PPAI Headed to Washington
Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) is preparing for its sixth annual Legislative Education and Action Day (L.E.A.D.). During the week of May 18, PPAI staff chairman of the board Rick Brenner will be leading a group of industry professionals in Washington, D.C. to meet with senators, congressional representatives and legislative staff to discuss pending legislation and issues relevant to the promotional products industry.
"Even if you can't make it to D.C., you can still make a difference on Capitol Hill," notes Paul Bellanone, PPAI president and CEO. "I encourage you to participate in our virtual fly-in by sending messages directly to your members of Congress. This is your chance to support your peers in D.C. Check your inbox each morning during the week of May 18 for call to action from PPAI. Each day's email will have a unique message, so make sure you send at least one email per day. Your participation will amplify the message our leaders are delivering on the Hill. I also encourage you to follow us on social media during the week of L.E.A.D. by checking in with us on twitter @PPAILAW and using hash tag #PPAILEAD. We will have specific calls to actions through our social media channels so check back often.
"This is your opportunity to voice your concerns about legislation and policy that affect your business and the promotional products industry as a whole," he continues. "PPAI works on your behalf throughout the year with legislators and regulatory agencies to improve the outlook for our industry, but our greatest resource for success is YOU. We cannot be as effective without you, so please take part in the virtual fly-in during L.E.A.D. As always, you can find out more by visiting www.ppailaw.org."
New Bodek and Rhodes Orlando Warehouse Opens Next Week
Bodek and Rhodes announce it will open its new warehouse at 1801 Boice Pond Road in Orlando, FL, May 18, following the closure of its Principal Row, Orlando warehouse yesterday. The new warehouse offers an additional 45,000 sq. ft. of space, a convenient location near the Florida Turnpike, and an easy-access drive-up ramp for larger deliveries.
The moving schedule is as follows:
May 13-15: Orlando location closed. No pick ups or shipments from Florida facility. May 18: New Boise Pond facility opens (pick up room opens at 11 a.m.).
Orders placed for shipment from Orlando between May 12 and May 15 will be shipped from the Boice Pond facility on May 18. Through May 14, returns that typically would have been sent to Orlando should be sent to the Philadelphia headquarters. For more information, call 800-523-2721.
NNEP Announces Embroidery Mart
The National Network of Embroidery Professionals (NNEP) will host Embroidery Mart-Nashville on Aug. 7-8 at the Music City Center in Nashville, TN.
The annual event will showcase new embroidery equipment, digital garment printers, heat press equipment, laser engravers, screen-printing equipment, rhinestones, thread, notions, stabilizers, apparel, digitizing software, and blank products. This trade show is for business owners in the embroidery, screen printing, engraving, apparel decoration and promotional products industries, or for people that are interested in starting a business in these industries. The event features more than 60 industry suppliers and typically draws 1,500 apparel decoration business owners. NNEP membership is not required to attend. For more information, visit embroiderymart.com.
Study: Workplace Word-of Mouth Benefits Advertisers
Word-of-mouth is a massive driver of consumer decision-making, according to the "Water Cooler Report," a new study released by WorkPlace Impact.
"The results are in: talking about products in the workplace is one of the most influential ways to get consumers to make the decision to buy," said Brad Fay, co-founder of the Keller Fay Group. "Word-of-mouth determines 13 percent of all consumer purchasing, or $6 trillion, and our research shows that employee conversations about brands are more impactful and positive than others."
Not only is workplace WOM impressive in terms of quantity, but in terms of quality as well. Sixty-nine percent of all WOM among Workplace Talkers is categorized as "mostly positive," while only 8 percent is considered "mostly negative." In addition, 40% of conversations include a strong recommendation to buy the product discussed.
For more on the survey, visit www.workplaceimpact.com/watercooler.