PPB August 2018

The PPAI Expo—her introduction to the industry. “I feel that a lot of people I met have taken me under their wing, as I am brand new to the industry,” McAndrews says. “It’s exciting and fun, and everyone has been so kind to me. I found out about WLC at Expo on my second day on the job. I told myself that I would get myself here someday, and I was blown away when I was selected for the scholarship.” Brittany David, CAS, vice president of sales at SnugZ USA and PPAI chair-elect, says, “WLC provides a forum for women to empower other women, and learn, collaborate and network. From being a first- time attendee eight or nine years ago, I’ve met so many women who have mentored me and helped me in my development, not only personally but professionally. You build a network of women that you otherwise would not meet in other settings. There is such value in developing others, and in turn, developing yourself. “It is amazing that PPAI has brought this event from conception several years ago to this level, and it continues. WLC provides a setting that allows women to empower other women—not as opposed to men— but there’s a special kind of magic that happens here that is contagious and you leave feeling like you are a better person.” WLC featured two full days of education, with interactive presentations from professional speakers who shared their insights and skills on positivity, growing sales, measuring success, leadership, turning obstacles into opportunities and more. Industry leaders also led sessions and discussions on a variety of topics, including the state of the promotional products industry today, technology tips, behavioral interview techniques, mergers and acquisitions, and building a personal brand. “WLC’s content is some of the best programming that I think I’ve seen,” says Britney Godsey, vice president of sales at Gold Bond and a first-time attendee. “It’s right to the point and the way it is presented is so impactful. Everyone is in their own element of doing things and where they are in their business, and whether you’re on the distributor or supplier side, there are always these little nuggets that give you epiphany moments. It’s like, ‘I have never thought of that, but now that I have’—it’s a gamechanger.’” WLC provides attendees with a wealth of knowledge and ideas to apply back at the office, and connections to carry home with them. Suzie Bauernfeind, partner at Broadview, Illinois, distributor Liberty Sales, was also a first-time WLC attendee. She says, “First and foremost, I will take home with me the friendships, the mentorships and the people that I met here. These are friendships I will be able to call upon if I need some advice moving forward, and I hope they feel that they can call upon me so that we can have a conversation. WLC lets us open up a little bit and be more comfortable with one another without feeling that we’re in a competitive environment.” During the conference, attendees had a chance to discuss, debate and exchange ideas with their peers at a roundtable session. WLC featured two full days of education and interactive sessions featuring speakers from inside and outside of the promotional products industry. | AUGUST 2018 | 83 CONNECT