Hear Robust Public Affairs Sessions At The Expo 2012

Education sessions at The PPAI Expo 2012 will examine a range of legal and public affairs issues affecting the promotional products industry, such as product safety compliance and regulations and the federal and state government legislation pending across the U.S.

Product Safety Basics
The consumer products market is becoming increasingly regulated and subject to scrutiny by many government agencies and consumer groups. In the changing market landscape, awareness and compliance is critical to the success of industry companies and professionals. Anne Lardner-Stone, PPAI’s public affairs director, and Leeton Lee, vice president of ETS Express (UPIC: ETSE), will present a product safety basics course introducing promotional products professionals to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), specific regulations concerning promotional products and other mandatory and voluntary standards. They will discuss specific responsibilities of supplier and distributor companies, communication best practices and how to turn compliance into a strategic advantage.

Expo’s Future Watch 2012: 5 Up, 5 Down
Looking ahead in 2012, Expo’s Future Watch 2012: 5 Up, 5 Down, looks at what five markets are expected to improve in the coming year and which will lose ground because of politics.

Product Safety 201: Continuing Compliance Education
This session features a panel of product safety experts—including Gene Geiger, Geiger (UPIC: geiger); Rick Brenner, Prime (UPIC: PRIME); Brent Stone, Quality Certification Alliance (UPIC: QCA); and Larry Whitney, Polyconcept—examining the product responsibility and compliance challenges industry businesses face. The session will address the newest product safety developments and the third-party test requirements now in effect. Discussion topics will include hazard identification, risk assessment, quality control, supplier/distributor communications and challenges, and education of sales forces and buyers.

Legislative Watch
In 2012, Congress is expected to introduce 10,000 bills. Only five percent are expected to pass. This informative, entertaining and interactive session, presented by John Satagaj, PPAI’s general counsel and chief lobbyist, provides a clear assessment of what will pass and what will not, and the legislative priorities and roadblocks in the coming year.

Product safety and legislation will continue to be complicated issues. Keep up with the product safety guidelines, information, resources and links available on PPAI’s website. And register for The PPAI Expo 2012 here.