Pictured above: Annette Scott

A Solihull businesswoman has been flying the flag for the UK's promotional merchandise industry, at an international industry gathering in the USA this month.

Annette Scott, from Solihull, recently took the helm of PROMOTA, the leading independent trade association for the promotional merchandise industry, as CEO and met with industry colleagues in Las Vegas at the American trade show PPAI Expo, earlier this month.

Mrs. Scott who is tasked with implementing new initiatives for members and driving the association forward, represented the UK and European promotional merchandise industry at the week long trade show and at the Federation of Promotional Products Convention. 

PROMOTA represents more than 700 supplier and distributor members across the UK and Europe, and is making significant changes to the benefits that they offer to their members and promoting the UK industry to international partners. Mrs Scott runs the association from Concorde House, Solihull. 

Mrs Scott, who is also chair of governors at Alderbrook School, said: "I am committed in my capacity as CEO of PROMOTA to help to create more business for our members as we come out of the recession, and raise awareness amoung other companies that there is a professional industry that specialise in branded merchandise who are available to help.   

"Part of that awareness building activity includes representing the UK industry in the US and forging links with our colleagues internationally, as there is so much knowledge and valuable information we can share."

Mrs. Scott works alongside PROMOTA chairman David Webster implementing a host of new initiatives which will benefit members, such as new training schemes to enable members to become recognised through accreditation, and planning a 2011 event.

The PPAI Expo took place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Centre, Las Vegas.