At the Virginia Promotional Products Association's Fall Showcase in Richmond, Virginia, on September 11, PPAI's Anne Stone (pictured on right), director of public affairs, presented a keynote on tariffs and product responsibility. Tyree D. Mallory (center), regional director for central Virginia, who works in Virginia Senator Tim Kaine's office, was also present at the invitation of Jeanne Walls (left), president of distributor JWalls Ink in Richmond. The pair met during PPAI’s Legislative Education & Action Day in Washington, D.C. in May.

“We were asked to continue the dialogue with our representatives after our D.C. visit and that's what we did,” says Walls. “Having the cover story of PPB’s July issue on tariffs and how they affect our business was perfect; having Anne as our presenter was the icing on the cake. It couldn't have been any easier to explain to Tyree just how the supply chain works in the promo world. It was like watching the lightbulbs go off.”

Following the presentation, Stone provided Mallory with background on the industry and PPAI’s key advocacy initiatives and took her on a tour of the trade show floor.