iPROMOTEu’s A Woman’s View hosted more than 400 women from across the promotional products industry at its annual networking reception during PPAI EXPO. This year’s “Strong Women Never Go Out of Style” theme honored the organization’s 10th anniversary, celebrating a decade of recognizing, empowering, and supporting women in the industry.
“As we embark on our 10th year, we wanted to acknowledge that women are timeless,” said Lori Bauer, iPROMOTEu Chief Executive Officer. “The resilience, confidence, and grace of women in the promotional products industry embody a power that inspires and uplifts our community. Our collective strength proves true style lies in authenticity and inner fortitude.”
The evening featured a keynote by Marilyn Sherman, a National Speaker’s Association CPAE Hall of Fame motivational speaker and author of four books on leadership and personal growth. With more than 25 years of experience, Sherman is one of the most sought-after corporate keynote speakers, known for inspiring audiences to embrace a winning mindset.
A Woman’s View also honored three outstanding women with Visionary Awards for their remarkable achievements in 2024. The Affiliate Visionary Award was presented to Elena Hutslar, owner and chief brand consultant at Intention Advertising, Inc. in San Francisco, California. Known for her positivity, work ethic, and dedication to her clients, Elena has achieved steady growth since launching her business in 2022. Beyond her success in the promotional products industry, she has long been committed to uplifting her community. She founded a local newsletter in her town of 33,000 to highlight positive news, celebrating remarkable individuals, standout high school athletes, and inspiring stories. Her passion for spreading optimism and generosity is evident in both her professional and personal endeavors.
The AIA Visionary Award was presented to Sondra LeClaire, owner of Corporate Recognition, LLC in Arvada, Colorado, an innovative leader in the AIA community and one of the original franchise owners. Since joining AIA in 2002, Sondra has expanded her business, acquiring another distributor to extend her reach to the East Coast while using a customer-first approach to growing her business. Her impressive success is a testament to her strategic vision, drive for excellence, and perseverance. Beyond her business success, she is a valued member of the industry, always eager to support her peers with insight, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to the distributor community.
The 2024 Vendor Visionary Award was also presented to Jenny Straub from Outdoor Cap in recognition of her creativity, leadership, and ability to inspire those around her to aim higher. Jenny joined Outdoor Cap in 2019 and has transformed bold ideas into impactful solutions, pioneering innovative customer engagement strategies and setting new industry standards over the last five years. Her forward-thinking approach makes Jenny a true trailblazer for women and an advocate for future innovation in the industry.
The evening embraced its stylish theme with two raffles featuring designer accessories. A Kate Spade Walker Convertible Backpack sponsored by Incentive Concepts, was awarded to Sheila Cavalier of The Freaky Cookie and presented by Cindy Henry, Fashion Brand Advisor at Incentive Concepts. A second raffle featured a Swarovski Matrix crystal and pearl bracelet, presented by Sheila Finn of Loyalty Source, with Lisa Gork, Director at Sweet Memories Promotional Gifts, as the lucky winner.
The 2025 Women’s Advisory Council was announced, bringing together a diverse group of leaders to coordinate upcoming educational and networking opportunities, including the 2025 A Woman’s View Webinar Series:
- Lori Bauer, CEO, iPROMOTEu
- Emily Codner, Director of Affiliate Services, iPROMOTEu
- Dawn Miller, Virtual Assistant and Sales Support Program Manager, iPROMOTEu
- Dina Barker, Brilliance in Branding
- Lisa Fronek, Generate Sales & Marketing
- Michelle Kaufman, Blue Monkey Promo
- Chrstina Maag, Hoopla
- Mindy Moss, Moss Marketing Agency
- Christy Muckey, Lucas Promotional Products
- Kathleen Nassi, Promos & Beyond
- Margie Nelson, ID Marketing
- Maria Perez, Effective Promos
- Brenda Treuhaft, B*true Promotions
The 2025 Webinar Series kicks off on Wednesday, March 12, with women’s confidence advocate and speaker Tamara DeOrio leading a session on “Being Bold and Brave: Mastering Motivation and Controlling the Controllables.” All women in the promotional products industry to attend. For more information on A Woman’s View, click here.