Always setting a whirlwind pace and one of the hardest working professionals in the realm of the promotional products industry, Competitive Edge President Paula Wygonik in Stevensville has earned the certification of Master Advertising Specialist administered by Promotional Products Association International. That’s the largest international not-for-profit association for more than 16,000 members of the promotional products industry — a $24-plus-billion industry across the globe.
Wygonik, is not only the President at Competitive Edge, she has been with the company for 15 years, having joined the company in August of 2004. She recognizes the importance of industry certifications – not only for her own professional growth, but also for the added value they bring to her clients, co-workers and the promotional products industry as a whole.
The Certified Advertising Specialist (CAS), Master Advertising Specialist (MAS) and Master Advertising Specialist Plus (MAS+) Certifications are the promotional products industry’s premier professional designations.
Individuals with a PPAI Certification are industry leaders—those who have attained a higher standard of professional competence, knowledge and experience. PPAI industry certification is acquired through a combination of:
- Required certification classes
- Demonstrated years of employment in the industry
- Education
- Industry contributions
- A successful demonstration of expertise
Certification is maintained through continuing education to ensure current knowledge and leading-edge professional skills.
The Master Advertising Specialist Certification requires completion of and current CAS Certification, a minimum of five years of experience in the promotional products industry, additional MAS level course curriculum, industry service and passing a comprehensive exam.
Through industry certification, promotional products professionals can earn the certification designations in their career. PPAI Certification demonstrates a commitment to both business excellence and continual professional growth. A relatively small percentage of professionals hold these certifications and are known as the industry’s innovators and leaders.
The PPAI Certification Program has been recognized as a reliable indicator of professionalism and excellence in the promotional products industry. For more information on the CAS, MAS, MAS+ Certifications, you can visit online at www.ppai.org/certification or e-mail Certification@ppai.org.
PPAI professionals call the promotional products medium an essential element in the marketing communications mix, saying that a “branded” tangible product turns an ordinary message into a marketing experience an audience can see, touch, hear, smell and even taste.
Wygonik’s team at Competitive Edge is one of the largest full-service promotional product distributors in the United States. It was started in a basement by Wygonik’s sister, Mary Jo Tomasini. Today, Competitive Edge employs 26 people. Tomasini and Competitive Edge have been the recipient of many awards locally, regionally and nationally, including the Outstanding Women Business Enterprise of the Year.
