Each year, Chesapeake Promotional Products Association proudly presents the Peake Awards to honor excellence and creativity in our association and industry.

Please help us recognize CPPA members that are 'Peake' performers in our industry by submitting your nominations. You also have the opportunity to submit an "Excellence in Promotions" Campaign so that we may recognize your creativity and promotional campaigns. 

All CPPA members are eligible to make a candidate nomination or submission. Awards are given in the following categories: 

• PEAKE Distributor of the Year
• PEAKE Supplier of the Year 
• PEAKE Distributor Sales Representative of the Year 
• PEAKE Supplier Factory Representative of the Year 
• The John Bennis Memorial Multi-Line Representative of the Year
• PEAKE Distributor Support Representative of the Year
• PEAKE Supplier Support Representative of the Year
• CPPA Rising Star
• The PEAKE Award
• CPPA Excellence in Promotions Campaigns (awarded in the following categories):
• Client Programs: Business-to-Business Programs, Consumer Programs, Promotional Programs Developed as a Result of a Distributor/Supplier Collaboration, Employee Incentive Programs, Internal Communication Programs
• Marketing Programs: Educational Programs, Sales Incentive Programs, Tradeshow/Exhibit Traffic Programs, Health/Wellness Programs, Goodwill Programs
• Technology Programs: Applications/Website/Online tools, Social Media presence/content, Virtual meeting content/Best in class
• Diversity, Environmental and Social Compliance: Diversity and Social Responsibility Programs, Activism/Political/Legislative Programs, Recycling/Green Programs, Not-For-Profit Programs, International Program

Submit a Peake Award Nomination

Submit an "Excellence In Promotions" Campaign

About the Peake Awards

Deadline for Peake Awards Nominations and "Excellence in Promotion"

Campaign entries is October 31, 2025

Please join CPPA for a fun evening out with industry friends

as we mingle, network and celebrate the Holiday season as well

as honor our Peake Awards Recipients!

Date:

December, 11, 2025

Time:

6:00 to 9:00 pm

Location:

Merriweather Lake House

10209 Wincopin Cir

Columbia, MD 21404

Cost:

Members & Guests: $60 pp which includes a delicious buffet meal

and one complimentary drink ticket

Cash bar available

Dress Code:

Cocktail Attire

Sponsorship opportunities available:

Bar Sponsor: $500 - 2 available

Spots are limited and on a first come, first served basis

Details are on the registration form

Product sponsorship opportunities available:

Please contact Tiffany if you would like to donate door prizes,

party giveaways, decorations, etc. The more the merrier!

In the spirit of the holiday season, CPPA will be collecting donations at the party

for Toys for Tots which delivers hope to children during the holiday season and beyond.

Please consider bringing a new unwrapped toy to spread love and cheer this holiday season!

We hope you will join us for an evening of fun as we toast to

a successful 2025 and a prosperous 2026!

Reserve your tickets today!

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

January 26 - 29, 2026

Maine to Chesapeake and Long Island to Pennsylvania...

We have you covered!



The Chesapeake Promotional Products Association (CPPA), New England Promotional Products Association (NEPPA), Philadelphia Area Promotional Products Association (PAPPA), and Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York (SAAGNY), are proud to once again bring you the Power of “1” tour during the week of January 26 - 29, 2026. Each day of the week a different regional show and not to be missed educational component will be included in the Power of “1” Tour.

Mark your calendars to attend our upcoming Winter Expo 

on 1/29/26 at BWI Airport Marriott in Linthicum Heights, MD

Education Session: 9 - 10 am

Show Hours: 10 am - 1:30 pm

Exhibitors Register here
Distributor registration opening soon!

Hit Promo Hosts First CSR & Compliance Supplier Summit in China

Largo, FL - Hit Promotional Products hosted its first Supplier Summit on Sept. 24 in Ningbo, China, bringing together dozens of members of its supply chain efforts overseas for a daylong workshop focused on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and compliance.

The goal of the event – according to Hit’s Chief Supply Chain Officer Nathan Cotter, whose team organized the summit alongside Erika Chan, the CSR manager for Hit in Hong Kong – was for the supplier to engage its full supply chain proactively when it comes to topics like transparency and compliance. Attendees included factory owners, social compliance leaders, trading companies and buying agents.

“It was exciting to see over 80 of our supply chain partners come together to collaborate and learn about issues that impact our responsible sourcing program,” said Cotter. “I believe this is a significant jump in our program from reactive remediation to proactive education and cooperation.”

The event included sessions on corrective action plans, disclosures around subcontracting and expectations of transparency, and a speaker from environment, social and governance compliance organization amfori.

“From hands-on learning to engaging discussions with industry professionals, the day was packed with valuable insights,” said Joshua Greenberger, president of Hit’s custom projects arm, SourceHIT. “Hit Promotional Products and SourceHIT are always striving to improve, grow and stay ahead of the curve.”

Charles River Apparel Announces Leadership Transitions

Sharon, MA - Charles River Apparel has announced two key leadership changes.

Jason Lipsett, who was promoted to president of the New England-based firm in September 2024, now holds the title of president and CEO after leading the company’s strategic direction over the past year. Jason’s appointment marked three generations of Lipsetts at the helm of Charles River Apparel, which his grandfather, Walter Lipsett, founded in 1983. In the move, Jason’s father Barry Lipsett transitions to a formalized senior advisory role.

Additionally, Lindsey Davis, MAS, has been appointed vice president of sales. The 20-plus-year industry veteran will officially join Charles River Apparel on November 17, following her transition from her current role at PPAI, where she serves as vice president of sales. Davis will continue supporting the Association through the end of October.

“Lindsey’s energy, authenticity and customer-centric mindset make her an incredible addition to our leadership team,” says Lipsett, a 2024 PPAI Rising Star. “She brings outstanding industry experience, a deep understanding of customer relationships and a collaborative, forward-thinking approach that aligns perfectly with our focus on growth and innovation.”

Before joining PPAI, Davis spent nearly six years at Raining Rose where she directed promotional sales following the company’s acquisition of Solar Advertising – her family’s business, which she led before overseeing its sale. She joined the PPAI staff in 2022 after stepping down from the PPAI Board of Directors, which she served as the Regional Relations Committee delegate.

“I’m so grateful for my time at PPAI and for the opportunity to work with such talented people driving our industry forward,” Davis says. “Joining the Charles River Apparel team brings me immense joy, as their values, vision and goals align perfectly with my own. I look forward to bringing my experience and passion for this industry to a brand I’ve long admired and to help drive what’s next.”

PPAI President and CEO Drew Holmgreen says, “We’re deeply grateful to Lindsey for the impact she’s made at PPAI – from her early volunteer efforts to her recent leadership role that has driven meaningful growth. We look forward to seeing all she’ll accomplish in her new role.”

SanMar Celebrates Grand Opening of New East Coast Flagship

Issaquah, WA - SanMar Alan recently welcomed over 500 customers, industry leaders, community partners and employees to the grand opening celebration of its new East Coast flagship, which spans more than 1.1 million square feet, making it the largest facility in SanMar’s network. The event, held on October 10, offered a first look at the Issaquah, Washington-based company’s new distribution center, located in Hanover County, Virginia – just north of Richmond.

“This facility represents a huge investment in our future and in our customers. And it’s one of many,” says Jeremy Lott, president and CEO at SanMar. “Across the board, we’re leveraging and developing new technology that enables us to better serve our partners. This warehouse is part of a nationwide optimization of our nine distribution centers, already known for providing reliably deep inventory. The upgrades we’re making enable us to do even better.”

In addition to featuring guided tours, decoration demos, retail brand activations, giveaways and live music, the celebration highlighted the key features of the new facility, including SanMar’s first automated product-picking system (launched earlier this year) and the supplier’s largest showroom.

The distribution center increases regional capacity and is designed to expand the company’s East Coast presence as well as strengthen nationwide service. SanMar has been working to bring the facility online since 2022, and it’s now fully operational.



“SanMar’s Richmond facility marks a milestone for technological advancement for the promotional products industry,” says Matt Kuper, vice president of global sales and applications at Bastian Solutions, which facilitated the automation integration. “By leveraging automation at this scale, SanMar is redefining what distribution can look like for the promotional industry – faster, smarter and built for the future.”

HALO Acquires What's Happening Promotions

Redmond, WA - HALO has announced the acquisition of Gainesville, Florida-based distributor What’s Happening Promotions. Under the deal, What’s Happening Promotions will maintain its current team and operate under the name What’s Happening Promotions Powered by HALO.

“Partnering with HALO enables us to expand what we deliver to our clients, offering greater access to creative talent, advanced technology and unmatched operational strength,” says Marc Douglass, president of What’s Happening Promotions.

“It also creates exciting opportunities for our team to grow and collaborate within the industry’s leading organization. This partnership reinforces our core mission of helping brands connect, engage and grow through impactful promotional and brand engagement solutions.”

Jim Stutz, executive vice president of sales, marketing and business development at HALO, commended Douglass and his team for building a successful business “defined by service, creativity and strong client partnerships.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome them to HALO and look forward to supporting their continued growth with our scalable solutions, technology and operational capabilities,” Stutz says.

PPAI Announces 2026 Icon Award Recipients

PPAI has announced the recipients of its 2026 Icon Awards, which celebrate the accomplishments of those who have gone above and beyond in service to the promotional products industry, the Association and their communities.

This year’s honors are being bestowed on:

• PPAI Hall of Fame: Steven Meyer, MAS
• PPAI Distinguished Service Award: Todd Pottebaum, MAS+
• H. Ted Olson Humanitarian Award: Renée Jones, MAS

Read More About the Award Recipients Here

The Companies Making the Most Money From AI All Have One Thing in Common

Hamed Mazrouei * Entrepreneur Leadership Network Contributor * CEO of Vivant, Milagro and Utiliko

AI in a mediocre business just gives you mediocrity at scale. Here's how to turn it into the amplifier it was meant to be.

Artificial intelligence has become the North Star guiding modern business strategy. From backend systems to customer interactions, AI is now a core part of decision-making, product development and strategic planning. It’s no longer about whether you’ll use AI, but how intelligently you’ll apply it.

A March 2025 McKinsey global survey found that over 75% of firms are now using generative AI in at least one business function, and those with executive-level oversight are seeing stronger results.

But before leaning too heavily on AI, it’s worth asking: Are you solving the right problem, or simply hoping AI will solve it for you?

Read More

Make The Most of The PPAI Expo 2026

The PPAI Expo is where the promotional products industry connects, where ideas spark, relationships grow and trends take off. Don’t just hear about it later. Experience it firsthand. Register and secure your housing for the most important event of 2026.



Register & Book Housing