A motivating keynote speech at this year's PPAI Expo explored the importance of companies pinning down their brand. It got us thinking about the role that employees play as becoming ambassadors for that established brand and mission, and what questions leaders should consider here.
At this year's PPAI Expo, we are very excited to announce the launch of our new Hinda Partner Program. This program will help promotional products distributors, meeting/event planners and others expand their businesses by offering incentive, rewards and recognition programs to their clients. Learn more here.
Welcome to the latest edition of Hinda's "Merchandising Minute" newsletter!
"Merchandising Minute" brings you the latest news on merchandise and award trends.
This issue includes:
If you know someone who would benefit from receiving communications like this from Hinda, have them e-mail Alisa Schafer (aschafer@hinda.com) and ask to be added to the distribution list.
Also be sure to check out and subscribe to the Hinda Blog.
Click here for the current issue of Merchandising Minute.
PART 2 - PPAI Expo
We continue our trade-show wrap-up with a visit to the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) Expo, which took place in Las Vegas on Jan. 14-18, the week following CES. The PPAI Expo is the largest promotional products show in the industry, and if you’re looking for something new, you’ll find it here – along with over 11,000 promotional consultants and 1,400 suppliers in the grand exhibit hall.
PPAI is all about branding. By definition, a brand is the "name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that identifies one seller's goods or services as distinct from those of other seller's." Initially, branding was the act of burning a symbol into an animal’s skin with a hot iron stamp as a means to differentiate one’s cattle from another. This tactic was subsequently adopted in business, marketing and advertising – albeit somewhat less painfully.
Top Emerging Trends
From colors and textures to lifestyle and entertaining, new trends were out in full regalia at PPAI this year.
Let’s focus on fashion. As they say, everything old is new again. Neon from the ‘80s and brilliant pops of color ignite everything from clothing to accessories in 2013. Gold and black jewelry are on the rise, along with chunkier watches and bangle sets. Black diamonds are back, and rose gold is a must have.
Fashion handbags are getting bolder and brighter, as well. Patent leather is hot for spring, and cross-body style bags, which are perfect for commuters and multi-taskers who need their hands free, are trending right now. Pick one up with a pop of neon and you’ll be the trendsetter of your social group!
Are you a thrill-seeker? Well 2013 looks to be your year. Experience and lifestyle options were a big trend at PPAI. Everything from outdoorsy activities to unique adventures is emerging as popular categories. Coinciding with this, the health and wellness category is trending with products for working out on-the-go and staying healthy while traveling.
Speaking of outdoor living, backyard entertaining was also a big trend this year at PPAI, and portable and space-saving grills are all the rage. The latest grills are lighter-weight and easy to clean but still offer all the grilling space and quality you need when creating an outdoor meal for your family or your whole block.
This is just a smattering of the trends and products emerging this year. Check back frequently for updates via our weekly “Merchandise Monday” column right here on Hinda Blog!
Welcome to the latest issue of "Hindastry News" - Hinda's corporate newsletter.
"Hindastry News" brings you the latest on the happenings at Hinda.
This issue includes:
If you know someone who would benefit from receiving communications like this from Hinda, have them e-mail Alisa Schafer (aschafer@hinda.com) and ask to be added to the distribution list.
Also be sure to check out and subscribe to the Hinda Blog.
Click here for the current issue of Hindastry News.
Opening on the heels of last week’s Consumer Electronics Show, PPAI 2013 starts today at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. An array of professional development workshops, keynotes and other events are on offer at the expo this year – not to mention over 11,000 promotional consultants and 1,400 suppliers in the exhibit hall. PPAI is the largest promotional products show in the industry, and if you’re looking for something new, you’ll find it here!
Representatives from Hinda have taken up residence on the show floor this week, so come check us out at Booth #8311, located on the Shorelines (level two) level right by PPAI’s brand.™ exhibit. We’ll be here Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., so come talk to us about the latest and greatest from Hinda Incentives!
The Incentive Marketing Association (IMA) and The Motivation Show announced today that they will produce a new annual event in cooperation with PPAI’s brand. starting in 2014. This new event, called The Motivation Show Las Vegas, will be sponsored by IMA and include a combined exhibit hall with brand. along with a conference program open to all users and resellers of incentive and recognition products and services. PPAI’s brand., the promotional product industry’s most highly regarded incentive products showcase, is scheduled for January 15-17, 2014, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
“The launch of The Motivation Show Las Vegas represents the results of an ongoing collaborative effort between the IMA and PPAI," said Dave Peer, CPIM, President of IMA and President of Hinda Incentives. "As leading organizations for our industry, we recognize that our combined efforts will produce a valuable showcase and education event for our market. Together we are all stronger and more effective.”
According to Paul Bellantone, CAE, PPAI president and CEO, “We are honored to combine forces with the IMA to fully realize the potential of incentive and recognition products’ strengths in the industry. This strategic alliance will provide access and exposure to new markets in new ways while delivering greater value to our members. By combining PPAI’s brand. and The Motivation Show Las Vegas in one location, we have achieved another goal in fully realizing our vision to significantly enhance the show experience. This alliance will help bolster the category’s position in the market by offering new levels of connectivity to stakeholders like never before.”
IMA and The Motivation Show also announced that the dates of the 2013 trade show and conference in Chicago will move to May 6-8, 2014 (Pre-Show Education: May 6, Exhibits: May 7-8). The Motivation Show Chicago will continue to feature the incentive and recognition industry’s premiere conference program, along with an exhibit hall of the leading brand name merchandise, gift card and experiential reward suppliers.
“We’re very excited about the opportunity to co-locate a new event with PPAI’s highly successful brand.," said Pete Erickson, Managing Director of The Motivation Show. "We’re anxious to provide the distributor community with an opportunity to learn more about how incentives can help them expand their product offering and capture new corporate business.
“We also see this as a great opportunity for our community of incentive end-buyers and resellers in the Western states to have access to education, exhibits, and networking that has previously only been available in Chicago," Erickson continues. "We believe this co-location between IMA, The Motivation Show, and PPAI will be a catalyst to increasing the use of incentive rewards and promotional products throughout corporate America.”
