(From left) Lori Bolton-Herman, SAAC president; Rhett Todd, SAAC Show Committee chair; and Jacob Dobsch, SAAC vice-president, cut the ribbon to open the 2016 SAAC Show.

(From left) Lori Bolton-Herman, SAAC president; Rhett Todd, SAAC Show Committee chair; and Jacob Dobsch, SAAC vice-president, cut the ribbon to open the 2016 SAAC Show.

The Specialty Advertising Association of California (SAAC) brought the promotional products industry to Long Beach August 10-11 for the 2016 SAAC Show. With more than 1,800 attendees and 300 exhibitors, the two-day event featured extensive education, networking and trade show opportunities.

Education at the SAAC Show was spread over both days before the show floor opened. On August 10, the lineup featured a series of sessions that covered a range of topics, including building a successful business, personal branding, marketing tactics, SAGE Mobile and incorporating premium incentive merchandise into distributors’ businesses.

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PPAI Board Chair Tom Goos, MAS (left) and President and CEO Paul Bellantone, CAE, delivered the SAAC Show's keynote presentation, speaking on growing member value and the industry.

In a keynote presentation on August 11, PPAI President and CEO Paul Bellantone, CAE, and Image Source President and PPAI Board Chair Tom Goos, MAS, delivered a keynote presentation on delivering member value and protecting and growing the industry. Bellantone and Goos’ session focused on trends affecting the industry and how companies can seize the opportunities of a dynamic and transforming marketplace, as well as PPAI’s new mission statement and the Association’s work to position itself as a trusted leader.

On August 11, SAAC introduced a new branding initiative, including a new logo and website. Donte Shannon, CAE, SAAC’s executive director, says, “SAAC leadership was able to address what its members have been requesting for quite some time … change. They gave four points of vision for the future of the association: No. 1. Agility to support important industry issues; No. 2. Strong strategic partnerships that are mutually beneficial and help the association accomplish its mission and create sustainable products that are important to members; No. 3. Engaging with young professionals and creating a professional pathway through SAAC; and No. 4. Integrating technology into its operations for enhanced efficiency and member experience.”

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Shannon adds, “The 2016 SAAC Show has fueled my excitement about the things to come from both SAAC and the global promotional products industry.”