Image Source (asi/230121), a Kirkland, WA-based distributorship, has become a member partner of IGC Global Promotions, a global branded merchandise network. Located around the world, IGC members work together to support client needs. Based in the Netherlands, IGC Global Promotions has 42 members covering more than 100 countries with annual spend exceeding $500 million. Image Source says it has joined IGC as the organization’s only U.S. West Coast partner. “This partnership will enable (us) to better serve the needs of their global clientele,” the Image Source said in a statement.

Botanical PaperWorks (asi/41273) has announced that sales of its Save Our Oceans handmade soap (SOO5091) has raised more than $1,000 for ocean conservation so far this year. A portion of all sales goes to Oceana, an international organization dedicated to preserving the world’s oceans.

Cassandra Chiodo, customer support lead at Orbus Exhibit & Display Group (asi/75209), has been named a director for the Promotional Professionals Association of Chicago board of directors for 2023.

Top 40 supplier Starline USA (asi/89320; Canada, 89213) announces three new additions to its sales and marketing teams. Anna Wiese, the new West Coast regional sales manager, will be responsible for AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, NV, MT, NM, OR, UT, WA and WY, with a decade of experience in the industry; Heather Schlatter, with more than 12 years of distributor experience, has joined the inside sales team and will work closely with Wiese and Kim Reinecker, who’s responsible for the Southwest (Los Angeles, OK, TX); and Laura Johnson has joined the marketing team with more than seven years of experience on the supplier side.

Reciprocity Road, an alliance of 10 distributors across the U.S. and Canada that make up approximately $240 million in promotional products spend, recently held its sixth Conclave Strategic Planning Event. The partners of Reciprocity Road met in Los Angeles with C&S Sales (asi/155110), led by Brad Storms, hosting. During the Conclave, attendees heard a presentation from Tonja Boykin, chief operating officer of The Weingart Center, a nonprofit agency that provides homeless individuals with the essential tools to stabilize their lives, secure income and find permanent housing. Reciprocity Road donated $5000 to The Weingart Center to help one woman for six months in a residential program that takes her from homelessness to independent living.

Penn Emblem (asi/77120) continued the celebration of its 75^th anniversary. On Nov. 7, around 300 employees at its Mira Loma, CA, facility enjoyed food trucks, raffles, music and a photobooth. The next day, corporate employees visited Santa Ana, Mexico, to join about 200 team members in a similar celebration. In addition to the celebrations, Penn Emblem announced the addition of a 20,000-square-foot facility in Agua Prieta, Mexico, to accommodate growth and better service current customers.

STAHLS’ (asi/88984) and Transfer Express (asi/91804) offers a discount on purchases for all U.S. veterans, military personnel and dependents. The discount is automatically applied to valid accounts. Veterans can verify military status through their account profile page. Email militarydiscount@stahls.com with any questions.

Top 40 distributor Proforma (asi/300094) has reached nearly 5,000 unique enrollments in its in-house e-commerce training program. To date, Proforma has held more than 800 live, instructor-led classes, offering certifications in topics such as workflows, products and stores. Individuals have earned more than 300 certifications, with 30 enrollees recognized as certified e-commerce consultants. “E-commerce is a necessity for success in the industry, and we will continue to equip and prepare our owner-distributors with the best education, training and tools for the evolving online landscape,” said Vera Muzzillo, CEO.

Delta Apparel (asi/49172), a Top 40 supplier, has named Jason Bates vice president of finance of the firm’s Delta Group business segment. Delta Group includes sales to the promotional products/apparel decorating industry. Bates has nearly 20 years of accounting and financial leadership experience.

Innovatex Solutions Inc. (asi/231194) announces that CEO & Founder Ann Baiden was named a 2022 WBE Leader by the Women Business Enterprises Canada Council (WBE Canada), during the organization’s 13th National Conference in Toronto this week. The WBE Canada Excellence Awards recognize achievements in supplier diversity among its certified members.

AIA Corporation (asi/109480), a Top 40 distributor, hosted throughout 2022 a series of regional meetings designed to bring together owner-affiliates in its network, AIA leadership and “MVP Suppliers” for days of collaboration and education. The regional meetings were held in Atlanta, Seattle, Denver and Boston. The focus was on best practices and growth strategies. Each regional meeting kicked off with an evening social event to experience the local community, as well as to celebrate and forge new relationships. “We know our owners relish the opportunity to spend time together as a community –– not only to share their unique perspectives, but to have fun,” said Rich Berg, senior vice president of owner success. “We were excited to host our regional meetings to give our owners a small group setting where they can learn from one another and discuss topics critical to the success of their business.”

Halls & Company (asi/59080), best known for its IDLine brand, has partnered with multi-line representative firm JSA Promo. Jason Bickoff and his team from JSA Promo will represent the supplier in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia and West Virginia. Halls & Company has a 5-star rating in ESP, the company noted.

iPROMOTEu (asi/232119), a Top 40 distributor, recently held its final two Supplier Showcase events for 2022. About 50 independent iPROMOTEu distributor affiliates and a host of representatives from leading supplier partners attended the happenings in Washington, D.C. and San Diego for business-building networking and one-on-one meetings. Affiliates attending the series also received new product previews and details on the latest industry trends, while having the opportunity to socialize and enjoy local attractions. “The iPROMOTEu Supplier Showcase series gives industry suppliers valuable insights into the types of projects that clients are requesting from our affiliates,” said Ross Silverstein, iPROMOTEu’s founder, president and CEO. “This level of understanding allows suppliers to better support iPROMOTEu affiliates through exclusive offers and customized recommendations.”

PromoStandards a nonprofit working to improve supply chain and transactional efficiencies in the promo industry, recently announced the winning teams from its Hack-A-Thon. Taking first place was The Adaptors, which consisted of Chad Sparrow, vice president of product at Brikl; Jason Reinhardt, co-founder and CCO at Brikl; Lisa Hubbard, vice president of sales and marketing at The Vernon Company (asi/351700); Peerarust Siriamphan, engineering manager at Brikl; Phoomparin Mano, vice president of engineering at Brikl; and Suz Pathmanathan, vice president of marketing at Brikl. The runner-up team was Promofound, which consisted of Steve Luisser, vice president of research and development at Essent; Bryony Zasman, co-founder at ZOOMcatalog; Kevin Chambers, web experience manager at Thumbprint; Mark Whiffen, senior product manager at Facilisgroup (asi/475998); and Trevor Woodman, web developer at Thumbprint. The Hack-A-Thon consisted of cross-functional teams that used PromoStandards protocols, allowing them to access trading partner data and services to develop solutions for real-world promotional product industry challenges.

STAHLS’ (asi/88984) recently shared the story of the winner of its first Stahl Family Small Business Scholarship. The company awarded Jessie Mommsen of Threads & Inks in Lakeville, MN, $10,000 for a shop makeover. Each quarter of 2022, STAHLS’ has awarded scholarships to decorating shops, giving them a heat-printing business makeover tailored to their needs, including new equipment, onsite training and expert coaching sessions. Learn more about Mommsen’s story in this video.

Top 40 distributor Proforma (asi/300094) hosted more than 1,200 families at its annual Halloween in the Village event on Davis Islands in Tampa. For the eighth year, Proforma sponsored the community get-together with a variety of activities, including trick-or-treating, costume contests and face painting. Proforma also decorated Davis Boulevard, provided signage and other printed products to participating local businesses, and distributed kids’ themed goodie bags for the one-day event on Oct. 29. “We at Proforma love connecting with our community,” says Vanessa Edwards, director of business development. “I’m so proud of how our team comes together every year to make this event the best it can be.”

The Magnet Group (asi/68507), a Top 40 supplier, has hired Steve Parker as regional sales manager, covering California, Arizona, Oregon, Nevada, Washington, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Mexico. “Steve is so well-known and loved from his years on the distributor and supplier sides, along with his history of giving back to the industry as previous SAAC president,” said Dave Glaser, vice president of field sales. The Magnet Group has also promoted Matt McCluggage to senior sales manager, covering Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. He’ll have a dedicated regional sales lead to continue to give top-notch service to his region, according to the company. McCluggage has been with The Magnet Group since 2015 as a regional sales manager. “Matt has earned this promotion by providing his clients elite service and solutions for over seven years,” Glaser said.