Some of promo’s most ambitious and accomplished women have converged on Nashville, Tennessee for the 20th  PPAI Women’s Leadership Conference, which officially kicked off Sunday evening and continues through Tuesday.

  • The event was held at the Hutton Hotel, which includes a vinyl library and an adjacent venue for live music.

“The opportunity to celebrate both the shared and unique experiences of the women in this industry Is invaluable,” says Chanel Proell, corporate marketing manager at OrderMyGear and a member of the WLC Work Group. “Every time I come back from WLC I feel so inspired and grateful by connections I’ve made and the things I have learned.”

The conference is packed with educational sessions and panels along with networking opportunities meant to create bonds between new and veteran attendees. This year’s WLC set a record with 193 registered attendees.

A Special Landmark

This year’s event marked an impressive milestone, it is the 20th WLC that PPAI has held.

Attending this week’s WLC are women in promo who were still children when the event was launched as well as many who have been to every WLC since its launch in Philadelphia.

On Monday, a panel entitled ”Celebrating 20 Years of Empowerment: The Legacy of the Women’s Leadership Conference,” brought together the “Founding Members” who created the WLC over two decades ago.

“As a 12-time attendee, I’ve learned that it provides a platform for networking opportunities that allows professional relationships and friendships to be formed which are invaluable,” says Jenny Straub, CAS, director of strategic partnerships at Outdoor Cap and WLC Work Group member.

The Importance Of Community

The growth of WLC over the years is a testament to the way it fosters bonds and a sense of community between industry women, who can sometimes be denied those opportunities – certainly 20 years ago, and even now.

Liz Bohannon, the founder and CEO of socially conscious fashion brand Sseko Designs, gave a keynote presentation Sunday evening about the ways that an event like WLC can breathe life into attendees who feel held back or misunderstood through the connections they make over a few days.

“What if the most powerful thing that happens this week is more than the speakers but is taking advantage of the space that you’re here together to build relationships?” Bohannon asks. 

Cheron Coleman, vice president private brand product development and global supply chain at alphabroder and chair of the WLC work group says that the experience equips attendees with more than just knowledge.

“Beyond professional development, WLC fosters personal growth, instilling confidence, resilience and purposes,” Coleman says. “Attendees are guaranteed to leave WLC energized inspired and driven.”

After 20 years of prioritizing community, Straub says that the space is welcoming and conducive to judgement-free bonding.

“It creates a comfortable atmosphere for women to share ideas, struggles, successes and personal growth stories,” Straub says. “The speakers are always a highlight and this year, they are top-notch.”

Women Of Achievement

As is tradition at WLC, on Monday, PPAI awarded and honored the recipients of the Women of Achievement award.

“It was amazing,” Smith said. “I’ve been involved in the Women’s Leadership Conference since the beginning. It has meant so much to PPAI. I was thrilled and honored. I am so thrilled to look around and see the energy of the young women at this conference. It was us 20 years ago.”

According to McMaster, going about her work with a love for the industry and a sense of pride in the women she shares space with within it, has led to a career of achievement.

“I do what I do with a lot of love for the industry,” McMaster says. “I’ve been to 16 or 17 of the 20 WLCs. I have met so many women that I would not have otherwise without this event. We’ve made friends and continued that connection.”