It was good to be together again.

That was the common sentiment among the more than 200 promotional products professionals that convened in Nashville for Facilisgroup’s Partner Summit, a three-day event dedicated to industry education, innovation and community.

Facilisgroup, a St. Louis-based software-as-a-service company and partnering community for promotional products firms, said it was the first Partner Summit in two years. The dearth of summits was, of course, a result of COVID-related restrictions on in-person gatherings.

But with societal reopening powering ahead amid a nationwide vaccination rollout, Facilisgroup was ready to return to in-person events. Members showed up in force and weren’t disappointed, executives said.

Facilisgroup President Ashley McCune gives a presentation at the Partner Summit.

“Simply seeing our partners in-person again had such an impact on us,” said Ashley McCune, president of Facilisgroup. “To hug, chat and spend meaningful time with these individuals, after so long, just meant so much.”

The Partner Summit began June 14. Its theme was “Change PurposeFULLY,” an outgrowth of the need to adapt in response to pandemic challenges, but also a positive reminder that change can be good, with purposeful change being transformative, Facilisgroup said. Education sessions focused on customer journey, profitability, expanded services, supply chain and more.

Speakers included Tim Andrews, president and CEO of ASI, the largest membership organization in the promo industry. Andrews provided a “state of the industry” discussion. Decorated Air Force Fighter Pilot Lt. Col Waldo Waldman provided an inspiring keynote, “Never Fly Solo.”

Organizers said there was no shortage of social fun, which included a private tour, concert and dinner at the Country Music Hall of Fame, a private rooftop concert experience at Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar, and a walking scavenger hunt through the streets of downtown Nashville. As part of its time in Nashville, Facilisgroup raised more than $8,000 for children’s charities, with money going to the United Way Stuff the Bus and Gabe’s Chemo Duck programs.

“Although we only joined Facilisgroup last year during the pandemic, the Partner Summit really made us feel like part of the family,” said Rick Roth, president of Imageworks (asi/230173). “This was a superb, top-notch event that was well planned and executed.”