“We won’t be able to simply carry on where we left off“

The European umbrella association EPPA (European Promotional Products Association) has been working on its reorientation for around two years, after the association’s work was almost brought to a halt after a surge of membership cancellations. Appointed as EPPA’s new President at the beginning of the year, Hans Poulis has been working at full pace ever since to achieve his most important objectives: Collecting market data on a national and international level, advanced training measures for the branch, the regular exchange between the national associations and companies as well as more effective lobby work for the promotional product in Brussels. The members of EPPA met up during the Hong Kong Gifts and Premium Fair from April 27-30, 2010 for its spring meeting. Hans Poulis spoke with eppi magazine about the current situation within the national associations and to what extent the reorganisation of the umbrella association is bearing fruits.