Don't miss this month's Tuesday Learning Lab designed to
increase your network and enhance your professional growth

Sales Feed Egos, Profits Feed Families. Why Selling at the Highest Possible Margins is Your First Responsibility

May 12, 2026
12:30 pm
Featured Speaker: Cliff Quicksell, Cliff Quicksell Associates

Too many salespeople chase revenue while ignoring the one metric that truly sustains a business, that metric, profit. In this high-impact session, Cliff challenges the industry’s obsession with price and volume, revealing why protecting margin is a professional responsibility. Attendees will learn how to position value, defend pricing, and sell with confidence and purpose.

Learner Outcomes:

• Understand the True Cost of Discounting - Recognize how low-margin selling erodes long-term profitability, weakens positioning, and creates unsustainable client expectations.
• Position Value Over Price - Learn strategies to communicate expertise, creativity, and consultative insight so clients see the value beyond the product itself.
• Adopt a Profit-First Sales Mindset - Develop the confidence and discipline to protect margins, walk away from unprofitable business, and focus on opportunities that sustain both the business and the families it supports.

Don't miss this month's Wild Wednesday Webinar designed to
increase your network and enhance your professional growth

From Invisible to Influential: How to Build a
Personal Brand That Attracts Opportunity

May 27, 2026
12:30pm
Featured Speaker: Kirby Hasseman, Hasseman Marketing & Communications

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

Orioles vs. Mariners

Step up to the plate for one of CPPA's favorite events of the year - CPPA Night at the Ballpark!

This year, we're switching things up with a private group experience in the Right Field Porch (Sections 206 - 210) - the perfect setting to stay connected, build relationships, and enjoy an exciting night of O's baseball together.

When: Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Where: Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Game Time: 6:35 pm  (Gates Open 60 minutes prior to first pitch)

Cost:  $50 pp CPPA Members - Includes game ticket and a $25 Food and Beverage credit to be used during the game on items of your choice. 

Pregame: We will be meeting before the game at Section 771 which is near the stadium for an informal pre-game gathering. This is a great opportunity to network before the game and then head over to the game with other CPPA attendees. Cash bar for the pre-game networking will be available.

Don’t miss this opportunity to mix business with baseball—CPPA style! Space is limited, so grab your ticket early and join us for a night of connections, camaraderie, and Orioles baseball.

Bowling & Business...
Not Your Father's Bowling League

September 21, 2026

Main Event
10300 Little Patuxent Parkway, Ste 2520
Columbia, MD 21044

Join us for an evening of fun, friendly competition, and networking at our Pre-Show Bowling Tournament! Whether you're a seasoned bowler or just in it for the snacks and laughs, this is the perfect event to mix business with pleasure.

Pre-registration is required so that we will have an approximate head count. No experience required for this fun event as we will be using bumpers on all lanes to even the playing field.

• 6:30 - 7 pm: On Site Tournament Registration where brackets will be developed. No need to find a "team" as we will place you with your teammates on site.

• 7 - 9 pm: Bowling tournament with prizes awarded
• $50 per person which includes bowling, appetizers, 1 drink ticket and entry for a chance to win a prize during the event! 

Bring your co-workers, family and clients - the more the merrier! Spots are limited, so reserve yours soon and get ready to roll into a great time!

Venue:
Laurel Park ~ Home of the 2026 Preakness!
3600 Laurel Ft Mead Rd
Laurel, MD 20725

Schedule:
Monday, September 21, 2026

Exhibit Pricing:

• CPPA Members: $400 for 8 ft table with linen; extra 8ft table $150
• Non-Members: $550 for 8ft table with linen; extra 8ft table $150
  Non-member base price includes CPPA Membership dues 

Don't forget to invite your Distributor clients
to come visit you at the show:
Click here for an invitation to send to your customers

Sponsorship Opportunities:
Please contact Tiffany if you would like to be a show or product sponsor
Show sponsors will receive ONE FREE advertisement
in our monthly newsletter!

CPPA is proud to bring you multiple opportunities to attend trade shows and events throughout our region. The Fall Promo EXPO is a great opportunity to connect with vendors and discuss current and upcoming projects. Distributors are invited to attend and CPPA members are encouraged to invite clients to attend the show as exclusive guests.

Pre-Show Bowling Tournament - Monday, Sept 21, 2026 at Main Event in Columbia, MD: 6:30 pm - 9 pm: - Join us for an evening of fun, friendly competition, and networking at our Bowling & Business Tournament! $50/per person which includes bowling, apps, 1 drink ticket and prizes! More details may be found here.

Fall Promo Expo - Tuesday, Sept 22, 2026:
Location: Laurel Park - Home of the 2026 Preakness!
3600 Laurel Ft Meade Road, Laurel, MD 20725

Schedule: 
*9 am - 10 am Education Session  
*10 am - 1:30 pm - Exhibits Open 

Cost to attend: 
CPPA Members - FREE 
CPPA Member Clients - FREE 
CPPA Non-Members - $75 per person 
1st Time Attendee Distributor Guests - Free 

Private Distributor Hosting Rooms! 
We're excited to offer an exclusive opportunity at this year's Fall Promo Expo: Distributor members may reserve a private room to invite and host their customers during the show! 

*3 rooms available - offered on a first come, first served basis
Room Rental: $250 - $350 per room depending on choice 

Whether you want to create a VIP experience, hold private meetings, or just offer a quiet space for client conversations, these rooms are the perfect solution. Reserve your room today during registration before they're gone! 

Step One: Register yourself to attend

Step Two: Invite your clients to attend the show (You will receive instructions in your registration confirmation on the best way to invite and register your clients)

Step Three: Attend the show with your clients and watch your sales skyrocket in the fourth quarter.

Full Event Details Click here