PPAI Presents 30 CAS, MAS Certifications In March; Waives Fees During Health Crisis

In March, 30 industry professionals earned their Certified Advertising Specialist (CAS) and Master Advertising Specialist (MAS) certifications. PPAI is also taking steps to expand certification opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruptions it has brought to the industry. Beginning April 1 and running through June 30, PPAI has waived the Trained Advertising Specialist (TAS) certificate and CAS and MAS certification application fees for Association members and reduced pricing for Associates by 50 percent.

AAkron Line Increases Production Capacity on Made in USA Products

AKRON, NY, March 2, 2020 - AAkron Line, a top 40 promotional products supplier, announced today they have increased production capacity by 50% in their molding department. This supports increasing demand for Made in USA products.

“Increasing our production capacity allows us to ramp up production on our 350 Made in USA products,” says Danielle Robillard, President, and Co-Owner of AAkron Line. “We want to make certain distributors have options to fit their clients’ needs as imported product inventory becomes limited.  By increasing production on our domestically made products we are able to offer them readily available alternatives.”

AAkron Line’s Made in USA line accounts for over 75% of units sold annually, which recognizes them as a notable leader in the promotional products industry. The company has two manufacturing facilities; one in Akron, New York and the other in Bakewell, Tennessee.

The company’s roots are in their Made in USA products; manufacturing rulers and yardsticks when the business started in 1967.   Now, over 50 years later, AAkron’s manufacturing capabilities have expanded to include pencil manufacturing, blow molding, and injection molding.

In 2017, the company built a new 16,000 square-foot, state of the art, molding facility in New York. Further adding to the company’s molding operations, they expanded their existing 12,000-square-foot manufacturing warehouse in New York, adding another 9,000 square-feet to it. AAkron Line will continue to look for manufacturing opportunities, bringing products in-house when possible.

The company has a 2020 Made in USA e-catalog, which can be found at www.aakronline.com.

About AAkron Line

AAkron Line is a family-owned and operated supplier that entered the promotional products industry in 1967. Over the decades, the company has won several Supplier Star and Merit Awards for service and innovation. Currently, their product line includes over 750 different items. Domestically manufactured products include stadium cups, sports bottles, pencils, rulers, yardsticks, key chains, bracelets, hand fans and much more. A large variety of Made in USA products belong to the company’s popular Mood product line, which offers unique products that change color with heat, cold liquids, cold temperatures, sunlight or water.  To view AAkron Line’s full product offerings, visit www.aakronline.com.

Coming this Month (February 2020 )!! CAAMP Connect - The CAAMP Podcast discussing member benefits, upcoming events, and industry topics!

What would you like to know about CAAMP? Please e-mail us at Info@caampers.org.

View message online. Please add ppai@ppai.org to your safe senders list.

SPARK · July 15-17, 2020 · San Antonio, TX Become A Change Agent In The Promo Industry Do you know what the next generation of business professionals want? No, it isn't more avocado toast. It's a chance to make a real difference in their careers. PPAI's SARK Conference, which is being held July 15-17 in San Antonio, Texas, was purpose-built to help young professionals achieve that goal.   SPARK Conference's targeted education will focus on innovation and the path to becoming a change agent within this industry. With hundreds of networking opportunities and some heart-warming community activism, PPAI's SPARK Conference will turn today's young professionals into tomorrow's industry leaders. The best part? The high-quality content, coupled with the low cost of attendance, makes it the perfect investment in your company's future. Here are the experts presenting in San Antonio. Chris Anderson CEO, Hub Promotional Group and Seasoned Promo Professional   Julia Maddox Professor, Founder & Consultant Barbara J. Burder iZone, University of Rochester Dr. David Vequist Author, Professor,   Fortune 500 Company Exec. Endeavor Institute Network With Industry Peers Create Long-Term Business Relationships SPARK provides a unique experience that matches young professionals' values. If you, or someone in your office, could benefit from some hands-on workshops, then act now. SPARK Conference has sold out every year. Register below or check out the itinerary here. Register Now For SPARK 2020   July 15-17, 2020 · San Antonio, TX $495 for PPAI Members · $645 for PPAI Associates   CONNECT Contact Us PPB PPB Newslink PC Today Promo Connect PPAI SITES The PPAI Expo  Expo East PPAI Education Events Online Education Shop PPAI SITES PPAI Industry Directory  PPAI Industry Calendar PPEF  PPDRF Regional Associations

USMCA Now Law In The U.S.   On Wednesday, President Trump signed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) into law. The USMCA replaces the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which has been in place since 1994 and represents approximately $1.2 trillion in trade among the three countries. Read more USMCA

New Bill Threatens Independent Contractor Status Nationwide
  

Newly proposed legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives would effectively ban independent contractor classifications under federal labor law. H.R. 2474, the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, amends the National Labor Relations Act to establish a new definition of employees that expressly eliminates independent contractors in the U.S. The new legislation makes a broad presumption that all workers in the U.S. are employees unless each requirement of a newly established "ABC" test can be met.

FROM OUR 2020 PRESIDENT

   CAAMP Members, I would like to say thank you as your 2020 President. This is an honor that is not going to be taken lightly. We have so many exciting new changes coming for 2020 and a Board that is ready to get to work making this year fantastic for all. Please reach out to me or anyone on the board as needed. Lets make 2020 CAAMP shows, CAAMPFires, and industry events the best yet!

Kindly,

Kristina Newsom 

 

                         

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CAAMP Announces the Election of Four New Members to its Board of Directors (2020-2022).

Carolinas Association of Advertising and Marketing Professionals (CAAMP) is pleased to announce the newly elected Board members (2020-2022).

They are Lisa Parker, MAS with American Ad Bag (Supplier Member), Bryan Shannon with Goldbond (Supplier Member), Stephanie Ward with Print Plus (Distributor Member) & Stephen McFadden with President | Perfect Promotions & more, Inc. (Distributor Member).

CAAMP’s President, Keisha Crain, stated, “Each of you will be a great asset to the board. I want to personally thank each of you for running and for agreeing to volunteer your time as a board member. As you all know, CAAMP is an awesome organization and with your help…it will continue to move in a positive direction.”

NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Lisa Parker, MAS as a former Account Executive in the Oil Industry, she got her start in the Promotional Products as a Program Manager and Vendor Relations Coordinator for an award-winning distributor, Goldner Associates. She has held the title of National Sales Manager for several years during her Industry tenure, now she currently severs as the Southeast Sales Manager for American Ad Bag.
Lisa has served on the PPAI Supplier committee, and currently serves on the PPAI Certification committee. She has also served at her local regional association PPAMS in many capacities, as President twice, Vice President, Secretary and Trade Show Chair. Inducted into the PPAMS Hall of Fame 2016. She currently serves as a Director on the SPPA board. She had attended PPAI Business Academy, LDW, NACL, Safety Summit, RAC and LEAD. Served as a panelist at WLC in which she has attended for 14 years and was also on the WLC planning committee. Lisa has been involved in local charities Habit for Humanity, and Jr. Achievement of Middle Tennessee.

Bryan Shannon is a Strategic Account Manager at Gold Bond, Inc. He works with customers throughout Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. Prior to working in the promotional products industry, Bryan worked for over 15 years in the insurance industry for a Fortune 250 company in both sales and national account management roles. Skilled in Sales, Management, Healthcare, Business Process Improvement, and Recruiting, Bryan takes pride in helping his customers solve complex problems with thoughtful strategic solutions. In his free time, Bryan enjoys talking about himself in the third person and studying electric guitar history. He spends his weekends leading tours at a vintage guitar museum located in Tennessee. Bryan holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) focused in English Language and Literature, from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Stephanie Ward is native North Carolinian, small town girl, former teacher. In 1986, she moved to Greensboro, accepting a position in sales & marketing with an educational publisher. While with that company, she learned about the power of good marketing, of printed materials and promotional products. After a short time spent in sales with a regional printer, she was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, and founded Print Plus in 1999. The company was started with the belief that their clients should be treated in the way in which we would want to be treated…that they would treat their suppliers fairly…and they would be respectful of our competitors. Some 20+ years later, they are still going strong with some great memories and a fabulous team of people on board.

Stephen McFadden currently serves as President of a family-owned promotional products company with its origin in 2002. He helped grow the company annual sales from $650,000 to over $3,000,000. He currently manages personal annual sales of over $1,500,000. He manages sales initiatives for 4 sales representatives and overall staff-related operations for 19 total employees. As an executive, and part-owner, He assists in the ‘big picture’ growth decisions, participate in the hiring process and manage the overall company initiatives. In addition, He has taken on the responsibility to establish and manage our company brand.

To learn more about CAAMP Board or the nomination and election process, please contact Eliana@caampers.org

Eliana@caampers.org