In response to COVID-19 and its impact on business and the promotional products industry, PPAI has made several changes to its education lineup, including cancelling events, transitioning live events to virtual and rethinking webinar topics. In the Association’s weekly letter and video message to its members last week, PPAI Director of Advocacy, Education & Member Engagement Anne Stone, CAE, shared how it has reevaluated, rethought and reimagined PPAI’s entire portfolio.

The Association’s professional development offerings have proven extremely popular with industry practitioners in recent months. PPAI has waived all education and certification fees for members and are offering 50-percent off those fees for associates through June 30, and with the extra time the outbreak has left so many with, it has seen a significant uptick in usage, with over 30,500 registrations from March through May—compared to 8,000 during the same period in 2019.

Stone adds, “We've also seen a spike in the number of individuals earning their TAS, CAS and MAS certifications. By the end of April 2020, 687 people had registered for certifications—a 200-percent increase over the first quarter of 2020, and 70 percent of certifications earned during all of 2019. And in April alone, 281 people completed their certifications—144-percent more than in the first quarter of 2020 and 36 percent of all certifications earned in 2019. Many of those participating in this program have mentioned that the training they've received will leave them well-positioned when things get going again.”

Stone’s address also highlighted PPAI’s new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Playbook, as well as updates on several of the Association’s summer education events and programs.

To take advantage of the education opportunities PPAI has to offer, sign up for the Association’s opportunities at onlineeducation.ppai.org. For questions or assistance, reach out to PPAI’s professional development staff at certification@ppai.org.

Go to ppai.org/expo/we-are-in to download the We're In badge to display on your social, emails and website. Read Stone’s full letter and see the video here.