iPROMOTEu, the distributorship based in Wayland, Mass., hosted its biennial Affiliate Forum from June 24 to-26 in Boston. Nearly 150 of iPROMOTEu’s top affiliates attended the forum and were treated to an array of educational and professional development programs. Speakers from top promotional products companies and organizations, including PPAI’s president and CEO Paul Bellantone, gave presentations. Other speakers included Jim Epstein, chief development officer of Polyconcept; Jonathan Isaacson, president of Gemline; Paul Lage, president and CEO of Gill Studios; Tom Myers, CEO of Broder Bros.; Bonni Shevin-Sandy, president of Dard Products/Tagmaster; and Dana Zezzo, chief marketing officer of Jetline. iPROMOTEu’s own sales and marketing consultant Cliff Quicksell also spoke.
“The 2012 iPROMOTEu Affiliate Forum was the best industry event I have ever attended,” said Melinda Fontaine of iPROMOTEu affiliate Logic Branding. “Spending time with other affiliates, iPROMOTEu staff, and preferred suppliers was the most valuable networking opportunity I have ever experienced.”
In addition to listening to industry suppliers, Forum attendees heard first-hand from a panel of promotional products buyers from several different industries on what it is that promotional products buyers really want. The buyers discussed their buying behavior and what’s important to them.
On the second day of the forum, iPROMOTEu hosted a private trade show at which more than 100 of iPROMOTEu’s preferred suppliers exhibited. The exhibitors offered special deals and valuable coupons exclusively to iPROMOTEu affiliates who attended the forum.
In addition to the top-notch education sessions and an exclusive trade show, iPROMOTEu coordinated two amazing evening events for all attendees and participating suppliers. The first event took place on June 24 at the Top of the Hub Skywalk Observatory on the 50th floor of the Prudential Center. Guests took in breathtaking views of the city and enjoyed an interactive concert by the city’s best dueling pianists during the dinner party.
The next evening, forum attendees met at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. The spectacular venue provided a stunning backdrop for the evening’s events which included self-guided tours of the museum, entertainment from a local jazz quartet and a traditional New England lobster dinner.
Over 300 people, including affiliates, suppliers, prospective affiliates and iPROMOTEu staff, attended the evening events and the luncheon on June 26 at which Paul Bellantone spoke.
Affiliates and suppliers alike commented that the 2012 iPROMOTEu affiliate forum was one of the best events in the industry. The relevant and thought-provoking education as well as the preferred supplier trade show, the remarkable evening programs and the multitude of networking opportunities made for an informative, enthusiastic and fun three days.
“The forum was terrific this year. I am so pleased with the tremendously positive feedback we’ve been hearing from our affiliates and from participating suppliers,” said Ross Silverstein, president and CEO of iPROMOTEu. “Thank you to everyone that took the time to attend this year’s Forum, and I hope the experience everyone had will cause even more people to attend the next Forum in 2014.”
For more information, visit www.ipromoteu.com.
