Wishing all of the CPPA Mothers a wonderful, relaxing weekend!

Mark your calendar for our 2025 Fall Promo Expo!

Details coming soon!

Gill Studios Names Jeff Furminger President & CEO

Lenexa, KS - There’s been a key personnel change at the top at Counselor Top 40 supplier Gill Studios.

Gill Studios recently announced that Jeff Furminger is now the firm’s president and CEO following the retirement of Jamie Fain, effective May 1.

Furminger has been with Gill Studios for more than three decades, beginning in the research and development team in 1991 and most recently serving as the company’s vice president of operations since 2017.

“We look forward to Jeff using his strong skill sets and experience for the benefit of our customers and all Gill Studios associates,” Don Gill, chairman of the Gill Studios board, said in a statement to ASI Media.

Furminger said that he’s looking forward to the opportunities ahead and continuing the tradition of the 92-year-old company. “We have a great team here,” Furminger said, “that is always ready to serve our customers in any way we can.”

After a 25-year tenure at Gill, Fain took the reins as president and CEO in 2018, taking over after Paul Lage left the company for IMAGEN Brands, a former Counselor Top 40 supplier. Before that, Fain served in a variety of roles, including executive vice president of finance and administration.

During his time as president and CEO, Fain oversaw periods of success at the firm, including posting 23.3% revenue growth in 2022 over 2021, partially due to election-year bumps in decals and labels.

S&S Activewear Partners With vineyard vines & Marmot

Bolingbrook, IL - S&S Activewear is expanding its retail brand offerings by inking partnerships with vineyard vines and Marmot. They will now be offering polo shirts, outerwear, bags and headwear from vineyard vines, a Martha’s Vineyard-founded brand currently headquartered in Connecticut that’s known for its preppy coastal lifestyle looks. Shep and Ian Murray founded vineyard vines in 1988.

With the new partnership, S&S is now able to offer vineyard vines products across its entire customer base, executives said. Meanwhile, S&S said Marmot’s technical outerwear offerings will be an ideal fit for distributor end-clients looking for premium outdoor category products.

Vests, jackets and shirts are among the S&S offerings from Marmot, a maker of technical equipment and apparel for outdoors athletes and enthusiasts. Part of Newell Brands, Marmot – founded in Colorado but now based in California – has been around since 1974.

“By aligning with brands like vineyard vines and Marmot, we’re not just expanding our lineup – we’re helping our customers grow, differentiate and win in their markets,” said Toby Whitmoyer, S&S Activewear’s chief commercial officer. “This is what we mean when we talk about elevating the options we bring to the table.”

Starline Partners With Drinkware Maker Symglass

Grand Island, NY - Symglass bills its drinkware as unbreakable and now Starline will be offering the line for sale in the promotional products market. Through a new partnership Starline will be carrying Nashville, TN-headquartered Symglass’ entire line, according to Starline Chief Revenue Officer Brian Porter.

“Partnering with Symglass is a natural extension of Starline’s mission to bring innovation and premium branding solutions to our distributors,” said Porter. “Their drinkware is second to none in durability and design. We’re very excited about this collaboration.”

Symglass provides stemless wine glasses, rocks glasses, pint glasses and champagne glasses. The company crafts the products to look like high-end glassware, yet it manufactures the items from BPA-free, dishwasher-safe, renewable plant-based materials. The drinkware is shatterproof and made in the USA, executives said.

“The entire team at Symglass is incredibly excited about the partnership with Starline,” said Symglass CEO Quinn O'Sullivan. “We believe together we can deliver a terrific line of innovative, sustainable, USA-made products to the promotional marketplace.”

The companies said they see the collection as being an ideal fit for corporate gifting, hospitality, event promotions and lifestyle branding. The collection becomes available May 7. Drinkware is the second-most popular product category in the promotional products industry, accounting for nearly 11% of annual total sales for distributors, according to Counselor’s State of the Industry report.

Pete Gleason Rejoins Bag Makers as VP of Sales



Union, IL – Pete Gleason is returning to Bag Makers as Vice President of Sales. Gleason previously served as sales VP at the Illinois-headquartered company, a run that ended in 2016. Now, he’s back to reprise the role, which will see him developing and executing sales strategy and processes, collaborating with management, analyzing market trends and working alongside the sales team while overseeing key customer relationships, all to drive growth.

“We are thrilled Pete is returning as a member of our executive team,” said Bag Makers CEO Maribeth Sandford. “Pete is a highly respected, dynamic and seasoned industry leader, and he is already well-versed with our products and services. This expertise will allow Pete to hit the ground running from day one to help us expand our sales reach.”

Gleason has more than 30 years of promo experience, including time on the supplier and distributor sides of the business. He’s also shown commitment to the merch space through volunteerism, having been a past president of the New England Promotional Products Association, past chair of Promotional Products Association International’s Awards Committee and past chair of the PPAI Distributors Committee.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to rejoin Bag Makers and to work with one of the best sales teams in the industry,” Gleason said. “I’m proud of what we accomplished together in the past and I’m looking forward to helping lead the next phase of growth for the company.”

Gleason began his promo journey on the supplier side of the industry, then worked as a distributor for more than a decade. In 2009, he joined Bag Makers as regional business development manager before rising to director of sales strategy and later vice president of sales. He then worked for nearly nine years as vice president of business development for CPS/Keystone before rejoining Bag Makers this May. His official first day back at Bag Makers is May 12.

Vantage Apparel Welcomes Hamza Ahmed as New Director of Apparel Decoration & Productions



Avenel, NJ – Vantage Apparel is proud to announce the appointment of Hamza Ahmed as the company’s new Director of Apparel Decoration & Production.

With over a decade of experience in the apparel decoration industry, Hamza brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to Vantage. His career includes operational roles at companies such as Sayre Enterprises, Ira Green Inc., and Rainbow Embroidery. Throughout his journey, Hamza has led daily operations, trained and mentored staff, and overseen decoration processes with a consistent focus on quality, innovation, and efficiency.

Hamza’s portfolio includes work on high-profile projects for brands and organizations such as HBO, Disney, the NBA, the Department of Defense, and The Institute of Heraldry (TIOH). His deep knowledge of embroidery and other decoration techniques make him a valuable addition to the Vantage team.

“What excites me most about joining Vantage Apparel is the opportunity to contribute to an already impressive legacy while expanding our decoration offerings even further,” said Hamza. “I’m especially passionate about embroidery and eager to help introduce and build out additional techniques that will provide more value and creativity for our clients.”

In his free time, Hamza is an avid world traveler having visited 17 countries, with his favorite trip being a 21-day tour through Spain, Italy, Greece, Amsterdam, and Norway. The farthest destination he's explored? Malaysia. A fun fact about Hamza: he once pursued acting and appeared on shows like 30 Rock (Season 2, Episode 6). He's also a curious learner with a knack for trivia and interesting facts.



“We're excited to welcome Hamza as our new Director of Apparel Decoration and Production,” said Rob Watson, CEO of Vantage Apparel. “His expertise and passion for innovation will elevate our decoration capabilities and strengthen Vantage’s position as the top industry decorator.”

Recognize Remarkable Industry Leaders

Each year, the PPAI Icon Awards honor the innovators, leaders and visionaries who push the promotional products industry forward. These prestigious accolades recognize individuals who not only achieve excellence but inspire it in others.

If someone you admire has made an indelible mark on the industry, now is the time to shine a spotlight on them. PPAI relies on it's dedicated members like you to spotlight the exceptional leaders shaping the promotional products industry. These esteemed awards honor those who excel in industry innovation, philanthropic endeavors and community dedication.

PPAI Hall Of Fame Award - This achievement recognizes industry visionaries–members whose careers have made a significant and positive impact on our Association, the industry, to their local and professional communities.

PPAI Distinguished Service Award - Through volunteer service or by offering their leadership to PPAI, these honorees make significant, enduring contributions to our association.

PPAI H. Ted Olson Humanitarian Award - This award honors professionals whose noteworthy, lifelong personal commitment to the promotional products industry extends beyond their companies and into their communities.

PPAI Regional Volunteer - This is to spotlight members who exemplify the spirit of volunteerism and dedication to their regional community and the entire promotional products industry.

Submit your nomination(s) by Thursday, May 29

5 Mistakes That Could Destroy Your Business This Year - And How to Avoid Them

Daniel Marcos * Entrepreneur Leadership Network Contributor * Co-founder & CEO of Growth Institute

Great businesses aren't built on good ideas but on great plans.

Business planning is often treated like a New Year's resolution — rushed, reactive and optimistic. But for high-performing entrepreneurs, planning is not a once-a-year event. It's a year-long, strategic discipline that defines everything from daily decisions to long-term growth.

As the landscape continues to shift — thanks to evolving technologies, unpredictable markets and new consumer expectations — many entrepreneurs unknowingly set themselves up for failure before Q1 even begins. The real danger? It's not a lack of effort but rather strategic missteps in how you approach planning.

Here are the five planning mistakes that could quietly sabotage your success this year—and how to avoid them.



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