GAPP-Expo-Paul-Pres

PPAI President and CEO Paul Bellantone, CAE

The Georgia Association of Promotional Products Professionals (GAPPP) welcomed more than 300 distributors and twice that many end buyers to its GAPPP Expo and University in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 30-31. The event featured a bustling trade-show floor, networking opportunities and a full day of education, including sessions presented by PPAI President and CEO Paul Bellantone, CAE, and Public Affairs Director Anne Stone.

“Growing and expanding this show is one of the best and most productive ways we can serve our members,” says Lisa Bibb, MAS, GAPPP executive director.

GAPPP Expo welcomed a record number of exhibitors and attendees in 2017. Bibb says, “This was the first time ever that we’ve used almost all of the convention hall at the Cobb Galleria. I love to hear the ‘noise level buzz’ grow over the course of the morning—that tells me that our show is doing well, and there’s lots of chatter going on!”

Bellantone opened GAPPP Expo with a sold-out keynote breakfast session presenting PPAI’s Get In Touch! program to distributors and their clients. The Get In Touch! campaign is designed to increase awareness and enhance the perception of the promotional products industry, as well as communicate the benefits of working with promotional consultants. Bellantone says, “The industry knows and understands the immense value of promotional products and the new #GetInTouch initiative is the perfect communication tool for sharing our compelling research and information. I appreciated the opportunity at GAPPP Expo to share the power of promotional products and their place in successful marketing campaigns with the association’s members and their clients, and what PPAI is doing to educate marketers and businesses of their power.”

PPAI Public Affairs Director Anne Stone session at GAPPP University updated her audience on the latest developments regarding California's Prop 65.

PPAI Public Affairs Director Anne Stone updated her audience on the latest developments regarding California's Prop 65.

GAPPP has been offering its members professional education since 1975, then known as Educational Seminars for Profit or ESP. ESP was renamed GAPPP University in 2009 to better reflect its evolving content and professional growth. This year’s programming, held the day before the expo, provided a full day of education for industry professionals both experienced and new to the business.

Stone joined GAPPP University to provide an update on changes in California’s Prop 65, and how it impacts companies doing business in the state. Also on the schedule were 10 breakout sessions presented by industry suppliers on selling ideas, case histories and technology advances.