PPB August 2018

The 14th annual PPAI Women’s Leadership Conference concluded on June 27 at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Hollywood, California. The industry’s leading women’s conference brought together a cross-section of the promotional products industry with professionals at every level from suppliers, distributors and business services companies. In what has become a tradition for WLC attendees to give back to the local community in which the event is held, early arrivals to the three-day conference participated in volunteer projects at the Downtown Women’s Center and the Alexandria House, a transitional residence. The conference officially launched that evening with a welcome reception for first- time attendees, followed by the opening dinner and presentation of this year’s PPAI Woman of Achievement Award to Marsha Londe, owner and CEO of Tango Partners, and Mary Ellen Sokalski, MAS, CEO of creative marketing agency The Scarlet Marketeer. “WLC is a perfect opportunity to experience a bit of the industry from a different perspective,” says Leanne Finney, vice president of marketing at Polyconcept North America, and who, along with Kate Plummer, vice president of supplier Clearmount Plastics, Ltd, co-chairs the WLC work group. “It’s eye-opening to hear about other people’s struggles and successes, and to learn from them in a safe and fun environment. Networking comes up as the No. 1 reason people attend. You can see and feel the energy when people are working together and sharing stories and experiences. It’s a great opportunity, whether they are customer facing or in a sales role or customer service role—it’s all beneficial.” This year’s WLC drew 155 attendees, and for 63 of them it was a first-time experience. For Brienne McAndrews, brand strategy manager at Madison Heights, Michigan, distributor QMI Group, Inc., and the inaugural winner of the Ros Plummer Scholarship, it was also—after An Exceptional WLC Brings Service, Education And Networking To Hollywood This year’s PPAI Women’s Leadership Conference drew 155 industry leaders, including 63 first-time attendees, to Hollywood, California. During the opening dinner, the PPAI Woman of Achievement award was presented to Marsha Londe (second from left), owner and CEO of Tango Partners, and Mary Ellen Sokalski, MAS, (second from right) CEO of The Scarlet Marketeer. They are joined by their nominators Danon Middleton (far left), vice president of Summit Group, LLC, and Cathy Miller, MAS, regional sales manager for Geiger. 82 | AUGUST 2018 | CONNECT