Premier Group Network (PGN), a partnering and networking organization for suppliers and distributors in the promo products industry, recently held an in-person retreat for members in Park City, UT.

PGN leaders said the aim of the event was to connect members in a safe environment that allowed for collaboration and solution-building, all with the goal of making everyone collectively more successful.

Dana Geiger, Premier Group Network

“While we are so grateful for the virtual events that have sustained us over the past 18 months, we have been craving the collaboration and magic that seems to happen when we are all in the same physical space,” said Menda Wright, PGN board chair, co-founder of Creative Studio Promotions (asi/170976), and part of the dynamic duo that was Counselor’s 2021 Distributor Entrepreneurs of the Year.

Wright added: “Being together gave us the time we needed to reconnect with our partners and friends. From that we are all leaving inspired and armed with new strategies to emerge from this pandemic stronger and more resilient.”

Approximately half of PGN’s membership attended the retreat, which occurred over a couple days starting Aug. 22. Tough topics facing the promo industry were a focus. The first day included a group workshop with both supplier and distributor members. “Attendees engaged in a candid panel discussion, as well as roundtable group and one-on-one discussions,” PGN noted in a press release.

The second day was geared toward distributor principal partners. It allowed members to confidentially collaborate and idea-share with other like-sized industry distributors.  

“The collaborative supplier and distributor conversation and confidential distributor principal partner forum is what differentiates Premier Group from all other groups,” said Dana Geiger, PGN executive director. “Because the organization is carefully curated to mitigate any threat of competition for both supplier and distributor members, conversations and partnerships that evolve are incredibly meaningful and productive for all.”

PGN said it’s looking forward to 2022 when its entire membership is expected to gather for a 25^th anniversary celebration and annual meeting.

Membership in PGN is selective and based on a recommendation of the membership committee and approval of the Board of Directors.  PGN is among the oldest “buying groups” in the promo industry.  Founded in 1997 by Paul Smith and Doug Bruce, it has evolved and grown over the years, and is recognized under Internal Revenue Service code as a 501(c)6 non-profit organization.