PPAI And PSI Present 2014 Trade Show Partner Agreement

Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), the world’s largest and oldest international not-for-profit promotional products association, in conjunction with the Germany-based Promotional Product Service Institute (PSI), recently announced a 2014 partner association agreement providing each association’s membership open access to trade shows, resources and networking opportunities. The agreement provides market access and encourages global outreach in the promotional products industry. PPAI serves members from around the world and has agreements and alliances with more than 30 U.S. and international associations.

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PPAI Appoints Knollenberg to Board

On Dec. 18, 2013, Promotional Products Association International, Irving, Texas, the world’s largest and oldest international not-for-profit promotional products association, has announced that Norma Jean Knollenberg, CIP, CPIM, president of Oshkosh, Wis., supplier Top Brands Inc., has joined the PPAI Board of Directors, effective immediately. Knollenberg’s appointment fills a vacant seat on the Board of Directors that ends at The PPAI Expo 2016.

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15 Powerful Questions to Sell Smarter and Sell More in 2014

The end of the year is a great time to evaluate your business and see what’s working well and what you need to let go of. I’m sure that you have all heard the expression, “Work on your business, not just in your business,” but how many of you take the time to do that on a regular basis?

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This Industry is the Pits!

And I mean that in the most loving way possible. Can you describe what you do without using the word “products?” Can you write a pre-approach letter to get an appointment without ever referring to a specific or a general laundry list of products? Instead of being the advertising equivalent of a Chinese restaurant menu with a long list of “stuff” you can sell, how about you start talking about what solutions you can offer? Here are six of them:

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Crank It, Baby!

Hi there, all you Bold, Different and Memorable Sales-Type People. Ponder this scenario with me, won’t you?
It’s December 26 and the fourth quarter of 2013 is one week away from entering the history books …

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PromoKitchen Makes Sponsorship Opportunities Available for Annual Party

For the past two years, The PromoKitchen Party held during The PPAI Expo in Las Vegas has brought promotional products professionals together for networking and lively discussions over cocktails at the world famous House of Blues. To keep the party going for 2014, PromoKitchen is now accepting sponsorships from industry suppliers.

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Paul Bellantone, PPAI President and CEO, Responds to U.S. Marshal Spending Controversy

Paul Bellantone, PPAI president and CEO, recently posted a letter of response on his blog in regards to the U.S. Marshal Spending Controversy. The controversy, which revolves around the revelation that the U.S. Marshal’s Office had spent nearly $800,000 on promotional products from 2005 to 2010, has gained some traction in the press, many accusing the Marshals of overspending on “swag.”

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