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News

In The News - August 2020

FiberLok Technologies Inc. has launched its new proprietary graphic technology LumoTex, a patent-pending product made with a combination of dye-sublimated knit fabric and a glass bead reflective film. The new product enhances safety at night while allowing colors not usually replicated with reflective materials to be visible in the daytime as well.

Gemini Industries (asi/56100) welcomes Steven Meyer as national sales manager. “Steve brings extensive experience from his over 20-year career in the promotional industry,” said Steve Ehlert, GM at Gemini. “He has managed multiple teams, delivered consistent sales growth and brought a customer focus to all aspects of the operation.”

The Incentive Gift Card Council (IGCC), a strategic industry group within the Incentive Marketing Association (IMA), has elected new officers for 2020-2021. Benita Johnson, gift card program manager of PetSmart, will serve as president of the IGCC Board. The IGCC also elected Hollis Thornton as executive vice president and Martha Weaver as director of education.

Navitor (asi/81500) has launched a comprehensive vertical market education series of e-booklets, webinars, videos and social toolkits to help businesses plan during the pandemic. Most materials are offered free to distributors on Navitor.com. Social posts are also offered through Navitor’s social platforms including Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Sportsman Cap & Bag (asi/88877) is now offering three new headwear brands: Imperial, Legacy and ’47.

BEL Promo (asi/39552) welcomes Tom Clouser as national account manager. “I am extremely excited to have Tom join the BEL Promo family,” said Susan Lewandowski, GM at BEL. “His experience, enthusiasm, integrity and ability to develop customer relationships will undoubtedly help take BEL Promo to the next level.”

Proforma (asi/300094) has launched a new series of webinars titled “New Days, New Ways” as a sequel to its original “Rise & Thrive” webinar series.

Geiger (asi/202900) hosted its annual Geiger Galleria education, networking and sales conference – for the first time virtually – from July 28-29. Almost 300 salespeople and associates from around the U.S. and the U.K. attended each day to learn new sales tactics, network with peers and hear inspiring and informative keynote speakers. The event culminated with awards where the East region claimed the Region of the Year Award for exceptional growth, acquisitions and superior service.

Incentive Marketing Association (IMA) has elected Len Sadek, director of gift card sales and marketing at Landry’s Inc., as its 2020-2021 board president. The IMA also elected Bill Martocci of Carlisle Sales & Marketing as executive vice president; Fintan Connolly of Motisha as vice president; Jim Atten of Wolfe LLC as treasurer; and Jeffrey Brenner of Seiko Watch of America as secretary.

Kornit Digital, a leader in digital textile printing technology, has announced the acquisition of Custom Gateway, a provider of cloud-based software workflow solutions for on-demand production business models.

Penn Emblem Company (asi/77120) will launch a new website in September. New feature upgrades include innovative products, downloadable spec sheets, informative market videos and easier access to samples, logging in and assistance. Penn Emblem is also set to host a fully functioning e-commerce platform within the next year.

BIC Graphic (asi/40480) has donated over 55,000 promotional products to support students in Florida and Minnesota.

Greater China (asi/58135) has changed its name to Greater Pacific Industries Inc.

The Arizona Promotional Products Association (AzPPA) and the Rocky Mountain Region Promotional Products Association have partnered to present the Four Corners Virtual Expo on Sept. 30.

BAG MAKERS (asi/37940) has promoted Anna Marie Madai to creative marketing director. “Anna Marie is very knowledgeable about our product line and has spent years working with customers on printed bag projects, so she understands what tools and resources help sell our products effectively,” said BAG MAKERS CEO Maribeth Sandford. “In this new position, Anna Marie will pair her expertise with her creative vision to create a valuable educational library to support our distributors’ sales activity.” 

Pop! Promos (asi/45657) is relocating its worldwide headquarters into the newly-restored Harbisons Dairy Building in Philadelphia on Aug. 14.  

BAMKO (asi/131431) has been named the number-one medium-sized company to work for in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Business Journal. 2020 marks the second time in the last three years that BAMKO has been recognized as the number-one best place to work among medium-sized companies.

Premier Catalog Group recently wrapped up its first virtual Eye to Eye program. Conducted over a series of five days, Premier Group members participated in nearly 1,000 virtual meetings, with an estimated attendance of over 6,000.

Stahls’ (asi/88984) has increased its free online educational content during the pandemic. Visit stahls.com/events for more information and visit facebook.com/stahlsheatprinting to join the live virtual events.

The Swag Coach invites distributors to join its webinar series “Distributors Helping Distributors,” hosted twice monthly. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/1015935282562/WN_5NwxkvyHTSOqduq4Nuv7DA

BEL Promo (asi/39552) welcomes promotional product rep firm Brooks & Brooks as representatives for the Northeast.

HALO Branded Solutions (asi/356000) recently concluded Connect2020, the company’s virtual national sales meeting. The two-day event included sales training, supplier trend sessions and evening happy hours, including a Virtual Progressive Dinner featuring company executives and their families serving a five-course dinner and supplier “dine-arounds” with small groups of sales and support staff meeting with HALO’s top suppliers. Over 650 of the company’s account executives and sales support team participated in the meeting.

Industry veterans Roni Wright, vice president of The Book Company (asi/41010), and Kippie Helzel, senior vice president of sales at CPS/Keystone (asi/43051), have released the latest edition of their “Remarkable People” video podcast, featuring Jonathan Isaacson, chairman and CEO of Gemline (asi/56070), and Ira Neaman, president of Vantage Apparel (asi/93390). Check it out: https://vimeo.com/447680938

The Arizona Promotional Products Association (AzPPA) and the Rocky Mountain Region Promotional Products Association have partnered to present the Four Corners Virtual Expo on Sept. 30.

The Swag Coach invites distributors to join its webinar series Distributors Helping Distributors, hosted twice monthly. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/1015935282562/WN_5NwxkvyHTSOqduq4Nuv7DA

Charles River Apparel (asi/44620) recognized three team members for their efforts in 2019 at the company’s first Virtual Annual National Sales Meeting. Kelly Connolly was named the Charles River Sales Representative of the Year for the second year in a row. Katelin Hopkins received the Susan de Vries Award, named after the late sister of Barry Lipsett, Charles River’s owner and CEO, and daughter of Walter Lipsett, company founder. Scott Hareid was recognized as the Multi-Line Sales Representative of the Year. 

Franchise Services Inc. (asi/398000) recently awarded more than 100 franchisees with top sales awards.

Navitor (asi/81500) launched new packaging innovations, offering standard and completely customized options to their solution set. Expanding packaging products to offer customization was made a priority as companies continue to look for ways to differentiate themselves in a crowded and competitive environment, Navitor said. 

Premier Group has entered into an agreement with industry service provider PromoHunt to offer a custom PromoHunt browser extension experience to all Premier Group members. 

Southern Plus (asi/88367) has added four new multi-line reps/groups: MAC Marketing will handle the Southeast; Paparone Consulting will cover WI, IL and IN; KS Sales Inc. will cover MI; and Mercer Enterprises will cover KS, MO, NE and IA.