News

SAGE, the promotional products industry's leading technology provider, and Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), the not-for-profit trade association for the industry, just wrapped up a successful two-day encore presentation of SAGE Show Virtual, the industry’s largest online event to date. More than 5,300 industry professionals attended the show that featured over 200 virtual booths, on-demand education sessions, a product pavilion, and a variety of networking lounges.

The inaugural SAGE Show Virtual experience was held on August 18. Due to overwhelming attendance and extremely high demand, two additional show days were added in September to accommodate. SAGE Show Virtual was powered by SAGE’s virtual tradeshow platform, featuring brand-new technology developed by SAGE to create an interactive experience tailored specifically to the promotional products industry.

This revolutionary technology enabled distributors to visit exhibitors’ virtual booths, engage in video calls and live chats with suppliers in real-time, and access product pavilions to explore the hottest product trends. Additionally, with 25 networking lounges hosted by regional associations and distributor groups, attendees were able to interact with their peers and gain valuable industry insights.

"It was very exciting to witness the positive impact SAGE Show Virtual had on our industry," said SAGE President David Natinsky, MAS. "We really wanted to go above and beyond to help our industry thrive, especially during such a critical time. This tradeshow allowed attendees to network and discover new, trending products, while maintaining their health and safety at home.”

This unprecedented event yielded remarkable results by connecting industry distributors and suppliers from all over the nation virtually with 115,070 booths visited, 81,837 live chats sent, and 1,411 video calls. In addition, there were more than 77,445 products viewed, 63,151 booth materials accessed, and 3,271 lounge visits.

Distributors raved about SAGE Show Virtual’s innovative platform, including Rodney Altamore, owner of Custom-T in Florida. “I just have to let you know this is The BEST virtual show format I have attended. The layout of the Lobby and the Show Floor is excellent. Although I miss the in-person show, this has been very informative and helpful. Keep up the excellent work!”

Exhibitors also commented on the virtual show’s success, highlighting the overwhelming number of attendees who inquired on their offered products. “Thank you so much for this virtual show, it was great to connect with so many distributors and show off our products,” said Mark Jenkins, marketing director at Pioneer Balloon Company. “SAGE obviously invested a lot of time and resources on this show.”

The on-demand education sessions, provided by SAGE, PPAI, and suppliers, were offered throughout each day, receiving a total of 6,124 unique session visits. With these professional development sessions, distributors were able to explore cutting-edge technology, improve their sales and marketing skills, and learn more ways to promote the growth of their businesses.

“Thank you to all of the distributors, suppliers, and sponsors who made SAGE Show Virtual possible,” added David Natinsky. “We couldn’t have done it without you. At such an important time for our industry, SAGE Show Virtual was the perfect opportunity to explore new, trending products, network with industry leaders, and most importantly, re-connect.”

Chocolate Inn | Lanco (ASI: 44900; PPAI: 111662) has made the ASI Top 40 Supplier list, one of the promotional products industry’s highest honors. This is an exclusive ranking of distributors with the most revenue in the ad specialty market hosted by ASI (Advertising Specialty Institute)’s Counselor Magazine.

This is the third year that Chocolate Inn | Lanco has made and climbed the Top 40 Supplier list. For 2019, the company jumped up four spots in the ranking to 25th.

“We are honored to receive this top industry distinction for the third year in a row,” said Lance Stier, Chairman and CEO of Chocolate Inn | Lanco. “A main initiative that has contributed to Chocolate Inn | Lanco’s continued success is having a pulse on the needs of the industry and nimbly adapting our offerings and capabilities to meet them. We hope to continue the tradition into 2020.”

“Chocolate Inn | Lanco’s growth continues to be a team effort, and to be recognized for that success by such a prestigious organization is a testament to our company,” said David Miller president of Chocolate Inn | Lanco. “What we do and what we offer might continue to change, but one thing will always stay the same — and that is our dedication to our customers.”

Some of the company’s top 2019 initiatives that led to success include an exclusive partnership with Mars to represent the My M&M’s B2B product line to the professional products industry, as well as the launch of a standalone brand and website offering apparel decoration and design services to distributors. These are in addition to continued growth of Chocolate Inn | Lanco’s Get A.H.E.A.D. categories – Apparel, Health & Beauty, Edibles, Accessories. This vast range covers 85% of the industry’s popular purchases, positioning Chocolate Inn | Lanco as a destination for promotional needs. As a result of these activities, Chocolate Inn | Lanco experienced a 10% sales increase.

HALO Branded Solutions (PPAI 106462, D15) has announced that Dallas, Texas-based distributor Meyer Dunlap (PPAI 443152, D2) has affiliated with the Sterling, Illinois, company. Meyer-Dunlap was founded in 2010 by Kirk Meyer and Craig Dunlap and has become a prominent promotional products distributor in the North Texas area.

“Kirk and Craig have built an impressive business by serving a blue-chip roster of larger corporate clients,” says Dale Limes, HALO’s senior vice president of sales. “We look forward to the opportunity to help them continue to grow their business with HALO’s marketing, sourcing and distribution resources. The team will be a welcome addition to our industry-leading sales community.”

Speaking to PPB Newslink on what drew HALO to the Dallas distributor, Limes adds, “They are a young and creative team of professional account executives and account managers who primarily service blue-chip clients. We have been business friends for over seven years and the timing was right to come together now.”

For Meyer Dunlap, the affiliation brings HALO’s more complex promotional and recognition solutions to its existing clients. The distributor will continue to operate from its Dallas headquarters and its sales and support team, which includes a small support team based in the Philippines, remains intact.

Meyer, co-owner of Meyer Dunlap, says, “Craig and I needed additional resources to meet the growing needs of our clients. HALO’s strength in technology and program development will allow us to offer more comprehensive tools and services to help enhance our client relationships.”

The Pro Towels and Superior Decorating brands are excited to announce the strategic alliance with EG Threads in Las Vegas, Nevada. EG Threads has been a top full-service apparel decorator and screen printer for the last 20 years in northern California. This Alliance will combine resources, knowledge and experience that will take both companies’ capabilities to new heights.

Superior Decorating will now be utilizing EG Threads’ high-knowledgeable team and their 20 years of experience in elite, apparel decorating. This new venture will not only allow Superior Decorating to continue to grow their business, but also gives EG Threads access to the large product line and selection that Superior Decorating and Pro Towels currently offers to the promotional industry. The combined ethical resources, years of experience and a tremendous understanding of the industry makes for a great combination that their customers will now have access to and grow their own business with as well.

“We are so excited to be working with EG Threads. Our decorating capabilities have always been strong but with this new alliance, we will be taking the decorating business to a new level,” Keith Lofton, Vice President of Sales for Pro Towels and Superior Decorating states.

In the midst of reopening business and COVID-19, businesses that cater to the promotional products and apparel distributor industry need to create new models to best serve the way these businesses now function.  Distributors are going to have to work with fewer face to face meetings and consult virtually. Being able to translate a customer’s words into product may be more challenging.  And finding those brands and products may be harder still. But buying group WePromo has partnered with the industry’s top companies to provide easier sourcing, create visually stunning proposals, and take their business online.

ASI has joined WePromo as a preferred partner, offering considerable discounts to members for ESP, their premiere sourcing technology, and other specialized platforms designed to make technology a distributor’s friend.

“ASI is in an excellent position to support WePromo’s no membership fee structure and to provide top-notch training and support to their members through ESP, the number-one business technology platform in the $24.7 billion promotional products industry,” said Timothy M. Andrews, ASI’s president and chief executive officer.

Wepromo is also pleased to bring in Zoom Catalog, the Promotional Product industry's hub for catalogs, flyers and online marketing tools.  Zoom offers a one stop search and source platform featuring the catalogs of WePromo suppliers. Members will be able to create customized flyers, proposals, and specs for no fee and know they are getting products from WePromo suppliers along with the low pricing.

Another online resource members won’t be without is PromoHunt.  PromoHunt is a browser extension and toolbar that automatically displays helpful information to distributors when they visit supplier websites. With the WePromo partnership, members will be able to see WePromo discounts with a supplier when they visit the supplier website. No flipping back and forth or depending on memory to calculate a price - the exclusive member discounts are displayed at the bottom of the page.

Eileen Lynch, a respected industry veteran, was amazed that these partnerships are coming together so quickly but not totally surprised. “As we all know, there are significant changes across all industries; and the promotional products industry is being hard hit on multiple levels.  Aligning with & joining WePromo will help (businesses) navigate some of these changes so (they) can focus on building back customer bases/business.

PPAI's 2021 Board of Directors officers have been selected; they are Dawn Olds, MAS, chair-elect (top right); and Kevin Walsh, CAS, vice chair, financial services (bottom left). Chair-Elect Todd Pottebaum, MAS+ (top left), will assume the role of chair and current Board Chair Ira Neaman, MAS, will assume the role of immediate past chair.

The new board officers will begin their one-year terms immediately following The PPAI Expo 2021, which will run January 11-13, 2021.

"Todd, Dawn and Kevin are extremely capable leaders and business executives who have added much to the PPAI board. I look forward to their ongoing contributions," says Neaman.

Pottebaum is president of distributor Quality Resource Group, Inc., in Plymouth, Minnesota; Olds is senior vice president of operations for distributor HALO Branded Solutions, Inc., in Sterling, Illinois; and Walsh is president of supplier Showdown Displays in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.

PPAI board officers are selected by the PPAI Board Officer Nominating Committee and voted on by the PPAI board.

SAGE®, the promotional products industry’s leading technology provider, and Promotional Products Association International (PPAI®), the world’s largest not-for-profit association for the industry, have partnered together for SAGE Show Virtual™, the industry’s first interactive, virtual trade show experience. This innovative new event will be held on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 from 10:00am to 4:00pm Central Time. All distributors nationwide are invited to attend for free.

For 2020, SAGE Show Virtual will take the place of SAGE’s long-running in-person event that was scheduled to be held in August in Irving, Texas.

“We are thrilled to partner with PPAI and provide the industry a new way to learn, grow and connect virtually,” said SAGE President David Natinsky, MAS. “The world has obviously changed a lot in the past few months. This new virtual tradeshow experience will allow us to have the closest thing possible to an in-person trade show while maintaining health and safety during this time. We’re excited for everyone to join us!”

SAGE Show Virtual will utilize brand new technology from SAGE that creates an interactive experience tailored specifically to the promotional products industry. This revolutionary technology enables distributors to visit virtual booths and discover 2 thousands of promotional products from top industry suppliers. Distributors can also use the live chat platform to connect with exhibitors in real-time. Suppliers will be posting specials that are only available to SAGE Show attendees. Additionally, distributors can access product pavilions to explore the hottest product trends. Networking lounges will allow attendees to mingle, discuss hot topics and catch up with one another.

In addition, SAGE, PPAI and industry suppliers will provide on-demand, professional education sessions dedicated to exploring cutting-edge technology, improving sales and marketing skills, and promoting growth for industry professionals. These educational sessions will be available for CAS and MAS credits.

“During these unprecedented times, our industry is looking for a way to network virtually,” said Paul Bellantone, CAE, president and CEO of PPAI. “We are excited to once again team up with SAGE and offer this innovative opportunity to our members.”

Exhibitors can easily set up virtual booths, pulling product information directly from the SAGE database. There will be multiple booth options available, so suppliers can choose the booth that best fits their business structure and product line. Sponsorship opportunities are also available to increase visibility during the show.

SAGE Show Virtual is the perfect opportunity to explore new, trending products, network with industry leaders and make lasting connections. For more information, to register to attend or to sign up for exhibit space, visit www.sageshow.com. 

AAkron Line, a top 40 promotional products supplier, announced today they have introduced a new line of antimicrobial products. The new antimicrobial line includes AAkron manufactured 17 oz. stadium cup, plastic token and fly swatter, as well as an imported pen. Products will be available starting early June.

“The shortage of AntiMicrobial products in our industry immediately got us excited about the opportunity to build a line of products. We are fortunate to be a domestic manufacturer so that we could do this is in such a timely manner with these unprecedented times,” says Devin Piscitelli, CEO and Co-owner of AAkron Line.

The antimicrobial additives helps prevent the growth and spread of bacteria, neutralizing over 99% of active bacteria. The powerful, invisible additive does not wear off and remains effective for the life of the product. All of the products have passed and comply with standard industry testing. Test information can be viewed at www.aakronline.com.

AAkron Line will continue to expand their new antimicrobial line and already has additional products in the testing phase. The company will look at both domestically manufactured and imported products as the trend for antimicrobial products will continue into the foreseeable future. 

ZOOMcatalog today announced the launch of ZOOMacademy, an educational platform designed for Promotional Product professionals, which will be available at no cost to the entire industry. The ZOOMacademy will include straight forward, in-depth, and on-demand courses focused on digital marketing and sales. Individuals who complete courses in the academy can also earn credit towards their PPAI certification.

The first three courses available in the ZOOMacademy focus on building a communication plan during the pandemic, becoming a remote promotional product company, and an introduction to branding. Students of the academy will decide what classes will be released next, which may include how to transition catalogs from print to digital, how to use objectives to grow your business and a complete reference guide for industry professionals.

“The ZOOMacademy is a platform we have been planning for a long time. With extensive experience in technology, sales, marketing, and the promotional product industry, we have an opportunity to share our knowledge and help others in the industry grow.” Said co-founder and Chief Product Officer, Bryony Zasman. “In response to recent events, we decided to expedite the completion and launch of the ZOOMacademy. During these unprecedented times, people in the industry find themselves with more time on their hands and are looking for ways to build their skills and prepare themselves for success once business returns to the new normal”.

In addition to the library of courses, the ZOOMacademy also includes a talent pool. Industry professionals are invited to submit their resume and create a profile. The talent pool will be accessible to companies in the industry that are seeking new team members.

“If we can help one person find their next role, that’s a win for us.” Said Head of Design, Alex Hughes.

To access the ZOOMacademy and talent pool, visit www.academy.zoomcatalog.com.