Reliving the Past and Embracing the Future at NEPPA 2014

As a past president, I was invited to NEPPA’S 40TH Anniversary at Mohegan Sun, in Uncasville, Connecticut. It was rewarding to see how this organization has grown since I was the first woman to be president in the early 80s. Now, there has been a continued mix of qualified presidents who have each, in their own way, made a positive mark on the New Engand Promotional Products Association.

W.C.S. “Skip” Mays III, Joseph Ferris, Peter Gleason, Dale Johnson-Cornell, Stephen Monahan, Nancy Bercovitz, Frank Firicano, Patricia Dugan, Joseph Collins, Maralyn Hill, Hilary Gallagher, Nicholas D’Eramo (current president), Michael Moore, Paul, Keane, Wanda Levy

In the 80s, we were small and our monthly board meetings were a challenge, driving from all the New England states to meet. That has not changed. We focused heavily on professional development, as the industry was changing and we wanted to stay ahead of the curve.

During the 30 plus years that have passed, the association has grown to reach beyond the scholarship and professional development. It runs well-respected and attended trade shows, supports charitable causes, and has many worthwhile projects. It’s a wonderful feeling to have been involved in the early years and see such wonderful progress.

Needless to say, there were more faces I did not know than those I did. But it was terrific to connect with Fran and Skip Mays, even though we do stay in touch on a relatively regular basis. The last time we met was when we both were in Paris at the same time. It was also especially nice to see Dale Johnson Cornell, Pat Dugan, and Jim Hutchinson.

My eight years on the NEPPA board provided a wonderful opportunity to meet so many members of our regional association, as well as serve on national committees. They required a huge time commitment and hard work, but I will always look back on those years with positive memories–even though I was ready to leave the board after eight years. That seems to be my burn out time.

So thanks to the Board of Directors for inviting me back. Even though I’ve changed careers, I still continue the message of how promotional products work.

Maralyn D. Hill