Earlier this year, PPAI proposed that regional associations join PPAI as business service members.

 Since then, more and more regionals have officially aligned with PPAI while gaining the benefits that come with membership. Joining the initial regional associations to accept the proposal – Michigan Promotional Professionals Association (MiPPA), Special Advertising of California (SAAC) and PPAChicago –  are the following:

  • Caribbean Advertising Specialties Association (CASA)
  • Georgia Association of Promotional Products Professionals (GAPP)
  • Northwest Promotional Marketing Association (NWPMA)
  • Promotional Products Association Southwest (PPAS)
  • Tri-State Promotional Professionals Association (TSPPA)
  • Upper Midwest Association of Promotional Products (UMAPP)
  • Virginia Promotional Products Association (VAPPA)
  • Gulf Coast Promotional Products Association (GCPPA)
  • Sun Belt Promotional Products Association (SPPA)
  • Promotional Products Association of the Mid-South (PPAMS)
  • Chesapeake Promotional Products Association (CPPA)
  • Promotional Products Association of the Midwest (PPAM)
  • Carolinas Association of Advertising and Marketing Professionals (CAAMP)

This brings the total number of regional associations joining PPAI to 15 since the proposal extending membership eligibility went out earlier this year. They account for more than half of the promo industry’s 26 regional associations.

“The VAPPA board recognized the value of joining and what it means for our members, as well as the regional association community as a whole,” says Janet McMaster, MAS, president of VAPPA and regional sales vice president with Geiger. “The ability to share data, trends and new experiences on a regional level makes the industry as more effective to our valued customers.”

Taylor Borst, president of UMAPP and director of marketing, events and public relations at American Solutions for Business, echos McMasters’ feelings on the advantages of her regional association joining PPAI. 

“Like many of our fellow regional associations who were also early adopters, the vote was unanimous to align our partnership with PPAI,” Borst says. “Our board is eager to collaborate and apply the resources made available so that we can continue adding value for our UMAPP members.”

  • The goal of PPAI’s proposal is to create ongoing alignment between PPAI and the regional associations while creating pathways for PPAI to help strengthen each region they represent.
  • Membership costs regional associations an annual fee and will come with a long list of benefits, as well as a Regional Rewards Program.

Details and Benefits of Becoming a Business Service Member

“The idea of transitioning from the Regional Affiliate Program to regional associations becoming members of PPAI is designed to lessen the red tape involved in and encourage more thoughtful collaboration between PPAI and the 26 regional associations,” says Kara Keister, MAS, Regional Relations Committee delegate to the PPAI Board of Directors and promise keeper at distributor Social Good Promotions.

“It’s been a long road, but overall conversations have been positive and thought provoking. I am hopeful that this first year brings success stories that only further enhance the bond between our membership organizations.”

As part of the membership, regional associations are encouraged, but not required, to advance the PPAI Strategic Plan and incorporate as many of the Association’s strategic pillars as possible.

Membership for regional associations will include a long list of benefits, including but not limited to:

  • Dedicated support person
  • Meaningful and useful benchmarking for the regional community
  • Virtual training to onboard new directors and evaluate executive directors
  • Professional education perks
  • Discounts for regional members to attend The PPAI Expo

Becoming PPAI members will cost regional associations an annual fee of $1,000.

  • If not satisfied with their membership experience, PPAI will refund their dues one time.

Additionally, PPAI will implement a Regional Reward Program, which allows associations to save money from the LDW attendee fees by participating in Promotional Products Work!, L.E.A.D. or other PPAI opportunities.