PPAI hosted its inaugural young professionals “pop-up” event, SPARK, last week at The SAGE Show in Irving, Texas. SPARK is a new PPAI education and networking opportunity for young professionals working inside and outside the promotional products industry.

SPARK connects future leaders and gives them insight into the ideas, projects and achievements that will shape the industry going forward. The pop-up drew 37 registrants for the program, which featured an opportunity to meet and network with peers in the industry, and an education session with PPAI Diversity Development and Engagement Manager Seth Barnett. Barnett shared the findings from research on perceptions of Millennials and hiring managers across the country, and oversaw a discussion on communication expectations and best practices for working with multiple generations in the industry.

The next SPARK event is scheduled in conjunction with PPAI’s Leadership Development Week in Grapevine, Texas. “Spark After Dark” will be held from 9 to 10:30 pm on Wednesday, October 19, at Bonnie & Clyde’s in the Hilton DFW Lakes hotel.