PPAI hosted its annual Volunteer Leadership Luncheon at the PPAI Expo on Sunday to recognize those who have generously contributed their time and resources to the Association. Members of the PPAI Board of Directors, committees and advisory groups, the Regional Association Council board, the Promotional Products Education Foundation board and new inductees to PPAI’s Fellows program were honored for their volunteer contributions.

The luncheon also marked the transition of PPAI board chairs as outgoing PPAI Board Chair Dale Denham, MAS+ passed the gavel to incoming board chair Brittany David, MAS. Denham will remain on the board as immediate past chair.

The pair also acknowledged retiring board members Norm Hullinger, CAS, and D’Anna Zimmer, CAS, along with incoming board members Reneé Jones, MAS+, Bill Mahre,CAS, and Amy Rabideau, MAS, who begin their terms immediately following Expo.

Also as part of the program, chairs from each of PPAI’s volunteer committees stepped up to the stage to give brief updates on their committee’s accomplishments in 2018.

PPAI President and CEO Paul Bellantone, CAE, welcomed and thanked listeners and gave them an update on PPAI’s accomplishments over the past year including its strategic alliance with Promotional Products Professionals of Canada announced in June, which drew enthusiastic applause from the audience. He also talked about the Association’s four strategic plan goals and its commitment to evolve, lead, serve and thrive. “Those attributes, our history and brand and a sound plan give us the confidence to evolve… and the courage to pull off the Band-Aid when something is not working,” he said.

After the luncheon, individual committees met to discuss goals and tactical responsibilities for 2019. The day ended with a private reception where incoming and outgoing volunteers socialized and enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and cocktails.