In the #DESIGNtoCHANGE podcast hosted by Ruud Janssen, Drew Holmgreen, CEO of PPAI, shared his journey from Chief Experience Officer at MPI to leading the 120-year-old association representing the branded merchandise industry. Drew reflected on his transition, emphasizing the importance of impactful conversations in driving change and fostering creativity within the industry.
Drew recounted his first days at PPAI, including the PPAI Expo at Mandalay Bay, a flagship event with 16,000 attendees and net promoter scores of 60 for suppliers and 63 for distributors. The Expo serves as a vital connection point for the association's 15,000 member companies, showcasing innovative branded merchandise and fostering collaboration among suppliers, distributors, and business service providers.
Drawing on his MPI experience, Drew shared lessons from hosting the WEC event during COVID-19, which successfully blended in-person and virtual elements. He highlighted the importance of balancing financial sustainability with delivering exceptional experiences, a principle he applies at PPAI.
The discussion explored branded merchandise's role as a marketing channel, with Drew advocating for its inclusion in campaigns to create lasting emotional connections. He cited examples like Stella Artois' innovative merchandise and Promenade's sustainability efforts, emphasizing the industry's creativity. Branded merch, he noted, offers high ROI and longevity, with items like T-shirts having an average lifespan of seven years.
Drew addressed challenges facing the industry, including tariffs, inflation, and supply chain disruptions, which impact costs and sourcing. He highlighted PPAI's advocacy efforts and the launch of a new learning management system to support members. The association is also exploring AI's potential to enhance efficiency and innovation.
Looking ahead, Drew outlined his vision for PPAI, focusing on fostering a positive staff culture, enhancing member engagement, and repositioning branded merchandise as a vital marketing tool. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with organizations like MPI, AMA, and international associations to unify messaging and drive industry growth.
The session concluded with Drew's optimism for the future, highlighting the importance of creativity, resilience, and strategic planning in navigating challenges and advancing the branded merchandise industry.
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In the #DESIGNtoCHANGE podcast hosted by Ruud Janssen, Drew Holmgreen, CEO of PPAI, shared his journey from Chief Experience Officer at MPI to leading the 120-year-old association representing the branded merchandise industry. Drew reflected on his transition, emphasizing the importance of impactful conversations in driving change and fostering creativity within the industry.
Drew recounted his first days at PPAI, including the PPAI Expo at Mandalay Bay, a flagship event with 16,000 attendees and net promoter scores of 60 for suppliers and 63 for distributors. The Expo serves as a vital connection point for the association's 15,000 member companies, showcasing innovative branded merchandise and fostering collaboration among suppliers, distributors, and business service providers.
Drawing on his MPI experience, Drew shared lessons from hosting the WEC event during COVID-19, which successfully blended in-person and virtual elements. He highlighted the importance of balancing financial sustainability with delivering exceptional experiences, a principle he applies at PPAI.
The discussion explored branded merchandise's role as a marketing channel, with Drew advocating for its inclusion in campaigns to create lasting emotional connections. He cited examples like Stella Artois' innovative merchandise and Promenade's sustainability efforts, emphasizing the industry's creativity. Branded merch, he noted, offers high ROI and longevity, with items like T-shirts having an average lifespan of seven years.
Drew addressed challenges facing the industry, including tariffs, inflation, and supply chain disruptions, which impact costs and sourcing. He highlighted PPAI's advocacy efforts and the launch of a new learning management system to support members. The association is also exploring AI's potential to enhance efficiency and innovation.
Looking ahead, Drew outlined his vision for PPAI, focusing on fostering a positive staff culture, enhancing member engagement, and repositioning branded merchandise as a vital marketing tool. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with organizations like MPI, AMA, and international associations to unify messaging and drive industry growth.
The session concluded with Drew's optimism for the future, highlighting the importance of creativity, resilience, and strategic planning in navigating challenges and advancing the branded merchandise industry.
Tim WIllard #DESIGNtoCHANGE PODcast Year +2 with Ruud Janssen
Event Design Collective PODcasts
1 hour 12 minutes 20 seconds
2 months ago
Tim WIllard #DESIGNtoCHANGE PODcast Year +2 with Ruud Janssen
In the #DESIGNtoCHANGE Podcast Season 5 episode "Year +2 with Tim Willard," hosted by Ruud Janssen, the speakers delved into the transformative intersections of event design, organizational development, and AI. Tim Willard, a certified director and organizational development practitioner, shared insights from his Navigate practice, emphasizing trust, collaboration, and the systemic approach of mess management in leadership teams. The Event Canvas methodology, developed by the Event Design Collective, was highlighted as a structured framework for designing events that align with stakeholder behaviors and expectations, fostering shared understanding and teamwork.
Find the Full AI recap by Snapsight including Key Takeaways, Idea Cloud and Summary here: https://www.snapsight.com/live-channel/88646944-36b5-4b59-8b5e-f47a4c91039a/e1be71ca-a1cb-4f34-8ecd-1d9e0efd487e/attendee?tab=takeaways
Tim introduced AI Praxis which is yet to be developed. Ruud introduced a concept integrating AI tools like Snapsight into strategic planning processes to enhance real-time data curation and synthesis. During the podcast, AI was employed to validate insights, track the use of the word "change," and gamify the conversation, showcasing its potential as a "third eye" that complements human creativity. The speakers explored AI’s role in navigating complex systems and its application in mess management, emphasizing adaptability and continuous improvement.
The session revisited Tim’s work on Western Cape business scenarios during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he developed four possible outcomes: bungee rope, slipknot, tangled, and unraveling fast. Tim noted that the current state aligns most closely with the bungee rope scenario, characterized by slow recovery and partial reforms. The speakers also discussed the global tariff impact on South Africa’s economy, particularly the challenges posed by the expiration of the AGOA trade agreement, and reflected on South Africa’s Rugby World Cup pride as a unifying event boosting national morale.
Futures literacy, a concept championed by UNESCO, was another focal point. This approach emphasizes exploring possibilities without being outcome-driven, aligning with Tim’s philosophy of designing for possibilities rather than solving isolated problems. The speakers referenced Benjamin Zander’s "Art of Possibility," highlighting the importance of focusing on potential rather than limitations.
Tim’s extensive experience as a partner, mentor, and non-executive director was also discussed, illustrating his multifaceted approach to organizational development. The conversation touched on the Design2Change book, which encourages readers to elevate their abilities to act beyond the now, and explored scenario planning as a tool for designing resilient futures.
This engaging episode provided valuable insights into the collaborative frameworks, scenario planning techniques, and AI applications shaping resilient organizations and events, underscoring the importance of trust, adaptability, and shared values in navigating complex challenges.
Event Design Collective PODcasts
In the #DESIGNtoCHANGE podcast hosted by Ruud Janssen, Drew Holmgreen, CEO of PPAI, shared his journey from Chief Experience Officer at MPI to leading the 120-year-old association representing the branded merchandise industry. Drew reflected on his transition, emphasizing the importance of impactful conversations in driving change and fostering creativity within the industry.
Drew recounted his first days at PPAI, including the PPAI Expo at Mandalay Bay, a flagship event with 16,000 attendees and net promoter scores of 60 for suppliers and 63 for distributors. The Expo serves as a vital connection point for the association's 15,000 member companies, showcasing innovative branded merchandise and fostering collaboration among suppliers, distributors, and business service providers.
Drawing on his MPI experience, Drew shared lessons from hosting the WEC event during COVID-19, which successfully blended in-person and virtual elements. He highlighted the importance of balancing financial sustainability with delivering exceptional experiences, a principle he applies at PPAI.
The discussion explored branded merchandise's role as a marketing channel, with Drew advocating for its inclusion in campaigns to create lasting emotional connections. He cited examples like Stella Artois' innovative merchandise and Promenade's sustainability efforts, emphasizing the industry's creativity. Branded merch, he noted, offers high ROI and longevity, with items like T-shirts having an average lifespan of seven years.
Drew addressed challenges facing the industry, including tariffs, inflation, and supply chain disruptions, which impact costs and sourcing. He highlighted PPAI's advocacy efforts and the launch of a new learning management system to support members. The association is also exploring AI's potential to enhance efficiency and innovation.
Looking ahead, Drew outlined his vision for PPAI, focusing on fostering a positive staff culture, enhancing member engagement, and repositioning branded merchandise as a vital marketing tool. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with organizations like MPI, AMA, and international associations to unify messaging and drive industry growth.
The session concluded with Drew's optimism for the future, highlighting the importance of creativity, resilience, and strategic planning in navigating challenges and advancing the branded merchandise industry.