Todd Wallace, MAS, vice president of marketing and business development at Massachusetts-based distributor SourcePromo (PPAI 628594, Standard-Plus), will be attending PPAI’s North American Leadership Conference next month.
And he’ll be doing it, in part, on PPAI’s dime.
A member of the New England Promotional Products Association’s board of directors, Wallace has been chosen to receive the inaugural PPAI Regional Scholarship, which covers up to $2,500 for event registration, hotel costs and airfare costs for any of PPAI’s events in 2025.
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“I chose to attend NALC because I believe in continuous learning and the power of connection within our industry,” Wallace says. “From what I have read, the conference seems to bring together leaders, innovators and passionate professionals who are shaping the future of promotional products. I hope to have the opportunity to gain insight into emerging trends, discuss challenges and solutions and build stronger relationships with both distributors and suppliers.
Todd Wallace, MAS
VP of Marketing & Business Development, SourcePromo
“More importantly, I hope to grow as a marketing and business development professional and as someone who wants to contribute meaningfully to the industry. It’s also a chance to bring back new ideas and perspectives I can apply to my work and share with my team and the NEPPA community.”
Wallace’s Background
Prior to joining SourcePromo in 2021, Wallace spent more than 20 years at Dunkin’ Brands, where he led regional marketing and advertising efforts, managed multi-million-dollar budgets and built strategic partnerships with media, sports organizations and community groups.
- His expertise in event sponsorship, field marketing and integrated communications positioned Dunkin’ Donuts as a dominant brand in the highly competitive New England market.
That experience fueled a seamless transition to promo, where his leadership has contributed to a 60% increase in sales and double the client base for SourcePromo.
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“Education and hands-on learning about the industry have been a big part of my success,” Wallace says. “Attending NALC will deepen my knowledge of emerging trends and equip me with strategies to foster innovation within my organization. I’m committed to sharing these insights with colleagues and mentoring upcoming professionals in the industry.
“Although I’ll get more from the conference than I’ll contribute, I do hope my perspective and experience within the promotional products world and the leadership positions I’ve held will let me play a part in the success of this event.”
Impact Of Regional Associations
PPAI received 30 applications for the new scholarship, which was open to any PPAI member who is also a member of a regional association.
- A panel of five judges reviewed each application.
- All personal information, including the applicant’s name, wasn’t available to the judges to ensure an unbiased decision.
“Scholarships were a direct ask from our regional community, and PPAI listened,” says Kara Keister, MAS, CEO of Social Good Promotions and Regional Relations Committee delegate to the PPAI Board of Directors. “PPAI has created a path to reward volunteer service and regional membership with access to premier events like the Women’s Leadership Conference and North American Leadership Conference, empowering members to connect, lead and drive the industry forward.”
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Joining NEPPA’s board in December, Wallace says he’s already learned quite a bit from his fellow directors.
“This experience has given me a deeper understanding of distributors of all sizes and across various platforms,” he says. “It has also allowed me to engage in meaningful conversations with suppliers, helping me better understand how to collaborate more effectively with them on a daily basis.
“In addition, I’ve had the opportunity to give back to this amazing industry and support those who are new – whether they’re just entering the promotional products world or getting involved with NEPPA for the first time. It wasn’t long ago that I was new to the industry, and I still remember the individuals who took the time to teach me and answer my questions. I hope I’ve been able to pay that forward and help others feel welcomed and supported.”
Register Now For NALC 2025
NALC features engaging sessions and exclusive speakers tailored specifically for top-level executives and industry visionaries. NALC 2025 will provide insights and strategies aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the promotional products industry.
This year’s conference will be held May 12-14 at the Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile.
- The registration fee for members is $2,500 and $2,900 for non-members.
Click here to register.
