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(March/April 2022) I recently saw a football helmet that had a phrase that stuck with me. It said, “It takes all of us.” While I like that sentiment, I feel the message should go one step further and say: “Success—it takes all of us.” After all, one thing the pandemic made abundantly clear is that we need each other—as friends, as family and as a larger business community. For those who don’t know me: I’m the owner of Creative Awards & Screen Printing in Wichita, Kansas. I got into this industry on a whim in 1995 after going through job ads in a newspaper. (Remember those days?) I was burned out from the insurance industry and ready for something new. ...
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Another ‘unprecedented’ year proves the resiliency and ingenuity of our personalization professionals. Wait! Did I just blink? Has it already been a year? I guess time flies when you are having fun…or living through a pandemic. This is my last president’s message, and that makes me sad. But before I wax poetic on the “sad” note, I want to rejoice in the happy moments. This has been an unprecedented time, and yet your board and association staff have been working diligently to deliver value to Awards and Personalization Association members. I personally have taken advantage of numerous webinars, and I loved the Supplier Showcases. It was a great opportunity ...
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WE ARE WORKING HARD TO MAKE THE UPCOMING APA VEGAS EXPO THE BEST SHOW FOR OUR INDUSTRY. EXCITED TO SEE YOU IN-PERSON AGAIN! Blink! And, just like that, it’s December! You know what it’s like when you get the lyrics of a song stuck in your head? Well, for me, it’s “I’m so excited, and I just can’t hide it…” Sing it with me! It’s time to plan for Vegas, baby! Can I get a “finally!”?? Let’s not overlook the incredible positive change we are experiencing with the new and improved M2M Forum. Thank you to the committee, APA staff and APA Board for being proactive and acting swiftly to implement the new platform! I LOVE it. If you haven’t taken the time to jump ...
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I just got back from our first live, in-person Awards and Personalization Association Board meeting since the COVID pandemic started. For me, I needed that face time with my board and friends, and not on a computer screen. It was difficult because we had mask regulations indoors, but there was plenty of time without masks to socialize and brainstorm and share wisdom. That is what I have missed the most this year. In fact, over breakfast, I was able to gain two “nuggets” that I could take back and implement immediately. THAT is the APA “secret sauce.” It felt SO GOOD! In reflecting on the board meeting, I find that it is important for the membership to know ...
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Marty Burke retired July 1, 2021, from Marco Awards Group, having created countless treasured relationships with retailers and suppliers alike during his 47 years in the awards and personalization industry. “I started in this business using a pantograph machine,” Burke has told the Awards and Personalization Association. “I then moved onto a typewriter engraver, sublimation, and now the laser engraver.” 47 Years in the Industry Burke joined the industry in 1974, when he was in high school. He worked on the retail side before moving into distribution and then distribution/manufacturing. He was always moving and growing. “I had multiple retail stores from ...
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