A Message from our CPPA President......

Happy Holidays, CPPA!

It’s that time of the year where we look forward to a little break from the craziness of work and spend some time with our family and friends to enjoy the beauty of the holiday season. It’s also a time to reflect on the past year and look forward to accomplishing new goals in the New Year.

As I am nearing the end of my term as CPPA President, I too, have reflections on my tenure. It has been an absolute pleasure to serve our membership and to work with an incredible team of Board Members. It’s true that no man (or woman) is an island and it takes a village to accomplish greatness. I am also grateful to our many volunteers who constantly show up when we need help with an event or need donations of door prizes, apparel, signage and more. Your contributions do not go unrecognized and I applaud each of you! I am also thankful to our Hall of Fame and Past Presidents. You have put in the time and effort to make CPPA what it is today. CPPA hosted an appreciation event last month at Top Golf to honor this group and in addition, commemorative pins were given out at our recent Peake Awards/Holiday Party. If you were not able to attend, we will have the pins at our Winter Expo on January 30.

One of the best ideas the Board executed was to combine our Holiday Party with the Peake Awards. We weren’t sure how it would work out but last year we were near capacity and this year we sold out! I would like to congratulate all of our Peake Award nominees and winners. It’s an honor to be nominated and having this celebration at the Holiday party seems to be the perfect time to celebrate the best of the best. I’d like to plant the seed that you make it a New Year’s goal to submit your special projects for the Excellence in Promotions categories. It’s an opportunity to shine a light on your company and the professional excellence you/your team provides your clients. These projects are independently judged and based on the information provided, you will win either bronze, silver or gold. I hope to see more entries next year! If you would like to volunteer to help out with next year’s Peake Awards or on any of our committees, please let Tiffany know.

To close the Holiday Party/Peake Awards, it was my pleasure to “pass the gavel” to Tracey Therres. She is more than ready to take the reins and lead our fine association into the future. They say if you want something done, give it to a busy person. In addition to her management position at Apex, she is also a mother to three beautiful children and she has expertly led our Events Committee for many years now. She is a dynamo and I am immensely proud of her and I look forward to supporting her and the board as the Immediate Past President for the next 2 years.

I cannot forget Tiffany Kanak, our wonderful Executive Director who keeps us all straight! She is an absolute joy to work with and we are very lucky to have her at CPPA.

The future is bright, CPPA. I wish each of you much happiness, health and wealth in 2025. Again, I am so grateful for and appreciative of each of you. I hope to see you at our Winter Expo in January!

My best to each of you,

Cheryl Hokanson

CPPA Board of Directors President

CPPA's 2025 Winter Expo is part of The Power of District 1 Tour

January 27 - 30, 2025

A Great Time was had by all at the 2024 CPPA Peake Awards and Holiday Party!



Thank you to everyone that attended last week's CPPA Peake Awards Celebration and Holiday Party at Merriweather Lake House in Columbia, MD!

What a great time catching up and celebrating the season with our wonderful members as well as recognizing those that are "Peake" performers! Each year CPPA proudly presents the Peake Awards to honor excellence and creativity in our association and industry. This celebration honors recipients in nine categories in addition to any Excellence In Promotions (EIP) Campaigns submitted. The EIP awards are designed to recognize campaigns that feature excellence in the practical application of promotional items. 

This year's ceremony, hosted by emcee Jeff Franklin of Headwear USA, honored a total of 14 recipients who each received a beautiful award which was provided by our event's main sponsor, Pacesetter Awards. A full list of this year's recipients may be found here.

We would like to thank not only Pacesetter Awards for the gorgeous trophies but also Headwear USA for sponsoring the bar, Apogee Commemoratives for providing the table centerpieces and to all that brought items to be donated to Toys for Tots which delivers hope to children during the holiday season and beyond. Your generosity will go a long way to those in need and is truly appreciated.

And finally, a special thank you to those who have served on the board of directors and are finishing their terms this year as well as a huge welcome to those who are joining the board of directors in 2025. Here's to a great year!

To see more photos from the evening, click here

Michele Reed Inducted Into the CPPA Hall of Fame



CPPA is pleased to announce that Michele Reed was inducted into the CPPA Hall of Fame during the 2024 Peake Awards Ceremony and Holiday Party on December 12, 2024 in Columbia, MD.

The CPPA Hall of Fame originated in 2007 and was designed to recognize individuals that make an outstanding and lasting contribution to the regional association as well as to the promotional products industry. Individuals inducted have made a significant difference in the association, for our membership and ultimately in the community. Reed joins previous inductees: Jim Hayes, Steve Yaniga, Hersch Wellman, Mike Harper Sr., Murray Siegel, Robert Titelman Sr., Jolie Porter, Kendra McDougal, Harold Wood, Jeffrey Franklin, Robert Titelman Jr., Dana Geiger, Cheryl Hokanson, Jay Shaplin, Cynthia Brown and Cliff Quicksell Jr.

Towel Specialties Names Laura Guerrero as Vice President of Sales

Baltimore, MD - Towel Specialties, the industry’s most awarded supplier of beach towels and blankets in the promotional products sector, is proud to announce the appointment of Laura Guerrero as its new Vice President of Sales. With 15 years of experience in the promotional products industry, Guerrero brings a wealth of knowledge and proven leadership to the team. Her expertise and strategic vision will be pivotal as Towel Specialties embarks on its next chapter of growth and innovation. As the company celebrates its 40th year in business, Guerrero's high energy and deep industry insight are the perfect fit to drive Towel Specialties to new heights, enhancing its market presence and continuing to provide exceptional products to clients.

Shawn Kanak, President of Towel Specialties, expressed his excitement about Guerrero's addition to the leadership team: "We couldn't be more thrilled to welcome Laura to Towel Specialties. Her passion for the industry, combined with her desire to keep us at the forefront of clients' minds and business models, makes her the ideal leader to continue building on our legacy. With Laura on board, we are confident that we will not only maintain our position as the industry leader but also evolve and expand our reach to serve current and new clients even better. Forty years is just the beginning…"

ASB Announces Senior Leadership Updates: Borst and Zezzo to VP Roles



Glenwood, MN – American Solutions for Business announced that Taylor Borst has been promoted to Vice President of Vendor Relations, Marketing, and Events and Dana Zezzo will be transitioning to Vice President of Strategic Growth and will remain a member of the senior

leadership team.

Since joining the company, Borst has held various roles from Strategic Operations Support Specialist to Senior Director of Marketing & Vendor Relations. President Justin Zavadil remarked, “Taylor has made our organization better every day and contributes greatly to our presence in the industry. Her expertise, work ethic, attitude, and relationships will continue to improve ASB, and she’ll be a fantastic addition to our Senior Leadership Team.”

“I'm honored to step into this position and can't wait for what's ahead,” says Borst. “Over the last six and a half years, I've learned so much from Dana's direction and mentorship, and I’m thrilled we get to continue our collaboration and growth in this next stage. I’m proud to continue serving our sales associates, support teams, home office, and vendor partners. This wouldn’t be possible without our talented team, who works hard every day to ensure impact is the best in the market.”

Since joining ASB in 2018, Zezzo has led vendor relations, marketing, and events as Vice President, while recently having direct involvement in new initiatives such as Canadian Solutions for Business, global expansion projects, and ASB Athletics. This transition will allow him to dedicate more focus to these initiatives. “ASB has dramatically improved since Dana joined,” says Zavadil. “Much of that has been because of his dedication. I have complete confidence in him making the same type of impact as we grow in new ways.”

“I’m excited to embrace this new role and focus on driving strategic initiatives that support ASB’s growth,” says Zezzo. “The progress we’ve made is a direct result of the dedication and teamwork across ASB. This position provides an incredible opportunity to build on that momentum, explore new possibilities, and strengthen our efforts in key areas. I’m also thrilled to see Taylor step into her new role on the Senior Leadership team, and I look forward to continued collaboration.”

Vantage Apparel Taps Industry Exec Sean Macilvain for Sales Leadership Role



Avenel, NJ – Vantage Apparel, the foremost supplier of custom branded apparel known for its award-winning decoration and integration capabilities, is proud to announce the appointment of industry powerhouse, Sean Macilvain as Vice President of Business Development to lead Vantage’s US sales team. Sean brings over nine years of industry expertise and more than 12 years of sales experience, solidifying his reputation as a dynamic leader in business development and sales strategy.

Throughout his career, Sean has demonstrated an exceptional ability to foster positive team cultures and drive business success. Formerly, he served in a sales leadership role with Alphabroder and most recently, Sean spearheaded the creation and leadership of a high-performing sales and customer service team for one of the largest auto service organizations in the United States. His deep understanding of customer needs and commitment to innovation will help drive Vantage's growth initiatives.

"I’m honored to join the incredible team at Vantage Apparel and contribute to its legacy of innovation and customer focus," Sean said. "This is an exciting time for the industry, and Vantage is perfectly positioned to help our partners thrive. I look forward to building strong relationships, exploring new opportunities, and driving meaningful growth for both our customers and the company."

Sean’s enthusiasm for leadership extends beyond his professional pursuits. He enjoys spending quality time with his wife and their 1.5-year-old son, often at the beach during summer weekends. A self-proclaimed foodie, Sean loves discovering hidden gem restaurants and welcomes recommendations. When not indulging in culinary adventures, he enjoys golfing and is a devoted Philadelphia Eagles fan, having attended over 150 games.

Rob Watson, CEO of Vantage Apparel, expressed his confidence in Sean’s ability to elevate the company’s business development strategies. "Sean's track record of innovation and customer focus aligns perfectly with Vantage's mission to be a trusted partner in the branded apparel space. We’re thrilled to have him on board."

Sean’s appointment underscores Vantage Apparel’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team and fostering meaningful customer relationships as the company continues to expand its industry presence.

Pantone Picks ‘Mocha Mousse" As The 2025 Color Of The Year

Pantone's Color of the Year for 2025 blends comfort with luxe. Mocha Mousse is more than a color – it’s a rich, warm, indulgent mood that’s on trend and sure to make our wardrobes (and our world) a little more delicious.

“Warm brown shades, ranging from rich chocolates to soft mochas, have been trending in apparel, particularly within the athleisure, loungewear and accessories categories,” says Liz Tracy, senior product designer at PCNA. “This shift aligns with the enduring ‘quiet luxury’ trend that emerged in 2023.”

Consumers are moving away from cooler, sterile color palettes toward warmer, more nurturing hues that evoke a sense of comfort and familiarity, she adds. “Mocha Mousse embodies this desire for a sense of calm and a deeper connection to nature, a concept linked to stress reduction and relaxation.”

Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2025 captures the cultural zeitgeist with its comforting, nostalgic and luxurious qualities, blending simplicity with richness. The Pantone Color Institute describes Mocha Mousse as “a mellow brown infused with a sensorial and comforting warmth. A warming, rich brown hue, PANTONE 17-1230 nurtures with its suggestion of the delectable quality of chocolate and coffee, appealing to our desire for comfort.”

Read the Full Story Here

How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile in 6 Easy Steps

Jason Foodman * Entrepreneur Leadership Network Contributor * Managing Director at Archetype

LinkedIn offers a vast array of configuration options, most don't take advantage of all of them, overlook many and fail to optimize the sections they do use. This article covers a number of high-visibility key areas along with suggestions of how to get the most out of them.

With more than 1 billion users in 200 countries worldwide, LinkedIn is currently the largest professional networking platform. So, whether for professional networking or job search purposes, it's more important than ever to customize and optimize your LinkedIn profile. Similar to advertising, visitors to your profile page will likely spend just a few precious seconds to form an opinion, so it's imperative that everything is clear, concise and on-message. Fortunately, LinkedIn has a robust feature set that enables a lot of customization. Unfortunately, many on the platform overlook key parts of their profile, in some cases not including them at all and often not optimizing what's there.

As you craft your LinkedIn profile, the fundamental objective to keep in mind is that you want to clearly articulate four things in a concise and quick-to-digest manner: who you are, what you are doing professionally, what you have done and what you are looking for — especially for those who are job hunting. You should remove anything that does not contribute to any of these points.

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Nominate Now for ASI Media's 2025 Salespeople of the Year

Attention top-performing distributor and supplier sales professionals: Here’s your chance to be recognized across the promotional products industry for your hard work.

ASI Media is currently accepting nominations for its Salespeople of the Year awards contest. The editorial team is in search of distributor and supplier sales pros who generate major revenue while raising the bar for service and creativity. We’re also looking to recognize the very best supplier customer service rep.

Winners and finalists will be profiled on ASICentral.com in May. Nomination deadline is Jan. 10, 2025. 

For categories and to nominate someone, click here