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Koozie Group Acquires Skinner & Kennedy Co's Product Line

Clearwater, FL - Koozie Group is proud to continue Skinner & Kennedy Co.’s 125-year promotional calendar legacy with the purchase of its product line. The deal closed on Monday, January 13. Skinner & Kennedy Co. produces an extensive line of calendars, including commercial, desk pad, planner, and custom styles, along with notepads and paper fans.

As part of the sale agreement, Scott Michel (Sales) and Harm Kurz (Customer Service) will become part of the Koozie Group® team to ensure a seamless experience for customers. Pam Baumann, who has over 43 years of experience in promotional calendars with Koozie Group, will play a key leadership role during the transition. Operations will move to the Koozie Group® facility in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota.

“Koozie Group and Skinner & Kennedy Co. are two of the top names in promotional calendars, and we are both proud of our USA-made products. Skinner & Kennedy Co.’s legacy combined with our Sleepy Eye team’s expertise in calendar printing and production is a win-win for customers,” said Pierre Montaubin, CEO of Koozie Group. “Chuck Pecher has contributed so much to the promotional products industry, and we couldn’t be prouder to add such a well-respected line to our portfolio."



Chuck Pecher, CEO of Skinner & Kennedy Co., commented, “Koozie Group is an innovative producer of high-quality promotional calendars, with numerous awards recognizing their expertise. I’m confident our customers will be in good hands with them and anticipate a smooth transition.”

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Christine Fischer Promoted to National Director of Vertical Markets



Glenwood, MN – American Solutions for Business is pleased to announce the promotion of Christine Fischer to National Director of Vertical Markets. In this expanded role, she will oversee not only the automotive sector but also healthcare, collegiate licensing, franchise, and group purchasing organizations.

Christine joined ASB 9 years ago and has led our automotive vertical market since 2019. After years of collaboration with the vertical markets, Christine is positioned well to step into this new role.

“Her ability to mentor associates, foster growth, and deliver consistent success has been extraordinary” shared Amy Spychalla, Vice President of Strategic Operations Support. “I’m excited for Christine to expand her leadership across our vertical markets, leveraging her unique skills, strategic approach, and dedicated team to drive continued growth and excellence.”

Christine holds associate degrees in Business Management and Marketing & Sales Management from Alexandria Technical & Community College and is pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration from MSU Mankato, graduating in Spring 2026. Based in Glenwood, MN, she looks forward to developing her team and building relationships with ASB sales associates. She values ASB’s strong work ethic and dynamic environment. Outside of work, Christine enjoys gardening, sewing, and restoring 1990s cars with her husband, Chris. They have three daughters.

"I love working with our sales associates and customers and I am so excited to apply that passion to additional markets and opportunities” shared Christine Fischer, National Director of Vertical Markets. “Our vertical markets team is laser-focused on the unique needs of each type of customer we serve. Through team development and strategic growth, we will build upon that foundation and bring even greater value to all our stakeholders."

Vantage Apparel Unveils its Anniversary Wall to Celebrate 120 Team Members



Avenel, NJ – Vantage Apparel proudly debuted its new Anniversary Wall at its corporate headquarters in New Jersey. The wall celebrates the dedication and achievements of more than 120 team members who have each marked 15 or more years with the company, highlighting their invaluable contributions to Vantage’s ongoing success.

The Anniversary Wall reflects a core belief at Vantage: that people are at the heart of a successful company. Studies show that organizations with higher employee retention rates consistently outperform their peers. Long-term employees bring institutional knowledge, foster stronger workplace relationships, and drive sustained innovation.

Founded in 1977, Vantage's owner, President and Executive Chairman Ira Neaman reflects on his 47-year journey. “When I founded Vantage, I envisioned a company where people could build meaningful careers and grow together. The Anniversary Wall is a celebration of that vision coming to life. I’m deeply grateful to each person whose name is celebrated on this wall for their loyalty and contributions.”

A Harvard Business Review study revealed that companies with high employee tenure see up to 25% higher productivity and 30% better customer satisfaction rates compared to those with frequent turnover. These statistics underscore the significance of the milestones being celebrated at Vantage, and demonstrate how long-term team members contribute to the company’s near 50-year history.

Rose Marie Juba, who has spent 42 years with Vantage and has worked in many departments in her four decades, expressed her gratitude for the recognition: “Vantage has been a home away from home for me. I've married, had kids and watched my kids become parents all while being a part of this team. This wall is a testament to the sense of family and commitment that has driven our success for decades.”

The Anniversary Wall celebrates team members from all 3 US locations and across all departments. Alan Rubenstein, Senior Customer Service Representative celebrating 27 years, added, “Working at Vantage has been a rewarding journey. Seeing my name on the Anniversary Wall alongside so many colleagues reminds me of the impact we’ve made together as a team.”

This incredible display reflects how much Vantage has grown over the years and is a beautiful way to honor the hard work and dedication that have shaped the company into what it is today. In the last year, Vantage received many industry accolades:

• 29th consecutive Golden Pyramid Award in embroidery
• Ranked #12 in PPAI's Top 100 Companies
• Name the industry's Greatest Place to Work
• ASI's Counselor Top 40 Supplier
• ASI Power 50 List honoree

Rob Watson, CEO of Vantage Apparel, praised the team’s dedication: “Our Anniversary Wall is more than a display of milestones; it’s a tribute to the heart and soul of Vantage — our people. Their passion and commitment have been the foundation of our success. We are proud to honor their remarkable achievements and look forward to building an even brighter future together.”

The Anniversary Wall serves as a lasting tribute to Vantage's history, honoring the collective dedication and hard work that have driven the company’s success over the last 47 years. Looking ahead, in 2025, Vantage will proudly add more team members to the anniversary wall, and also recognize 85 employees who have reached between 5 and 14 years of service. 

American Solutions for Business Acquires Dubow Textile



Glenwood, MN – American Solutions for Business has officially acquired Dubow Textile, an industry-leading contract decorator located in St. Cloud, Minnesota. This acquisition builds on a long-standing partnership between the two companies, which have worked together since 1991.

While Dubow is a wholly owned subsidiary of ASB, it will maintain its established identity and leadership team. The company will continue to function independently, ensuring continuity for its customers and partners. Customers of Dubow can expect business as usual, with no disruption to services or existing relationships. Additionally, all customer data and partnerships will remain protected, reinforcing both companies' dedication to transparency and trust.

“My dad would be very proud to know how everything is falling into place and that the future of our business is so promising,” shared Jenna Kraemer, Director of Business Development and daughter of Rob Dubow. “We’ve always had a strong connection to ASB, and this is a great opportunity to build an even bigger footprint in the industry. I’m confident we’ll now have the resources to not only keep my dad’s vision of being the best decorator in the industry alive, but to help us continue to grow and make an even bigger impact for our customers.”

ASB continues to support all decorators within its network, and its sales associates will retain the ability to work with the suppliers and decorators that best meet their customers' needs. The intention is to create another resource for ASB associates without restricting their ability to run their business as they see fit.

“We are honored that the Dubow family chose ASB to continue to grow their business after his passing,” said Justin Zavadil, President of American Solutions for Business. “Dubow Textile has been a trusted partner in the industry for over three decades, and we are honored to continue the legacy built by Rob Dubow and his family.”

NALC 2025 and WLC 2025 Registration Now Open

PPAI Registration for PPAI’s North American Leadership Conference 2025 (NALC) and Women’s Leadership Conference 2025 (WLC) is now open. The conferences will be held in Chicago and Coronado, California, respectively. Both conferences are pivotal events for the promotional products industry each year.

“Any great industry association thrives on bringing people together to collaborate, grow and find joy in the journey,” says Drew Holmgreen, president and CEO of PPAI. “The strength of PPAI’s conference lineup – whether it’s the strategic foresight of NALC or the vibrant ideas exchange of WLC – showcases the impact PPAI makes when this community comes together.

“These events are more than just professional development; they’re a catalyst for connection, inspiration and the kind of innovation that moves our industry forward. We can’t wait to see you there, and I look forward to growing alongside you.”

NALC features engaging sessions and exclusive speakers tailored specifically for top-level executives and industry visionaries. NALC 2025 will provide insights and strategies aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the promotional products industry.

This year’s conference will be held May 12-14, 2025, at the Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile.

WLC 2025 will be held June 23-25, 2025, at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa in Coronado, California. Attendees will join women from diverse professional backgrounds as they exchange empowering business insights and celebrate successes. WLC is the place to make connections, toast the PPAI Women of Achievement and broaden horizons on everything from corporate finance to AI and the value of keeping a beginner’s mindset.



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AI Is Transforming the Workplace - Including Social Media Marketing. Here's How Businesses Can Actually Use It

Pierre Raymond * Entrepreneur Leadership Network Contributor * Project Consultant/Business Analyst

Artificial intelligence is transforming social media management for small and medium-sized businesses, helping them enhance scalability, improve cost efficiency and build stronger customer relationships.

In the last couple of years, artificial intelligence (AI) has continued to dominate the headlines. A steady stream of investments and available human capital have allowed the industry to expand at a seemingly breakneck pace.

Outside of the widespread adoption of these tools among consumers, organizations, big and small, have taken the liberty of investing in and utilizing AI-powered applications to improve, automate and analyze various business processes.

In 2023, estimates indicated that around 34% of all business-related functions were already being performed and completed by machines. Similarly, those companies that have integrated AI tools into their operations could facilitate an increase in labor productivity by 1.5 percentage points over the next decade.

The possibilities are endless, but more than this, artificial intelligence's opportunities to transform social media management for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) will provide valuable benefits that could bolster customer engagement and scalability.



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PromoStandards Announces 2025 People Of The Year Award Winners

The third annual PromoStandards Tech Summit wrapped recently, and the PromoStandards People of the Year Awards were handed out during the event at The Wyndham Grand Clearwater in Clearwater Beach, Florida.

The summit featured keynote presentations, panel discussions and roundtable sessions on AI applications, integration strategies, data security and emerging technologies. The summit included:

• Keynote presentations from Dr. Tom Stablein, founder and CEO of business services provider Stablein Solutions, who spoke on unlocking the power of AI, and Jon Norris, chief strategy officer of PPAI 100’s Hit Promotional Products, on the state of technology in the industry.
• Panel discussions on AI use cases, mergers and acquisitions from a tech perspective, PromoStandards best practices and infrastructure options.

“The PromoStandards Tech Summit 2025 was a fantastic opportunity to connect with industry peers and discuss the latest advancements in promotional technology,” says Amy Rabideau, MAS, board vice chair of the summit and vice president of product for Hit Promotional Products. “I’m excited to see the continued growth and adoption of PromoStandards, which is crucial for streamlining our industry’s supply chain and improving efficiency for everyone.”

People Of The Year

These awards recognize outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to advancing technology and innovation within the promotional products industry.

• Distributor Person of the Year was awarded to Kate Alvarez, president of Promoshop, for her leadership in promoting technology adoption and integration.
• Supplier Person of the Year went to Dan Erdman, IT integrations manager at Koozie Group, for his dedication to advancing PromoStandards and data quality initiatives.
• Service Provider Person of the Year was awarded to Steve Luisser, vice president of research at Essent, for his commitment to developing and improving PromoStandards integrations.

“It was a true pleasure to share my insights on the exciting intersection of AI and the promotional products industry,” says Dr. Stablein. “The industry is fortunate to have PromoStandards providing thought leadership and growth opportunities. And special congratulations as well to all the ‘People of the Year’ winners – your achievements and contributions are truly inspiring!”

Next year, the event will be held February 2-4 at the same location.