Get to know your Board of Directors…

Jennifer Brown, 2010 CAPPA Vice President & RAC Delegate

Why is volunteering with CAPPA important to you?

In my opinion, it’s all about the relationships I’ve built through my volunteer work. I have been very fortunate to meet so many wonderful people that I am lucky to call my friend. I also truly believe in the work we’re doing and the potential that CAPPA has to help you succeed in your business.

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

 Honestly, I ended up here on a fluke! I was working part time for a local distributor and after I had been there several months they decided that they wanted to get out of the business. In a matter of about 3 days I became a business owner and as they say “the rest is history!”

 What is important in your life right now?

 I’m working on focusing my business model to adapt to the new economy while continuing to grow my business. In my personal life I am a natural born worrier and i’m learning (slowly!)  to “be in the moment” so that I enjoy everything life has to offer, today!

 Name one thing that not many people know about you.

 If you’ve ever been around me for more than an hour or so, you’ll probably notice that I tend to wear my sunglasses a lot inside. The reason for that is not that I think I’m “too cool for school” :) , it’s because I’m legally blind (sunglasses are prescription).

 Where is your favorite place on earth?

 WOW-this is a tough one for me because I LOVE to travel! It’s a tie between two places: Ireland- there is no words to describe the natural beauty of the country and my Granny’s house in East Texas- it represents everything good in my life.

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

 My impression of CAPPA was that it was an organization with great heart but one that needed new leadership to focus and move forward toward a successful future.

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

 Our new Board of Directors has the passion and dedication to bring CAPPA to its full potential.

 What is your personal goal for CAPPA?

 I want distributors and suppliers to recognize CAPPA as an organization that is beneficial to the overall success of their business.

Get to know your Board of Directors…

From Darlene Kirk, 2010 CAPPA President

Why is volunteering with CAPPA important to you?

 It is an experience that cannot be bought. Even though you are not paid for your work the benefits are actually greater than money. The selfless act of volunteering gives you an opportunity to change and enhance a person’s life personally and professionally. If people never volunteered and only care about themselves this world would be cruel and sad place.

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

 I did not know much about our industry but after an eight month lay off from my previous company I knew I wanted a dynamic position and would not settle for anything short of this. I saw a job offering for product development manager with Norwood and applied. This position gave me the opportunity to travel the world and make friendships everywhere! I love the fun and creativity of this industry.

 What is important in your life right now?

 I am very focused on the connections I have with my husband and my children. Understanding them at every level and seeing how I can help them grow and develop their dreams. I am grateful for the blessings they give me everyday. Especially, my husband who makes everyday like Christmas for me and my children…these moments I hold close knowing that it may not always be there.

 Name on thing that not many people know about you.

 I sang for many years in a church and was a lead singer in a band in my early twenties. I have always loved music! It is best motivator!

 Where is your favorite place on earth?

 I love the ocean and the Virgin Islands represent for me some of the most picturesque views you will ever see!

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

 My honest opinion is that I have viewed CAPPA as an organization that has not provided tremendous value to its members beyond its trade show.

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

 We will be focused on changing and enhancing the lives of all who we encounter.

 What is your personal goal for CAPPA

I want to re-establish the identity of CAPPA. I would like to make this organization a dynamic source of business for our supplier members and a resource for distributor members to obtain the tools they need to succeed.

SAVE THE DATE!!!

News You Can Use…

We are pleased to announce that CAPPA has become a SAGE Affiliate. As a SAGE Affiliate, members of CAPPA are entitled to discounts on a variety of SAGE services, including:

  • • SAGE Online™, SAGE’s industry-leading product research and presentation tool for distributors
  • • SAGE WebExpress Pro™, a dynamic, fully-customizable website system offering a turn-key, modern web presence for suppliers and distributors
  • • SAGE WebStore™, a complete product research module for distributor websites to provide end-user research capabilities and e-commerce
  • • SAGE Company Store, a fully-customizable turn-key company store module for distributors to provide dynamic, modern online storefronts to their customers
  • • SAGE Mobile, the first ever mobile research solution for promotional products, suppliers and tradeshows.

 Current SAGE subscribers may apply the CAPPA discount to their current subscriptions effective as of the next renewal by contacting SAGE. CAPPA members who add SAGE services can obtain the discount by notating CAPPA membership on the application. In addition to discounts on SAGE services, SAGE will also provide CAPPA members with a variety of services as part of the relationship, including an association website and access to SAGE’s marketing resources.

David Natinsky, president of SAGE, said, “We are excited about the opportunity to add CAPPA to our growing list of regional associations that are part of our SAGE Affiliate Program. More importantly, we’re thrilled that CAPPA’s members will continue to realize the benefits of their CAPPA membership by now receiving discounts on SAGE services.”

 Debra Stovall, Executive Director of CAPPA, said, “We’re excited to be working with SAGE and to be able to offer our members another benefit from which they can truly benefit. We look forward to continuing our mutuallybeneficial relationship with SAGE.”

 Natinsky continued, “We have always worked closely with the regional associations in our market and especially CAPPA. We are glad that our two organizations will continue to grow and become stronger together.”

CAPPA (Corridor Area Promotional Products Association) is a diverse group of distributor and supplier members from all over South/Central Texas! CAPPA is dedicated to fostering professionalism within the promotional products industry through building relationships, personal development and education.

 SAGE®, based in Carrollton, Texas, is the leading provider of information and marketing solutions to the promotional products industry providing product research tools, websites, e-commerce solutions, end user catalogs, artwork services, traveling tradeshows and tradeshow management services.

You’re Invited…

Customer Service Lessons from Taxi Terry

If you were unable to attend the PPAI EXPO in Vegas, you still have the opportunity to check out the opening ceremony speaker. Scott McKain has set up a website that has the highlights from his speech and a few other perks: Click HERE to check out the site!

Here’s a preview… You’ll LOVE the story about Taxi Terry! Enjoy :)

ASI Dallas- FREE Admission & Voucher

For more details about the show, please click here!

ASI Dallas – FREE Admission & Show Voucher

For more details about the show, please go to: http://www.asishow.com/10Dallas/index.html

A note from the President…

Happy New Years CAPPA Members!

I hope that each of you had a wonderful holiday season with your family and friends! While I am sorry to see the holidays pass so quickly I welcome the New Year with renewed energy and a positive outlook for your regional association, CAPPA.

The CAPPA board has been hard at work putting together plans to increase membership benefits and a Calendar of Events that will surpass anything we have done in previous years. Stay tuned…there is a NEW CAPPA for 2010! This month we will be hosting our Board Orientation on the 28th. During this orientation each committee will unveil their strategic plans to provide our distributor members ways to build their business through education and save money with leading suppliers! Our supplier members will not be forgotten as we will be unveiling plans to provide more opportunities to bring exposure to their product lines at no cost to them!

This year our Board wants to be an extension of your business. We are here to help you through these trying times as we pray that the economy will continue to take a turn for the better. Today more than ever it is time to use all resources available to keep you ahead of the competition and stretch your marketing dollars. By being a member of CAPPA in 2010 we will partner with you to give you these resources.

This week, Scott Harris, our Social Chair, Ruth Verver our VP & Membership Chair, Jennifer Brown, our Treasurer & IT Chair and I are attended the PPAI Expo in Las Vegas. Jennifer and I will be attended the RAC Assembly networking with many regional associations and received an update on the RAC board’s goals for 2010.

Here’s to a dynamic 2010!

Your President,

Darlene Kirk, Norwood

dkirk@norwood.com

PPAI EXPO

The PPAI EXPO starts next week in Las Vegas, NV (Jan. 11th-15th)!! I’ll be going as the CAPPA RAC Delegate along with Darlene Kirk, President and RuthVerver, Vice President. Be sure to visit the blog every day next week for the latest updates, pictures and daily recaps from the show.

**If you’re a CAPPA member and need a break during the show, be sure to stop by the Regional Affiliate Lounge to relax and say “hi”. It will be open on Wednesday & Thursday from 8:30am to 5:00 pm and on Friday from 8:30am to 2:00 pm. The lounge is located on Level 2, Reef F.

For more information about the show please click here.