(Editor’s Note: PromoWire by PPAI Media is a running digest of news releases and updates submitted from organizations around the promotional products industry. PPAI Media edits these only slightly, including for length, and will consider newsworthy entries from any member organization.)

October 10, 2022

Safety Made Acquires The Assets Of Ready 4 Kits

Safety Made has announced that it has acquired the assets of Ready 4 Kits – a promotional brand that has been manufacturing kits for first aid, auto, events, golf and more for over 20 years.

President of Safety Made and industry veteran Paul Dubois announced the acquisition and plans for the future of the Ready 4 Kits brand. Dubois has been in the industry for 20 years and started his career at Ready 4 Kits, joining them right out of college. Ready 4 Kits was sold in 2012 and Dubois stayed with the company until 2017 when he left to start Safety Made. Now after a little over 5 years Safety Made as grown and with the acquisition of Ready 4 Kits the company will be the top brand in the kits category with the widest product offering for every promotional need.

With a deep understanding of the demands of the promotional marketplace in the safety category and the enduring quality - Safety Made now offers Dorcy, Life+Gear, DieHard and Ready 4 Kits products and gives promotional distributors access to top-tier items and service levels at competitive prices. Dubois notes “with deep inventory depth and a focus on the safety category, the combined offering of Safety Made and Ready 4 Kits gives customers an unmatched product offering and service level. We are excited about the future of our combined offering and thrilled to bring the Ready 4 Kits brand back home.”

PromoStandards 2022 Tech Summit is Rescheduled, Will Take Place in February 2023

PromoStandards is announcing its decision to host its first Tech Summit in Tampa, FL from February 19 to February 21, 2023. The event, originally scheduled for October 2022, was postponed due to Hurricane Ian. It’ll still take place at the Tampa Marriott Water Street hotel and the agenda remains largely unchanged.

The Dine-Around will be held on the first day of the summit. A virtual Hack-A-Thon Awards Ceremony will take place to celebrate those who won and participated in the 2022 virtual Hack-A-Thon, and an exclusive launch of PromoStandards Order Management Service will be held in an upcoming monthly education event.

The Tech Summit, which features two days of education tracts focusing on industry-relevant technology and PromoStandards integrations, provides ample opportunity to network with industry peers. This event anticipates 125 attendees from over 60 companies.

Speakers include:

  • Eric Alessi, President and CEO at Essent Corporation
  • Aaron Anderson, Sr Director of Software Engineering at alphabroder
  • Michael Conway, Managing Director of Digital Transformation at Aspirant
  • Catherine Graham, CEO at commonsku
  • David Jackson, VP of Information Technology at Spector & Co.
  • Andrew Larsen, Ph.D., Director of Data Science at Fox Corporation
  • Mike Pfeiffer, VP of Technology at American Solutions for Business
  • Jon Norris, COO at Starline Inc.
  • Amy Rabideu, VP of Product at Facilisgroup
  • Eric Shonebarger, President at Hit Promotional Products Inc.
  • Steven Stanley, Senior Vice President of Technology at ePromos Promotional Products

People are still able to register and become sponsors. Register or view the full agenda at https://promostandards.org/Technology-Summit-Hackathon/. To become a sponsor or submit questions, please email Amy Rabideau, MMEC Committee Chair, at admin@promostandards.org.

Attendees can book a hotel reservation at https://book.passkey.com/gt/218465272?gtid=d5b51a5be53b41788e48e33a13073a96.

October 6, 2022

IMAGEN Brands Adds Three New Sales Team Members

IMAGEN Brands is excited to welcome Karen and Chris Stauffer and Kris Dunn to the company’s sales team. All three are now reporting to Jackie Walker, National Sales Manager.

Lisa LeMond, Vice President of Sales and Service at IMAGEN Brands, said, “IMAGEN Brands is growing rapidly! With the addition of the great team of Karen and Chris Stauffer in the Greater Northwest, and Kris Dunn, based in Greater Florida, we are thrilled for the talent, enthusiasm, and fresh perspective that each will bring, rounding out our sales organization and offering total national coverage to our distributor customers.”

Chris and Karen Stauffer, of Cascade Marketing Group, join the IMAGEN Brands sales team as Multi-Line Reps for the Pacific Northwest territory. They are now covering Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska.

Cascade Marketing Group is celebrating its 25th year in business this fall. Chris and Karen value the long-term partnerships they have created with both clients and supplier partners over the years. They have earned over 24 awards in their tenure, including Supplier Sales Reps of the Year, Largest Sales Growth, and MLR of the Year.

Currently, Cascade Marketing Group represents Edwards Garment, EdwardsX Custom Clothing, Fossa Apparel, Towel Specialties, and Vision Awards. They are delighted to have IMAGEN Brands as their hard goods supplier after talking with current customers who are excited to buy IMAGEN Brands’ products. And they are no strangers to the ShedRain® brand, as they previously carried this line for 18 years and look forward to showcasing it again.

Chris is an alumnus of St. Lawrence University in New York and Karen is an alumna of Washington State University. In their spare time, Chris and Karen love boating, cooking, and listening to great music.

Dunn, who is now a Regional Sales Manager, comes to IMAGEN Brands from the distributor side of the promotional products industry, where he spent two years of his career at B&B Sports. He has also held sales roles for American Metals Supply, InsideOut, and Our Town America.

In addition to his sales background, Dunn has over five years of experience as a Broadcaster and Radio Host. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Dunn is now covering the Florida and Puerto Rico territory and is looking forward to building working relationships and utilizing his creativity and gift of public speaking. He finds the most enjoyable part of his job is helping customers see their vision and designs come to life.

Outside of work, Dunn enjoys sports, traveling, and spending time with his wife, Hope, and their Miniature Australian Shepherd, Datz.

BEL Promo Announces Management Promotion

BEL Promo recently announced the promotion of Susan Lewandowski to Managing Director. Susan has been an integral part of the BEL Promo organization since 2018, when she was originally brought on as General Manager.

“Susan has been, and will continue to be, instrumental in the continued growth, success, and professionalism of the BEL Promo brand. Her high level of commitment, attention to detail, results-driven attitude and positive demeanor have been key drivers to her success”, says Alan Tabasky, Senior Vice President & GM, BEL USA.

In addition to her work, Susan volunteers for the Gold Coast Promotional Products Association and is currently its president.

“I cannot tell you what an honor this is to be recognized for my commitment to the growth of BEL Promo, Lewandowski says. We have only scratched the surface with our potential to become a top industry supplier. I am extremely excited for the future.”