Gold Coast Promotional Products Association upcoming events

GCPPA & SAGE: New Tricks in ’26: What’s New in SAGE (05/27/2026)

Wed, 27 May 2026 15:30:00 GMT

Description: Join us for a walkthrough of the latest enhancements to SAGE Workplace, Websites, and Stores, as well as some existing “Hidden Gem” tools designed to help you sell more and keep your year going strong!

Wild Wednesday Webinar: " From Invisible to Influential: How to Build a Personal Brand That Attracts" (05/27/2026)

Wed, 27 May 2026 16:30:00 GMT

In today’s competitive promotional products industry, being good at what you do is no longer enough—you need to be known for it. Visibility drives opportunity. In this session, Kirby Hasseman introduces the TARGET Personal Branding Framework, a simple and practical system designed to help professionals move from being invisible in their industry to becoming influential voices their customers trust. Participants will learn how to define their ideal audience, attract the right people, expand their reach through consistent content, confidently ask for opportunities, and turn customers into enthusiastic brand ambassadors. This session focuses on practical steps that sales professionals, marketers, and industry leaders can immediately implement to grow their visibility, credibility, and business opportunities.

Learning Outcomes
- Define their ideal audience and craft messaging that resonates with the right customers instead of trying to reach everyone.
- Build a consistent personal brand presence using content and visibility strategies that increase reach and industry influence.
- Apply the TARGET framework to attract opportunities, confidently ask for business, and turn customers into enthusiastic brand advocates.

About the Presenter: Kirby Hasseman is the founder and CEO of Hasseman Marketing & Communications, a full-service branded merchandise and marketing agency based in Coshocton, Ohio. With over 20 years in the promotional products industry, Kirby has built a reputation for helping businesses use branded merch strategically—not just as giveaways, but as powerful tools for connection, loyalty, and growth.

Delegate or Die: Live Webinar (06/03/2026)

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Ready to stop reacting to AI and start using it strategically?

Join the live interactive podcast, Delegate or Die?, on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, from 2:00–3:00 PM EDT, built specifically for tech professionals, MSPs, and business leaders navigating the future of work. Hosted by IT By Design, this fast-paced session explores how AI is transforming modern business operations and why delegation may become one of the most valuable leadership skills of the next decade.

The event features expert-led discussions on AI readiness, workflow automation, cybersecurity, and practical ways to integrate AI into your business without losing the human element. Attendees will hear real-world insights from industry leaders, participate in live discussion, and walk away with actionable strategies to future-proof their organizations.

Whether you’re curious, cautious, or already experimenting with AI tools, this session is designed to help you better understand what’s coming next and how to stay ahead of it. Registration is free.

"Tuesday Learning Lab: From Orders to Loyalty: Turing Promo Buyers into Lifetime Customers" (06/09/2026)

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Promotional products distributors work hard to win new customers — but the real growth opportunity often comes from keeping the customers you already have. From Orders to Loyalty: Turning Promo Buyers into Lifetime Customers is a practical, engaging session designed to help distributors build stronger relationships, create memorable customer experiences, and increase repeat business. Attendees will learn simple but powerful retention strategies that turn transactional buyers into loyal long-term clients who become the foundation of your business.

Learning Outcomes:

· Customer retention strategies that increase repeat business and long-term loyalty
· Positioning yourself as a trusted partner instead of just another vendor
· Proactive communication and follow-up create stronger customer relationships
· Ideas for delivering more value, improving customer experience, and standing out from competitors

About the Presenter:

Sandra C. Kelley is the Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Prestige Promotions, LLC, a leading provider of promotional products and innovative branding solutions. Founded in 2004, Sandra's strong entrepreneurial spirit and extensive management experience with GM propelled her to establish the company. As COO, Sandra strategically drives the company’s growth, manages comprehensive order processes, and cultivates client relationships. Additionally, she has a strong commitment to the community; volunteering on the Board of a community-based non-profit for over 10 years and supporting other local small businesses by donating time, talent, finances & goods. Sandra was privileged to serve as the 2021 President of the Michigan Promotional Professionals Association and as a 2019 & 2020 PPAI L.E.A.D. Advocate for the Promotional Marketing industry in Washington D.C. Her most proud accomplishment is being the organizer and host of the MIPPA Professional Development Series for over six years.

Wild Wednesday Webinar: "Packaging Is Not the Box; It’s the Brand Experience, …It’s The Hidden Profit Lever, featuring Cliff Quicksell" (06/24/2026)

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Most salespeople view packaging as an afterthought, a simple container for the product. In reality, packaging is a powerful branding tool that elevates perception, enhances the client experience, and dramatically increases margins. In this session, Cliff Quicksell reveals how creative packaging transforms ordinary promotions into memorable brand experiences.

Three Learning Outcomes:
• Recognize Packaging as a Strategic Marketing Tool Understand how packaging influences brand perception, emotional engagement, and the overall customer experience.
• Identify New Revenue and Profit Opportunities Discover how adding creative packaging solutions can increase order value, differentiate proposals, and significantly improve margins.
• Position Packaging as a Value-Added Solution Learn how to confidently present packaging ideas that move the conversation away from price and toward brand impact and creativity.

About the Presenter: Cliff Quicksell, CSP, MAS+, MASI, is a seasoned expert with over 40 years in promotional marketing. As a highly regarded speaker, trainer, and consultant, he has spent 40 years helping associations and national business groups enhance their marketing strategies, improve team motivation, and drive business growth. Cliff holds the prestigious MAS+ professional designation and has worked with top-tier clients including Dixon Ticonderoga, Fruit of the Loom, and Geiger, among many others. He regularly speaks at industry events like PPAI EXPO and ASI Shows, earning accolades for his impactful presentations. A 48+ time PPAI Pyramid Award winner, Cliff has also garnered numerous honors, including PPAI’s Ambassador Speaker of the Year for six years and the Distinguished Service Award in 1997. In 2024, Cliff received his CSP, Certified Speaking Professional, designation. The CSP is held by less than 7% of all speakers globally.

Tuesday Learning Lab: "New Tricks in ’26: What’s New in SAGE" (07/14/2026)

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Join us for a walkthrough of the latest enhancements to SAGE Workplace, Websites, and Stores, as well as some existing “Hidden Gem” tools designed to help you sell more and keep your year going strong!

Specific Learning Outcomes

Idea & Presentation Wizards
Instant Virtual Samples
Lifestyle Images
Custom Page Builder

About the Presenter: Matt Parisi is the new Corporate Programs Manager at SAGE as of 2026! He has five years of experience in the promo industry working with SAGE as a Distributo Account Advisor in his previous role. After growing up in Fayetteville, Arkansas, he graduated from Texas A&M and currently resides in Houston, Texas.

Wild Wednesday Webinar: "The Proactive Promo Seller: How to Create Momentum Without "Just Checking In"" (07/29/2026)

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 16:30:00 GMT

In this practical session, Jamie Lorenty will help promotional products professionals rethink how to stay top of mind without becoming repetitive, annoying, or transactional. The session will explore how belief in the power of branded merchandise, client-focused research, thoughtful touchpoints, and stronger follow-up language can turn routine outreach into meaningful engagement. Participants will walk away with practical ways to create better reasons to reach out, stay visible between orders, spark curiosity, build trust, and support stronger client outcomes.

Learning Outcomes:

Recognize how belief in the value of branded merchandise shapes confidence, creativity, and more outcome
focused sales conversations.
Identify client, industry, event, and business insights that can create relevant reasons to reach out before an immediate need exists.
Evaluate follow-up habits that may cause outreach to feel repetitive, transactional, or easy to ignore.
Apply more intentional engagement methods and messaging to stay visible, spark curiosity, and strengthen client relationships.

About the Presenter Jamie Lorenty is the Founder & Growth Strategist of Lorenty Consulting, LLC, where she helps sales professionals and business leaders in the branded merchandise industry strengthen performance through mindset, outcomes, visibility, and execution. With more than two decades of experience in sales, leadership, training, and consulting, Jamie brings a practical, industry-specific approach to improving sales skills, strengthening processes, and driving sustainable growth. Jamie is passionate about empowering the potential within people, both personally and professionally. Her work is rooted in helping individuals strengthen their mindset, take intentional action, and create a ripple effect of positive change that extends beyond business results.

2026 GCPPA FallExpo - EXHIBITOR (10/01/2026)

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 15:30:00 GMT

October 1, 2026

Fort Lauderdale Marriott North
6650 N Andrews Ave
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309

Join us for the exciting 2026 GCPPA Fall Expo, this year we're sticking to the tradition table top format to maximize the amount of attendees, and we're returning to the tried and true newly rennovated Ft. Lauderdale Marriott North.

SCHEDULE*:

September 30, 2026

3:00pm - 7:00pm - Exhibitor Set up (ballroom)
6:30pm - 8:30pm - Casually pre-show meet & greet (hotel bar)

October 1, 2026

7:00am - 10:00am - Exhibitor Set up (ballroom)

9:30-11:30am - GCPPA Membership & Awards Brunch (TBD)

11:30am-3:00pm - Show open to distributors and clients (ballroom)

*Schedule subject to change. All exhibitors and attendees will be notified with schedule changes that affect them.

By registering for this event, you acknowledge and agree to comply with the terms and conditions outlined in the 2026 GCPPA Fall Expo Contract.

2026 GCPPA FallExpo - DISTRIBUTOR (10/01/2026)

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 15:30:00 GMT

October 1, 2026

Fort Lauderdale Marriott North
6650 N Andrews Ave
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309

DISTRIBUTOR & CLIENT REGISTRATION

SCHEDULE*:

September 30, 2026

6:30pm - 8:30pm - Casually pre-show meet & greet (hotel bar)

October 1, 2026

9:30-11:30am - GCPPA Membership & Awards Brunch (TBD)

11:30am-3:00pm - Show open to distributors and clients (ballroom)

*Schedule subject to change. All exhibitors and attendees will be notified with schedule changes that affect them.

By registering for this event to agree to abide by GCPPA's governing documents and policies.