International Leadership Summit Brings Together Promo World In May, PPAI collaborated with the European Associations Cooperative to debut the International Leadership Summit in Brussels, Belgium, and more than 70 industry leaders from 13 different countries gathered for the inaugural event. PPAI and EAC organized a full slate of speakers and panels in order to get different geographic perspectives on the biggest issues facing promo. “As our first entry into the European market, the 2025 International Leadership Summit, a collaboration with the European Associations Council, was a resounding success,” says PPAI President and CEO Drew Holmgreen. “With actionable and relevant content on global topics such as sustainability, workforce development and industry trends, my greatest takeaway was the pride we should feel in the joy that promotional products create and their rightful place in every brand strategy.” The event kicked off its content with an Executive Leadership Forum moderated by Ellen Tucker, CAE, PPAI’s chief revenue and experience officer. The panel included Samantha Kates, president of Spector & Co., PPAI 100’s No. 18 supplier; Marc Rubi, vice president and general manager of Europe, Middle East and Africa at BIC Graphic; and Clive Allcott, commercial director of Direct Textiles & Bags Europe and chairman of the British Promotional and Merchandise Association. The conversation touched on everything from AI and supply chain trends to how the industry can be more resilient. A highlight of the summit was keynote speaker Dr. Sam Potolicchio, renowned educator and thought leader recognized for his dynamic presentations on leadership and international relations. His session was titled “The Geopolitical Climate in Europe and North America.” PPAI business services member bluesign sponsored a session titled “Moving Sustainability Forward in The Promotional Products Industry” by Astrid Barlaup, bluesign’s customer relations manager. Barlaup discussed the EU Green Deal, which has the goal of creating a more competitive and modern Europe that increases transparency and traceability in supply chains. Denise Taschereau, PPAI Board Chair and CEO of Canadian distributor Fairware, moderated a panel titled “The Intersection of Regulatory Compliance & Sustainability.” Panelists included Steven Baumgaertner, CEO and global director of sales at Cybergroup International, PPAI 100’s No. 34 distributor, and chairman of the EAC; Ane Karine Lemstra, vice president of sustainable development at PF Concept; and Koen Warmerdam, co-founder of Aware. Elizabeth Wimbush, PPAI’s director of sustainability and responsibility, was also on hand at the summit, taking notes and networking with the community on strategies, best practices and future possibilities in promo’s sustainability journey. PPAI • SEPTEMBER 2025 • 101 Inside PPAI | Community
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