For a few local Veterans Affairs offices in Iowa, it was clear they needed something to help their veterans stay aware of and keep track of the resources available to them. Promotional products, of course, provide more than just brand growth. They can be a powerful message for awareness and advocacy.

So, those departments offices turned to Iowa-based distributor Promotions By Design.

Often, veterans are unaware of their local veteran advocates and the resources they can find through them. Even more might have a general sense that there is help out there but aren’t sure exactly where to turn or know the specifics concerning what is offered.

Sometimes, this is regarding help with practical logistics. Other times, such awareness can have life-or-death stakes, as so many veterans deal with varying degrees of post-traumatic stress disorder.

  • For the Marion County Veterans Affairs office, Promotions By Design created a daily planner that vets could use to help keep appointments with doctors, social workers, legion meetings or job interviews.
  • The Keokuk County office also partnered with the distributor to create poker chips featuring information about a crisis hotline.

“As a company, we’re always proud to partner with any veterans’ organizations to help them connect with them members,” says Joe Michmershuizen, owner of Promotions By Design. “We have two long-time employees who are veterans, which puts us in the unique position of understanding both ends of a marketing campaign.”

‘The Single Most Important Thing We Can Do For Our Veterans’

It’s easy for outsiders to call promotional products superfluous, but the reality is that campaigns like these involve high-stakes issues affecting a population that our entire society owes a great debt to. In the case of Promotions By Design’s campaign, the results were a smash hit.

“The planner is part of the single most important thing we can do for our veterans,” says retired Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Bandstra, the office’s executive director. “It provides them a place to keep track of critically important information and meetings that are sometimes critical to their daily or weekly lives. 

A lot of the veterans we serve tell us that the planner we give is the first and last thing they look at each day.”

Robert Bandstra

Executive Director, Marion County, Iowa, Veterans Affairs

“A lot of the veterans we serve tell us that the planner we give is the first and last thing they look at each day.” 

The poker chips received equally glowing reviews.

“They listened to what our needs were and suggested the poker chip,” says Michelle Herman, Keokuk County Veteran Affairs administrator. “This was a very successful advertising message because it is something that veterans can carry with them all at all times and is also discreet. 

“I am grateful to Promotions by Design for creating a terrific way for us to not only get out our message but keep it in front of our audience.”

LEAD 2025

Joe Michmershuizen, owner of Promotions By Design, will be attending PPAI’s Legislative Education and Action Day. He was instrumental in securing a meeting with Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who has proposed a bill targeting promotional products.


“LEAD offers an important opportunity each year to advocate for our industry through direct conversations with members of Congress and their staffers on Capitol Hill,” says Rachel Zoch, public affairs and research editor for PPAI. “This year, we are especially excited to be working with Thorn Run Partners, our eyes and ears in Washington. With their guidance, we’re hoping it will be an especially impactful event.”

During LEAD 2025, held on April 7-8, PPAI members and staff will meet with members of Congress and their staff on Capitol Hill to discuss pending legislation and issues relevant to the promotional products industry.

Below are more LEAD Case Studies:


Learn more about PPAI Public Affairs here.

For questions or suggestions on regulatory or government affairs issues, please contact Rachel Zoch at RachelZ@ppai.org.