Top 40 distributor AIA Corporation (asi/109480) recently hosted about 25 attendees at its Young Professionals Network event during the PPAI Show in Las Vegas. The group welcomes industry members under 40 years of age from among its distributor owners, staff and preferred suppliers.

Greg Burpee, AIA’s vice president of owner success (center) with attendees at the recent Young Professionals Network event in Las Vegas.

Members meet monthly in virtual mastermind groups to network, build relationships and discuss strategy. Greg Burpee, vice president of owner success, said the event in Vegas was a casual, in-person off-shoot of those regular meetings, which help members “challenge and support each other.” He added that members are looking for peer support as they assume leadership roles at their respective firms.

“They find themselves on a succession path and in growth mode,” he noted, “and they need to understand where the industry has been and how they can evolve it together through strong relationships.”

AIA launched the Young Professionals Network in January 2021 to be “a catalyst for the development and empowerment of the next generation of leaders,” said Stacy Price, vice president of marketing. “By providing a platform for networking, idea exchange and mutual support, it ensures a continuous infusion of fresh perspectives, innovation and shared knowledge, contributing to the industry’s growth and long-term success.”

With 2022 North American promotional product sales of $154.9 million, AIA ranked 19^th on Counselor’s most recent list of the largest distributors in the industry and was recently named to Counselor’s 2024 Best Places to Work list.