Promotional Products Association International today announced the roll out of an update and expansion of the PPAI Professional Development Certification Program during The PPAI Expo in Las Vegas, the industry’s largest tradeshow and among the top 50 trade shows in the U.S., according to Tradeshow Executive.
Building on PPAI’s 50-year history of professional development and certification programs, PPAI Professional Development is introducing two new designations: the introductory Trained Advertising Specialist (TAS) certificate program, designed for those early in their careers, and the advanced Master Advertising Specialist Plus (MAS+) certification program, for industry veterans. The PPAI certification program is an industry-wide program and does not require membership.
The association has chosen the program’s 50th anniversary to introduce these certification enhancements designed to better align with each stage of a promotional products professional’s evolving career along with new tools and methodologies to earn points and track participant’s efforts toward industry certification.
“For more than 50-years, PPAI’s Professional Development Certification Program has been our industry’s gold standard for excellence in promotional products certification,” said Melissa Hendrick, PPAI’s director of professional development and integrated media. “As companies in our industry must evolve to respond to changes to the economy, market and business conditions, so too must industry professionals and the programs that educate them. That is why we are thrilled to announce many new certification program changes and enhancements that will allow industry professionals to advance in their promotional products career whether they have just entered the industry or are a long-time veteran.”
The TAS educational program is targeted toward promotional products professionals who have less than three years of industry experience. The certificate can be achieved with 25 earned education points from either MAS- or CAS-approved courses.
The TAS certificate and designation is the first step on the professional development path for industry professionals, and it leads to the established CAS certification program. The MAS+ industry certification program is targeted toward industry veterans with seven or more years of experience in the industry. MAS+ certification is an advanced, project-based program demonstrating extensive promotional products industry knowledge through demonstrated job experience in lieu of a comprehensive examination. The certification requires verification of 225 total earned education points from either MAS- or CAS-approved courses.
“We are excited to now present promotional products professionals with new opportunities to differentiate themselves in the competitive marketplace,” said John Campbell, PPAI’s manager of certification and instructional technology. “Whether you are an industry up-and-comer or have an established reputation, the TAS and MAS+ programs raise the bar on what it means to be a professional and validate to your clients your expertise as a promotional consultant.”
PPAI is also introducing an accelerated program to earn a CAS for veterans of the industry-the Certification Fast-Track (CFT). The initiative, aimed at promotional products professionals with a minimum of five years of verifiable industry experience, is an avenue to waive one or more CAS certification requirements in consideration of industry experience, education and achievements. Candidates are still required to sit for and pass their CAS examination.
Eligibility for the CFT program requires participants to meet one or more of the following criteria: possess a bachelor’s degree or higher in a related promotional products field such as marketing, business or advertising; possess 10-years or more of promotional products industry experience; possess a comparable certification from another agency or organization; and currently serve in a senior management capacity for a promotional products company.
PPAI Expo attendees are invited to attend the live information sessions, Discover The Enhanced Value Of PPAI Certification Programs, January 3-5, or stop by the PPAI Certification booth on Level 2 or visit www.ppai.org/certification for more information.
