strategies and trends for the year ahead. In addition, they toured the SnugZ manufacturing facility, participating in assembly, screening and other hands-on activities.
2019 AIA National Sales Meeting Awards
AIA celebrated a year of success with an award ceremony recognizing owners and suppliers who exemplify AIA’s core values and more than 75 owners who achieved sales milestones, including:
Lifetime Achievement Award
In honor of former AIA CEO David Woods, this award recognizes individuals who show passion, leadership and commitment to the AIA community.
- Joe Miller, LogoTools
- Traye Fuqua, AIA/Promote Your Brand
- John King, LogoMotions
- Steve Condon, Branded Merchandise Group
- Debbee Poché, Promotions ‘N Motion
- Kent Dyer, Tarheel Promotions, Inc.
- Neil & Lori Rogers, Rogers Marketing
AIA Hall of Fame Award
Recognizes individuals who have been a part of AIA for 15 or more years and have had a positive compound annual growth rate for five or more years.
- Kit Jones, Platinum Promotions
- Neil & Lori Rogers, Rogers Marketing
Multimillion Dollar Summit Award
Recognizes owners who billed over $2 million in the past calendar year.
- Kent Dyer, Tarheel Promotions, Inc
- Kit Jones, Platinum Promotions
- Jim & Carrie Peterson, Branding Stop
- Bob Simmons, NDS
- Corey Cline, Baymare Promotional Group, LLC
- Larry Arntz, Arntz Promotions
- Bill Swertfager, Promotional Source
- Debbee Poché, Promotions ‘N Motion
- Delisa Laterzo, Touchmark Promotions, Inc.
- Sonya Clark and Heidi Weber, GF Advertising
- Adam Parker and Kevin Rollins, Next Play Promotions, LLC
- Maria Perez, Effective Promos
- Neil and Lori Rogers, Rogers Marketing
Heavy Hitter Award
Recognizes the salesperson who had the largest dollar volume of sales in 2018.
- Eric Mapes, Baymare Promotional Group LLC
Velocity Award
Recognizes the top three fastest growing owners, represented by at least 20 percent year-over-year growth.
- Delisa Laterzo, Touchmark Promotions, Inc.
- Mindy Moss, Moss Marketing
- Debbee Poché, Promotions ‘N Motion
“Excelleration” Award
Recognizes the top three owners who increased their sales by 10–19 percent year-over-year.
- Kimberly Karp, KK Promotions
- Jim and Carrie Peterson, Branding Stop
- Norma and Robert Roberts; Cody and Kaitlin Williams, The Roberts Group
Momentum Award
Recognizes the top three owners who increased their sales by 5-9 percent year-over-year
- Peggy O’Donnell, Mid-Valley Promotions
- Maria Perez, Effective Promos
- Bob Wilson, Legacy Promotional Group/AIA
Platinum Supplier Awards
- Largest year-over-year percentage growth – AAA Innovations
- Largest year-over-year dollar growth – SanMar
Gold Supplier Awards
- Largest year-over-year percentage growth – Terry Town
- Largest year-over-year dollar growth – Hub Promotional Products
Silver Supplier Awards
- Largest year-over-year percentage growth – Logo Mats LLC
- Largest year-over-year dollar growth – AP Specialties
Workplace Engagement Award
Recognizes engagement with the AIA Workplace Community in 2018
- Goldstar
For more information on AIA, visit www.aiacommunity.com.
