On Sunday evening, during the opening event for the PPAI 2019 North American Leadership Conference, 14 of the industry’s most watchable young leaders were recognized. This year’s PPB Rising Stars were selected from more than 80 nominations based on their achievements and contributions to their companies, communities and industry organizations.

The event at the Omni Mandalay Hotel in Irving, Texas, featured the popular Southwest improv troupe, Four Day Weekend, who put on a hilarious and fast-paced awards show that was rich in audience participation. All 14 Rising Stars were in attendance and each was called on stage and presented with a personalized Corkcicle canteen donated by supplier Hirsch Gift, Inc.

Those honored were Kate Alavez, PromoShop, Inc.; Taylor Borst, American Solutions for Business; Brian Deissroth, CAS, Vantage Apparel; Joe Douglas, Orbus Exhibit & Display; Caitlin Downing, Ariel Premium Supply, Inc.; Tosha Everhart, Sock 101; Amy Fields, Barker Specialty; Gaby Kaplan, The Magnet Group; Matthew Lamb, Faciligroup; Katrina Marshall, Artistic Toys & Promotions, LLC; Sam Reed, Pacesetter Awards Co.; Trey Schaefer, Boost Branding Powered by HALO Branded Solutions; Cola Svec, Soul & Swag, Inc.; and JP Stratton, Bel USA LLC.

Read more about them in PPB’s September issue.