image

COVID-19 Resources

14 Results

  • PPB Presents: We've Sold PPE. What's Next?
    Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Recorded On: 11/03/2020

    In this week's episode of the PPAI PromoTalks podcast, "PPB Presents: “We’ve Sold PPE. What’s Next?" listeners will hear three distributor owners discuss how they were able to rethink what their customers need and find new avenues for sales. Director of publications and editor at PPAI, Tina Berres Filipski, moderates this conversation with guests Janie Gaunce, president and CEO at Grapevine Designs; Michael Emoff, chief vision officer at Shumsky, and Hillary Feder, MAS, founder of Hillary’s LLC. In this reflective 50-minute conversation, distributors discuss how their businesses have evolved in this new environment, the biggest challenges they’ve faced and the strategies they’ve implemented to keep sales moving. They also share the new business opportunities they see for 2021 and beyond as well as how they’ve worked with clients to restart their businesses.

    In this week's episode of the PPAI PromoTalks podcast, "PPB Presents: “We’ve Sold PPE. What’s Next?" listeners will hear three distributor owners discuss how they were able to rethink what their customers need and find new avenues for sales. Director of publications and editor at PPAI, Tina Berres Filipski, moderates this conversation with guests Janie Gaunce, president and CEO at Grapevine Designs; Michael Emoff, chief vision officer at Shumsky, and Hillary Feder, MAS, founder of Hillary’s LLC.
    In this reflective 50-minute conversation, distributors discuss how their businesses have evolved in this new environment, the biggest challenges they’ve faced and the strategies they’ve implemented to keep sales moving. They also share the new business opportunities they see for 2021 and beyond as well as how they’ve worked with clients to restart their businesses. 

    Janie Gaunce

    President

    Janie Gaunce is president and CEO of Grapevine Designs, LLC in Lenexa, Kansas. She has served as a PPAI Board member, is active in PPAMidwest and is a co-founder of "100 Jobs for 100 Moms.” She is also a member of the University of Kansas Hospital Advancement Board and serves on the board for Amethyst Place.  

    Michael Emoff

    Chairman and Owner

    Michael is a third-generation co-owner of Shumsky, founded in 1953. Michael developed the concept for boost engagement in 2005, utilizing web technology to deliver effective employee recognition programs. He has been recognized as a global expert in the field of recognition and reward programs, holds over 25 patents for products used in the recognition and promotional industry. He has also been an integral part of developing and managing Shumsky Therapeutic Pillows and Outta the Box Dispensers.

    Hillary Feder, MAS

    Founder, Hillary's LLC

    Hillary Feder, MAS, president and founder, Hillary’s LLC. Feder is a leader in strategic plan design, program planning, and branded product design to support enterprise engagement (employee, client, vendor, board, etc) initiatives. Her innovative, analytical, and practical approach shapes company cultures that demonstrate recognition and appreciation in meaningful, relevant ways and that align with a company’s values, brand, and business objectives. 

    Hillary is also deeply committed to supporting the community with her leadership. She serves on numerous boards with a deep commitment to each organization’s work. Outside of work, you can find her baking, playing with her grandchildren, speed walking, and re‐energizing at the lake.

    image

    .5 Point

    1. Register, download and listen the session. Please note it will open in a new window. Please do not close the session launch page.

    2. Please make sure your pop-up blocker is turned off in order to access the session once you select it.

    3. Once you have completed the session, please close the audio recording and proceed to the session launch page for the Online Education Survey to receive credit. Please note, it will not be on your event recording or webinar window.

  • Fashion Face Masks & Compliance Considerations
    Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Recorded On: 08/26/2020

    Fashion face masks have become something that everyone can relate to considering the times that we are living in. This webinar will focus on the US market including the following: regulatory requirements, physical/performance requirements, chemical requirements and also touch on labeled claims and the ramifications of making claims for fashion masks. Industry practice for this very popular product category will be reviewed during this training session. This session qualifies as an elective course for the PPAI Product Safety Awareness initiative.

    Fashion face masks have become something that everyone can relate to considering the times that we are living in. This webinar will focus on the US market including the following: regulatory requirements, physical/performance requirements, chemical requirements and also touch on labeled claims and the ramifications of making claims for fashion masks. Industry practice for this very popular product category will be reviewed during this training session. This session qualifies as an elective course for the PPAI Product Safety Awareness initiative.

    Matthew Nudell

    Senior Regulatory and Product Compliance Consultant at TÜV Rheinland North America

    Matthew Nudell is a Senior Regulatory and Product Compliance consultant that works with major
    consumer products companies and retailers to develop custom-tailored approaches for complying with
    chemical regulations for consumer products. Matthew has spent over a decade monitoring and
    advising companies about US chemical regulations such as California Proposition 65, CPSIA, US
    state reporting requirements for children’s products and various US state chemical restrictions. He is
    currently, a member of the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) restricted substances
    list (RSL) task force, which developed and maintains a list of all global chemical regulatory restrictions
    for apparel, apparel accessory, and footwear products. Matthew has also worked extensively with
    companies in developing and maintaining chemical management and restricted substances (RS)
    programs and related restricted substances lists (RSL) in order to ensure that products meet all global
    chemical restrictions and can therefore be sold anywhere in the world.

    Syed Zaman

    Textile Test Engineer at TUV Rheinland North America Group

    Syed Zaman works as the Textile Test Engineer at TUV Rheinland North American Group. Syed is a confident leader with exceptional team building skills and ability to create a culture of continuous improvement.
    image


    1 Point

    image

    1. Register and watch the session. Please note it will open in a new window. Please do not close the session launch page.

    2. Please make sure your pop-up blocker is turned off in order to access the session once you select it.

    3. Once you have completed the session, please close the event recording or webinar window and proceed to the session launch page for the Online Education Survey to receive credit. Please note, it will not be on your event recording or webinar window.

  • MAS: Small Business Virtual Session: People Leadership
    Contains 5 Component(s), Includes Credits Recorded On: 07/22/2020

    For many small to mid-sized promotional products companies, managing and inspiring employees can seem like a full-time job. Especially when the workplace is completely disrupted as with coronavirus and you don't have an HR professional on staff. Fortunately, you're not alone and PPAI provides the resources to manage and engage your staff. Join Affinity HR Group's Claudia St. John to discuss common people management challenges including: How to avoid legal landmines when hiring & onboarding new talent, essential policies and processes for businesses of all sizes and current COVID-19 considerations including tele-working, leave management and social distancing practices Bring your questions and suggestions to this interactive webinar!

    For many small to mid-sized promotional products companies, managing and inspiring employees can seem like a full-time job. Especially when the workplace is completely disrupted as with coronavirus and you don't have an HR professional on staff. Fortunately, you're not alone and PPAI provides the resources to manage and engage your staff. Join Affinity HR Group's Claudia St. John to discuss common people management challenges including: How to avoid legal landmines when hiring & on boarding new talent, essential policies and processes for businesses of all sizes and current COVID-19 considerations including tele-working, leave management and social distancing practices

    Bring your questions and suggestions to this interactive webinar! Please note participants will be asked to turn on their webcams and their computer mics during the breakout activity sessions throughout the entire virtual session. 

    Claudia St. John

    President

    Claudia St. John is President of Affinity HR Group, LLC – a national human resources consulting firm that serves as an affinity partner for PPAI members. Claudia is an HR professional with 20 years' experience in global human resources, employee benefits, management consulting and communications. She specializes in strategic planning, employee engagement, organizational development, recruitment and executive career management.

    Claudia's prior experience includes serving as senior consultant for Mercer Human Resources Consulting, the nation's top HR consulting firm, in Washington DC and Geneva Switzerland, Vice President for People for POMCO Group, Manager of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association's National Labor Office and Senior Policy Associate for the AFL-CIO. She holds an undergraduate degree in employee benefits and labor relations from The American University and a master's degree in business and public administration from The George Washington University. She holds a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification and is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and maintains many certifications in workplace testing.

    image


    1 Point

    1. Please use Chrome as your browser, once you have registered do not close the session launch page. Please note the session will open in a new window, please make sure your pop-up blocker is turned off.

    2. For those attending the live virtual session: Please use your computer webcam and computer microphone to participate in the breakout activities throughout this session.

    3. For those attending the on-demand session: please pause the session to complete each of the activities throughout the session.

    4. Once you have completed the session, please close the event recording or webinar window and proceed to the session launch page for the Online Education Survey to receive credit. Please note, it will not be on your event recording or webinar window.

  • The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act and Loan Forgiveness
    Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Recorded On: 06/18/2020

    The president has signed the PPP Flexibility Act, and it changes the rules for loan forgiveness. The Act established new parameters for the covered period during which loan funds can be used, changed the percentage of loan funds that must be spent on payroll, created a new safe harbor for full-time equivalent (FTE) reductions and implemented numerous other changes. Join Cory Halliburton and Maurice Norris as they outline the big changes to this critical relief program.

    The president has signed the PPP Flexibility Act, and it changes the rules for loan forgiveness. The Act established new parameters for the covered period during which loan funds can be used, changed the percentage of loan funds that must be spent on payroll, created a new safe harbor for full-time equivalent (FTE) reductions and implemented numerous other changes. Join Cory Halliburton and Maurice Norris as they outline the big changes to this critical relief program.

    Maurice Norris (Moderator)

    Public Affairs Manager

    Maurice is the public affairs manager for PPAI. He monitors legislative and regulatory developments affecting the promotional products industry. Maurice also assists members with compliance challenges facing their businesses and helps them advocate for their companies with various aspects and levels of government. Maurice also serves on the board of the Graphic Communications Workforce Coalition.

    Cory Halliburton

    Attorney At Law

    Cory Halliburton is an attorney with the law firm of Weycer, Kaplan, Pulaski & Zuber. He has served as General Counsel for PPAI since May 2014 and since that time he has participated in just about every PPAI Board meeting and strategic planning session and has reviewed hundreds of contracts for PPAI. He also supports in-house counsel of publicly traded companies and executives in the tax-exempt organizations space in their drafting and negotiation of substantial vendor agreements. 

    Cory Halliburton graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas Tech UniversitySchool of Law in 2003 and, among other accolades, was the recipient of the 2013Outstanding Young Lawyer Award from the Fort Worth-Tarrant County Young LawyersAssociation.

    image


    1 Point

    1. Register and watch the session. Please note it will open in a new window. Please do not close the session launch page.

    2. Please make sure your pop-up blocker is turned off in order to access the session once you select it.

    3. Once you have completed the session, please close the event recording or webinar window and proceed to the session launch page for the Online Education Survey to receive credit. Please note, it will not be on your event recording or webinar window.

  • MAS: Tactical Crisis Communication: Knowing What To Say And When To Say It
    Contains 4 Component(s), Includes Credits Recorded On: 06/10/2020

    A crisis of any kind can threaten your organization's brand image at a moment's notice, requiring you to act faster than ever before to effectively communicate. It's more important than ever not only to have a plan in place to respond to these crises, but also to train your team in appropriate techniques, authentic responses, and strategic engagement to steer the conversation. It is critical to send messages via proper channels to reach internal and external stakeholders. This session will be applicable for business owners and managers for business best practices beyond COVID-19.

    A crisis of any king can threaten your organization's brand image at a moment's notice, requiring you to act faster than ever before to effectively communicate. It's more important than ever not only to have a plan in place to respond to these crises, but also to train your team in appropriate techniques, authentic responses, and strategic engagement to steer the conversation. It is critical to send messages via proper channels to reach internal and external stakeholders. Award-winning branding and business communication strategist, Shakira Brown will share essential communication best practices to help instill trust and mitigate reputation damage on the onset of a crisis. Whether you're looking to bolster your reputation or better respond to situations at any time without notice, you'll learn the value of transparency and quick response. Plus, find out which crisis response tools to use and when to use them.

    Shakira M. Brown

    CEO

    Shakira M. Brown is an award-winning professional branding and business communication speaker and former network television broadcast journalist. She is the CEO of SMB Strategic Media LLC, a firm that helps businesses get to the heart of why the customers/clients buy their goods and services, helping them clarify their message via strategic brand messaging. Brown is also the lead marketing consultant for America’s Small Business Development Center at The College of New Jersey. She has won more than 13 industry awards in various disciplines for her work. Brown frequently shares her expertise at national conferences and corporate workshops as well as with the media, such as American Express Open, Crain’s Chicago, PR Week, Brand Week andSmart Money, and she is also a contributing writer for BlackEnterprise.com.

    image

    1 Point

    1. Register and watch the session. Please note it will open in a new window. Please do not close the session launch page.

    2. Please make sure your pop-up blocker is turned off in order to access the session once you select it.

    3. Once you have completed the session, please close the event recording or webinar window and proceed to the session launch page for the Online Education Survey to receive credit. Please note, it will not be on your event recording or webinar window.

  • PPE Items and Prop 65 Considerations

    Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Recorded On: 05/28/2020

    Personal Protective Equipment are not exempt from Prop 65. ​This session with Sue DeRagon will discuss general test requirements for non-medical and medical face masks, gowns, gloves, and other equipment. Participants will also learn what may be applicable when it comes to children’s product requirements. This session qualifies as an elective course for the PPAI Product Safety Awareness initiative. ​

    Personal Protective Equipment are not exempt from Prop 65. This session with Sue DeRagon will discuss general test requirements for non-medical and medical face masks, gowns, gloves, and other equipment. Participants will also  learn what may be applicable when it comes to children’s product requirements. This session qualifies as an elective course for the PPAI Product Safety Awareness initiative. 

    Susan DeRagon

    Senior Technical Consultant

    Susan DeRagon is the Senior Technical Consultant for Qima. Ms. DeRagon has over 25 years of experience in the toy and premiums industry, and has worked with PPAI as a technical consultant since 2008. Ms. DeRagon has conducted numerous technical seminars and webinars, and works closely with companies to provide the highest level of quality service in the areas of product testing, quality assurance, safety evaluations and inspections.

    Ms. DeRagon is an active member of the Toy Industry Association and the American Society for Testing and Materials, participating on several toy and children's product standards committees. She is also on the Board of Directors for ICPHSO, the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization.

    image
    image


    1 Point

    1. Register and watch the session. Please note it will open in a new window. Please do not close the session launch page.

    2. Please make sure your pop-up blocker is turned off in order to access the session once you select it.

    3. Once you have completed the session, please close the event recording or webinar window and proceed to the session launch page for the Online Education Survey to receive credit. Please note, it will not be on your event recording or webinar window.

  • PPB Presents Podcast: Selling In A Post COVID-19 Environment
    Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Recorded On: 05/21/2020

    In this episode, PPB Presents: Selling in a Post-Coronavirus World with special guests, Jeremy Lott, president of SanMar and Greg Muzzillo, founder of Proforma, along with moderator Paul Bellantone, CAE, president and CEO of PPAI. Listen as the conversation takes a deep dive into the challenges these owners and their businesses are facing, how the lockdown has affected their sales and teams, what their strategy has been over the past few months, their quick pivot to PPE, how sales practices have changed, the future for meetings between suppliers and distributors and where trade shows will fit into the mix, among other topics.

    In this episode, PPB Presents: Selling in a Post-Coronavirus World with special guests, Jeremy Lott, president of SanMar and Greg Muzzillo, founder of Proforma, along with moderator Paul Bellantone, CAE, president and CEO of PPAI. Listen as the conversation takes a deep dive into the challenges these owners and their businesses are facing, how the lockdown has affected their sales and teams, what their strategy has been over the past few months, their quick pivot to PPE, how sales practices have changed, the future for meetings between suppliers and distributors and where trade shows will fit into the mix, among other topics.

    Greg Muzzillo

    Founder

    Greg Muzzillo founded Proforma in 1978 as an industry distributor. Within five years he built the company from zero to several million in sales. By the mid 1980's Proforma had been recognized by Inc. magazine as an Inc. 500 fastest growing company three years in a row as Muzzillo grew his distributorship to more than $25 million in annual sales.

    In the late 1980's Proforma introduced its membership program to enable distributors to retain their business ownership and independence. This enabled them to share in sales and marketing resources, purchasing power with industry suppliers, one back office including all billing, accounting, vendor payments, cash flow, computer systems and more.

    Today, Proforma has more than 750 members with more than $400 million in sales. Proforma has more than 100 members of its Million Dollar Club and more than 40 members of its Multi-Million Dollar Club. In 2012, eight Proforma Owners earned a spot on Inc. magazine's list of the 5000 fastest-growing, private companies in America.

    Jeremy Lott

    President

    Today, as President of the family-owned business, Jeremy works in partnership with his father, Marty and his brother, Jordan. Over the years Jeremy learned the business from the inside out, from pulling orders to purchasing. After college and a stint studying in Hong Kong, he launched his career as an analyst for investment bank Piper Jaffray's technology team. Jeremy moved to Chicago in 2001 to earn his MBA, and then joined SanMar full-time. Adding strategy to vision, he continues to steward the company toward long-term growth and health. Proud of the opportunities given to so many tenured staff members to thrive, he often spends time "table-hopping" at the company's on-site café. He learns a lot during those casual conversations because, he says, employees have the pulse on what's really going on in their arenas. The father of six young children, Jeremy discovered that a work/life balance holds the key to maximum productivity. He enjoys spending time outdoors — skiing, hiking, boating and generally staying active.

    Paul Bellantone, CAE

    President and Chief Executive Officer of the Promotional Products Association International

    Paul Bellantone, CAE, is president and CEO of the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), the not-for-profit association for more than 16,000 member companies in the $24.7 billion-dollar promotional products industry. Bellantone is responsible for executing the strategies and vision of the PPAI Board of Directors and advocating for the industry and its professional practitioners. His focus on delivering compelling member value and business-building products and services, combined with his commitment to active and meaningful member communication, has helped PPAI achieve marked growth. Bellantone holds a bachelor's degree from Rutgers University and a master’s in business administration from the School of Management at Texas Woman's University. He is a Certified Association Executive and is an active member of the American Society of Association Executives, the Dallas Fort Worth Association Executives, the American Marketing Association, the Dallas/Fort Worth AMA and a board trustee for The Forum: Business Results Through People.

    CAS-Apprvd.jpg

    1 Point

    1. Register, download and watch the session. Please note it will open in a new window. Please do not close the session launch page.

    2. Please make sure your pop-up blocker is turned off in order to access the session once you select it.

    3. Once you have completed the session, please close the podcast and proceed to the session launch page for the Online Education Survey to receive credit. 

  • Considerations For Re-Opening Workplaces & COVID-19 Q&A
    Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Recorded On: 05/05/2020

    ​While many companies have remained open as "essential" businesses, many have closed and are eager to reopen. With states and locals contemplating plans to open their economies back up, businesses have turned their attention to ways to structure and/or stagger a safe return to work. This session will help answer your questions and give best practices.

    While many companies have remained open as "essential" businesses, many have closed and are eager to reopen. With states and locals contemplating plans to open their economies back up, businesses have turned their attention to ways to structure and/or stagger a safe return to work. This session will review how best to layout and sanitize the workplace. As well as safe practices for managing potentially exposed, sick and recovered employees according to CDC guidelines To discuss these issues, and to get answers to your ongoing COVID-19 questions, join Claudia St. John, president of Affinity HR Group. 

    Claudia St John, SHRM-SCP,SPHR

    President of Affinity HR Group, LLC

    Claudia St. John, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, is founder and President of Affinity HR Group, Inc., a national human resources and management consulting firm specializing in hiring and recruiting, HR compliance and employee engagement. Affinity HR Group is PPAI’s endorsed HR partner and resource and works extensively in the print and promo space.  As a consultant and frequent speaker, Claudia has given hundreds of presentations and workshops on such topics as how to recruit like a pro, common management mistakes, employee engagement, and multi-generational workplace challenges.  She is the author of the Amazon.com bestselling book Transforming Teams – Tips For Improving Collaboration And Building Trust.  Her weekly HR Minute e-mails and monthly articles are followed by thousands of business leaders nationwide.


    CAS-Apprvd.jpg

    1 Point

    1. Register and watch the session. Please note it will open in a new window. Please do not close the session launch page.

    2. Please make sure your pop-up blocker is turned off in order to access the session once you select it.

    3. Once you have completed the session, please close the event recording or webinar window and proceed to the session launch page for the Online Education Survey to receive credit. Please note, it will not be on your event recording or webinar window.

  • The Need To Know Info On Personal Protective Equipment
    Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Recorded On: 04/28/2020

    Authorities around the world have eased regulations to help supply match demand as typically it would take months for these products to enter the market. Please join this session with Matthew McGarrity to find out the need to know information when producing, buying or selling personal protective equipment.

    Authorities around the world have eased regulations to help supply match demand as typically it would take months for these products to enter the market. Please join this session with Matthew McGarrity to find out the need to know information when producing, buying or selling personal protective equipment.Medical devices are generally categorized in a risk-based classification system. PPE typically falls under Class 1 and Class 2, defined by a lower risk and simple design, and by medium risk and more complex design, respectively. Class 2 medical devices also have specialty regulatory controls. In the U.S., the FDA has dropped the 501(k) premarket notification, which requires that new medical devices in both categories demonstrate that they are cleared as “substantially equivalent” to a predicate device in terms of intended use, technological characteristics and performance testing, as needed.

     

    Matthew McGarrity

    Global Hardlines Technical Manager

    Matthew McGarrity is the Global Hardlines Technical Manager and is highly experienced in product conformity and interpretation of US Federal regulations, Canada, States and local government agencies requirements. Mr. McGarrity’s focus is on Medical PPE, Tools, Environmental Exposure, Accelerated Aging. As a senior technical manager of Hardlines, Matt designs and manages NBE (National Brand Equivalency) and benchmark testing programs. He is  knowledgeable with US Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA), Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), California Air Resource Board (CARB), CA Proposition 65, and Health Canada regulations (SORs) for safety and compliance for various consumer products and materials. In addition, Matthew is very familar with  ASTM, ANSI, UL, ASME, CSA, SAE, CSPA standards. Matthew created and revised testing protocols for numerous products relating to hard goods, packaging, materials, DIY, and tools (power and hand). Authored comprehensive client testing directives and manuals including, outdoor eating, outdoor cooking, outdoor power equipment, textiles, and furniture. Extremely knowledgeable in accelerated weathering methods and techniques. Expert in regulatory and performance requirements for furniture.  

    Maurice Norris

    Public Affairs Manager

    Maurice is the public affairs manager for PPAI. He monitors legislative and regulatory developments affecting the promotional products industry. Maurice also assists members with compliance challenges facing their businesses and helps them advocate for their companies with various aspects and levels of government. Maurice also serves on the board of the Graphic Communications Workforce Coalition.


    image

    image

    1 Point

    1. Register and watch the session. Please note it will open in a new window. Please do not close the session launch page.

    2. Please make sure your pop-up blocker is turned off in order to access the session once you select it.

    3. Once you have completed the session, please close the event recording or webinar window and proceed to the session launch page for the Online Education Survey to receive credit. Please note, it will not be on your event recording or webinar window.

  • CARES Act: What Small Businesses Need To Know
    Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Recorded On: 04/13/2020

    Are you a small business owner? This is the session you need to stay up to speed with the CARES Act for your promo industry business.

    Are you a small business owner? This is the session you need to stay up to speed with the CARES Act for your promo industry business. 

    H.R. 748, named the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, is intended to help businesses mitigate their Coronavirus-related losses. With a total value of $2 trillion, the legislation authorizes federal funding for states, companies, individuals, and other entities adversely affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, and expands the eligibility criteria for the relief programs. This law has significant implications for the promotional products industry. It provides disaster relief for industry companies, including deferred tax payments, loans with forgiveness options, and direct payments to businesses and individuals. Join this session as Cory Halliburton, Cliff Andrews, Maurice Norris and Anne Stone discuss the law and the promo industry.


    image

    image

    1 Point

    1. Register and watch the session. Please note it will open in a new window. Please do not close the session launch page.

    2. Please make sure your pop-up blocker is turned off in order to access the session once you select it.

    3. Once you have completed the session, please close the event recording or webinar window and proceed to the session launch page for the Online Education Survey to receive credit. Please note, it will not be on your event recording or webinar window.