PPAI

As I write this, it is hot in Southern California, making it hard to believe that summer is almost over and fall soon will be upon us. This year we didn’t take a big vacation, but took a couple of short ones. Our end-of-the-summer getaway was a few days on Catalina Island. Catalina is an awesome gem, just an hour by boat out of Long Beach, Calif. We hiked, visited the interior where bison roam, saw bald eagles, did miniature bowling, at which I am horrible, and had a few good meals. Getting away is so important to our personal and professional development.

Unfortunately, artwork is still a major headache for distributors and suppliers alike. We've come a long way and the problems are easier to fix with a skilled graphic artist than they were 15 years ago, yet there are still a few fundamental misunderstandings that cause problems for the promotional products industry.

Beverly R. Moore, wife of the late James Moore, owner of Bay State Specialty Co., passed away peacefully on August 3 after a short illness.

Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) recently announced four nominees for election to its 2015 Board of Directors Class of 2019.

Dear promotional product supplier: That video you made has a great soundtrack. The special effects? Nice touch. I even like the way you demo the product. It makes me want to sell the item. I want to feature your video on our website and social media channels, which reach thousands of people every week. Unfortunately ...

Suppliers and distributors are finally moving forward in improving electronic communications. While there are plenty of hurdles still to overcome, the industry is finally moving forward and making real progress.

Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF), a nonprofit founded to recognize and encourage scholastic excellence and academic performance among promotional products industry employees and their children, recently announced 122 winners of $125,000 in academic scholarships.

Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), Irving, Texas, announced this year's recipients for its Woman of Achievement awards.

I recently returned from a few days at Disneyland. My wife and I agreed to be chaperones for Grad Nite. On Grad Nite, Disneyland is open until 2 a.m. with just high school graduates and their chaperones. (It sounded like a good idea at the time.) I’m sure this goes on at locations all around the country, but being from Southern California, Disneyland is the place to be.

My family celebrated a milestone occasion when my son graduated from high school. I am sure many of you can relate to these significant education accomplishments, either as a proud parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle.