news on An “A”

Feb 20, 2012

6:30 pm Kick-off Party & Pinnacle

Awards

• All Members Welcome

• $15 incl. dinner & 2 drink tickets

• Marriott at City Center740 Town Center Drive, Newport News

Feb 21, 2012

9 am - 1 pm • Newport News

Show Day 1

• Distributors Only

• Free for Members ($25 Non-

members)

• Education prior to the show

• Marriott at City Center

740 Town Center Drive, Newport News

Feb 23, 2012

10 am - 2 pm • Roanoke, VA

Show Day 2

• End-Users Welcome

• Free for Members and Clients

• $25 non-members

•Members only bring clients

• Sheraton Hotel & Conf Center2801 Hershberger Road NW, Roanoke

presented by

Get 2012 started with some fresh ideas! MAPPA is

bringing the region’s best together to highlight the

latest and greatest for the coming year. Log onto

www.WhyMAPPA.org to register, get education

information and see a full list of exhibitors.Feb 21

Feb 23

NEWPORT NEWS

Feb 20

ROANOKE

NEWPORT NEWS

Annual

Kick-off

Party

distributor

only show

end User

show

SCHEDULE of EVENTS

SHOW SPONSORS

FroM MAPPA’s BoArd President

I hope you find as much value in your membership with MAPPA as I do.

Membership really is what you make of it and the investment is well worth the return.

As we enter the new year, please take a moment to make sure you are utilizing and

maximizing your membership.

• Are you attending the 2 annual tradeshows?

• Are you encouraging your staff or colleagues to attend too? 

• Are you bringing your clients to the end-user shows?

• Are you reading the e-updates and newsletters?

• Have you reviewed the MAPPA member partnerships with SAGE and FedEx?

We continue to focus on enhancing features that will help you save time and money. If

you have any ideas or would like to volunteer with MAPPA, please email me at

larry@larryarntz.com . It is through volunteers that MAPPA was created and it is

through volunteering ideas and time that we will continue to grow and better serve

you. Cheers to a prosperous New Year!

Page 1 Spring EXPO 2012

Page 2 Member Login Now Available

Page 3 Member Benefits & Features

Page 4 EXTRA! EXTRA! In the news...

Page 5 10 Things About...

Page 6 Charles River Ad

Page 7 PPAI Petitions the President

Page 8 Going to Vegas? Sit back and relax

Page 9 Business Recovery Fund

Page 10 Business Recovery Fund

Page 11 Fall Show Photo Gallery

Page 12 Nominate for Pinnacle Awards

As 2012 comes to a close I can’t help but reflect on the past year. Like most of you, I find I don’t take nearly

enough time to do this throughout the year.

In doing so, I am incredibly thankful for my family, friends and good health. I am also thankful for the

opportunity to work in the promotional product industry.

While our industry has taken an economic hit in previous years and it continues to evolve through technology

and products. I am thankful to work in this medium which allows me to help others grow their businesses, with effective marketing.

I hope all of you feel as optimistic as I do about my role in this equation. Additionally I am grateful for MAPPA’s role in helping to

communicate the importance of promotional consultants in planning effective campaigns.

The Mid-Atlantic Promotional Products Association Quarterly Newsletter Winter 2012

Larry Arntz

MAPPA Board President

To Learn More

News ON AN “A”

Mission stAteMent

MAPPA fosters the

development of

professionalism and business

ethics through education,

certification and the exchange

of ideas in a variety of

business and social

environments.

Vision stAteMent

MAPPA is formed to advance

the image of promotional

products and their use in

Virginia.

2

BoArd oF directors

Larry Arntz PresidentLarry Arntz , Inc.

Mike Irwin, MASImmediate Past PresidentAdventures In Advertising

Joey Fox Vice President / RAC Delegate Bic Graphic USA

Bob HeintzMembership ChairVitronic Promotional Group

Harold Wood Show ChairNorwood Promotional Products

Julie Strob Communications ChairHit Promotional Products

Robert Fiveash At Large Brand Fuel

Fred Clark At LargeRennie's Advertising Ideas, Inc.

Dan AgeeAt LargeThe Ridge Enterprises, LLC

Executive DirectorDana Geiger

I know, I know. The last thing you need is

another username and password. I agree.

How many can one person manage?

However, by taking the time to create your

member password and login to the MAPPA

website you will be doing yourself a huge

favor.

Here’s why...

This feature was designed to bring you more helpful tools including 24-hour access to...

• The MAPPA Online Membership Directory

• Monthly Supplier Specials ONLY for MAPPA Members

• Easy and Free Registration for MAPPA Events

• Links to MAPPA Member Publications

• Online Resource Guide with time-saving Hotlinks - Coming Soon

Member Login - Quick set-up instructions

Step 1: Go to www.WhyMAPPA.org and enter your email in the member login box

Step 2: Click on reset password, follow instructions

Step:3: Go to your email and select the new password link and enter password of choice

Step 4: Verify Profile Information

Step:5: Once complete be on the lookout for new member features

YOU ONLY HAVE TO DO THIS ONCE! YOUR COMPUTER WILL AUTOMATICALLY LOG IN EVERY

TIME YOU VISIT!

Check it out! You’ll be glad you did.

Get LoGGed in

what’s in a newsletter? YoU tell us!Please help us stay interesting. We want to know what you are doing out there...

Are you...

Opening a new office?

Doing an office fundraiser for a local cause?

Promoting your top achievers?

Running for office?

Having success with a certain product?

Tell us. We’ll print it. Submit copy and photos if possible to Dana@whymappa.org.

Let us share your news!

To try this new feature

News ON AN “A”

3

Feature #1 Free tradeshow registration

FREE admittance for all staff and Clients to MAPPA

tradeshows - 2 times a year

Feature #2 Access Member-only online toolkit

Members receive exclusive login ability to

the Member-Only Online Toolkit. Tools

available here will save you time and money.

Tools include:

tool 1 • Member online directory

Search a current listing of all area supplier members.

Search by product line, company name, or contact name

tool 2 • Quarterly newsletter

Keeping members apprised to current happenings and

supplier specials

tool 3 • MAPPA Member specials

Made available by suppliers members exclusive MAPPA

members

tool 4 • MAPPA resource Guide

Helpful links to sites you may not even know existed.

You’ll bookmark this page as a resource and ask yourself

how you ever managed without this tool

Feature #3 Fedex discount

Through an agreement with FedEx®, MAPPA

members receive shipping discounts on three

FedEx programs: FedEx® Express, FedEx® Ground and FedEx®

Freight. For companies that regularly ship through FedEx,

annual savings are an average of $300+.

Feature #4 sAGe savings

As a SAGE Affiliate, members of MAPPA are

entitled to discounts on a variety of SAGE

services, including: SAGE Online™, SAGE

WebExpress Pro™, SAGE WebStore™, SAGE Company Store,

and SAGE ShowLink.

Feature #5 PPB Magazine

MAPPA Members receive a free subscription

to the PPB magazine, the official monthly

business magazine of PPAI.

Feature #6 Monthly e-Updates

Keep all informed of industry news and upcoming events

Feature #7 Professional development

MAPPA helps members obtain their

MAS/CAS certification through eduction

events at tradeshows as well as through

scheduled webinars.

BeneFits of MeMBersHiP : why you Join MAPPA

Benefit #1 save Money save time

Can anyone say they have too much time or money? No, which is why we

strive to offer features designed to help you get more of each. After all,

that is the point.

Benefit #2 Make a Positive impact in the industry

Being a part of MAPPA with other members committed to preserve the

integrity of the industry can ensure a long, healthy career. Additionally,

our members help each other succeed. Why reinvent the wheel? MAPPA

members can stay connected to others who manage similar challenges.

Benefit #3 solidify your Professional reputation

MAPPA members are regarded as serious and savvy business people.

Maintaining your membership indicates to other industry professionals

that you represent a reputable company committed to maintaining the

intergrity of the industry.

FeAtUres of MeMBersHiP: tools that support the BeneFits

MAPPA’s Membership Fees are due! By

submitting your dues by December 31, you

can maximize your benefits for 2012. MAPPA

wants to make this as simple as possible.

How?Option 1: Renew online at

www.whymappa.org

Option 2: Download the PDF form from

www.WhyMAPPA.org and mail it in.

aPay MAPPA

Dues!

MAPPA MeMBersHiP AFFects YoUr BottoM Line - renew YoUr dUes For 2012

deceMBer

To Renew Your Dues

4

things in the news!

coUnterPoint® introdUces sUPer dUtY coUnter MAts

CounterPoint® has renamed Heavy Duty and Standard Duty counter mat products, introducing Super Duty counter mats.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA (December 8, 2011) – CounterPoint’s Heavy Duty counter mat is now called Super Duty and their Standard Duty mat is

now called Heavy Duty. The change was made to align the product names with the evolution of the counter mat market.

When CounterPoint first started making counter mats, they introduced their premium counter mats as “Heavy Duty”. The mats were built

with CounterPoint’s exclusive Supported Adhesion Coating (SAC) and printed directly to the tough, plastic surface creating the industry’s

most durable counter mat. As years passed, competitors entered the market and called their inferior rubber backed mats “Heavy Duty”

degrading the perception of heavy duty. Several years ago CounterPoint introduced “Standard Duty” mats with a construction and price

point similar to competitor’s heavy duty products. CounterPoint changed “Heavy Duty” products to “Super Duty” to reflect their superior

construction and durability. “Standard Duty” was renamed “Heavy Duty” to match comparable, competitive construction and market

perception.

For more information, visit www.doyoupop.com.

cAMsinG GLoBAL AnnoUnces LAUncH oF new drinKwAre Line

Largo, FL (November 3, 2011) – Top 40 supplier, Camsing Global is pleased to announce the launch of Drinx™ a new line of drinkware for the

promotional products industry. The line includes more than 100 styles of tumblers, travel mugs, sport bottles, and a complete array of

glassware and ceramics that will fit into any promotional budget.

In an already competitive market segment, the Drinx™ line is being introduced at lower prices and lower minimums than is standard within

the industry.

According to Billy Dolan, CEO of Camsing Global , “Drinx™ is a familiar and natural product extension for Camsing. Between Adva-Lite and

Avaline, drinkware has been a major product category for us and it made more sense to combine all our resources and invest heavily in the

category with a comprehensive range of new items including glassware and ceramics. In addition to our wide product selection, Camsing has

invested significant resources to secure deep inventory in this core product category.”

To view the entire Drinx product range, please visit www.drinxline.com.

News ON AN “A”

sHowdown disPLAYs sUPPorts indUstrY witH new initiAtiVe

Showdown Displays, Ramsey, MN-based Supplier of Tradeshow and Event marketing products, announced today a new initiative in support

of industry regional trade associations.

“We simply want to say thank you to all who have helped us since we started attending industry shows, back in 2004. It’s our way to give

back to the industry that has been so supportive of our growth over the past decade,” said John Lundberg, VP Sales for Showdown.

“With that in mind, we’d like to remind all promotional products regional associations that we are ready, willing and able to help with all

your tradeshow display, tradeshow bag and signage needs. We’re also willing to provide educational webinars and workshops on how to

most effectively exhibit at tradeshows since that’s an important topic that Distributors need to communicate to their clients.”

For tradeshow needs and workshops, contact John Lundberg just as soon as you have plans that Showdown can help you realize.

Showdown Displays has been one of the INC 5000 fastest-growing companies in the United States for the past 4 years.

For additional information, please contact: John Lundberg, VP Sales Showdown Displays

E-Mail: jlundberg@displayheadquarters.com

Phone: 888-376-7469, Ext 130

asi/ 87188, SAGE 67383, PPAI 254687, UPIC SHOWDOWN

5

News ON AN “A”

can you think of a better

way to get to know our

members?

I can’t. This issue, MAPPA

is proud to feature Gillian

Hammond, Account

Manager for Brandfuel.

from Brand Fuel

1. I didn’t say as a little girl, “I want to sell promotional products!” I joined the industry accidently and,

seven years later, I’m still here, loving it!

2. I missed the day in school when they taught how to use a ruler. Don’t trust my measurements - for

anything.

3. I work at Brand Fuel solely for the Holiday Party.

4. I have a very sophisticated palette and can instantly taste that Diet Pepsi is NOT Diet Coke.

5. I don’t always win – but I always have fun doing it.

6. Wine. That’s the secret to life.

7. In my next life, I want to be a street cleaner so I can ride those fabulous little carts they have.

8. I am very particular about my shampoo.

9. Quiet makes my brain scream.

10. I am a firm believer that you don’t drink coffee - you ‘have’ it, you experience it.

You’re next! Email Dana@whymappa.org 10 interesting facts and a picture and you could be highlighted

in our next issue.

Gillian

6

News ON AN “A”

GET A SAMPLE OF THIS STYLE FOR ONLY $10 NET

800-225-0550 / custserv@charlesriverapparel.com / ASI #44620 / PPAI #111644 / UPIC CRA

Freight additional. Must mention code Z8. 1 blank sample per account. Expires 12/31/11.

5269 / WOMEN’S MICROFLEECE HOODIE

800-225-0550 / custser

v@charlesriverapparel.com / ASI #44620 / PP800-225-0550 / custser

v@charlesriverapparel.com / ASI #44620 / PP

AI #111644 / UPIC CRAv@charlesriverapparel.com / ASI #44620 / PP

AI #111644 / UPIC CRA

7

News ON AN “A”

PPAi Petitions President to reconsider ProMotionAL ProdUcts sPendinG LiMit

Reprinted with permission from PPB, Promotional Products Association International.

President Obama will issue an Executive Order instructing all Federal agencies and departments to limit spending on “non-

essential items used for promotional purposes, such as clothing, mugs, and non-work related gadgets.”

The limits on promotional spending are included in a larger effort to reduce spending on federal employee travel, vehicles,

printing and technology by 20 percent.

Thanks to the diligent efforts of one industry member who has embraced the PPAI grassroots program, PPAI was alerted

that the Executive Order was imminent late last week. PPAI President and CEO Paul Bellantone, CAE, immediately

petitioned the President and said, "while it might be tempting to limit the purchase of promotional products in order to

yield some short-term savings, in the long term, this prohibition may unintentionally diminish the good work of Federal

agencies. Time and again, promotional products have proven themselves to be the most cost-effective way to reach a very

targeted audience in a tangible, long-lasting and memorable manner.”

In addition, the PPAI Advocacy team reached out to the White House and small-business advocates within the government.

“While PPAI was not able to stop this order, we believe we were able to mitigate the overall impact further demonstrating

why the industry needs grassroots participation to be effective,” says Bellantone. "We need to make sure we have

members of Congress watching out for us.

“The government efforts against our industry are not coming through traditional channels. Executive orders are written

privately and released—without public input or debate. We must have sentinels on every public policy corner. This is the

second time in the past two months that vigilant members have given us critical insights and allowed us to preemptively

respond to threats. In both cases, those inside Washington acknowledged that they were surprised we had found out

about what they are doing.”

PPAI thanks members who are watching out for the industry and encourages everyone to join us in our advocacy efforts.

PPAI’s goal is to ensure that promotional products are viewed in a positive light. The Association will work diligently to

achieve that goal.

cALL to Action:

Have you ever sold promotional products to a Federal department?

If so, please contact PPAI immediately at ppailaw@ppai.org and let us know. We

will use your experience to demonstrate how promotional products can be used to

help government agencies succeed.

Look for more specific guidance on next steps to guide your advocacy efforts

throughout this week.

If you have industry critical information, please contact or Anne Lardner-Stone at

AnneL@ppai.org.

8

Are you going to Vegas?

You have a place to kick back and rest!

News ON AN “A”

9

News ON AN “A”

10

News ON AN “A”

11

2011 FALL sHowcAse ProVes BotH FUn And ProdUctiVe

If you were one of the 215 distributors that attended the Fall Showcase or if you represented one

of the 58 supplier companies who exhibited, you know that the MAPPA Fall Showcase was a

dynamic two-day event.

The mood was exciting as the floor bustled with distriubutors and their clients after attending an

educational session facilitated by PPAI Chair of the Board Eric Eckstrand, MAS and PPAI President

and CEO, Paul Bellantone, CAE. The session highlighted research about why promotional products

work and why end-users should work through distributors to ensure quality and safety.

The result was a floor full of motivated buyers and excited exhibitors.

Thank you Sponsors!

Our Product Sponsors Rock!

PictUres sAY it Best!

News ON AN “A”

P.o. Box 56283

Virginia Beach, VA 23456

(757) 491-3114www.whymappa.org

Please note: MAPPA makes available the names of services that are sponsored by community organizations or individuals for the purpose of providing non-

biased information about various disciplines that may be of interest to our readers. MAPPA recognizes these organizations and individuals as competent and

appreciates their support, but neither recommends nor endorses them. For questions, comments, or ideas for articles for the MAPPA quarterly newsletter,

please contact the MAPPA office at (757) 491.3114.

JANJan 4-6 Las Vegas, NVwww.ppaiexpo.org

JUNJun 3-6 Atlantic City, NJwww.promotionseast.org

FEBFeb 21 , Newport NewsFeb 23 , Roanoke

SEPT

JUL

2

0

1

2

MAPPA’s 

summer social

Sept 18 Chesapeake, VASept 20 Richmond, VA

The purpose of these awards is to recognize professionals that best exemplify the

values of MAPPA, and contributes not only to the association, but to the industry. The

recipient should be active in the industry, and be a current member of MAPPA.

Please nominate one or more as indicated below.

I _____________________________ from ____________________________nominate...

(Your Name Here) (Your Company Name Here)

1Supplier Company of the Year _____________________________________________

1Supplier Rep of the Year ___________________________________________________

1Distributor of the Year_____________________________________________________

1Distributor Rep of the Year _________________________________________________

1Multi-Line Rep of the Year __________________________________________________

1Volunteer of the Year______________________________________________________

MAPPA Pinnacle Awards nomination Form

To View Online Calendar

To Nominate Online

Next Issue In Homes...

March 2012

Submit content or inquire about advertising....

Email Dana@WhyMAPPA.org