When I first entered the Promo industry, I was not aware of PPAChicago. The owner of the distributor I worked for was not involved because he did not want me to share with our competitors and I am sure he was worried I would be poached by another company. When I moved to a different distributor, I learned of PPAChicago and started attending events. Shortly after, I ran for the board and spent a few years helping as a Director. I missed it so much that I ran for the board once again 6 years ago.

Being a board member has been incredibly beneficial for many reasons. My relationships with suppliers have improved – I call many of them friends now, but I also have a better understanding of their business which helps us to partner on projects.

Working on the Showcase has been a rewarding experience. Our committee works closely to put on the best show possible. We take the feedback from attendees seriously and use it to make changes that benefit our members. The positive comments over the last few years let us know we are providing a valuable tool.

Each member of our board brings something great. We are a collaborative group with amazing problem solvers. I continue to learn from my fellow board members, whether it is a new solution to a problem, or some great insight about our industry.

Why am I sharing this? We need you! If you are looking for a way to give back to our industry, consider running for the board this year. Elections are in September and we have several openings. The time commitment is minimal – we meet monthly and you can join the meeting in person or via Zoom. Board members are asked to lead one event each year as well as help on another event and to attend as many of our events as possible.

Help us make our Regional Association even better! If you are interested in running for the board, or have questions about it, please reach out to me at djanis@geiger.com or Kathryn Parciak at kathryn.parciak@cutterbuck.com

Dawn Ruler, President of PPAChicago