The Insider: Women Who Brand
Welcome to the fourth edition of GXN’s “The Insider: Women Who Brand” – a monthly e-newsletter created by the women of GXN for anyone passionate about branding, leadership, and connection. No matter where you call home, we hope each issue sparks new ideas, meaningful connections, and the reminder that we’re stronger together.
Please see below the agenda for the Women’s Group breakfast at the GXN meeting next month in Kitzbuehel, from Carleen Gray, Committee Chair & CEO of GroupeStahl, as well as proposed discussion topics:
The New Generation of Women in Promo
September 2026, Istanbul. The IPPAG gala dinner.
The restaurant is filled with founders of branded merchandising leaders, from more than 35 countries. I’m the youngest person in the room, standing on stage, singing a cappella, alone, as tradition dictates for first-timers. My song: “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone for some, Muse for others… Michael Bublé for me. Draw your own conclusions about my generation! 😉
I was nervous before stepping onto the stage. But somewhere along the way, I actually started feeling good.
I’m Emma André, 26 years old, in charge of AI and Innovation at Synneo, France’s leading promotional products agency. That week, I flew home with the IPPAG “Most Inspiring Changemaker Award” (probably more for the project I shared than for my singing skills!!). And yet, just 5 years ago, I didn’t even know this industry existed. If you want to read more: Link
Hot Dates: A Calendar of Upcoming Global Promo Events will be available on gxn-net.org.
2027
January 5-7: ASI Orlando
Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida; www.asishow.com
January 12-14: PPAI Expo
Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada; www.ppai.org/expo
January 12-14: PSI
Exhibition Centre Cologne, Cologne, Germany: www.psi-messe.com
January 20-21: Merchandise World
CBS Arena, Coventry, England: www.merchandiseworld.co.uk
February 2-4: CTCO
Eurexpo, Lyon, France: www.salon-ctco.com
Fast Facts: Quick Hits of Data Points Pertaining to the Global Promo Marketplace
Regardless of generation or gender, ASI research shows that promo products are everyone’s preferred form of advertising, over television, print, and online platforms.
To view and use the infographic in your marketing, click here: Link
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Thank you for reading! To contribute to this monthly e-newsletter, reach out to Michele Bell at mbell@asicentral.com or Lisa Bennett at lisabennett530@gmail.com.
PS: The Annual GXN Conference 2026 will take place from October 7th to 9th at the Grand Tirolia Hotel Kitzbuehel, more information https://gxn-net.org/gxn-
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