More than 300 women in the promotional products industry attended iPROMOTEu’s (PPAI 218870, D12) annual A Woman’s View networking reception during The PPAI Expo 2024.
- The Wayland, Massachusetts-based company is ranked the No. 13 distributor in the inaugural PPAI 100.
Among the evening’s highlights was a keynote address from best-selling author Kelly McDonald, considered one of the nation’s top experts in leadership, marketing, customer experience and consumer trends.
- Her presentation – “How to Work with and Lead People Not Like You” – shared information from her latest book, It’s Time to Talk About Race at Work: Every Leader’s Guide to Making Progress on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
“I was thrilled to do the keynote for the A Woman’s View event at The PPAI Expo 2024,” McDonald says. “The audience was amazing, fun, engaged and so happy to be there! Kudos to iPROMOTEu for hosting such a spectacular women’s networking reception each year.”
A Woman’s View Honorees
A Woman’s View also recognized two women for their extraordinary accomplishments in 2023.
The Affiliate Visionary Award was presented to Michelle Robello, owner of Red Zone Promos (PPAI 670484, D1) in Kailua, Hawaii.
- When the wildfires ravaged Hawaii last August, Robello and her husband Cliff raised $58,000 in donations from iPROMOTEu affiliates and clients of Cliff’s financial advisory firm to help impacted families.
- Additionally, Red Zone Promos and CMR Financial Advisors matched $15,000, using those funds to support individuals providing meals and services to families in Hawaii.
The 2023 Supplier Visionary Award was presented to Lori Bolton, director of business development at Totally Bamboo (PPAI 408801, S1).
- A past president of the Specialty Advertising Association of California (SAAC), Bolton is an industry influencer who co-hosts “The Rundown” podcast.
- She’s also a supporter of the PPAI Women’s Leadership Conference and volunteers at A Woman’s View events and webinars.
- Additionally, she mentors kids at the Ojai Valley Youth Foundation and is an ambassador for the Boys and Girls Club.
Women’s Advisory Council
The members of the 2024 Women’s Advisory Council were also announced during the event. The council will coordinate ongoing educational and networking opportunities, including the A Woman’s View 2024 Webinar Series.
This year’s councilmembers are:
- Lori Bauer, CEO of iPROMOTEu and member of the PPAI Board
- Emily Codner, director of affiliate services at iPROMOTEu
- Dawn Miller, virtual assistant and sales support program manager at iPROMOTEu
- Michele Cochran, MAS, owner of Six Twenty Six
- Michelle Kaufman, president and owner of Blue Monkey Promo
- Christy Muckey, owner and vice president of sales and marketing at Lucas Promotional Products
- Kathleen Nassi, MAS, president and CEO of Promos & Beyond
- Margie Nelson, director of sales and marketing at ID Marketing
- Roxanne Rogers, CEO of ORION Promotional Group
- Brenda Treuhaft, owner of B*true Promotions
- Karly Ziniuk, owner of Swagz Promo
“The diverse group of women who joined us for the annual A Woman’s View networking reception represent the outstanding imagination, camaraderie, and passion that are driving our industry forward,” Bauer says. “A Woman’s View is proud to support and empower such an outstanding group of women and recognize their hard work.”
A Woman’s View’s 2024 educational series will begin on Wednesday, February 28, with a follow-up “Ask Me Anything” webinar with McDonald.
- The session is open to all women in the promotional products industry.
- Click here to register for the webinar and to submit your questions.
