Bowling & Business....Not Your Father's Bowling League!

September 17th

Main Event

10300 Little Patuxent Parkway

Columbia, MD 21044

Join us for an evening of fun, friendly competition, and networking at our Pre-Show Bowling Tournament! Whether you're a seasoned bowler or just in it for the snacks and laughs, this is the perfect event to mix business with pleasure.

Pre-registration is required so that we will have an approximate head count. No experience required for this fun event as we will be using bumpers on all lanes to even the playing field.

• 6:30 - 7 pm: On Site Tournament Registration where brackets will be developed. No need to find a "team" as we will place you with your teammates on site.
• 7 - 9 pm: Bowling tournament with prizes awarded
• $50 per person which includes bowling, appetizers, 1 drink ticket and entry for a chance to win a prize during the event! 

Bring your co-workers, family and clients - the more the merrier! Spots are limited, so reserve yours soon and get ready to roll into a great time!

Read more and register

Mark your calendars and register to attend our upcoming Fall Promo Expo at Laurel Park ~ Home of the 2026 Preakness!

CPPA is proud to bring you and your clients multiple opportunities to attend trade shows and events throughout our region. The Fall Promo EXPO is a great opportunity to connect with vendors and discuss current and upcoming projects. CPPA Distributor members are encouraged to invite clients to attend as exclusive guests. 

• 9 am - 10 am: Education Session: Details Coming Soon! 
• 10 am - 1:30 pm: Exhibits Open 

New This Year - Private Distributor Hosting Rooms! 

We're excited to offer an exclusive opportunity at this year's Fall Promo Expo: Distributor members can now reserve a private room to invite and host their customers during the show! 

*2 rooms out of 3 still available - offered on a first come, first served basis / Room Rental: $250 per room.

Whether you want to create a VIP experience, hold private meetings, or just offer a quiet space for client conversations, these rooms are the perfect solution. Reserve your room today during registration before they're gone!

For more event details and registration links, click here

PCNA Partners with FootJoy

New Kensington, PA - PCNA has announced a new partnership with global golf brand FootJoy.

Building on the momentum of its early 2025 expansion into the golf category, PCNA continues to expand its assortment by introducing 11 premium FootJoy golf apparel options available in multiple decoration methods.

• Beyond embroidery, available techniques include premium methods such as HXD, laser, digital transfer and debossing on select styles.



• Currently, the FootJoy line at PCNA is available exclusively in the U.S., with plans to expand availability to Canada.

“We’re honored to partner with FootJoy, a trusted and globally recognized golf brand,” says Neil Ringel, CEO of PCNA. “By introducing a range of premium FootJoy apparel, we’re ensuring that distributors have access to high-demand, performance-driven products that appeal to a variety of styles and preferences. This partnership reflects our ongoing dedication to enhancing our apparel assortment with quality brands that help distributors differentiate themselves and thrive in the promotional golf space—especially as we head into the holiday gifting season.”

Koozie Group Launches Contract Decorating Service

Clearwater, FL - Koozie Group recently announced that it has launched a contract decorating service.

The initial partnership in this new endeavor is SanMar’s Pack Separately. Ship Together. (PSST) program, which unlocks access to more than 350 additional bags for Koozie Group customers.

• Distributors will enjoy free next-day shipping from SanMar to Koozie Group, no restocking fees and a spoilage protection plan, among other benefits.



• Bags will be decorated in Koozie Group’s Red Wing, Minnesota-based facility, with one-color screen print, full-color and embroidery options available.

“We’re always looking for ways to simplify and enhance our customers’ experience,” says Pierre Montaubin, CEO of Koozie Group. “Through this partnership with SanMar, distributors gain access to an even wider selection of bags, while benefiting from our service advantages, including the Koozie Group Tracker, trusted lead times and consistent quality.”

Headwear USA Announces Strategic Leadership Restructure

Frederick, MD - Headwear USA has announced a strategic internal restructure following the recent appointment of Michael Barblett as international director of operations for the Headwear Group of Companies.

• Jeff Franklin, an industry veteran with over a decade of experience at Headwear USA, will step into the role of director of national sales. Franklin has been widely recognized in the promotional products industry, including being named a PPAI Rising Star in 2020 and a CPPA Hall of Fame inductee.

• Nik Mirich, president and owner of Headwear USA, will continue to guide the company’s strategic direction while mentoring and educating Matthew DiVincenzo, preparing him to assume the role of operations manager soon.

• The company has also announced the introduction of a new inside sales representative.

“This restructure is about building on our momentum and investing in the people who will lead us into the next chapter,” Mirich says. “We’re proud of the team we’ve built and confident that these changes will allow us to serve our clients even better – without disruption.”

Hit Promo Enters Strategic Partnership With iClick

Largo, FL - Hit Promotional Products has entered into a strategic partnership with iClick, a Seattle-based supplier of technology and lifestyle accessories and 2024 Counselor Best Place to Work. The partnership will bring a curated collection of iClick’s in-demand products, including PopSockets, to Hit’s lineup.

“We’re excited to partner with iClick and bring their dynamic product lineup, including PopSockets, to our customers,” said CJ Schmidt, president and CEO of Hit Promotional Products and a member of Counselor’s Power 50 list of the most influential people in promo. “iClick’s reputation for quality and innovation aligns perfectly with our commitment to offering trend-forward, high-impact products.” Schmidt, the third-generation leader of Hit, was also named Counselor Person of the Year in 2024 for acting as a change agent at his family company, pushing it into new arenas like print-on-demand apparel fulfillment and growing revenue by hundreds of millions of dollars since taking on the lead role.

Jeff Roberts, CEO of iClick, said his company is thrilled to work with Hit. “Together, we’ll raise the bar for what’s possible and set a new standard for excellence, value and customer experience,” he said.

In addition to PopSockets, the initial launch will include products from Casely and other top sellers from iClick’s product line, with plans to expand the assortment in the future.

S&S Activewear to Become Exclusive Wholesale Distributor of Gildan's American Apparel

Bolingbrook, IL - Gildan has reached an agreement that grants exclusive wholesale distribution rights of its American Apparel brand in the U.S. market to S&S Activewear.

“S&S has always been a strong advocate of American Apparel, and we are confident that this partnership will broaden customers’ access to the brand and further position American Apparel as the timeless, iconic choice for customers,” says Chuck Ward, chief operating officer at Gildan.

With S&S’s ability to grow within the promo market in the past year alone, the company expresses confidence in the opportunity to leverage its resources to help Gildan’s already established brand reach more customers.

“We are proud to be the exclusive distributor of American Apparel products,” says Frank Myers, CEO of S&S Activewear. “By leveraging our scale, industry-leading technology and deep customer relationships, we’re committed to delivering the brand’s full product line across our nationwide network.”

Additionally, in Canadian markets, S&S Activewear will now be the exclusive wholesale distributor of Gildan’s portfolio of brands, including Gildan, Comfort Colors, American Apparel and Champion.

According to Toby Whitmoyer, S&S’s chief commercial officer, Gildan’s brand will only strengthen S&S’s ability to deliver for its customers and grow within the market. “We’re excited to expand our partnership with Gildan and continue to drive sales for the American Apparel brand,” says Whitmoyer. “This brand has always stood for creativity and cultural relevance, values that deeply resonate with today’s buyers. “With our national reach, deep inventory and service-first mindset, we’re ready to support the brand and deliver more value to our customers.”

PPAI's Member Town Hall is TODAY, August 14th

PPAI will hold a virtual town hall for members today, Thursday, August 14, offering updates on the Association’s 2024 accomplishments and a review of its strategic focus for 2025.

All members are invited to attend the 1-2 p.m. (CT) session.

The event will feature remarks from PPAI leadership including:

• Denise Taschereau, Board Chair
• Drew Holmgreen, President & CEO
• Ellen Tucker, MAS, CAE, Chief Revenue & Experience Officer
• Melissa Ralston, Chief Marketing Officer
• Christopher Cheney, Chief Operating Officer

The session will begin with an introduction to PPAI’s new-look executive team, which was finalized in July with the additions of Ralston and Cheney.

The town hall coincides with the release of PPAI’s Annual Report for 2024. Holmgreen and Taschereau will highlight key outcomes from the Association’s 2024 goals, discussing PPAI’s financial performance and transparency, investments in technology – including ERP and LMS upgrades – as well as member engagement milestones.

The majority of the session will focus on major member-focused initiatives underway for 2025, including an update on the PPAI Board’s upcoming strategic planning activities.

Members will also be invited to ask questions of PPAI’s leadership during the latter portion of the event.

Read More

How to Cut Costs in the Right Places and Do More With Less

Makena Finger Zannini * Entrepreneur Leadership Network Contributor * 7 Figure Business Founder/CEO

In this time of stress for many small businesses, thoughtful cost-cutting can make your company leaner, more agile and scalable without sacrificing long-term growth.

If you're a small business owner right now, you're probably feeling the tension in the market. There is immense pressure to grow, serve your clients, pay your team and still keep a healthy margin against the background of a turbulent economy. At the same time, you know you can't just slash costs blindly, as cutting the wrong things can put you in an even more difficult position.

Done well, strategic cost-cutting can actually make your business leaner, more agile and more scalable — and it can give you increased peace of mind. Instead of running your business from a place of fear, reframe this time as a way to lean out your business and build a stronger foundation. You may be surprised at how you'll run just as effectively with less.



Read More

Counselor 2025 State of the Industry:

Buyer Preferences

Distributors are spending smarter on client campaigns, aiming for the sweet spot of premium-feel promo at every price point.

Promo’s history has typically been defined by customers aiming to maximize their budgets with high-volume, low-cost items. However, during the pandemic, this dynamic was turned on its head. With no events to spend on, buyers shifted toward high-end products that matched their glossy retail brand aesthetic. Now, customer demand has settled into a middle ground.

Read More