PPB December 2020

Networking opportunities at LDW included several dedicated sessions, a virtual happy hour with a mixology lesson fromPetrie and an online morning yoga session led by Roni Wright, MAS, of The Book Company. LDWwrapped on Friday with a working lunch for regional association board leaders. “LDW isn’t just about education, although the education is top- notch; it’s about bringing together like-minded people in the industry, who outside of their work activities, have volunteered in their respective regions to be a driving force for promotional products professionals. These people are incredible, and one of the reasons I was so excited to go back to LDW this year. Then the pandemic hit, then it stayed ... and never left,” says Samuel. “I was so disappointed. Moving this event online, I wasn’t going to see my friends andmake new ones. I wasn’t going to be able to learn through those accidental hallway collisions. It’s just another blow dealt by 2020. Then I made a choice; I would give it a chance. I would put just as much energy into it, if not more, getting the most out of it. Thankfully, I did because it paid off big time. The event was executed flawlessly. I got to see my friends andmade new ones. I learned to be a better leader for TSPPA and actually got to see all the sessions instead of just picking one andmissing another. Sure, it isn’t the same as being in person, but I couldn’t have asked for a better-executed event given the circumstances.” Munari adds, “I amblessed to enjoy my new position as much as I do and after attending LDW I look forward to encouraging my boards to be the best that they can. We need to continue to offer the services that keep our communities close and further our relevance in our members’ eyes.” Janet McMaster, MAS, Honored As 2020 PPAI RAC Volunteer Janet McMaster, MAS, regional vice president at Lewiston, Maine- headquartered distributor Geiger, was honored as the 2020 PPAI RAC (Regional Association Council) Volunteer Award recipient. The award was presented in October during the 2020 Leadership Development Workshop at Home. “The regional community is a very special one; a grassroots, roll-up-your- sleeves-and-make-things-happen one. It’s where I feel like I can make a real contribution; a real difference,” said McMaster, in accepting the award. “To be honored for volunteerism in a year where there has been virtually no opportunity to volunteer is kind of ironic. One of the things I have missed the most since the pandemic affected our lives is the opportunity to serve the regional community, side by side, with like-minded friends and colleagues. 2020 has certainly been a difficult year, and I believe 2021 will be challenging as well. Next year, it will be more important than ever to fill the seats of our regional boards with strong, innovative thinkers who will discover new revenue streams and ways of connecting distributor and supplier members in meaningful engagements. It will be exciting to watch how trade shows and events are reimagined.” The PPAI RAC Volunteer Award is presented annually to regional association members who have demonstrated an outstanding level of volunteerism and leadership, and who have made significant and measurable contributions to a regional association. McMaster is the 18th recipient of the award that has been presented annually since 2010. McMaster is currently a member of the Promotional Products Education Foundation’s (PPEF) Board of Trustees, Janet McMaster, MAS | DECEMBER 2020 | 101 CONNECT