PPAI • JANUARY 2026 • 69 Inside PPAI | Community Regional Leaders, Young Professionals Share Insights, Celebrate Successes Sandwiched between daytime sessions on strategic planning, AI tools to use and the art of giving feedback, LDC attendees also gathered for a Celebration of Achievement Dinner, sponsored by SAGE. The evening’s highlight was Mandi Rudd, director of new markets at Genumark, PPAI 100’s No. 47 distributor, receiving the PPAI Regional Volunteer Award for her contributions to Promotional Products Association Midwest over the past seven years, including her term as the association’s president. “To be able to do what you love in an industry that you love, with people that you respect, admire and genuinely adore, is reward enough in itself,” Rudd said, “but to get recognized for it is humbling and slightly embarrassing – an embarrassment of riches, I think. But everyone in the room is volunteering in some capacity. So, we all elevate one another by talking about our experiences, sharing ideas, asking for ideas and brainstorming with one another.” The event also saw recognition for the 2025 PPAI Rising Stars (profiled in our December issue). The 2025 class took in education among 37 attendees of LDC’s Young Professionals track. More than 140 professional attendees took part in this year’s LDC, including 37 for the Young Professionals track – a 16% growth from 2024. Conference attendees also raised more than $3,300 for the Promotional Products Education Foundation, which PPAI pledged to match. A representative of all 25 regional associations in attendance donated to the scholarship fund. In addition to SAGE, event sponsors included Allmade, ETS Express and PCNA. Three regional associations shared their wins with the group during dinner: • Record-breaking demand drove this year’s traveling shows to new heights for the Carolinas Association of Advertising and Marketing Professionals. The fall event sold out with a 20% increase and a waitlist, while the spring show expanded from 100 to 120 tables – CAAMP’s first time using a second floor. Distributor and end user attendance hit all-time highs. • When the Promotional Marketing Association of Northern California couldn’t hold a traditional trade show, the association launched its branded box – a creative alternative pairing a curated set of supplier products with a live virtual showcase. Distributors experienced new items firsthand, while suppliers gained visibility and engagement. The program generated non-dues revenue through participation fees and has become one of PMANC’s most successful initiatives. • To boost local engagement, Promotional Products Association Midwest launched “Pints and Promos,” a relaxed networking event featuring six presenters sharing creative promo ideas. Attendance more than doubled to 16 members, and the event generated net revenue far exceeding expectations. The format’s success inspired a Kansas City version, drawing 23 members and eight presenters and producing another profit.
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