PPB's Rising Stars program, now in its 10th year, is a strategic step in identifying, recognizing and empowering our industry's next generation, and encouraging them to continue to invest their time and talent to advance the promotional products industry.
This year's 14 PPB Rising Stars possess the drive, determination and innovative spirit that helped to launch and build this industry and they will see it far into the future. Read the full feature here
CPPA would like to thank everyone that brought items to donate to our Comfort Cases Donation Drive.
A huge shout out goes to Bernice Dysard with Mineral Springs for your very generous donation and filling more than an entire tub! Everyone's generosity will help make a huge difference in the life of a child entering the foster care system.
Balch Springs, Texas, July 2019: BEST Promotions USA, a Hub Promotional Group Company, is pleased to announce the promotion of Jaclyn Lingo to National Sales Manager effective immediately. After graduating from Texas Tech University and joining Best, Jaclyn has worked in Customer Service, Order Processing, Inside Sales and, most recently, Outside Sales and Key Account Management. Founder of BEST, Michael Hicks adds, "Jaclyn is the standard for what we expect in our culture and we are so pleased to have her take on this new role. Her work ethic, creativity, integrity and undying commitment to world-class service is a representation of who we are as a company." BEST also announces the promotion of Grant VanWinkle, a University of Texas graduate, into Inside Sales and Business Development. Grant has served BEST in Production, Shipping, Graphics, Digital Printing, and Customer Service. Hicks adds, "Grant has been with us since the beginning (2007) and has helped us create our YES culture. He can not only do every job in the building but his heart-of-a-champion mindset and incredible commitment to service will make him a customer favorite. We can't wait to turn him loose with our growing customer base."
About HUB Promotional Group: HUB Promotional Group, The Better Impressions People, is home to Hub Pen Company, Beacon Promotions, BEST Promotions USA, Cooler Graphics, Debco, BCG Creations, Origaudio and HandStands. We provide the BEST in promotional products all with award winning quality and customer service. Please visit hubpromotionalgroup.com for more information.
Baltimore, MD – July 3, 2019 – CPPA Cares, the newly formed philanthropy committee for the 700+ members of CPPA, chose to make summer a little brighter for the children who attend the day care program at Sarah’s House. Sarah’s House is a supportive housing program offering emergency shelter and project-based supportive housing with an array of other services for families experiencing homelessness in Anne Arundel County, MD. The center has a full schedule planned for the summer, including several field trips and a sleep away camp for the older children.
The day care center had an immediate need for t-shirts for the children attending the field trips. In less than 10 days, a logo was created, and shirts and the decoration of shirts was completed for both the children and the staff. In addition, CPPA collected flip flops, beach towels, water toys, string backpacks, water bottles, lip balm and pillows to complement the planned activities for the children.
“This is our first season sponsoring this program and we not only accomplished our fundraising goals, but raised awareness for such a wonderful cause,” said Tiffany Kanak, CPPA Executive Director. “Making children smile is always one of our goals and with the help of Promotional Marketing Supplier & Distributor businesses, we anticipate enhancing and increasing our donations year after year.”
“It is with a heart filled thank you that we show our appreciation to those that donated to this project and helped bring smiles to the faces of the children at Sarah’s House. We couldn’t do it without sponsors as supportive as they are to us,” said Cheryl Hokanson, CPPA Cares Committee member.
For more information about Sarah’s House, or to register or donate online, please visit: https://www.catholiccharities-md.org/services/sarahs-house/ You may also like/follow Sarah’s House and all of their activities by visiting their Facebook Page.
HICKSVILLE, NY- Chocolate Inn| Lanco (ASI: 44900; PPAI: 111662) is growing its customer service support staff with the addition of Dina Townsend as Customer Service/Inside Sales Representative and promotion of Beth Shapiro to Assistant Customer Service Manager. Both experienced promotional products and service representatives, Townsend and Shapiro will help continue the company’s tradition of providing the highest level of customer service.
“While we continue to broaden our reach in the food, hard goods, and wearables categories, we want to maintain that hands-on customer service feel that that our clientele has come to expect,” said David Miller president of Chocolate Inn| Lanco. “The extensive knowledge base that both Beth and Dina bring to the table will help us accommodate the increase in customer requests while providing an additional informational resource for customers when making purchasing decisions.”
Townsend comes to Chocolate Inn| Lanco most recently from Universal Music Group where for the past five years she worked in the merchandising department after working for several years on the music side. In her new role at Chocolate Inn| Lanco, Townsend will be fielding customer questions and requests, while also offering guidance to customers on promotional products to add to their portfolio.
“I’m extremely happy to join the team here at Chocolate Inn| Lanco and look forward to using my experiences in the music industry to provide the best customer service and drive sales,” said Townsend.
Shapiro has been in the promotional products industry for more than 20 years, first on the distributor side and then the supplier. From working on both sides of the industry and in different positions, she understands what customers are looking for and how suppliers can help them achieve their promotional goals and sales. As Assistant Customer Service Manager, she will support the Customer Service Manager in leading the customer service team, ensuring they maintain the highest customer standards while also imparting her knowledge of the industry to help staff become an invaluable resource for customers.
“I’m thrilled to be taking on this new role at Chocolate Inn| Lanco and look forward to continue to find ways to fulfill customer’s needs at the highest level while working toward company goals,” said Shapiro.
ABOUT CHOCOLATE INN | Lanco
With over 50 years of award-winning experience, Chocolate Inn| Lanco (or the “Company”) (ASI: 44900; SAGE: 52303; PPAI: 111662; PPPC: 920802), is a top-40 ASI Supplier, and the leading diversified manufacturer of 3,000 plus items, ranging across confectionery, mints, chocolate, hard goods, health and beauty, wellness, apparel and soft goods, servicing distributors in the promotional products industry. The Company remains the only food vendor in the promotional products industry that is SQF Level 3 certified - the highest global standard of food safety. The Company operates out of 2 world-class manufacturing facilities and features an industry-leading assortment of printing, packaging and decorating capabilities. As a leading manufacturer, Chocolate Inn| Lanco also features extensive product customization capabilities, including custom shaped mints, custom shaped chocolate, custom formulated lip balm, candles, lotions and more. The Company’s newest division, SPD / Shoreline, is a focused contract decorator for promotional products distributors and offers multi-category kitting solutions. For more information, please see www.chocolateinn.com
Glenwood, MN -- June 17, 2019 – American Solutions for Business hosted a fundraising event called “Dogs for Dogs” at their headquarters location. Nearly 100 people were served grilled hot dogs, raising $600 to benefit the Pope County Humane Society. As an added incentive, raffle tickets were sold for a chance to win prize baskets.
“We’re grateful to all who came for lunch – it was great to see everyone support the cause!” said Marci Henke, ASB Event Planning Coordinator.
This effort is just one of many fundraisers ASB holds throughout the year that benefit area non-profits.
“We had a great turnout for this event,” said Justin Zavadil, ASB President. “It’s exciting to see our employees come together so often to support the community.”
American Solutions for Business (ASB), based in Glenwood, Minnesota, is a leading distributor of print, promotional products, office supplies, eCommerce, marketing and fulfilment solutions. With over 2,700 contracted supply chain partners and 1,100 sales associates and support staff, American provides a connection to a solid network of possibilities. For more information regarding ASB, please visit www.americanbus.com.
Of the ASB team that participated, three team members are cancer survivors, which contributed to much of the passion and commitment that inspired others to join the cause.
“I’m incredibly proud of this group,” said Larry Zavadil, ASB Founder & President. “The survivors, family members, friends and colleagues who have joined together to raise money and help make positive impact perfectly embodies the American spirit and culture. We’re lucky to have them.”
Braintree, Massachusetts, May 2019 HUB Promotional Group is pleased to announce the addition of Gerard Schifano as Northeast Territory Manager. The promotional products industry veteran joined HUB Promotional Group’s HUB Pen Company as a multi-line factory representative in 2015, representing the company in New Jersey, Southern New York and New York City.
Gerard had been in the industry since 1992 in sales manager roles before forming the Schifano Group and coming on board with HUB Pen. Since then he has received awards from regional associations for his work as an MLR and supplier rep, and was recently named one of the Best Multi-Line Reps in the Business by PPAI’s PPB Magazine.
“I have been so fortunate to have many mentors and friends who are both distributors and suppliers,” says Gerard. “I believe the most important ingredient in forming these partnerships is honesty, hustle and, most importantly, reliability.”
In his role as Northeast Territory Manager for HUB Promotional Group Gerard will handle New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and parts of Pennsylvania. “Gerard has strong relationships in these areas and has done some great work in this territory as an MLR which makes him a perfect fit,” says HUB Promotional Group’s VP of Sales Trina Bicknell. “We are all very happy to have him in this role.”
SHARON, Ma. (March 20, 2019) – We are excited to announce that we have recently hired Kevin Crisafulli as the Director of Customer Care for Charles River Apparel. Kevin brings with him 15+ years of great experience in cultivating teamwork and deep customer relationships. His most recent position was with HS Brands International where he was the Director of Operations and Strategic Relationships for over 7 years. We look forward to having Kevin on board as we strive to provide our customers legendary service!
ABOUT CHARLES RIVER APPARELCharles River Apparel, founded in 1983 and based in Sharon, Massachusetts, is a leading manufacturer of active apparel for corporations, businesses, school teams, athletic groups, and college students nationwide. The family-owned company, now in their 3rd generation, has been nationally recognized for the quality, style, and value of their apparel as well as their various philanthropic efforts throughout the year. Charles River Apparel has been listed as one of the top 100 Sporting Goods Manufacturers in the U.S., named a top 10 Small Businesses of Massachusetts by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce in 2011, Named as a top 25 Family owned business in Massachusetts, Humanitarian of the year by NEPPA in 2016 and was awarded Massachusetts Family Business of the Year in 2012. For more information, please visit www.charlesriverapparel.com
Hauppauge, NY – Tekweld’s Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Ray Rodriguez, has announced the promotion of Dan Jenne to Director of National Accounts. The company’s newly created position has the goal of developing strong working relationships with larger promotional products distributors with a national presence. Jenne will report directly to Rodriguez. The promotion was effective January 1, 2019.
“We are excited about the creation of this important position within Tekweld, and the promise that it holds for the company’s continued growth. We are equally excited that Dan has accepted the position and its challenges,” remarked Rodriguez while attending the recent ASI Show in Orlando, Florida. With 22 years experience in the promotional products industry, most recently as Tekweld’s Southeast Regional Sales Manager, Rodriguez sees Jenne’s strong technology background critical in his new role.” Jenne added, “I'm continually learning new programs and how they might improve our sales potential and distributor relationships.” Rodriguez added, “Dan is a tech savvy guy. He has the uncanny ability to show accounts how to leverage our product line with technology to expand their sales, and therefore Tekweld’s.”
When asked about his goals at Tekweld, Jenne quickly replied, “I am very excited about this new opportunity. As Tekweld continues to grow, we need to be cultivating relationships with our larger national accounts, and unearthing all the opportunities that holds.” He continued, “I believe with my team’s support, and Tekweld’s high-quality product line, I am ready and willing to lead that charge.”
Inside of the industry, Dan has served as past president, and currently as trustee, for the Promotional Products Disaster Recovery Foundation (PPDRF), aiding industry members applying for natural disaster assistance. He also served as past president of Carolinas Association of Advertising and Marketing Professionals (CAAMP). Outside of the industry, he is a single father to his 14-year-old daughter, McKenzie. Both Dan and McKenzie are accomplished musicians, active members of their church, and reside in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.
Located in Hauppauge, NY, Tekweld (PPAI 266346, UPIC: TEKWELD, SAGE 67569, ASI 90807) founded in 2001, is a Top 40 ASI Supplier offering a vast collection of custom printed and packaged promotional products including lip balms, hand sanitizers, sunglasses, retro lunch boxes, and microfiber cleaning cloths. For more information on the company, visit www.tekweld.com
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