IPEMA E-Newsletter Spring 2024

From the Editor: Five Things to Do in Philly While You Are in Town for the IPEMA Membership Meeting

by William Dewan, MBA

As a native of Philadelphia, I am thrilled that the IPEMA 2024 Membership Meeting is in the city where I grew up! Philadelphia has a rich history, delicious food, sports teams, and a vibrant culture. Hopefully, you will have time to enjoy Philly’s sights and sounds. Here are five things you can do in Philadelphia surrounding the IPEMA 2024 Membership Meeting.

1. Eat

Some of the best restaurants, cafes, and bars in Philly surround historic Rittenhouse Square, one of the oldest parks in the country. You'll find everything from casual to fine dining in Rittenhouse Square. I’d recommend a cheesesteak at Cleavers

Reading Terminal Market is a foodie's paradise. The indoor market features over 80 vendors selling everything from fresh produce to artisanal cheese and handmade chocolates. One of the most popular vendors is Beiler's Doughnuts, known for their fresh, hand-rolled doughnuts in flavors like blueberry, apple cider, and maple bacon.

2. Sports

Philly is a sports town, and the Phillies are in town during the week of the meeting, playing the Giants and the Blue Jays. Catch a game at Citizens Bank Park and enjoy some of the best baseball in the country. The stadium is just a short drive or train ride from the meeting location, making it the perfect activity for the evening.

3. Parks

Of course, IPEMA members want to see the parks! Philadelphia is home to some of the country's best (and oldest) parks. From Fairmount Park to Wissahickon Valley Park, plenty of green spaces exist to explore. Take a walk or bike through the parks and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

4. History

Philadelphia has a rich history. Take a walking tour and learn about the city's past. Many historic sites exist, but I'd recommend Independence Mall if you only have a few hours. You can visit Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell for free, and you can also see the National Constitution Center in the same area.

5. Arts

Philadelphia is a hub of creativity and culture and has plenty of museums to explore. The Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Barnes Foundation are within walking distance of the Franklin Institute. With over 4,000 murals, Philly is known as the “Mural Capital of the World.” You can also check out the city's vibrant street art scene or catch a show at one of the many theaters.

RSVP for IPEMA's 2024 Membership Meeting

Tuesday, May 7, 2024 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Eastern

Fels Planetarium at The Franklin Institute

222 North 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Join us for IPEMA's 2024 Membership Meeting! The event will take place during ASTM's May Committee Week in vibrant Center City Philadelphia. Connect with your fellow IPEMA members while enjoying delicious food and drinks. This is a fantastic opportunity to build new relationships and strengthen existing ones in a welcoming atmosphere.

The event is free for members. Please RSVP by Thursday, May 2, to attend the membership meeting.

RSVP for the IPEMA Membership Meeting

If you have any questions, please contact Dawn Losiewicz at membership@ipema.org. If you are unsure if you've already RSVP'd for the Membership Meeting, please call the office at 717-238-1744.

We look forward to seeing you in Philadelphia!

You're Invited to Our Certification Committee Meetings!

Equipment Certification Committee

Monday, May 6 at 2:00 p.m.

Surfacing Certification Committee

Wednesday, May 8 at 1:00 p.m.

The equipment and surfacing certification committee meetings will be held at the host hotel, the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Anyone interested in attending these two committee meetings can find the room name and location on the reader boards at the hotel.

Message From the President

Brad Pittam, IPEMA President

This year is flying by so quickly! ASTM Committee Week, and all that goes with it, is right around the corner. As we navigate the dynamic landscape of our industry, it is essential to foster connections that drive growth and collaboration. With this in mind, it is my pleasure to extend an invitation to you to make the most of the opportunities that IPEMA has for you during this ASTM event.

Our Equipment Certification Committee (ECC) will meet on Monday, May 6 at 2:00 p.m. and the Surfacing Certification Committee (SCC) will meet Wednesday, May 8 at 1:00 p.m. These committees provide you with information related to how the ASTM standards impact your business, the opportunity to obtain up-to-date information on the IPEMA certification program(s), and to witness how the committees function and make decisions about potential procedural guide changes. The meetings are an open forum format where you can participate as much or as little as you want. Attendance also allows you to consider whether you would like to serve on one of these committees in the future.

Our Membership Meeting, to be held on Tuesday, May 7 from 6 – 9 p.m., is an exceptional opportunity to connect with fellow members of the IPEMA community. This free event is set against the backdrop of Franklin Institute’s amazing Fels Planetarium. Whether you're looking to connect with old friends or expand your professional network, you won’t want to miss this great networking opportunity.

I look forward to seeing you in Philadelphia, a city known for its history, culture, and innovative spirit. Let’s come together to create valuable connections that will propel us all towards greater success.

Thank you for your continued support and participation.

New IPEMA Certification Fee Structure Announced

The IPEMA Board of Directors voted to change the fee structure related to participating in the IPEMA certification program. The previous structure was flawed in that: 1) gross sales volume of a company had no bearing on IPEMA or on the services being provided to that participant; 2) there was no verification of the gross sales volume amounts and this was on an “honor” system; and 3) the amounts for the gross sales volume were never reviewed or updated based upon any type of consumer product index or COL increases experienced.

It was decided that a more equitable assessment would be to base the fee structure on both general administration/participating in the program, and the amount of space needed for a participants’ certified products on the online database management server. Based on this decision, IPEMA will invoice participants based upon the number of products they have listed on the IPEMA server. This number will be automatically generated when the participant renews their certification participation with the organization.

Join Us for IPEMA's Upcoming FREE Webinar:

Adult Play: How It Relates to Memory, Balance, Depression, Loneliness, and Overall Balanced Adulthood

Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 3 p.m. Eastern

Presented by Dr. Stuart Brown, National Institute for Play, and Tom Norquist, PlayCore

Join us and invite your staff for an engaging FREE webinar that will provide education on adult play. IPEMA members will learn how, as mammals, we are "hardwired" for play and that its inclusion is a necessity throughout our lifetimes. We will visit some of the basic science that defines play before emphasizing the importance of adult play. This webinar will also delve into how we are a neotenous species, longing for a lifetime of brain plasticity (through play) and how we can keep our brain circuitry aligned with our lifetime play nature.

This webinar is the third in a series that will focus on the benefits of play and how your company and your job is reaching children and their families worldwide and making their lives better. Research has shown that play brings benefits to the physical, social, cognitive and emotional wellbeing of those who experience play. Each of our webinars will focus on these benefits and will help you understand why the work you do is so important and valuable.

This series is offered as part of our support of the National Institute for Play (NIFP). No need to register! Zoom access information can be found below.

July 16, 2024 @ 3:00 p.m. Eastern

October 1, 2024 @ 3:00 p.m. Eastern

January 7, 2025 @ 3:00 p.m. Eastern

April 1, 2025 @ 3:00 p.m. Eastern

Questions about the webinar? Contact info@ipema.org.

You are encouraged to access the event 10 minutes prior to the start time to ensure that your audio and web access are working properly.

Gilberto Perez Dunning Industries

Q: How long have you worked in the industry?

A: I've worked in the industry for over seven years.

Q: Tell us about your business, customers, etc., and what you do in your current position.

A: Dunning Industries is a proud supplier of playground safety material to schools and parks.

Q: Have you faced any industry-related challenges lately, and what have you done to overcome them?

A: The pandemic was a challenge. However, we remained true to our core and continued to make the best out of a bad situation. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

Q: What’s been a key to your success in this industry over the years?

A: Knowing our customers and being honest.

Q: What is a project that you’ve done that you’re especially proud of, and why?

A: I treat every project like it’s the best. Size doesn’t matter; it’s the love you put into the job.

Q: How long have you been a member of IPEMA?

A: I’ve been a member of IPEMA for 10 years.

Often, we hear about the great lengths our members go to in order to help others who are in need.

IPEMA members rebuild school playgrounds after weather-related events, donate equipment to community playgrounds and much more.

We know that many children across the globe are smiling wider and playing happier because of our members’ charitable gifts and efforts.

We want to share these heartwarming stories with each other! If your company has invested in the lives of others with a charitable project or donation, please let our newsletter editor know. You can email us at communications@ipema.org.

We look forward to sharing your good news!

Committee Updates

What’s New With IPEMA?

As we step into spring and say goodbye to winter, the IPEMA Marketing Committee is blooming with ideas and projects to spread our messaging throughout communities. We continue to make strides in promoting the benefits of our certification program, IPEMA membership, and more outdoor play through our social channels – Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

We’re also still working with members of the marketing committee and fellow industry experts to identify and share consumer play and industry trends. These trends will be part of a larger project to position IPEMA as the forefront experts and thought leaders in the certification and playground industries.

If you’re interested in sharing the trends you see in the playground industry, please reach out to Brad Pittam, Tom Norquist or HAVAS Red. We’d love to hear from our members and share your expertise and insights with a larger audience!

In case you’ve missed it, IPEMA has launched its very own industry blog geared towards industry professionals. This blog is posted on IPEMA’s website and shared on social channels. Our goal is to share the latest news and updates in the playground industry, the importance of playground certification and spotlights on our IPEMA members. Look out for a new blog post coming soon!

The Latest From Our Blogs

Brain and Body: The Physical and Cognitive Benefits of Play

January 17, 2024

IPEMA and Voice of Play: In the News

Be sure to check out some of our recent IPEMA and Voice of Play “In the News” articles and mentions. We’re actively working to share the importance of playground certification, benefits of play and trends shaping the playground industry in trade media – and look forward to sharing more updates soon.

• Pittsburgh Parent

The art of risk-taking: Tips to encourage children to take calculated risks

In a recent article for Pittsburgh Parent, IPEMA President Brad Pittam shared his thoughts on risky play and how caregivers can encourage children to take calculated risks on the playground. Brad discussed how it may feel unnatural to encourage children to take risks on the playground but shares some tips to promote unstructured play and take advantage of “safer” environments.

• Recreation Management

Encourage Risk-Taking, Safely

From the ability to regulate emotions to the development of higher selfconfidence and self-esteem, play is far too important to be seen as only an extracurricular activity. Research shows that children are growing up with more on their plates than ever before, serving as an important reminder to encourage more free play and its vast benefits. Read up on our recent blog, where we dived into the physical and cognitive benefits of play for the brain and body.

IPEMA President Brad Pittam was featured in Recreation Management. He discussed the advancements in playground safety that enable children to take more calculated risks in a safer manner while they play. Brad also shared how playground materials—and the way they are deployed—form an important base for safer playgrounds and considerations that communities should make for their site, layout, equipment, surfacing, and maintenance.

Let’s Get Social

We’re always in the process of collecting quality photographs for Instagram and relevant business/industry content for LinkedIn to populate our pages, and we’d love your help. As always, reach out to Red Havas with anything you’d like to see featured.

Thank you in advance!

While you’re at it, be sure to follow and engage with all our current social channels! Have news to share or want to showcase a great playground? Tag us so we can repost:

Instagram: @voiceofplay

Facebook: facebook.com/voiceofplay

Facebook Group: Voice of Play: Play Tribe

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/ipema/

We Want to Promote You!

Share Your Story!

We want to hear what you’re doing – let’s collaborate! We’re always looking for amazing content from the IPEMA membership to share, whether it’s for a blog or social post, or pitching media. Share news, photos, and updates with Red Havas by emailing katherine.kostiuk@redhavas.com.

Marketing & PR Committee

We’re looking for new members to serve on the Marketing & PR Committee, which is responsible for oversight of the IPEMA newsletter, media relations, website, social media and any other communication vehicles utilized to promote the association, its programs and membership.

The committee also oversees the Voice of Play initiative and works closely with the organization’s PR agency. Members of the committee are asked to participate in quarterly committee calls, and to periodically assist with input and review of articles, interviews and releases with industry media. If you have interest in applying, download the form here

Persuasive Leadership: Effective Communication

by Jeff Tippett

In talking with human resource officers, COOs, CEOs and other corporate leaders about areas needing improvement within their organizations, communication almost always bubbles up.

This need is supported in a 2018 Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. study, where about 60 percent of companies say they don’t have a long-term internal communication strategy. Strikingly, though, about half said they wanted to make improving leadership communication a priority.

So organizations see the need, yet often fail to act. And then there are those leaders that don’t value effective communication who will refer to it as a waste of time, an effort to put a focus on “feelings” instead of productivity and ultimately profits. Or they may refer to communication as a soft skill unimportant to a company’s bottom line.

Poor communication with your team members can lead to attrition and difficulty attracting top talent. And given that replacing a worker can cost a company 33 percent of that worker’s annual salary, it will cost you a lot (both in finance and company morale) for unhappy team members to walk away.

However, as the team leader you can change all of this. And it’s not just good for the people on your team; it’s also good for business.

You have the power to change the direction of your organization through effective 1:1 communication. You just need the tools to get you there.

For all the complexities of communication with others, all communication falls into one of four buckets:

• Verbal communication

• Nonverbal communication (including but not limited to eye contact, facial expressions and gestures, posture, body orientation, body language

• Proximity (space and distance)

• Para-linguistic (accent, pitch, volume, speech rate, modulation, and fluency.

• Touch

• Silence

• Personal appearance

• Written communication

• Visual communication

That’s it. You have these four buckets of communication mediums to communicate 1:1 with your team members.

We’re going to focus on one: verbal communication.

In the 1952 publication of Effective Public Relations, Scott Cutlip and Allen Center first introduced the 7 Cs of effective communication. Since its publication, these 7 Cs have become the gold standard for effective, persuasive communication with those around you.

Here are the 7 Cs:

1. Clarity

2. Completeness

3. Correctness

4. Conciseness

5.

Now, with these 7 Cs in focus, there are practical ways you can create space for 1:1 communication that will help you persuade those with whom you work. Let’s look at a list of those ways:

• Preparing before the conversation

• Being open

• Showing respect

• Exhibiting compassion and empathy

• Actively listening (including not thinking of your next question instead of being in that moment)

• Having a solution mindset

• Prioritizing subject and topic over emotion

• Always seeking common ground, mutual goals, shared purpose

• Ensuring both sides have equal respect, ability to share thoughts and feelings, and equal opportunities to be heard

• Avoiding distractions

Having first focused on communication enablers, I do think it important to your success to also talk through items that block communication. Take a look at this list:

• Accusing

• Judging

• Insulting

• Using sarcasm

• Globalizing (using words like “always” and “never”)

• Threatening or ordering

• Interrupting

In addition, there are physical barriers like time, environment, comfort, and noise. There are emotional barriers like fear, distrust, and uncertainty.

Finally, with communication enablers in place and a willingness to avoid communication blockers, there’s a path to persuasion:

• Relate

• Move from relating to solving

• When solving offer very specific direction

• Within this direction, use concrete language

• Provide space for your listener to process and ask questions

• Empower that listener to take actions need to help you accomplish your vision as their own

Once again, we revisit President Johnson. LBJ was attuned to the language that others used. However, collaborative efforts were less of his wheelhouse. In fact, LBJ more often steamrolled those around him during discussions, pressing them to defend their ideas and suggesting they were infantile. The very next day, he would sometimes take their position as his own. In grilling them, he wanted to find who firmly believed what they said and who was flaky in their beliefs. LBJ’s methods in this department will not translate well into the corporate world, but in the throes of Vietnam it made decision-making easier for the president.

If you’re not getting the support of your team you need, don’t have great team camaraderie, or just not hitting your targets, examine your ability to persuade your team through 1:1 communication with you—their leader. I’ve given you the tools to get there.

About the Author: Jeff Tippett

Jeff Tippett is the international best-selling author of two books, Pixels Are the New Ink and Unleashing Your Superpower: Why Persuasive Communication is the Only Force You Will Ever Need. Speaking to international audiences through keynotes

and seminars, Jeff helps attendees increase their effectiveness, gives them powerful tools to reach their goals, and empowers attendees to positively impact and grow their organizations or businesses.

In 2014, Jeff founded Targeted Persuasion, an award-winning public affairs + communications firm. He has worked with renowned brands like Airbnb, The National Restaurant Association, The League of Women Voters, The League of Conservation Voters, plus others. Other industry experts have validated Jeff’s work with numerous awards including the prestigious The American Advertising Award.

Metro Style

Jeff is the host of Victory by Association with Jeff Tippett, a podcast that shares the victories of association executives with the world, highlighting the great work done across this country every day.

Metro Style

Metro Style

Jefftippett.com

VictoryByAssociation.com

Artistic Materials Inc Vincentown, N.J.

We want to spread the word about IPEMA’s efforts and our industry –and you can help!

We want to spread the word about IPEMA’s efforts and our industry –and you can help!

Provide IPEMA with a list of your employees’ emails, and we will send the newsletter each quarter directly to them!

Send your lists to commassoc@ipema.org It’s a great way to be “in the know”!

Bzak Landscaping, Inc. Milford, Ohio

Debbie Buse Issaquah, Wash.

GreenGo Recycling Graniteville, S.C.

Jessop Holding Co; LLC dba Sierra Play Partners Ripon, Calif.

KAIQI GROUP Co., Ltd. Shanghai

NWA Rubber Mulch Fayetteville, Ark.

Proplay Recreational Surfaces Tomball, Texas

Tailor Made Grass Chatsworth, Ga.

Board of Directors

President

Brad Pittam

KOMPAN

605 W. Howard Lane

Austin, TX 78753

P: (312) 399 -1910

brapit@kompan.com

President-Elect

Mike Sutton

PlayPower

1145 Slippery Rock Road

Grove City, PA 16127

P: (724) 992- 8707

Mike.sutton@playpower.com

Treasurer

Randy Watermiller

Landscape Structures, Inc.

601 Seventh Street South

PO Box 198

Delano, MN 55328

P: (763) 972-3391

RandyWatermiller@playlsi.com

Immediate Past President

Lloyd Reese

Play & Park Structures

544 Chestnut Street

Chattanooga, TN 37402

P: (423) 356 -1871

lloyd.reese@playcore.com

IPEMA Legal Counsel

Milton Chappell

10321 Royal Road

Silver Spring, MD 20903

P: (703) 770 -3329

mlc@nrtw.org

Director – Member-at-Large

Tom Fitzpatrick

Landscape Structures, Inc.

601 Seventh Street South

PO Box 198

Delano, MN 55328

P: (763) 972-5277

TomFitzpatrick@playlsi.com

Director – Member-at-Large

Scott Liebelt

BCI Burke Co., LLC

660 Van Dyne Road

Fond Du Lac, WI 54936

P: (920) 921-9220

sliebelt@bciburke.com

Director – Member-at-large

Rob Lockhart

Dynamo Playgrounds

661 County Road 9

Plantagenet, ON K0B1L0

P: (613) 446 - 0030

rob@dynamoplaygrounds.com

Director – Member-at-large

Bill Stafford

Flexground

2140 East Cedar Street

Tempe, AZ 85281

P: (602) 954 - 0000

bill@flexground.com

Certification Chair – Equipment

Mark Koch

Blue Imp Recreational Products

766 14th Street SW

Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 4V7 CANADA

P: (780) 451- 4182 F: (403) 529 - 0851

mark@blueimp.com

Certification Chair – Surfacing

Mike Sebastian

IMC Outdoor Living

2280 Schuetz Road, Suite 201

St. Louis, MO 63146

P: (866) 936 - 8524

mike.sebastian@imcoutdoorliving.com

Core Values of IPEMA:

Uphold consistency of compliance

Demonstrate professionalism and integrity