Optional: Panthers Pavilion Tour (Pre Registration Required) · Panthers Pavillion Stadium Tour

If you are arriving on Wednesday, July 17, before the SPARK conference officially begins, meet and network with some of your peers while enjoying a tour of the 75,525-seat Bank of America Stadium – Carolina Panthers. Attendees will meet in the lobby of the Omni Charlotte at 1 pm, and have the option to walk or take an Uber over to the stadium for a tour from 1:30-3:30 pm.

SPARK Conference Kickoff Meet-and-Greet · Lucky's Adult Arcade
· Taylor Borst, American Solutions For Business
· John Peddy, CAS, SAGE Quick Technologies

Join SPARK attendees for a networking session, appetizers, games and a blast from the past at 90s-themed Lucky's Bar & Arcade, featuring vintage games and gaming consuls, like Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis.

Breakfast Session and the SPARK Conference Overview · Omni Charlotte, Pool Deck · Level 2
· Jody Mello, PPAI

Beginning at 8 am, Jody Mello, PPAI’s manager of professional development, will kickoff the conference with a short intro about SPARK during breakfast on the Omni Charlotte’s pool deck.

Transparent Accountability To Launch Success · Omni Charlotte, Pool Deck · Level 2
· Bill Petrie, PromoCorner

Join Bill Petrie as he leads an interactive discussion about the importance of leveraging an accountability partner to ensure the highest degree of performance for your clients, your company and, most importantly, yourself.

SPARK and Ignite Breakout Sessions: Your Personal Influence on Facilitating Change and Finding Your Voice to Advance Professionally · Omni Charlotte, Salon A and Salon B · Level 1
· Bill Petrie, PromoCorner
· Alyssa Inkrott, 3M Promotional Markets
· Mason Linn, CAS, Raining Rose

During these breakout sessions, participants will split into groups based on industry experience. Led by Mason Linn, CAS, Alyssa Inkrott and Bill Petrie, the discussions will revolve around maximizing strengths, overcoming weaknesses and embracing change—as well as becoming an agent of it.

Overcoming Adversity to Maximize Personal Growth · Omni Charlotte, Pomodoro Room · Level 1
· Bill Petrie, PromoCorner

Join Bill Petrie, president of PromoCorner, for this combined session on embracing failure, learning from defeat, utilizing mentors and tapping into your greatest potential.

Small Group Networking Lunch · Omni Charlotte, Trade Restaurant · Level 1
· Jody Mello, PPAI

Partner up for lunch and small group discussions on trending topics. Be prepared after the break to give a recap from your group.

The Power of YOU: Storytelling to Engage, Influence and Inspire · Omni Charlotte, Pomodoro Room · Level 1
· Bill Petrie, PromoCorner

Join Bill Petrie, president of PromoCorner, in this session where he will share how to leverage the power of storytelling to connect with your audience and move them to action.

Partner Networking Walk To NASCAR Hall Of Fame · Uptown Charlotte

Partner and walk-and-talk as SPARK heads to the NASCAR Hall of Fame for the next session.

Increasing Your Leadership Skills Workshop · NASCAR Hall of FAME, Auditorium
· Dr. Leah Flynn Gallant, MIT

During this we will provide an in-depth look into your personal leadership style and how to build relationships in your career.

Tips On Getting Out Of Your Comfort Zone · NASCAR Hall of FAME, Auditorium
· Dr. Leah Flynn Gallant, MIT

Partner discussions will center on identifying tips when it comes to leaving your comfort zone, trying something new and how you can prepare for leadership in an agile way.

Small Team NASCAR Simulators · NASCAR Hall of FAME Simulators · Level 2
· Jody Mello, PPAI

Come test out your hands-on leadership and communication skills during these small team simulator challenges—NASCAR-style.

Walk Back To The Omni Charlotte · Uptown Charlotte

Partner up for walking and talking. Discussions will center around key takeaways from today. Be prepared to share those during tomorrow’s breakfast session.

Dine-Around With The SPARK Work Group · Uptown Charlotte
· SPARK Work Group

Based on your dine-around reservation time, meet your SPARK Work Group team member in the Omni Charlotte lobby to walk over to the restaurant.

Walk To Charlotte City Club · Omni Charlotte Lobby

Meet your SPARK Work Group team members in the lobby of the Charlotte Omni and walk over to the Charlotte City Club for a breakfast and recap session.

Breakfast And Day One Recap · Mint Museum Uptown, Silverman Grand Room & Terrace · Level 2
· Jody Mello, PPAI

Beginning at 8 am, there will be breakfast and discussion about key takeaways from day one.

Develop A Profit And Purpose-Driven Organization · Mint Museum Uptown, Silverman Grand Room & Terrace · Level 2
· Danny Rosin, CAS, Brand Fuel
· Stephen McFadden, CAS, Perfect Promotions & More Inc

Younger buyers of promotional products have an innate desire to connect with brands that are committed to social causes and a genuine story to back their commitment. Distributors and suppliers have unique selling opportunities when adding cause marketing outcomes to the transaction, and successful execution of this makes a difference when end buyers decide on a product. Join Danny Rosin, CAS, co-owner of Brand Fuel, Inc. and Stephen McFadden, CAS, president of Perfect Promotions and More, Inc., for this session on the give-first economy. Learning objectives include: • Developing discovery questions to uncover the passion for philanthropy in prospects • Reviewing statistical evidence on market demand for cause marketing-based product and industry-specific statistics on current campaigns

SPARK Community Service Project · Mint Museum Uptown, Silverman Grand Room & Terrace · Level 2
· Meghan Kory, Hit Promotional Products
· Stephen McFadden, CAS, Perfect Promotions & More Inc

During this annual component of the SPARK Conference, attendees will give back to the host city. One of the responsibilities of the SPARK Work Group is to partner with local charities to find the most impactful ways for SPARK attendees to lend a helping hand. This activity will have a larger impact with everyone involved, with the goal of inspiring attendees to consider their own communities, the give-back opportunities available and whether there is room for greater involvement. This year's community service project will be with the Dale Earnheart Jr Foundation and participants will be helping assemble bags of food for local school kids through Blessings In A Backpack.

Shaping The Industry of Tomorrow · Mint Museum Uptown, Silverman Grand Room & Terrace · Level 2
· Brittany David, MAS, Snugz USA

In this interactive session, Brittany David, MAS, chair of PPAI’s Board and the vice president of sales at SnugZ will explain the challenges and opportunities that have been identified by 20 industry leaders. Discussions will center around how we can shape the industry of tomorrow.

SPARK and IGNITE Partner Lunch and Discussions · Mint Museum Uptown, Silverman Grand Room & Terrace · Level 2
· Jody Mello, PPAI

The group will split into partners based on time in the industry. Lunchtime discussions will center around getting the next generation into the industry, trends and challenges these peer groups are seeing in the industry.

Round Table Discussion: Leading Strategic Conversations · Mint Museum Uptown, Silverman Grand Room & Terrace · Level 2
· Brittany David, MAS, Snugz USA

This session with Brittany David, MAS will be centered around best practices when starting strategic conversations, which steps to take and why.

Walk To Coco And The Director · Uptown Charlotte

Partner walk-and-talk about key takeaways from the morning sessions. Be prepared to share your insights after the break.

Morning Session Recap · Coco and the Director
· Jody Mello, PPAI

On this last day of SPARK, attendees will share key takeaways from the morning's sessions.

Quality Materials, Fair Labor Practices, And Why It Matters · Coco and the Director
· Blair Potts, Potts Chocolates

This session will be with local chocolatier, Blair Potts, and will focus on the importance of quality materials, fair labor practices and why knowing your supply chain is important to your end client.

Trending Now: Roundtable Discussions · Coco and the Director

Join the SPARK Work Group for this roundtable discussion. Participants will choose from eight discussion groups and will rotate three times.

Dinner and SPARK Conference Wrap Up · Coco and the Director
· SPARK Work Group

This session will be a recap about details from the conference and ways to stay in touch and get involved in the industry.

Optional: Whitewater Rafting Trip With Transportation Included (Pre Registration Required) · US National Whitewater Rafting Center
· Jody Mello, PPAI

If you are planning on staying the weekend after SPARK, join our adventurous whitewater rafting trip. Swimming ability is required.