10. David Nicholson

Polyconcept North America (asi/78897)

2019 Rank: 14

Title: President

Industry Experience: 27 years

When the world goes off its axis, people turn to those who epitomize calm and level-headedness. In this industry, that’s David Nicholson, according to his peers who noted his increasing influence and look to him as a respected, steady voice in a sea of craziness. A new CEO, Neil Ringel, joined Polyconcept in 2019, but it’s industry veteran Nicholson, working with proven leaders like ETS’s Sharon Eyal and JournalBooks’ Tim O’Boyle, who’s the caretaker of PCNA as the industry’s top hard goods/apparel entity. After the pandemic hit, Nicholson made himself available to the promo marketplace almost immediately through industry webinars, Zoom calls and clients’ virtual sales meetings, giving his measured, honest and detailed analysis of how the industry would fare and what it needs to do to survive long-term. When Nicholson shares his assessment of the marketplace – especially in tumultuous times like these – the industry listens.