Promotional Products Association International

Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) is an international not-for-profit trade association serving the promotional products industry.^[1] The association was founded in 1903 and presently has more than 14,000 members.^[2]

Promotional Products Association International

Formation	1903; 122 years ago (1903)
Type	not-for-profit membership organization
Headquarters	Irving, Texas, United States
Region served	Worldwide
Membership	14,000 members
Official language	English
President and CEO	Dale Denham
Website	www.ppai.org
Formerly called	Specialy Association Advertising International

History

In 1903, a group of 12 manufacturers of promotional products formed an industry trade association. The organization was initially called the National Association of Advertising Novelty Manufacturers. Its initial members discussed matters such as pricing, innovation, business setbacks, and managing sales representatives, and established bylaws and operating procedures for the organization.^[3] Benjamin S. Whitehead, who owned a promotional products manufacturing company in Newark, New Jersey, became the association's first president.^[4]

By 1906, the association had 56 members, including one honorary member, Henry S. Bunting, who published the official publication of the association. Mr. Bunting's publication and book on promotional products and their impact on business expansion had contributed to the recognition of the industry.^[5]

In 1914, trade shows became a part of the association's conventions, with 32 exhibitors present at the first event. In 1928, PPAI celebrated its 25th anniversary with more than 132 members. The association's milestones in its first 25 years includes standardization of terms and trade practices and establishing advertising specialties as a recognized advertising medium.^[6]

The industry faced challenges during the great depression, but business rebounded in the late 1940s with industry sales of $124 million recorded in 1947. In 1961, the association started offering executive development seminars and continued to provide educational opportunities to assist members in improving their businesses.^[7]

In 1966, PPAI had 1,211 members and over 300 exhibitors.^[8] The PPAI Expo, which is currently held annually in Las Vegas is a trade show for promotional products professionals and companies.^[9]

See also

• Advertising Specialty Institute
• Promotional merchandise

References

1. Govoni, Norman A. P. (2003-07-11). Dictionary of Marketing Communications. SAGE Publications. ISBN 978-1-4833-9189-2.
2. Henley, Teri Kline; Jr, Walter W. Wymer; Self, Donald (2013-03-07). Marketing Communications for Local Nonprofit Organizations: Targets and Tools. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-136-40364-4.
3. Plunkett, Jack W. (12 March 2008). Plunkett's Retail Industry Almanac 2009: The Only Comprehensive Guide to the Retail Industry. Plunkett Research, Ltd. ISBN 978-1-59392-139-2.
4. "History of Promotional Products - Level 2 Sportswear". 2013-11-27. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
5. G. Abel, Richard (2003). PPAI At 100, A Century Of Promoting Products, People, Places And Business.
6. Thomas, Isaac (2003). "ലോകത്തിലെ ഏറ്റവും പഴക്കം ചെന്ന വ്യാപാര സ്ഥാപനങ്ങളിലൊന്ന് അതിന്റെ 100 വർഷം ആഘോഷിക്കുന്നു; അതിലും ഉണ്ട് ഒരു മലയാളി". മലയാള മനോരമ. pp. 22, 23.
7. "PPAI at 100" (PDF). casapr. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
8. Huff, Priscilla (2009-11-04). 101 Best Home-Based Businesses for Women, 3rd Edition: Everything You Need to Know About Getting Started on the Road to Success. Crown. ISBN 978-0-307-56925-7.
9. Central, A. S. I. (2023-01-13). "Unique Products & Trends From PPAI Expo". www.asicentral.com. Retrieved 2023-02-04.