PPB December 2020

and taking it to a virtual level (a 45-minute interactive mixology class). All in all, I’m beyond proud of what we were able to accomplish and believe we honored the past editions of LDWwhile providing a framework for future virtual events.” LDW opened with a short networking session before Dana Geiger, PPAI’s regional relations manager, got things started with a welcome message for LDW’s 300 registered attendees. PPAI President and CEO Paul Bellantone, CAE, and Harold Wood, account manager for BIC Graphic NA and RAC board president, began LDW’s education programming with a “screenside chat” on the state of the promotional products industry and the regional community. Wood noted, “Overall, it has been a year of change and challenge. With challenges come opportunity. The regional community, as a whole, has an opportunity to change our thought processes.” LDW featured speakers fromwithin and outside the promotional products industry. Nonprofit management educator and speaker Bob Harris, CAE, delivered a presentation, “Virus to Value – Positioned for Recovery and Rebound,” on the opportunities and changes in the market due to the pandemic and later led a session on board orientation and responsibilities. Harris said, “I don’t think it’s going to be an ‘old normal.’ I don’t think we’re going to return to normal. I think, as associations, we’re going to adapt. The ‘next normal’ is what you’re doing to make your association better. I want you to focus on value and make some lasting improvements.” Maura Mitchell of Brandology also joined LDW’s line-up, speaking on “Rapid Re-planning – From Surviving to Thriving,” while a series of breakout sessions, presented by industry experts and regional association leaders, explored subjects including connecting in today’s virtual world, hosting in-person events during the pandemic, tips and tricks to make the most of virtual connection technology, personal branding, identifying an association’s unique value proposition to its members and developing the tools necessary to thrive in 2021 and beyond. “I have been on many boards, to include leadership positions, and I still learned a ton of new and valuable information,” says Munari. “Bob Harris is a wealth of knowledge. I have many things on my to-do list that I need to implement, tweak and even some things that are deemed unnecessary and need to be discontinued. It was almost as if he gave us permission to eliminate those things that just don’t matter anymore. Obviously, these are interesting times, so it was nice to hear fromMaura Mitchell on ways that we can overcome some of the hardships we are facing and come out stronger on the other end.” | DECEMBER 2020 | 99 CONNECT