AIA Corporation (asi/109480) believes in the power of face-to-face interaction.

That’s why over the next four months, members of the Top 40 promotional products distributor’s leadership and owner success teams are traveling to more than 20 cities across the United States to meet with AIA affiliate-owners.

Already underway, the small-group, socially distanced meetings will comprise what the Appleton, WI-based company has dubbed its “AIA On the Road Again” initiative. 

“While we’ve become very adept at virtual meetings, we’re excited to once again leverage in-person engagement as a means of building relationships, solidifying trust and developing strategies for long-term success,” said Joél Bastien, senior vice president of owner success at AIA.

Bastien said the meetings feature discussion and insights on everything from promo purchasing trends and consumer behaviors, to regional economic conditions and challenges/opportunities facing distributors. Safety is a top priority, executives said.

“While some of our owners are ready to meet in small groups in person, ‘AIA On the Road Again’ will also feature individualized meetings where some of our owners can participate in a one-on-one setting,” said Bastien. “This approach allows us to cater to the comfort level of our owners as we safely resume in-person engagement.”

‘AIA On the Road Again’ has already held meetings in Indiana, Michigan, Massachusetts, Maryland, Connecticut and Virginia.

“I am thrilled AIA is safely transitioning to in-person regional meetings,” said Andrea Winters, owner of AIA affiliate Bibby Promotions. “After everything that happened last year, this meeting was exactly what I needed to get energized for a successful year ahead.”

With reported 2019 North American promotional product revenue of $210.7 million, AIA ranked 10th on Counselor’s most recent list of the largest distributors in the industry. The new list is due out in July 2021.