PPAChicago Monthly Newsletter
Send news to: staff@ppachicago.org February 2016
In This Month's Issue:
February 24th
 11:00am 
Jason Emery /Toddy Gear

11:40am 
Rob Ball /Sweda, Kanata, Maple Ridge, 3M

12:20pm 
Greg Gaarbdo /Shockwaves Decoration Services

1:00pm 
Fred Hicks /San Mar  
Questions??

Jen Mendoza
Executive Director
staff@ppachicago.org
:: 630-983-7722
NPI Show Next Month!
 
This year's Mardi Gras themed NPI show is sure to be one to remember. If you haven't signed up to exhibit, or to attend, please be sure to check out the show info below. Don't forget this is the  largest client show in the Midwest!   Bringing 1,500 qualified distributors and clients in one place. We look forward to seeing you there. 
- Jen Mendoza, Exec. Dir.

NPI Show Registration
 


 
 

 Thank You to Our 
Pre Show Party Sponsors!






Pre Show Party Registration

 

We'll be doing a 50/50 raffle for the PPEF. Be sure to purchase your raffle tickets the night of the party!
Free Professional Headshots at NPI Show to ALL Attendees!
 

 
Scholarship Time is Here!
 
The Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF) is searching for Industry employees or their children to assist with the cost of higher education. Salespeople, support staff, production workers, independent contractors and owners - if they work in the promotional products industry, then they or their children may be able to apply for PPEF's college scholarships.

PPEF will award $150,000 in scholarships this year including the $1,000 PPAChicago Scholarship, which will be awarded to a student from a PPAChicago member company!

$37,000 will be awarded as re newal payments for prior years' winners of the Four-Year and Chairman's scholarships. 

$113,000 will be awarded in new scholarships to 74 outstanding students. Please take the time to forward this email within your network, as we need help in finding appl icants for this year's awards. 


Applications are due by March 15th

Available Scholarships:
$8,000 need-based, awarded $2,000 annually or $4,000 merit-based, awarded $1,000 annually
These scholarships are available to high school seniors entering a four-year accredited college or university as a first-year student in the fall.

Chairman's™ College Scholarships
$5,000, awarded $2,500 annually for two years
These scholarships are available to students entering their junior year of college, actively pursuing a bachelor's degree in an academic field related to promotional products and expressing an intent to enter the promotional products industry after graduation.

$2,000 need-based or $1,000 merit-based
These scholarships are available to high school seniors and current collegestudents attending a two-year or four-year accredited undergraduate college or university and taking at least 6 credit hours per semester. High school seniors who do not receive a Four-Year Scholarship will automatically be considered for the One-Year Scholarships and Named Scholarships.

Named Scholarships $1,000 each
Vincent J. Arena Scholarship, Castelli North America, Inc. Scholarship, Eugene P. Cesario Scholarship, Gauger Family Scholarship, Glen Holt Scholarship, Helen & Al Mackler and Joseph Alexander Scholarship, George C. Matteson, Jr. Scholarship, Janelle Nevins Scholarship,NWPMA Success Scholarship, H. Ted Olson Scholarship, PPAChicago Scholarship, Sam Rosenblum Scholarship, Marvin Spike Scholarship, H.D. Joe Stratton Scholarship and Three Rivers Advertising Specialty Association Scholarship
These scholarships will be awarded to outstanding students who meet all requirements for the One-Year Scholarships. Please complete the application for the Four-Year  or One-Year Scholarships to be considered for these awards.

This scholarship will be awarded to a full-time industry employee who is a part-time student working on undergraduate or graduate level coursework at an accredited college or university.

To be considered for the need-based scholarships, PPEF must receive a copy of the Student Aid Report received after you file the FAFSA.


For more information, visit http://ppef.us/collegeScholarships.html
Hub Pen Hires John Gibbons

  BRAINTREE, MASSACHUSETTS - January 18, 2016 -  Hub Pen Company is excited to announce the addition of John Gibbons to its team of sales executives. Gibbons,  a seasoned, multi-disciplined sales professional with extensive experience in the creation, development, and management of account partnerships, will be representing Hub Pen with its distributors in New England. John's background has been primarily in the Information Technology sector, managing indirect sales,  channels, and alliances. 

"Hub Pen's distributor sales model allows me to leverage my channel sales and business John Gibbons development experience towards helping promotional products distributors grow more profitable businesses," Gibbons said. "I am in the process of introducing myself to each of my customers either in person or by phone, and have heard nothing but positive things about the Hub buying experience. I will be responsible for growing the business performance of our distributors and helping maximize the efficiency of our services." 
 
"John is a great addition to our team. His experience in all levels of sales will greatly benefit Hub Pen and our distributor partners in New England" said Andy Arruda, MAS, National Sales Manager.

According to Mike Fleming, Vice President of Sales, "As our product offerings and services continue to expand, the addition of talented sales reps such as John will allow us to build on new and existing relationships."
Pro Towels and Kanata Blanket Announce the Winner of Their Trip to Vancouver Contest

  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, January 21, 2016 - During PPAI Expo, Las Vegas, Pro Towels and Kanata Blanket encouraged distributors to take part in their "Win a trip for two to Vancouver" contest and on Monday, Jan 18th, a lucky winner was selected.

Kevin Rollins of Next Play Promotions, Covington, GA. Kevin was delighted to hear this "AWESOME news".

"As co-owner and co-principal of Next Play, an AIA distributorship just outside of Atlanta, GA, I am beyond excited to be the winner of the Vancouver Trip. We are huge fans of Pro Towels and Kanata Blanket, and believe our partnership will strengthen and grow in 2016. Each time I have taken a trip to a supplier's facility, it has resulted in an increase in revenue with them. I expect the same after this trip."

Brian Porter, Vice President of Sales, initiated the contest: "We are very much looking forward to Kevin's visit as it is such a valuable experience when a distributor visits our facility. Not only does it increase their understanding of our capabilities and unique product lines, but helps us continue to improve what we do. And Vancouver is such a
beautiful place - where better to get to know Kevin more."

In addition to the trip to Vancouver, a Pro Towels & Kanata sample kit valued at $500 was won by Kimberly Luxemberg-Fields of PromoShop, San Diego, CA.
TruColor Now Available on Bags!

GRAND ISLAND, NY - January 21, 2016-
Starline is excited to announce the launch of our newest TruColor™ imprint option on Bags! 

With TruColor™ you can have stunning multicolor graphics and logos printed on over 250 bags. Our TruColor™ process features:

* One standard set up of $55.00 
* No run charges
* Low catalog minimums 
* Standard 3 day production

TruColor™ Direct Digital Print technology is a unique patent-pending digital print process that allows you to print your logo in vibrant color directly on to our bags and various other textile products. There is no limitation with the logos, artwork or colors that can be printed with TruColor™. 

TruColor™ technology has the capability
to print standard one color or multicolor logos, photorealistic, multicolor logos with tight registration and logos with half tones or gradients.

Visit starline.com for more information on TruColor™Direct Digital Print.
Congrats Chris Sinatra!
 
Chris Sinatra won a sales contest  High Caliber had for Q4. Pictured above is Chris, set up day at the PPAI Expo, with his VP of Sales Les Dorfman. 
S&S Activewear Companies Competing Transition to Single Brand 
Phasing out the Americana and Eva names; S&S Activewear branding as a four-location national wholesaler

Bolingbrook, IL. - February 3, 2016
- S&S Activewear announces the spring culmination of their single-branding efforts. After operating as three separate companies (S&S, Americana and Eva) in 2014, and being co-branded throughout 2015, the company will begin operating solely as S&S Activewear this spring.

"It's been a very natural transition," said Margaret Crow, Director of Marketing. "We began in 2014 by polling customers and mill partners, and the resounding answer was for us to go with the single name of S&S Activewear. We transitioned for a year, and last December, instead of producing three separate catalogs, we released a single catalog for 2016 with all three logos on the front. Beginning in March, we'll move to only using the S&S Activewear brand and logo. Adding a fourth location in the Kansas City area this spring worked with the timeline, and we're looking forward to simplified branding in 2016."

Last fall, S&S announced enhancements to its websites that allow users to view inventory, cut-off time and estimated delivery at all three warehouse locations from each product page. Orders can be placed simultaneously, even if items will be shipping from different locations. As part of the branding transition, the company will go to a single website this spring. Visitors to americanasportswear.com and evasportswear.com will be automatically redirected to ssactivewear.com.

The company will continue to be headquartered in Bolingbrook, IL. For more information about the company and its products, visit www.ssactivewear.com.