Breakout Session: How To Use Creativity And Merchandising To Set Yourself Apart

Jessica-Gibbons-Rausch, MBA, is the Manager, Professional Development Learning Programs at PPAI. She has over 15 years of experience working in the promotional products industry. JGR was named a PPAI Rising Star in 2014, she has served on the board of PPA Chicago and on the board of PromoKitchen.

With a retail management background and zero idea what a promotional product was, Samantha joined the secret industry of branded merch almost 16 long years ago. What started out as an assistant position to 3 busy reps soon became managing her own book of business after less than one year. Working alongside a crew of very creative individuals, Samantha soon discovered that she would be a lifer in the branded merch industry – how could she walk away from the fun and excitement that each project delivered? A few strategic moves later, Samantha is now a Senior Account Executive with BAMKO and hopes to help grow the Canadian side of the business with an incredible group of folks she has been blessed enough to work with over the years. If she isn't at home in Alberta, she is likely back in her hometown of Kelowna, BC visiting friends and family.

Her team calls her the glue, the conductor, the creator of magic, and the secret ingredient behind all our marketing and our events. As commonsku's VP of Marketing, Kate has not only guided the marketing efforts but orchestrated the ops behind every event: skucon, skucamp, commonsku University, and now, successfully hosting thousands of people through our virtual experiences. Kate is passionate about community, a detail-fanatic, and possesses an incredible agility, navigating commonsku toward future-focused branding while delivering on fast, target-rich marketing execution. Whether driving sales results for the sales team, crafting another award-winning skucamp collection, or guiding the team through another successful event, she loves bridging the world of commerce and creativity. 2020 PPB Rising Star, Pyramid Award winner, and avid traveler, when she's not planning a new place to explore, you can find her cooking meals for friends, playing board games, and spending time outdoors.