The SAAC Show And PPAI Suppliers’ Forum Bring The Promotional Products Industry To Long Beach, California

Last week, PPAI hosted its Suppliers’ Forum alongside the Specialty Advertising Association of California’s SAAC Show. The 2012 SAAC Show, the 33rd running of the association’s annual show, was held August 8-9 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California.

Left: The SAAC Show tradeshow floor featured more than 400 exhibitors. Right: Audience members at the PPAI Suppliers' Forum.

The SAAC Show featured a tradeshow floor with more than 400 exhibitors, two days of education sessions and numerous networking opportunities. The show’s education sessions examined a number of areas important to professionals in today’s promotional products industry, including the rules of digital marketing, landing sizable campaigns, working with retail-branded suppliers, the incentives business, legislative advocacy and low-cost marketing ideas.

A keynote panel moderated by Joel Schaffer, MAS, of Sound Line (UPIC: 1SOUNDLN), “Rock Stars Of The Promotional Products Industry,” brought together Paul Lage, MAS, president of Gill Studios (UPIC: gill); Mel Ellis, president of Humphrey Line (UPIC: HUMPHREY); Tim Andrews, president of ASI; and Bob McLean, PPAI executive vice president. The back-and-forth on the panel touched on several issues important to industry businesses, including distributor/supplier relations, government regulations and market conditions.

Suppliers’ Forum, on August 7, drew 35 participants to afternoon education session and networking reception. Sound Line’s Schaffer served as moderator, encouraging peer-to-peer interaction and discussion among attendees about issues important to the industry’s supplier community.

Mark Jenkins, MAS, sales director at Pioneer Balloon (UPIC: Pioneer) and PPAI board member, attended the forum. He said: “Both the format and schedule were a great fit for this venue and audience. Joel did a superb job of engaging the suppliers and keeping the format flexible enough to address the group’s interests.”

The SAAC Show will return to the Long Beach Convention Center next year, August 7-8, 2013.