Towel Specialties is thrilled to announce the addition of 26 year industry veteran Kirk Ross as Vice President of National Accounts. He will join the company on April 1.
Kirk will be responsible for sales growth with key partners as well as new business development from his home base in Minnesota.
Most recently, Mr. Ross worked for Top 40 Industry Distributor AIA Corporation for 5 years as their Business & Sales Development Manager. Prior to that Kirk was with the industry supplier Starline.
From 2001 to 2003, Mr. Ross represented Towel Specialties as a multi-line rep in Minnesota.
Buffalo, NY -- An experienced awards and trophy supplier, Milestone Recognition, announced this month a Buffalo, New York distribution hub for shipping its over 800 recognition products, from $2 medals to $700 massive award wall plaques. Milestone, specializing in top-quality-for-less corporate and sports team awards, brings 40 years of awards craftsmanship and top service honors to the market, with its quick turnaround service, even on huge corporate award programs or athletic league-wide programs.
Janice Hopkins, Head of Product Development, explains the company's philosophy, "Our goal this year was to continue our award-winning customer service model by working out a way to bring our massive inventory right into the northeast market quickly. This allows every one of our award and trophy products -- housed in a facility as large as an Ikea store-- to be available to our northeast award distributors. It's now a reality. "
Plans are to officially debut the line at Expo East in Atlantic City on March 13th, along with personal sales visits from Jim Hutchinson's sales team throughout the northeast states.
The Milestone Recognition team of awards specialists, can be reached at www.milestonerecognition.com , info@milestonerecognition.com or at 866-660-9341.
Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF; www.ppef.us), is pleased to announce that the 2015 PPEF scholarship program is now taking applications for the 2015-2016 school year with $150,000 in scholarships available, the most ever awarded in a single year. Since its inception in 1989, PPEF has awarded approximately $1,267,000 in financial assistance.
Funded by Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) and donations from the promotional products industry, the scholarship program enables youth and professionals to continue their education on a collegiate level. The Association and industry patrons have a long-standing commitment of service to the promotional products industry and this fund supports those who demonstrate the same commitment.
The 2015-2016 scholarship application period is now open and the submission deadline is Monday, March 16, 2015.
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SAGE Supplier Advantage Members should log into the SAGE Supplier Center to get started using FastTrack to update their catalog. More information on FastTrack and SAGE Advantage Membership can be found at www.sageworld.com/supplier/advantage.php#3.
Polyconcept North America (PCNA) has acquired Milwaukie, Oregon-based supplier HumphreyLine (UPIC: HUMPHREY). PCNA will now offer HumphreyLine's full line of U.S.-made promotional plastic products and personal care amenities. In addition, the acquisition will allow PCNA to offer new decorating capabilities including full-color labeling and offset printing, as well as variable data capabilities.
Customers will now be able to work directly with their PCNA sales representatives on new Made in the USA project opportunities. However, through the end of the year, HumphreyLine will maintain its existing website, processing and service systems. In January 2015, this will change as HumphreyLine products will be offered exclusively through PCNA's Bullet business unit. Orders will continue to be manufactured, produced and fulfilled out of HumphreyLine's existing Kentucky facility.
The Certified Advertising Specialist (CAS) certification requires 75 hours from a structured industry approved curriculum, three years of experience in the promotional products industry and a passing score on the CAS certification exam. The rigorous curriculum required includes an overview of the promotional products industry, promotional programs, best practices/supplier-distributor relations, advertising and marketing overview, product safety basics and business ethics. Upon completion of the core curriculum, individuals then have the opportunity to structure their own course schedules to deliver the greatest relevance and value for their careers.
alphabroder, the Trevose, Pennsylvania-based apparel supplier and highest-ranked company on Promo Marketing's 2013 Top Suppliers list, announced today the acquisition of Ash City Worldwide, one of North America's leading promotional apparel manufacturers and suppliers.
Since 2006, alphabroder, then known as Broder Bros., has been the No. 1 company on Promo Marketing's annual Top Suppliers list, posting $817 million in sales in 2012. Ash City was the No. 10 company that year with sales of $148 million.With the addition of Ash City, alphabroder expects to have annual revenues exceeding $1 billion. alphabroder plans to combine the companies' range of capabilities, including Ash City's strong presence in Canada, to better serve its customers.
Read more at promomarketing.com...
College Glasses announces the hiring of Megan Erber as Vice President of Sales. Megan, who captured “CPPA Supplier Sales Rep of the Year” in 2012 and a spot on the 2011 ASI Hotlist is migrating from Jetline Promo after 4 years of service.
Erin Reilly, CEO of College Glasses, said “Megan is joining our team at a key moment as we transition our brand from College Glasses to Pop! Promos.” When asked about the decision to hire a VP of Sales, Reilly said, “Megan will be responsible for leading our sales team and overseeing strategic hiring as we expand our team rapidly over the next twelve months. We couldn’t be more pleased with our choice.”
When asked about the move, Pop! Promos President, Sterling Wilson, said “We are very excited to bring an industry veteran like Meg onto the team in such a key role. We hope that her experience will help us better serve our customers as we diversify into a full line of products.” Megan had the following to say, “I’m excited to lead the charge on an already successful brand with leadership and strategic direction as we continue our growth into new markets.”
For more information on Megan and College Glasses, visit www.collegeglasses.com or call 267-858-4495.
The final results are in for PPAI’s Board of Directors election. The Association welcomes new board members Bruce Perryman, MAS+, CEO of supplier Embroidery Unlimited, Inc., and Mary Jo Tomasini, CAS, CEO of distributor CE Competitive Edge, LLC. In addition, David Nicholson, president of supplier Polyconcept North America, parent company to Leed’s, Bullet and Journalbooks/Timeplanner Calendars, has been appointed to the PPAI board to fill the inaugural at-large director seat with full voting rights.
The new board members will begin their terms immediately following The PPAI Expo 2014. Perryman and Tomasini will serve four-year terms, while Nicholson’s term is for two years. The at-large director seat is part of the Board of Directors restructure and bylaws changes announced to members in April 2012. Nicholson was selected from a field of distributors, suppliers, multiline reps, business services, international suppliers and international distributors, and he was nominated by a committee consisting of the PPAI board chair, chair-elect and immediate past chair.
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