PPB September 2015

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was not merely to absorb information but to
meet new people, share experiences, learn
something new and even find a mentor—
which I did! I left feeling energized yet
focused on what is important in my life and
setting actions to ensure professional and per-
sonal happiness.”
After many months of planning and
preparation, the conference’s highly successful
outcome was especially rewarding to Jamie
Watson, Certified Marketing Consultants,
Ltd., leader of the Women’s Leadership
Conference work group. “The attendees
seemed energized by the conference and
excited to implement the ideas and principles
they learned in their personal and professional
lives,” she says. “The first-
time attendees especially
seemed to enjoy themselves
and said they were blown
away at the energy and spirit
of the group. Everyone is
really looking forward to
next year’s event.”
Plans are already in the
works for the 2016 Women’s
Leadership Conference, June
27-29 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Registration information
will be available soon at
—Tina Berres Filipski
SEPTEMBER 2015 • PPB • 97
REGIONAL ASSOCIATION SPOTLIGHT:
THE GEORGIA ASSOCIATION OF
PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS PROFESSIONALS
IN THIS ISSUE OF PPB, the maga-
zine spotlights one of the regional associa-
tions that supports the industry’s companies
and professionals. The Georgia Association
of Promotional Products Professionals
(GAPPP) has established a community of
industry members, and provides the state’s
distributors and suppliers with education,
professional development, networking and
trade-show opportunities, among other
services.
As part of its community building
efforts, GAPPP has incorporated “face-
time” events such as wine tastings, factory
tours and picnics into its calendar. Lisa
Bibb, MAS, GAPPP executive director, says,
“Our supplier and multi-line rep members
know each other well, and travel the circuit
together, but our distributor members have
come to know each other much better, and
this has really helped the camaraderie and
building of trust and friendships.”
The regional association has kept up a
steady tempo of events, programs and initia-
tives to support its members’ businesses and
the industry. During Promotional Products
Work! Week, it collaborated with other
District Two regional associations in the cre-
ation of a kit that its members can use to
build awareness of the power of promotional
products. In January, it hosted its first Lunch
and Learn in Atlanta, and for the past two
years, it has partnered with the Carolinas
Association of Advertising and Marketing
Professionals (CAAMP) on a summer school
program offering a full day of education.
GAPPP also reports that its trade shows, the
End Buyer Show and the Holiday Showcase
Suites Show, have generated strong atten-
dance and exhibitor figures, growing in size
year over year.
Looking ahead, the regional association
is set to continue the pace, with factory
tours and social events planned through
the rest of 2015. Bibb says, “A standing
goal of our organization is to be relevant to
our members, to keep them informed with-
out becoming a nuisance and bring our peo-
ple together to build their businesses and
relationships.”
Speaker Dawnna St Louis (center) gets help on stage
from Deanna Cross, Eileen Lynch, Roni Wright, MAS and
Rosalind Plummer, MAS.