There is simply no better way to supercharge the power of your marketing efforts than by becoming a PPA Corporate Member. Doing so connects you to the thousands of PPA members and it's one of the best ways to reach our members because you are identified with the association's efforts to protect photographers, increase their income, and enhance their purchasing power!

There are many sizable benefits and marketing opportunities you can take advantage of as a PPA Corporate Member:

• PPA Facebook Page Giveaway (Platinum Exclusive)--NEW for 2012! Put your newest products in front of over 15,000 friends of PPA's Facebook page. (One Facebook giveaway per year, offer exclusive to Platinum Corporate Members.)
• PPA Member Welcome Kit Promotion--NEW for 2012! Promote your company to all new PPA members each month in their PPA Welcome Kit. (Approximately 600 PPA New Member Welcome Kits are distributed monthly.)
• Imaging USA booth discounts and priority placement.
• Use of member mailing list (exclusive benefit for corporate members).
• Inclusion in the PPA Online Coupon page.
• Visibility and exposure on a variety of PPA member communication materials such as websites, email newsletters and membership mailings.
• And many more benefits

Contact your PPA sales representative for more information on PPA Corporate Memberships.

As you well know, the photography industry is not static. New techniques and technologies always appear. That is one reason why photographers should seek constant education to remain at the top of their game. And one of PPA's member benefits helps photographers do just that: the Merit & Degree program.

When you hear "degree," you might think of what you receive after completing a university curriculum. But a PPA professional degree is different--it's a way photographers can track and promote their ongoing progress in the industry. Since 1937, PPA has used the Merit & Degree program to encourage members to grow and to recognize achievement that meet our high standards in art and service.

And that focus on growth is really the heart of the matter. The steps taken to earn PPA merits and degrees--from excelling in competition to continual education and service--only help strengthen photographers' skills. Plus, clients often see degrees as symbols of quality. So earning a PPA degree can give photographers one more reason for telling potential clients why they should call them, rather than the competitor down the street. All of this can lead to more successful photographers, which can also spell out good things for vendors in the industry!

Support from business partners like you is part of how PPA is able to make the industry stronger through benefits like the Merit & Degree program. We constantly encourage members to never be done learning, an attitude that can help them successful image-makers for years to come. And that only helps your business, too.

For more details on the Merit & Degree program, visit www.ppa.com/degrees

If you haven't already done so, can you please take a moment to complete a short exhibitor survey? Your valuable feedback will help us to improve Imaging USA for next year. And, if you respond by Friday, February 3, you'll be entered in our random drawing for five $50 Amazon gift certificates. Click here to begin: https://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/c193g4e326

We would like to extend a big "thank you" to all exhibitors who participated in Imaging USA 2012 in New Orleans. We truly appreciate your commitment to play an active role in the industry and meet photographers face to face. We hope you not only had a great time, but also walked away with strong relationships and great sales.

The Imaging USA attendee list is now available to all exhibitors. If you have questions, please contact your PPA sales representative.

And don't forget to check out the buzz at the Imaging USA social networking sites. Attendees and PPA staff posted updates, photos and video clips throughout the show:

• Facebook: Facebook.com/ImagingUSA
• Twitter: Twitter.com/ImagingUSA
• Flickr: Flickr.com/groups/imagingusa/
• Daily News and Videos: ImagingUSA.org/news

Thank you again to all exhibitors and sponsors, and we look forward to seeing you next year in Atlanta for Imaging USA 2013!

Imaging USA (January 15-17, 2012) is your chance to impress, excite and motivate the influential decision makers in your core market. But are you? Will you? There's still time to get involved as a sponsor, but it's running out!

As you've probably heard before, the first impression you make is often the one that lasts. So, raise your brand, your products and your services above the rest with a sponsorship that guarantees your company stays top of mind. Sponsorships can expand your company's Imaging USA convention and trade show experience, putting your name in highly visible and unexpected locations. They help you make big--and powerful--impressions on thousands of potential customers.

Don't wait any longer--contact your Sponsorship Manager to learn how we can help you create those impressions. Time is running out!

New benefit gives members a $15,000 policy covering photographic equipment and computers.

In the beginning of October, PPA made a landmark decision that will help protect its members' businesses and put hundreds of dollars back into their pockets each year. In a move never before seen in the industry, PPA released a new benefit to pay for $15,000 in equipment insurance coverage for each of its Professional Active and Life members living in the United States. The decision adds yet another unmatched membership benefit to a list that already dramatically outpaces any other photographic organization. 

The policy, called PhotoCare, covers photographic equipment losses up to $15,000, including up to $5,000 for certain computer equipment. PPA members can also purchase additional equipment insurance and general liability policies through Lockton Affinity, PPA's exclusive insurance partner. That coverage will come at a significantly reduced rate negotiated by PPA. However, no additional insurance purchase is necessary to receive the initial coverage paid for by PPA. 

"Most photographers have tens of thousands of dollars wrapped up in gear and computer equipment that is critical to their businesses," says Don Dickson, PPA president. "This PhotoCare benefit helps photographers protect their livelihood and is absolutely essential. Our members need this." 

Read the full press release about PhotoCare here.

• GES Discount Deadline - If you're exhibiting at Imaging USA, don't miss the deadline (December 23, 2011) for receiving significant discounts from GES, our official service contractor. In order to properly service the exhibition, GES must receive your orders by that date if you want to snag the early order discount unless indicated otherwise on the form. (Of course, you can order later--even at the show site--but the prices will not be near as nice!)

• Mobile App Coming Soon - We're excited to announce that Imaging USA will have its very own mobile app, coming this November! To make your show experience better than ever, we will be putting everything at your fingertips, including detail schedules, exhibitor and product directories, local map, Imaging USA updates via a built-in messenger, etc.

• Act Fast for the Best Hotels - As an exhibitor or sponsor at Imaging USA, you want to concentrate on meeting your clients on the show floor. You don't want to tire yourself out with a long trek to and from the convention center...because of a hotel that's too far away. So,  make your room reservations now before more of our reserved hotels sell out: http://imagingusa.org/hotels-travel/

• Be Wary of Non-Approved Vendors - It has come to our attention that non-approved vendors have been contacting exhibitors in attempts to sell housing and services at Imaging USA. Please be wary of such solicitations. PPA in no way endorses these companies, and we want to warn you that such companies (ones that "poach" housing and services) often are not trustworthy or reliable. Remember that your Imaging USA hotel arrangements may be made at http://imagingusa.org/hotels-travel. (And you can pick up the sleeping room promo code there, too.) In addition, the approved vendors for Imaging USA 2012 include:

• GES - General Contractor/Decorator
• Freeman - Audio Visual
• CDS - Lead Retrieval (Badge Scanners)
• Total Plant & Floral
• Alamo Security

 Once a year, Professional Photographer and Imaging USA unite for a magazine issue with maximum exposure. This coming January issue will not disappoint--it will be our widest reaching one yet! An advertisement in this issue gives you access to this power:

• The only magazine given to every Imaging USA attendee.
• The photographic magazine with the largest paid circulation--They buy it to read it!
• 110,000 circulation with pass-along readership and Imaging USA distribution.

This is the issue you need to reach more of your best customers. Want to learn more about putting this combined power to work for you? Visit ppmag.com/mediakit, but act fast--the deadline is November 11!

PPA is launching a new Imaging USA registration system in November. Features will include an integrated Expo Pass invitation system, social media integration and an easy-to-use vendor registration system. Look for complete information in early November.  

Have you heard the good news? ShopPP is here, and your company is listed in it already!

For the first time, Professional Photographer's loyal readers and online visitors will be able to find everything they need and want in ONE PLACE with this new online buyer's guide! With ShopPP, your best customers can search for you by name or by category. Then, you can woo them with words, entice them with video or pictures, and send them over to your own site to purchase.

Exciting stuff, right? That's why we gave you a helping hand to start. We've already set you up with a free Basic listing! You're ready to go, and all that's left to do is bedazzle the photographers even more.

Don't miss your chance to take FULL advantage of ShopPP:

• Search for your company name. (Can't find your company? Add it in via the Advertise tab.)
• Claim your listing to update your information.
• Upgrade for more exposure and eye-catching frills if you so desire.