Thank you to those that exhibited at or attended the CPPA Fall Promo Expo on 9/18/25 at Laurel Park! We truly hope that you enjoyed the show and obtained some great information that will be beneficial to your 4th quarter sales. If you would like to provide a testimonial regarding the show or CPPA in general, please email Tiffany with your information.

Please mark your calendars for our next upcoming in person events:

• CPPA Holiday Party and Peake Awards - 12/11/25 at Merriweather Lakehouse in Columbia, MD  
• 2026 Winter Expo - 1/29/26 at BWI Airport Marriott in Linthicum Heights, MD

Make sure to pencil us in so that you don't miss these great events. Registration for the above events will be opening soon so please be on the lookout for more details to come.

We appreciate your continued support of CPPA and look forward to seeing you at upcoming CPPA events!

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

Registration opening soon!

Vantage Apparel Announces Single PO Integration with Cutter & Buck: From Webstores to Contract Decoration

Avenel, NJ - Vantage Apparel recently announced that Cutter & Buck is now fully integrated with Vantage, including the Vantage Webstore platform. This partnership brings together two powerhouse brands known for premium quality – now with instant access to Vantage’s 29-year, award-winning decoration services, all fulfilled seamlessly on a single-vendor purchase order.

Effective immediately, distributors using Vantage Webstores can merchandise their online stores with the entire Cutter & Buck catalog—including both the classic Retail CB line and the everyday essential Clique collection. Every style is available for print on-demand decoration by Vantage with no minimums, allowing distributors and their customers to place one-piece orders with the same ease and efficiency as bulk programs.

“Vantage’s webstore solution is designed to simplify how distributors sell branded merchandise—faster, easier, and with more flexibility,” said Rob Watson, CEO of Vantage Apparel. “By adding Cutter & Buck to the mix, we’re delivering the industry’s largest apparel assortment on one platform—decorated on-demand and ready to order with just a click.”

As an official contract decoration partner, Vantage offers distributors FREE inbound freight from Cutter & Buck to any of its three U.S. facilities: Avenel, NJ; St. Louis, MO; and Santa Ana, CA. Even for non-webstore orders, distributors only need to issue a single purchase order to Vantage—with Cutter & Buck apparel and Vantage as the decorator—and Vantage’s system handles the merchandise ordering, eliminating the need for a second PO.

These integrations allow for centralized product selection, seamless ordering, and a flexible, customer-branded ecommerce experience that supports programs of any size—from internal company stores to large-scale promotional campaigns.

“We know our customers are looking for premium brands that elevate their programs—and they want simplicity in how they deliver that experience,” said Joel Freet, CEO of Cutter & Buck. “By partnering with Vantage, we’re making it easier than ever for companies to bring Cutter & Buck into their corporate apparel, employee recognition, and client gifting initiatives—with the same quality, style, and service they expect from us.

PCNA Welcomes Mark Gammon as VP of National Accounts and Buying Groups

Pittsburgh, PA - Polyconcept North America (PCNA), recently announced the appointment of Mark Gammon as Vice President of National Accounts and Buying Groups. A respected leader in the promotional products industry, Gammon most recently served as CEO of Cap America, where he guided the company through significant growth and product innovation.

With more than 15 years of industry experience, including board service with PPAI since 2024, Gammon brings deep expertise in sales leadership and business development. At Cap America, he quickly advanced from Vice President of Sales to President and COO, before being named CEO in 2021. During his tenure, he oversaw the launch of new product lines, expanded into sporting goods, and positioned the company as a top supplier of team and promotional headwear.

“I am honored to contribute to PCNA’s leadership in the promotional market by delivering customer-centric solutions that drive growth and success,” said Gammon. “I’m passionate about the role promotional products play in brand recognition and engagement, and I look forward to applying my experience to further strengthen PCNA’s leadership in the industry.”

Prior to Cap America, Gammon spent eight years at The Vernon Company, where he built his foundation in sales management and client relationship development. His career-long commitment to the promotional products industry makes him an ideal fit for PCNA’s sales leadership team.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mark to the PCNA family,” said Neil Ringel, CEO of PCNA. “Mark knows this industry inside and out. His proven track record of growth, innovation, and leadership will drive even greater value for our distributor partners. He is truly an invaluable addition to our team, and his passion for building strong, customer-focused teams is exactly what we need to fuel our next phase of growth.”

At PCNA, Gammon will oversee the national account and buying group teams within the sales department. He succeeds Bill Peterson, who has served as Vice President of Sales since 2021.

PCNA and Cap America partnered in 2024 to expand PCNA’s headwear portfolio, a collaboration that highlighted shared values between the two companies. Cap America’s reputation for exceptional embroidery, product innovation, and community commitment mirrors PCNA’s values and ProudPath initiative, which champions sustainability and purpose-driven brands.

Gammon graduated summa cum laude from William Penn University and later earned a certificate in Disruptive Strategy from Harvard Business School, underscoring his commitment to continuous learning and leadership excellence.

Alan Tabasky Joins C-Suite at SnugZ USA

West Jordan, UT - Alan Tabasky, who most recently served as president of BEL Promo and chief supply chain officer of its parent company BEL USA, has been named senior vice president and chief supply chain officer of supplier SnugZ USA.

“Alan’s industry experience, operational acumen and customer-centric approach make him a perfect addition to our Executive Team,” said Brandon Mackay, CEO of SnugZ USA. “We’re thrilled to welcome someone with Alan’s deep knowledge and passion. He brings a fresh perspective and a proven ability to drive scale, process and partnership across the value chain.”

In his new role, Tabasky will oversee SnugZ USA’s global supply chain strategy while working closely with the executive team to drive efficiency, innovation and operational excellence across the organization.

“Leaving BEL USA was not an easy decision, but I’m incredibly excited about what’s ahead,” said Tabasky. “SnugZ has a phenomenal reputation, strong leadership and a values-driven culture that aligns with how I lead. I’m energized by the opportunity to contribute to their next phase of innovation and growth.”

Gemline Partners With Yankee Candle and Igloo, Launches Products

Lawrence, MA - Gemline recently announced two additions to its product lineup: a new brand partnership with Yankee Candle and the launch of a mini version of the Igloo Playmate cooler.

Both introductions spotlight American craftsmanship and address growing consumer demand for Made-in-USA products, according to Gemline.

“These two additions represent the best of American-made innovation,” says Frank Carpenito, president and CEO of Gemline. “Yankee Candle and Igloo are iconic names that resonate across generations, and their domestic production reduces the exposure to international tariff fluctuations.”

CPPA Members.....Are you taking advantage of your

membership benefits like our Member Only Coupon Book?

Visit our Members Only Section for this and other Member Only Benefits!

PPAI Board of Directors Welcomes 4 New Members

PPAI has announced the results of the recent member vote for its Board of Directors beginning in 2026 and confirmed the industry leaders who will hold offices next year. Incoming members will join in January following The PPAI Expo 2026. Likewise, certain existing Board members will either transition to new roles or complete their tenure on the Board.

Members voted to confirm the slate of nominees, made up of Whitestone founder and CEO Joseph Sommer and Bruce Barnet, COO of Charles River Apparel.

Additionally, the Board approved S&S Activewear CEO Frank Myers to fill a vacancy created when Dan Pantano announced his departure from alphabroder. S&S Activewear acquired alphabroder in 2024. Myers will serve the remainder of Pantano’s term, set to expire in 2027.



Also added to the Board is Samantha Kates, president of supplier Spector, who will serve as at-large director for two years.

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The Types of Social Media Posts That Go Viral For Small Businesses

Liz Brody * Contributing Editor * Entrepreneur Magazine

We all post dutifully, but what actually gets customers commenting? Here, six mom-and-pops share their most successful posts.

You don't have to be an influencer to get attention on social media, and your posts don't need to rack up a million views in order to make a difference to your bottom line. For small businesses, what counts as "viral" is all relative.

The key is engagement, or getting your customers sharing, liking and thinking about your business. So how do you make that happen? Here, six mom-and-pops share their social media success stories.


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PPAI Rising Stars Class of 2025 Announced

PPAI's staff judges have once again completed one of the toughest assignments of the year: identifying the newest class of PPAI Rising Stars.

More than 200 nominations poured in from across the promotional products industry in 2025, spotlighting professionals whose accomplishments, leadership and passion set them apart. From this group, 12 individuals have been chosen for recognition as the 2025 PPAI Rising Stars.

The honorees embody the qualities the program has celebrated since its creation in 2010 – achievement, volunteerism, leadership and, most importantly, the potential to shape the industry’s future for decades to come.

Meet The 2025 PPAI Rising Stars