About the speaker: Darlene Kirk

As Business Development Manager for Norwood Promotional Products, Darlene brings over a decade of marketing, distributor and supplier sales experience to CAPPA’s loyal members. Darlene’s passion for personal and professional development is at the core of her business and life philosophy. Her goals in 2010 are to assist CAPPA’s members achieve their own personal and professional goals thru dynamic CAPPA education and social events in addition to building on the success of CAPPA’s 2009 tradeshow in 2010.

About the speaker: Dana Zezzo

Dana has spent the past two years growing the company into the largest supplier of beach and golf towels. He has been in the promotional product industry for over 20 years. Dana is equally involved in both the industry and in his local community in Ashtabula, Ohio. He is a past president of TRASA – the Three Rivers Advertising Specialty Association, and currently serves on both the ASI Stitches Advisory Board and on the PPAI National Leadership Conference Advisory Committee. He also gives seminars across the country on industry related topics such as How to Market your Apparel Decorating Business, Selling Strategies and Social Networking for Promotional Professionals.

Dana currently lives in Ashtabula, OH with his wife, Shelly and three daughters where he continues to update his facebook and linkedin profiles on a daily basis.

 Pro Towels Etc. has changed the view of our category and the perception of our company by utilizing the social media platform.

You may not be Oprah or Michael but you have a name for yourself. You should be a marketer of the most important brand you represent: The Brand of You. In this interactive session participate in exercises that will make you a better marketer for yourself and the talents you bring to your organizations. By the end of the presentation you will know your personal brand attributes, elevator pitch and how to use social media to promote the brand of you. 

About the speaker: Randy Hawthorne

Randy Hawthorne lives his brand promises of being an educator, explorer and entertainer. A lifelong learner himself, he enjoys educating others on marketing and leadership topics. As part of his learning quest, he loves to try new things and explore creative ways of solving challenges for himself and others. Through it all he hopes to create entertaining, memorable experiences in his work and personal life.

 A Certified Professional Marketer, Randy lends his marketing and organizational leadership expertise to a number of nonprofits including American Marketing Association, Rotary International, Downtown Lincoln Association, Sheldon Art Association, and the Nebraska Student Leaders Foundation.

Randy has devoted his career to researching consumer trends and developing marketing products that help nonprofit organizations and small businesses prosper. He works as vice president for business development at Firespring where he oversees the research and development and franchising divisions of the company.

Randy was selected as one of Lincoln’s 40 Under 40 by the Midlands Business Journal. He was also recognized as the Volunteer of the Year by the International Festival Events Association. In his spare time, he occasionally makes his way to the stage, geeks out on local history and goes on photography adventures.

Schedule SAGE Online Training 8:00am – 9:00am Exhibits Open 9:00am – 1:00pm SAGE Web Products Training 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Location March 10 – Austin Omni Austin Southpark 4140 Governor’s Row Austin, TX 78744

March 11 – San Antonio San Antonio Marriott Northwest 3233 NW Loop 410 San Antonio, TX 78213

Visit www.sageshowcase.com to Register!

Happy Birthday, Bill- We hope you have a great day!

Why is volunteering with CAPPA important to you?

Being a founding member of CAPPA in 1984 I feel  it is not only a responsibility but an honor to volunteer my efforts to ensure that CAPPA reaches its original goal of serving the Promotional Products industry in our geographical area to the maximum. 

What is one event or person that brought you to the Promotional Products industry?

I was a client for 17 years prior to moving to the Distributor side of our industry.  I relocated  to Austin in 1984 when I married a life-long Texan – and was offered the opportunity to open a Branch Office for the Distributor from whom I had been buying my promotional products in Ohio.

What  is important in your life right now?

Family, Pets, Friends,Sense of Humor and Fairness in dealing with others.

Name one thing not many people know about you?

I studied ballet for 14 years  and have the “bad” feet to prove it!!

What is your favorite place on earth?

Dubois, Wyoming:  Owned property  and horses there in the early 80’s and seriously contemplated moving there.  Dubois is a beautiful town located in the Wind River Valley where the Indians wintered . Residents are friendly and the scenery is spectacular  with a view of the Wind River Mountain Range. Walt Disney Corp. owns several working ranches in the area.

 Before the Board Orientation what was your impression of CAPPA as an organization- good or bad?

My impression of CAPPA has always been GOOD!  Of course I am a biased in my response.  CAPPA can only become stronger and offer more every year to all those engaged in our profession. 

What is the one take away you received after the Board Orientation?

I was delighted and impressed by the seriousness  of every single attendee reflected in their questions and comments.  CAPPA’s 2010 Board represents a group of dedicated individuals  that I envision stepping up  to fulfill their responsibilities to the fullest.

What is your personal goal for CAPPA?

I would have to say one word and that is “GROWTH” …get more industry professionals to realize the importance of being involved in a professional organization of their peers.

Why is volunteering with CAPPA important to you?

Volunteering for CAPPA is important to me because CAPPA would not be an organization with its volunteers. CAPPA can only be as strong as its volunteers. I believe I can help bring change, for the betterment of the organization and its members to an organization that has brought value to its member over the years. Without volunteers CAPPA would not be an organization that can help bring change to people’s lives.

What is the one event or person that brought you to the promotional products industry?

Tom Chambers was the first person that introduced me to the promotional products industry. I was on the printing side of the business, for a company, for about 15 years and they decided to start up a promotional products division and it was a natural fit for me. I quickly moved away from the printing and became a promotional product salesman. 

What is important in your life right now?

Family 

Name one thing that not many people know about you.

I get very passionate about things I believe in. 

What is your favorite place on earth?

Wherever I am at that moment in time. 

Before the board orientation what was your impression of CAPPA as an organization, good or bad?

I did not have a good or bad impression of CAPPA. I saw them as an organization that put on table top shows and education. 

What is the one take away you received after the board orientation?

That we are here to help people through education and information about our industry. We are here to help our members grow and help them change their lives.

What is your personal goal for CAPPA?

My person goal is to help leave CAPPA in a better position than it was before I was on the Board.

Why is volunteering with CAPPA important to you?

I think volunteering with CAPPA is important because it allows me to express myself within our industry and highlight our local economy through the promotion of how powerful custom logo merchandise can truly be.

What is the one event or person that brought you to the promotional products industry?

Dan and Jeff Walker have been a very powerful positive influence over me. Dan showed me early on that the best way to differentiate yourself from the competition is creativity. He also taught me that no matter how serious business became it is always important to maintain a healthy sense of humor.

What is important in your life right now?

My family, God, friends, and partners in life.

Name one thing that not many people know about you.

I am a horsepower junkie. In my extra free time you will probably find me in my garage or with car buddies. My weekend toys consist of a supercharged C5 Corvette as well as a Mustang GT convertible I have had since I was 16.

What is your favorite place on this earth?

Home is what my heart always yearns for. I love being home with my wife and 16 month old son. There is no other place that gives me such an “at peace” feeling.

Before the board orientation what was your impression of CAPPA as an organization, good or bad?

It was good. The outgoing board was made of people I admire and consider good friends. It was a real turning point in the organization and I am very happy to be a part of the new CAPPA.

What is the one take away you received after the board orientation?

I really was impressed with how much we feed off of each other. I feel like my weak points will be politely compensated for throughout my term and I will be able to take a lot of knowledge from my role in CAPPA and apply it to my role at Walker Advertising, Inc.

What is your personal goal for CAPPA?

To do my best to make 2010 the best year CAPPA has ever seen.