Spector & Co's Loic Lefebvre on His First PPAI Expo Exhibitor Experience

When Loic Lefebvre went to bed Tuesday night, he did so feeling "very productive." That description sounds incredibly apt, given that he is approaching his one-year anniversary as vice president of sales, North America, for Spector & Co. (booth No. 4737). Appearing at his initial PPAI Expo, the ambitious go-getter is eagerly taking in attendees' reactions to the supplier's product lines, and is plotting for them to develop further fascination with the goods.

"I've found myself blown away by how incredible everything has been so far," the convention rookie said Wednesday morning as the day's growing crowd vied for his employees' attention. "It's extremely comforting to have such great representatives here to help us promote Spector's mission."

Loic Lefebvre, vice president of sales, North America, for Spector & Co.

Having joined the West Chazy, N.Y. supplier just after last year's PPAI Expo, Lefebvre is making sure he takes in all that the trade show has to offer. Coming to the promotional products industry after formerly working in consumer goods, most notably food and spirits, he had known he would be entering a field blessed with amazing opportunities to continue his interest in fulfilling end-users' needs. The last 12 months have been a consistent lesson regarding the possibilities for him and his peers.

"I've looked around and seen some amazing booths and heard some incredibly insightful conversations," Lefebvre said as he passed Spector's three meeting booths. "Everyone, including me, is taking in so much information, and it's all for the betterment of what we're striving to be for our clients."

Those customers are now able to share their needs with a man who came to Spector with a strong desire to explore and grow in a fun environment. His tenure and time thus far at Expo have reminded him that "nobody owns all of the solutions" on how to excel as a promotional products supplier, and that the key to gaining and retaining distinction is having a very curious mindset.

"I think we're addressing short- and long-term goals while here, and we'll head back home with the goal of finding as many answers as we can to the question of what end-users need from us in this ever-changing industry," Lefebvre said.

Spector & Co. is responding to that inquiry with an increasing assortment of domestic items options, particularly wine-related items, and has started to call on Near Field Communication to ease the process of seeking and securing goods and services. The company will continue to rely on the tech, and if it finds an exceptional way to make use of it, Lefebrve and his colleagues might again find themselves highly decorated. Last night, they walked away with six awards at the PPAI Awards and Recognition Program, honors that helped lead to his excellent night of sleep.

"There is still a ton to see, take in and gain lessons from," Lefebrve said. "That's going to compel us to approach this year as a true learning experience. That's certainly how I'm going to see it."