Promotional Products Work! Week (PPW!W) kicked off on Monday, bringing together the industry to celebrate the power of promotional products and the importance of working with professionals in the industry. Now in its seventh year, the annual event brings together businesses, professionals and organizations in the $24.7 billion promotional products industry to raise awareness among marketers, advertisers and legislators about the value and effectiveness of the media.

Throughout the week, activities and events are planned across the industry to encourage clients, customers and prospects to advance promotional products as an essential component of a comprehensive marketing plan.

On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday of PPW!W, PPAI is hosting local members of the Association at its Irving, Texas, headquarters. Complete with a red carpet, guests are joining PPAI for lunch and to learn more about the Association and the industry’s effectiveness (pictured above). Several are also joining PPAI in a series of videos for Facebook, sharing their experiences in the industry and their perspectives on the power of promotional products.

Elsewhere in the industry, companies and organizations are celebrating PPW!W. The Promotional Products Association Southwest is sponsoring an end-user golf tournament on Thursday at Coyote Ridge Golf Club in Carrollton, Texas. Supplier Vantage Apparel has produced a line-up of PPW!W content for its social media channels this week highlighting the power of promotional products. The staff of distributor Quality Logo Products are sporting custom t-shirts (pictured above) celebrating promotional products and sharing some of their favorite promo items. Supplier Raining Rose has produced a special video highlighting the company and promotional products and shared it on their social media channels. And more industry companies are sharing their PPW!W celebration, recognition and outreach every day.

PPW!W is built on five pillars that exemplify ways PPAI member companies and others can speak up for the promotional products industry and take part in this year’s program. They are:

  • Day One: host an open house, meet-and-greet or company tour
  • Day Two: advocate for the industry by speaking to colleges, clubs or business groups about promotional products industry careers or the power of promotional products
  • Day Three: designate a day of service to support a local charity or cause
  • Day Four: share the industry’s impact on the economy with legislators, politicians and government officials—this day coincides with PPAI’s Legislative Education and Action Day (L.E.A.D.) on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
  • Day Five: partner with industry suppliers and regional associations and host a customer appreciation day

Industry companies looking to create awareness for the industry can download a toolkit with ideas, graphics, videos, social media banners and other PPW!W-branded elements here. Follow all the activities throughout the week on PPAI's Facebook page and post events using #PPWWeek. Companies are also encouraged to send descriptions and photos from company activities and events to PPB@ppai.org for consideration in a future article.