“Expo East is designed to answer the industry’s call for The PPAI Expo show experience on the East Coast while delivering a greater return on investment through enhanced access to more education, more suppliers and more distributors,” says Paul Bellantone, CAE, PPAI president and CEO.

The show’s opening is the culmination of a great deal of work and effort over the past 11 months and SAAGNY President Mike Leone, Hit Promotional Products (UPIC: HITP0001), is among those eager to see it come to fruition. “The teamwork that’s been involved in this has been unprecedented,” he says. “Both organizations have been working very strongly together. They are pumped, they are excited. Education was outstanding yesterday. The show floor during set up was abuzz with excitement because of the new layout, and the Sneak Peek last night went over well. Everything so far has been excellent. I’m really excited for the show floor to open this morning.”

Jonathan Riegel, SAAGNY executive director, is another who has been involved in the show planning. “I’m excited to see what the show will be. Expo East is new, it’s big. I think it’s going to be exciting. It’s a fresh start. And I think it’s going to be a really good week for everybody.”

Darel Cook, PPAI director of expositions, sums up the teamwork this way. “Our partnership with SAAGNY has been invaluable to the show’s success. They know the marketplace well and have very loyal members. The other regional association partners have also contributed marketing efforts to help grow their members’ presence at Expo East. All of the regional partners are key to the show’s success.”

Attendees at yesterday’s education workshops also expressed their approval and an eagerness to experience more of the show over the next couple of days.

Victor Mogel, CEO of West Berlin, New Jersey-based distributor Proforma Dynamic Resources (UPIC: PROF-PDR), was at the show on Monday for several of the education workshops. “I’ve been coming to the show in Atlantic City for 15 years—and I haven’t missed one. Whether it’s Promotions East or Expo East, it’s local, easy to get to, I like the classes and I see old friends. I will try to get in as many sessions as I can while I’m here.”

Another education attendee, Nancy Larick, MAS, president of Port Washington, New York-based distributor Larick Associates, Inc. (UPIC: LARICK), says information she learned in yesterday’s sessions is likely to save her some money. “I learned that I don’t need to have an on-site backup for my computer,” she explains. “I have Carbonite for $60 a year and I heard about Dropbox in Catherine Graham’s session and again in Dale Denham’s session. That would be another back-up for me, which would save me $1,600, which is what my IT guy wanted to charge me. This is by far the best education day in my 34 years of coming to the Atlantic City show.”

Martha Bishop, director of new business and corporate sales at South Deerfield, Massachusetts-based Yankee Candle Co. (UPIC: scenter1), a new PPAI supplier member, came to the show to find out more about expanding into the promotional products industry. “We are fairly new to the promotional products industry, and we’re looking forward to being here in the future—probably in the brand. pavilion. There’s such an emotional connection between our brand and people who use our brand that a lot of times people want to associate their own business with ours.”

Pre-registration numbers for the show are strong, with 3,785 distributors, representing 1,515 companies, registering in advance. In addition to the trade show itself, today’s schdule also includes a Town Hall Forum, which took place this morning, the Keynote & Cocktails, with humorist and motivational speaker Joel Zeff from 4 – 6 pm this afternoon and tonight’s Power Of Two party at HQ Nightclub at the Revel Resort. Tickets to the party are still available at registration for $25 and include drinks and light appetizers.

Registration for the show will be open today through 4 pm and tomorrow from 7:30 am to 3 pm. For more information on Expo East, click here.

Teresa Moisant, MAS, president of Oklahoma City distributor Moisant Promotional Products (UPIC: MOISANT1), was at her office when it hit, a mile and a half north of the tornado’s path, and spent its run in a shelter with her staff. She says: “It’s probably the worst tornado I have ever seen, and I have lived here a long time. The areas are just more populated now [so the damage is worse]. We are fine, there’s no power in some places and we have no water in our office.”

Bobby Lehew, CAS, chief branding officer and CEO of Oklahoma City-based distributor ROBYN (UPIC: ROBY0001), says, “We weren’t impacted, and all our employees are safe and accounted for. As far as the impact on our community goes, it’s going to be a long recovery for so many families. The Moore community has been hit [by storms] so many times, but the resilience of Oklahomans is a powerful thing. It’s a fantastic community.”

“Business is not running as usual, but we’re okay,” says Jason Jackson, president of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based distributor IPGI: IMAGENation Promotional Group Inc. (UPIC: IMAG0050), which is located in the northern part of the city. One of IPGI’s employees incurred damage to his home and spent the night without electricity or water. “He has arrangements for somewhere else to stay tonight. Fortunately, our offices weren’t affected,” Jackson adds.

Through its Business Recovery Fund (BRF), the PPDRF seeks to help industry companies affected by natural disasters to get back on their feet. The fund can help replace lost equipment and supplies such as computers, cell phones, office supplies, promotional products catalogs and samples, and provide work areas or give other assistance as needed to get a business up and running as soon as possible.

Speaking today at Expo East in Atlantic City, PPAI President and CEO Paul Bellantone, CAE, says: “We ask of you, keep the people in Moore in your thoughts and prayers. We also have 28 companies in our industry in that one city. We’re reaching out to them at an Association level to learn more about how they’re doing and what they need. We all know the devastation an event like this can cause and how difficult the recovery process can be. Through the Business Recovery Fund and its work, we can be there to support our colleagues in their time of need.”

The PPDRF is asking for donations to ensure the fund is available to all those who need it. Financial contributions can be made online or directed to the Promotional Products Business Recovery Fund, care of PPAI RAC, 3125 Skyway Circle North, Irving, Texas 75038. This fund is a 501(c)(3) organization and all contributions are tax deductible.

A number of other organizations are working to assist the wider community in Oklahoma. Click here to learn about more opportunities to support those in need.

“The television stations here are collecting items for residents. That’s just how Oklahoma people do it,” says Moisant. “Because of how communication works these days, people’s needs are going to be taken care of immediately. They know how to survive.”

Moisant said people who want to help now should do so through established relief agencies. Because of the debris and property damage, it will be several days before non-emergency volunteers can bring donations into the area.

Lehew adds: “We are trying to get the word out that the financial recovery is such a long process. Donating to the Red Cross is such a small thing, but it can go a long way.”

Effective June 1, the new agreement allows Premier members, at their discretion, to take advantage of special pricing and terms pre-negotiated by Premier for products or category of products.

WorkflowOne, based in Dayton, Ohio, is a provider of print management, distribution, billing services and promotional marketing services, and is currently an approved supplier of printed forms, envelopes, labels and commercial print to Premier members.

“Hospitals across America spend millions of dollars on promotional products, often with little control of each department’s purchases,” says Tim Tatman, president and CEO of WorkflowOne. “This fragmentation makes it hard for hospitals to ensure their brand identity is used correctly or measure the return on their investment. That’s where WorkflowOne can help.”

eBlox, based in Austin, Texas, is now able to directly extract data from the centralized product database hosted by DistributorCentral, headquartered near Kansas City. The integration is the first of its kind for both companies.

According to Brent Buford, eBlox CEO, the primary advantage of the integration with DistributorCentral will be both speed and improved accuracy.

While product data is critical to eBlox’s ability to support customers, Buford said the company’s primary focus is providing customizable e-commerce solutions to the promotional products industry. Relying on DistributorCentral to access suppliers’ product information enables eBlox to concentrate on building robust e-commerce solutions for its clients.

Kevin Brazle (right) demonstrates colorproofing process for Marie-Pauline Chandon-Moët (left) and Bruno Bich at Norwood & BIC Graphic’s Publishing operation in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota.

The board is led by Bruno Bich, chairman, and Mario Guevara, CEO, and includes several Bich family members as well as high-ranking executives of external companies. Traditionally, the BIC Group board of directors meets six times a year and from time to time includes a visit to a BIC operation.

On April 24, the board visited Norwood & BIC Graphic’s Publishing Operation in Sleepy Eye. The site manufactures both custom and imprinted calendars, notebooks and journals as well as the line of BIC® Sticky Notes. The following day, the board toured the Hard Goods operation in Red Wing, where products such as bags, drinkware and awards are imprinted using more than 20 different technologies, and where Norwood britePix™ is based.

Mario Guevara (center), Marie-Henriette Poinsot (second right) and Geoffroy Bich examine a screen-printed mug with Jeremy Miller (left) at Norwood & BIC Graphic's Hard Goods operation in Red Wing, Minnesota.

“We were very pleased to see the U.S. promotional products operations first-hand,” says Bich. “The complexity of the variety of technologies and products is truly impressive. The plants were well organized and the employees we met showed tremendous enthusiasm and pride.

“Our commitment to BIC APP and the industry remains strong. We know that there have been service issues due to the recent reorganization and ERP implementation, and we apologize for the inconvenience it created for our customers. However, I am confident we will prove ourselves again to be a top supplier with impeccable service.”

The many strategic and tactical changes made to the show for 2013 ultimately attracted more attendees and delivered higher floor traffic and ROI, says John Delavan, PSDA’s director of marketing and communication services and editor-in-chief of its flagship monthly magazine, Print Solutions.

“PSDA successfully repositioned its Expo as the must-attend experience for distributors and manufacturers that want to partner to deliver powerful solutions for end-user customers,” Delavan says. “It represented a premier opportunity for distributors to find solutions that meet their customers’ changing needs. While traditional printed products such as labels, tags and forms remain vital to our event’s success and reason for being, as well as to PSDA and all of its member businesses, our attendees have told us that an exclusive emphasis on print does not reflect the industry’s evolution, which includes many solutions that go beyond purely print and often enhance it.”

Among the changes in 2013 was a non-traditional Expo floor featuring four “Solution Zones” for specialized exhibitors: Promotional Products; Packaging & Direct Mail; Marketing & Technology; and Signage, Display and Wide Format. On-the-floor forums and presentations were held in the Solution Zones to educate attendees about new area in which they can grow their businesses. “The Solution Zones helped bring attention to the how the industry is changing—and expanding,” Delavan adds.

PSDA’s Distributor Solutions Expo next will be held April 23-24, 2014, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago – with all exhibits, educational sessions and networking events under one roof.

Learn more about this and next year’s event at www.psda.org.

The new web service upgrades gave distributors and suppliers a number of new features including new modern themes, social media links, unlimited custom pages, rich text editor, shipping charge calculation and client login, among others.

David Natinsky, CAS, SAGE president, says: “Serving our customers is our number one priority, and we are so pleased with the feedback and overall excitement of our new website release.  We’re excited to provide our customers the ability to have a world-class, modern web presence at a reasonable price.”

The new web upgrades are provided at no additional charge. SAGE has implemented a one-touch upgrade process so that existing sites can be converted without losing any prior customizations or content.  Potential customers can view a live demonstration site showcasing the new SAGE websites by visiting www.trywebexpresspro.com. More information can also be obtained by visiting www.sageworld.com, emailing sales@sageworld.com, or calling SAGE at 800-925-7243.

With more than 1,250 attendees, the Denver Open House was one the most highly attended events in Imprints’ or Broder’s recent history.

“It was wonderful for me to see so many of our long-time, loyal customers at the open house,” says Scott Lynes, CEO of Imprints Wholesale. “Everyone had a great time, and I felt the excitement we all share about the future of the new, combined companies. The ‘little big guys’ just got a little bit bigger, and I know everyone was excited to see so many familiar Imprints faces that are staying on with the new company.”

The Denver Open House gave attendees an opportunity to visit with 45 vendors. It was an opportunity to see 660 of the new 2013 Imprints styles plus more than 1,800 styles now available through the combining of the two companies.

Gordon brings an audience member onstage for a question during her keynote luncheon presentation.

Monday’s keynote luncheon with Dr. Karyn Gordon was a lesson in understanding why our children, parents and grandparents behave the way they do—and in using that understanding to resolve communication conflict in the workplace.

Gordon, an expert in generational communication who is an established motivational speaker for corporate, government, association and other audiences, shared the cultural influences that have led to the development of generations’ ‘DNA’ as well as the values they seek from employers, and how their DNA and values influence the way they communication.

For the first time in modern history, the four major generations occupy the same professional space, and their unique communication styles create conflict in part, says Gordon, because of the climate in which they grew up.

“Culturally, what happened in the life of a traditionalist? Let’s take a step outside ourselves and look at traditionalists through a different lens,” Gordon said.

Traditionalists, born between 1922 and 1948, matured in a world that suffered through the Great Depression and World War II, and went on to raise 4.1 children in a post-war boom where there were more jobs than employees to fill them.

Consequently, Traditionalists are financially conservative, extremely loyal to employers and value job security most. They are more adapted to face-to-face communication and believe in giving respect before expecting to receive it.

The children of Traditionalists, the Baby Boomers, experienced Vietnam, social change such as the feminist movement and an economy that could not accommodate a doubled population of qualified workers.

“There were two times more people than before and the economy shrank…what’s going to happen? You’re going to work your tail off,” said Gordon, and when she explains that to younger generations, they suddenly understand why Boomers work as hard as they do. “That piece of understanding is critical.”

Being competitive and driven to keep their jobs, and being dedicated to working hard, they expect recognition above all from their employers.

The next generation, the Xers, saw their Boomer parents rewarded for 60-hour work weeks with layoffs, experienced a higher divorce rate among those parents and lived in more households where both parents worked. “That completely shaped Gen X,” Gordon said. “All of a sudden the mindset shifted, and they said, ‘I want a life outside my work.’ The whole change around balance was spearheaded by Generation Xers.”

As a result, Generation X values flexibility and time off from employers. They prefer face-to-face communication but can adapt to communication through technology.

Generation Y workers come from homes where both parents are more likely to work but are also more likely to do more for their children, which has resulted in a sense of entitlement and a desire for instant gratification. Still, Gen Y young adults are the most socially conscious generation to come along in recent history and are passionate and outspoken. They want feedback from employers and ask for respect first, believing it must be earned before giving it. They choose technology over face-to-face communication.

Generations X and Y experience the biggest workplace communication clashes, says Gordon, in part because Xers are independent workers while the Y generation is accustomed to working in a collaborative, team fashion.

To help resolve communication conflicts, Gordon recommends these steps:

• Affirm employees
• Model the conversation after a previous successful conflict resolution, including the manner and mood in which the conflict was resolved
• Use the right words; communication is 7 percent verbal and 93 percent nonverbal. “Seek first to understand, then to be understood,” Gordon said, quoting late speaker, trainer and author Steven Covey, famous for his book, “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.”
• Use the Hamburger Technique, which involves opening a conversation about conflict with praise, then sharing concerns about issues leading to the conflict, before closing the conversation with more praise and acknowledgment of accomplishments

• PPAI Hall of Fame
• PPAI Distinguished Service Award
• PPAI H. Ted Olson Humanitarian Award

Questions? Contact awards@ppai.org or call 972-258-3070.