Women's Leadership Conference
The vision of the PPAI Women’s Leadership Conference is to create an engaging, collaborative community that enables diverse women in the promotional products industry to be authentic, learn together and from each other, and build relationships that’ll grow throughout the year.
Throughout the year, look for WLC-sponsored webinars that feature content specifically for women in our industry, as well as other opportunities to connect with the Women’s Leadership Conference community.
Register For Women's Leadership Conference
Event Agenda
Sunday, June 26, 2022
Community Service Project
Join the WLC Community in giving back to the city of Charlotte, North Carolina, through a community service activity. Spots are limited so register early.
WLC First Timers Reception
All first-time WLC attendees are invited to join this networking reception hosted by the PPAI WLC Workgroup.
Woman Of Achievement Celebration And Reception
Join us as we celebrate the PPAI 2022 Woman of Achievement and the opening of the PPAI Women's Leadership Conference.
Speakers: Dawn Olds, MAS, Halo; Roni Wright, MAS, The Book Company; Anne Stone, CAE, PPAI
Monday, June 27, 2022
Optional: Morning Yoga
Join us for morning yoga and set yourself up to be focused, relaxed and ready to engage in WLC!
Speaker: Roni Wright, MAS, The Book Company
Breakfast
Welcome
Speaker: Dawn Olds, MAS,Halo
General Session: Harnessing Innovation: Turning Raw Ideas Into Powerful Results.
How is it that some harness their imagination to create game-changing drivers of growth and innovation while others miss the mark? The answer: the best companies have a systematic process to focus their team’s creativity into practical outputs. Frasca blends the improvisational qualities of a jazz ensemble with bleeding-edge business savvy to bring a completely fresh perspective on unleashing creativity in the organization. Her inspiring presentation delivers practical tools that can be used immediately to increase creative output and deliver bottom-line results.
Speaker: Sara Frasca
Promo Snack
PromoSnack; Like a quick fix for your brain, dished up by some of the industry’s leading influencers.
Speaker: Anne Stone, CAE
Break
General session: Embracing Digital Transformation
Business leaders need a cohesive business strategy to embrace digital transformation to thrive in the decade to come. We will discuss what successful digital transformation involves including the critical success factors to success in your digital transformation journey. One of the most important success factors is identifying the people to lead and drive the transformation that can engage the entire organization. Every journey will be different, but this session will give you a strong start to lead or support digital transformation in your organization.
Speaker: Dale Denham, MAS+, President/CEO, PPAI
Lunch
General Session: Zoom Out: Using A Whole Human Approach To Build High Performance Teams
Are you looking for a reboot in your motivation? When you’re working with your team in the post-pandemic workplace do you miss the engagement you had before or do you sometimes feel just ….lost? Whether you’re putting together a team for the first time, leading a team you’ve known forever, or just starting on your career path, taking time to pause and rewrite your roadmap can be an exceptional opportunity to zoom out and see the whole picture just a little more clearly. Join Erin and Kate in an interactive session designed to help you reengage and authentically connect with high-performance inspiration. This session focuses on tools to find zeal, connect using a whole human approach, and track progress for women at all levels of their organization.
Speakers: Kate Alavez, PromoShop; Erin Reilly, Pop Promos
Breakouts
Break Out 1: Unpacking Sustainability - How Can We 'Walk The Talk'
Speakers: Anne Stone, CAE, PPAI; Shamini Peter, Halo; Cheron Coleman, alphabroder
Break Out 2: TBD
Speaker: TBD
Break
Roundtable Discussions
Continue the conversations in small groups facilitated by the WLC Workgroup.
Promo Snack And Closing Remarks
PromoSnack; Like a quick fix for your brain, dished up by some of the industry’s leading influencers.
SPARK Reception
Dine Arounds
Break into small networking groups while enjoying dinner at local restaurants.
Tuesday, June 28, 2022
Sunrise Workout
Meg Erber, S&S Activewear
Breakfast
Promo Snack
PromoSnack; Like a quick fix for your brain, dished up by some of the industry’s leading influencers.
General Session: Accelerate Your Impact & Influence
Many professional women want to up their influence and impact but struggle to identify the right opportunities and carve out the time to make it happen. Based on years of experience and research, JJ DiGeronimo wrote the professional playbook on how to secure that next position, land a board seat, or even launch a new initiative by enhancing relevance, aligning to specific projects and strategically expanding your network. This interactive work session and discussion will highlight strategies from her research and award-winning book "Accelerate Your Impact: Action-Based Strategies to Pave Your Professional Path."
Speaker: JJ Digeronimo
Promo Snack
PromoSnack; Like a quick fix for your brain, dished up by some of the industry’s leading influencers.
Break
General Session
Lunch
General Session: The Art And Science Of Leadership
Leadership isn’t defined by a title—everyone has the opportunity to be a leader. Leadership is about inspiring others to do great things, enhancing the strengths in others, and focusing on strategy vs tactics. This session will examine the elements of leadership, share lessons learned, and leave you inspired to embrace your leadership potential. (Emerging leader – ask Josh, seasoned leader, suppliers and distributors, cultural diversity, new WLC attendee.
Facilitator: Dawn Oldsm MAS, Halo
Breakout Sessions
Break Out 1: Strategies To Move To The Next Level
Facilitator: Taylor Borst, American Solutions for Business
Break Out 2: Owning Your Seat At The Table
Speakers: Brittany David, MAS, SnugZ USA and Janie Gaunce, Grapevine Design
Break
General Session: Pushing Your Envelope: How To Overcome The Self-Doubt Of Imposter Syndrome, Once And For ALL!
Speaker: Maureen Zappala
Closing reception
Featured Speakers
Conference Fee Information
PPAI Members: $1,395
PPAI Associates: $1,800
For questions about the event or help with registering, contact Kathlene Brethowr at 972-258-3069 or email KathleneB@ppai.org.
Hotel & Travel
The PPAI Women’s Leadership Conference will be held on June 26-28, 2022 at the Omni Charlotte Hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina. Make sure to book your room today so you can be at the center of it all and get available rooms at discounted rates. Click “Book Now” to make your reservation online and receive your special, negotiated rate.
132 E. Trade Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
704-377-0400
The discounted room rate of $219 per night ends at 5 pm eastern standard time on May 19, 2022. Please book directly with the hotel after the deadline. If you are unable to reserve a room through the hotel after May 19, please email Kathlene Brethowr at kathleneb@ppai.org
Airport Information
Plan to fly in and out of Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT).
Distance to hotel: 7.9 miles
WLC 2022 Sponsors
Partner Sponsor
Become A Sponsor For WLC 2022
Download the contract to reserve your sponsorship or if you just can't make up your mind, contact your account manager to discuss how your company can be involved with Women's Leadership Conference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who may register for and attend this event?
To register for any of PPAI’s live education events, you must be a PPAI Member or Associate, meaning that you own or are employed by a company that manufactures, imports or resells promotional products. Each registration requires an individual login.
What is included in my registration fee?
Conference registration includes all education sessions; the welcome reception on Sunday evening, dinner on Monday evening and breakfast, lunch and coffee breaks on Tuesday.
What is NOT included in my registration fee?
Conference registration does not include optional pre-conference outings, or hotel and travel expenses.
What plans do I need to make?
Hotel: You are responsible for reserving your hotel room. See the Hotel & Travel page for information about the hotel and our reduced group rate.
Travel: You are responsible for making your own travel arrangements to and from the conference location.
Pre-conference outings: Attendees love to network and explore the city together. If you are someone who plans to arrive early, be sure to watch for opportunities to join your peers to relax and explore the city!
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
Refunds will be issued, minus a $150 processing fee, up to and including Friday, June 3, 2022. After Friday, June 3, 2022, refunds will not be issued. Refunds will not be issued for conference no-shows. All cancellations must be emailed to Kathlene Brethowr.
Privacy
By registering for the conference, you agree to have your basic information published on the official attendee list and to have your photo taken at the event. Please contact Kathlene Brethowr should you wish to be removed.
Consent To Use Photographic Images
Registration and attendance at and/or participation in Women’s Leadership Conference or any Association meetings or events constitute an agreement by the registrant to fully consent to PPAI’s use and distribution (both now and in the future) of the registrant’s or attendee’s image or voice in photographs, videotapes, electronic reproduction and audiotapes of such events and activities.
Questions Regarding Membership
Please call 888-I-AM-PPAI (426-7724) or email PPAI Membership.
WLC Workgroup
