On October 12-15, PPAI board members, committee leaders, and executive directors and volunteers representing 27 regional associations traveled to Grapevine, Texas for the 16th annual Leadership Development Workshop (LDW), hosted by PPAI and the Regional Association Council (RAC). The four-day event featured an extensive curriculum of seminars, panel discussions and collaborative exercises, as well as networking and consultation opportunities for regional association leaders.

I want to thank you for another fantastic LDW. Every year I say it is the best yet, and this year is no exception. It is evident at every turn how much work, dedication, insight, planning, forecasting and mind reading is done by the staff at PPAI to plan this event. From the food choices to the speakers chosen, to the signs made and the details of who does what when, every “t” is crossed and every “i” is dotted.

From a personal standpoint, I look at the entire experience and it has always been rewarding and valuable. I consistently return to the office energized, motivated and looking forward with a different perspective than when I left for LDW. It is so beneficial to meet with other industry professionals and reconnect with the Association as well. I also value the time that the executive directors get to spend with each other to share ideas, and I thought this year was just terrific with Scott’s and Bob’s sessions leading us into topics so that we could share ideas. I thought the schedule was ideal, both for boot camp plus the rest of the LDW.

The keynote speaker was incredible. All in our group thoroughly enjoyed his presentations. (I was one of the lucky ones who saw him before the evening dinner at one of the sessions and enjoyed that presentation as well.) In fact, we liked him so well that we are going to try to have him speak at one of our events, since he is local to the Twin Cities.

I was also a fan of the second night’s events, where we were all together in a relaxed atmosphere on the patio. Our group had so much fun playing giant Jenga. Who knew we could be so competitive? It was great fun to be able to visit with our group, and others, enjoying the weather outside and sharing thoughts and ideas from the day.

Thank you for providing such a valuable education and networking experience for the industry professionals.

Sue Selseth

Executive Director

Upper Midwest Association of Promotional Professionals

Woodbury, Minnesota

UPIC: umapp

Thank you for an amazing week! I am so glad I was able to attend, as I learned so much and feel clearer about what to focus on as PMANC’s[Promotional Marketing Association of Northern California] incoming president. Most importantly, I know “where to go” to find the resources we need to achieve our goals.

Cristina Ysselstein

Account Manager

ETS Express, Inc.

Oxnard, California

UPIC: ETSE

This was my third LDW and definitely one of the best for me. What an amazing week it was! The hotel, the food and the classes and speakers, all perfect. Thank you for everything you do to make it happen!

Jean McGuire, MAS

McGuirePro – Geiger

Promotional Consultant

Oldsmar, Florida

UPIC: Geiger

LDW really was incredible. I am overwhelmed with the amount of information that is available to us and the number of things I now want to change. They say that change can be good so I really feel that we are in a good place. We have a huge opportunity ahead of us and I am looking forward to the challenges. It is comforting to know the wealth of knowledge, information and experience that is available to us just by asking.

Rhett Todd

Owner

Printgear Sportswear

Oxnard, California