PPAI’s Leadership Development Conference (LDC) kicked off Sunday evening at the Dallas Westin in Southlake, Texas.

This year, the Association has put increased investment into LDC, moving it to a location better suited for its dual-track structure that serves both regional association volunteers and emerging leaders with both separate and mixed networking opportunities and educational panels. The event continues through Tuesday afternoon.

  • The 2024 PPAI Rising Stars were invited to LDC along with more of the industry’s emerging leaders to connect with each other and attend panels tailored around effective leadership in the constantly changing promo world.
  • Meanwhile, LDC continues to be a resource for regional association volunteers from all over the country to meet in person and discuss shared best practices and obstacles.

“We’re so happy with the evolution of LDC into an event that can equip our industry’s emerging leaders with tools to push promo forward while also being a place for our regional association volunteers to come together purposefully,” says Lindsey Davis, MAS, PPAI’s director of business development and marketing. “Putting all of these people in the same rooms is so valuable, and we want to give them great reasons to converge.”

For attendees who arrived at the hotel on Sunday, PPAI coordinated and hosted “Dine Around” dinners in which small groups of attendees attended local restaurants in order to connect with, network and enjoy the company of their fellow promo professionals.

Before the two groups split off into their applicable sessions, all attendees were invited to:

  • An optional early Monday morning meditation session led by Sam Kabert, a breathing instructor and mental health speaker.
  • A Monday morning keynote session by public speaker and life coach Kelly Merbler titled “Leading The Way, Building Leadership That Draws Teams To Excellence.”

“The hardest person to lead is yourself,” Merbler told the audience, many of whom rely on volunteer efforts from themselves and others. “The second hardest is volunteers.”

Merbler also reminded the room how important their work is to people outside of their industry.

“My business would not be where it is today if it were not for promotional products,” said Merbler.

A True Dual-Track Event

For the first time, PPAI invested in the LDC’s ability to serve the purpose of a dual-track conference under one roof. The event’s new venue at the Dallas Westin accommodated with two separate spaces only a few feet away from each other.

Both regional association volunteers and emerging leader attendees attended panels tailored specifically to periodic networking opportunities in which the two were encouraged to mix.

  • Regional volunteers could be seen throughout the day, many of whom proudly wearing specifically designed shirts, jerseys and letterman jackets representing their respective regional associations.
  • Panels and conversations among the regional volunteers often circled back to topics such as trade shows, events, obstacles, ideas, shared practices and the tips that keep associations thriving.

“Even though it’s not about money, it has to be about money. The financial goals of an association in order to be able to sustain itself are very, very important,” said Steven Lazarus, MAS, member of PPAI’s regional relations board and vice president of sales and marketing at Promotional Breeze during a panel about board processes and procedures.

The educational content was also tailored to the industry’s emerging leaders; PPAI’s 2024 Rising Stars and other industry voices whose influence is growing within promo. The Association has seen many rising promo professionals over the years who have developed into innovators and decision makers who shape the industry. Putting such people in the same room is an important part of LDC’s mission.

“This is a standout event for PPAI,” said Dawn Olds, interim president and CEO of PPAI.

A Night Of Recognition

Monday’s activities culminated with a dinner at the Westin Dallas lawn that included official recognition and awards.

  • First, the Regional Relations Committee members were individually recognized and thanked for their commitment to be a bridge between PPAI and the regional associations.
  • Later in the night, PPAI Media Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Josh Ellis formally announced the 2024 PPAI Rising Stars, together for the first time since being selected.

“Chosen not just for their talent, but for their ability to inspire and lead, these individuals represent the future of promotional products,” said Ellis.

The night concluded with the 2024 PPAI Regional Volunteer Award, which went to Lisa Parker, MAS, Southeast sales manager at American Ad Bag, for demonstrating dedication and leadership through her volunteer work with various PPAI volunteer committees during her 25-year career.

“When I fell into this industry years ago, I would have never imagined that this opportunity would create not just a career, but a home and a community,” Parker said. “A place where our clients become our friends, friends become family and, sometimes, those closest to you turn into your number-one competitor. But that’s the beauty of this industry – we challenge each other, push one another to grow and in the process, we all become better and make those around us better.”