Ten executives in the promotional products industry that have a combined 280 years of experience got together at Facilisgroup’s recent Top Executive event to collaborate on strategies for evolving one’s business, particularly during times rapid of change.

Eight distributors, whose companies average $35 million in annual sales, were joined by two suppliers for what attendees described as thought-provoking presentations and discussions. Topics included driving organizational change; supply chain and logistics; leveraging data, people and culture; and corporate responsibility.

Back row: Susan Kill (Facilisgroup), Sam Riden (TSC), Stan Scarborough (Scarborough Specialties), Colin Eagen (Centricity), Doug Ohlson (Adcentives West), Karl Whiteside (Brand Addition), David Rehg (Facilisgroup). Middle Row: Parvaneh Frilot (SanMar), Ashley McCune (Facilisgroup). Front Row: Matthew Lamb (Facilisgroup), Andy Shape (Stran), Howard Schwartz (HDS), C.J. Schmidt (Hit), Jeff Baumet (Club Colors)

Facilisgroup, a software-as-a-service company and partnering platform within the promotional products industry, hosted the event at its headquarters in St. Louis.

“When your business grows at the rate these companies are growing, you have to be really intentional with how you anticipate and navigate all of the change that comes with growth,” said event facilitator Matthew Lamb, Facilisgroup’s Executive Vice President of Research and Development.

Lamb continued: “During this great season of change and opportunity, bringing together some of the brightest minds in the industry stretches each leader and broadens their worldview.”

Attendees said they enjoyed and benefited from the sense of community and openness the event engendered.

“There’s little more powerful than someone understanding their strengths and openly sharing their weaknesses,” said Sam Riden, CEO of The Specialty Company. “We have participated in something that will produce a greater outcome than we could have ever imagined, and I can’t wait to see the results.”

Attendees of the event included Stan Scarborough, COO, Scarborough Specialties (asi/319940); Howard Schwartz, Founder and CEO, HDS Brand Solutions (asi/216807); Jeff Baumet, Co-CEO, Club Colors (asi/163432); Parvaneh Frilot, Strategic Account Manager, SanMar (asi/84863); Karl Whiteside, Group Managing Director, Brand Addition (asi/202515); Colin Eagen, Principal, Centricity; Andy Shape, President and CEO, Stran Promotional Solutions (asi/337725); C.J. Schmidt, President, Hit Promotional Products (asi/61125); Sam Riden, CEO, The Specialty Company; and Doug Ohlson, Vice President and Owner, AdCentives West (asi/105710). Leadership from Facilisgroup included company President Ashley McCune.