Leadership rarely allows time to slow down. But this week in San Diego, senior executives from across the branded merchandise industry are doing exactly that – stepping away from day‑to‑day execution to focus on long‑term direction, shared challenges and the future of the channel they collectively shape.

Those conversations are unfolding at the 2026 PPAI North American Leadership Conference, which opened Tuesday and concludes Thursday. The event is being held at one of the country’s most historic hotels, The US Grant, where roughly 180 distributor, supplier and services provider leaders are gathered for peer engagement and strategic content examining how the industry must evolve in a fast‑changing world.

“For me, NALC is really about connected communities, but focusing that time on strategic thought leadership,” says Kate Alavez, president of distributor PromoShop and a PPAI Board member. “Whatever we’re doing in this room is looking forward to elevation of the industry. Discussions are around where we want to be in one, three, five, and even 10 years, and how our organizations are doing that collaboratively to make sure that we’re mindful of our employee values, our organizational needs and the growth opportunities we have.”

For me, NALC is really about connected communities, but focusing that time on strategic thought leadership.”

Kate Alavez

President, PromoShop

That long‑range lens is shaping a program that acknowledges rapid technological change – particularly around artificial intelligence – while repeatedly returning to more enduring leadership questions around trust, governance and intentional growth.

Kicking Things Off

The event opened Tuesday evening with a reception and exclusive preview of the 2026 PPAI 100 at Snapdragon Stadium.

In a nod to the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, leaders from the 40 leading supplier and distributor firms each received a customized soccer ball displaying their ranking.

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The full 2026 PPAI 100 list will roll out publicly later this month, with suppliers announced Tuesday, May 19, and distributors unveiled Tuesday, May 26.

Trust, Ethics And Leadership Under Pressure

Conference sessions began Wednesday morning with an opening keynote from Tyler Shultz, an entrepreneur and whistleblower of would-be health innovator Theranos, which crumbled amid massive fraud. His presentation underscored the consequences of leadership failures and the enduring value of trust.

Drawing from his experience as a young employee at Theranos, Shultz walked attendees through the rise and unraveling of one of Silicon Valley’s most notorious corporate scandals, examining issues of corporate governance, business ethics and organizational culture tensions. His message resonated beyond the tech world, offering cautionary lessons for leaders navigating innovation, growth expectations and emerging technologies.

As enthusiasm around AI and automation continues to accelerate across industries, Shultz’s story served as a reminder that innovation absent accountability and ethical clarity can carry long‑term costs.

Repositioning Merch In The Marketing Mix

Later Wednesday, the conversation shifted from leadership caution to strategic opportunity during Making Merch Part Of The Marketing Mix, a fireside discussion moderated by PPAI Board Chair Danny Rosin and featuring Julie Schnidman, vice president of alliances at the American Marketing Association, and Cayce Myers, a public relations author, professor, thought leader and board member of the Public Relations Society of America.

The discussion explored how branded merchandise must evolve to earn a more intentional role within integrated marketing and PR strategies.

MORE | PPAI Strategic Plan: Reaffirming Mission To Elevate The Branded Merchandise Industry

“It’s a million‑dollar question,” Schnidman said, when asked how the industry can become more thoughtful and meaningful in marketing campaigns. “It really is about how you’re positioning merchandise to marketers. Are you just talking about your products and your solutions, or are you talking about the business impact and the values, and how it can function to extend and build your brand in a sticky way?”

Schnidman emphasized intentionality as both a theme of the conference and a differentiator for branded merchandise when positioned effectively.

“We live in this very fragmented social, online landscape,” Myers said. “There is, I think, a real desire for that interconnection and for that interpersonal connection…. There’s a lot of opportunities for things like AI in terms of research and audience segmentation and being able to understand what resonates with what group, and how do you reach these people and communicate?

“But there’s also, I think, a reverse side of that, where it is trying to return to some of these older practices that may be lost in the digital shuffle, where we want to come together, we want to have relationships, and we know that there’s value added in that.”

The session reinforced a recurring message throughout NALC: Moving merchandise from a tactical execution to a strategic asset requires clearer articulation of business impact, brand values and long‑term return.

From AI Theory To Real‑World Decisions

Across multiple sessions on Wednesday and into Thursday, speakers and panelists examined how innovation is reshaping workflows, organizational culture and leadership expectations throughout the industry.

Wednesday sessions pushed discussions beyond abstract AI theory toward practical decision‑making. The focus consistently returned to governance, clarity and alignment rather than adopting technology for its own sake.

Additional programming scheduled for Thursday addresses broader economic and operational pressures, including the state of the economy, PPAI’s forthcoming Global Economic Study conducted by Oxford Economics, and responsible supply chains. Executive‑level roundtable discussions and devoted networking time allow leaders to compare strategies.

While innovation featured prominently throughout the agenda, many conversations ultimately circled back to leadership itself, particularly how executives navigate uncertainty that increasingly feels structural rather than temporary.

“Global destabilization, I believe, is here to stay,” says Frank Carpenito, president and CEO of supplier Gemline, who is attending his first NALC. “I don’t think we’re suddenly going to have calmness around the world. I don’t think we’re going to have calmness in our supply chain. So, I think that’s a big task for everybody.”

I don’t think we’re suddenly going to have calmness around the world. I don’t think we’re going to have calmness in our supply chain. So, I think that’s a big task for everybody.”

Frank Carpenito

President & CEO, Gemline

Industry Support And Looking Ahead

Numerous industry companies contributed to the success of the 2026 North American Leadership Conference, supporting programming designed to challenge, connect and prepare leaders for the work ahead.

As sessions conclude Thursday, NALC once again reaffirmed its role as a space for industry leaders to engage honestly with complexity – not simply to react to change, but to shape the future of branded merchandise with trust, intention and shared responsibility.

Numerous industry companies contributed to the success of the week’s event. View the 2026 NALC sponsors.

Written by: Josh Ellis

Published with Permission from PPAI

S&S Activewear (PPAI 256121, Platinum), PPAI 100’s No. 2 supplier, has announced the launch of ApparelSoft IQ, a proprietary intelligence layer designed to anticipate customer demand, optimize inventory decisions and improve how the business operates at scale.

• An intelligence layer is the tier in your enterprise stack in which humans and agents collaborate to reason about, query and act on your data, according to Kyle Langham, an engineer-turned-data executive at DFINITY.

ApparelSoft IQ has been in production for more than six months, driving out-of-stock levels to the lowest in company history, S&S Activewear says.

The tool is focused on demand forecasting and inventory optimization – one of the most complex challenges in the business – while designed to expand intelligence and automation across the entire ApparelSoft platform over time.

Having deep and reliable inventory is the most fundamental thing we can do for our customers.”

Frank Myers

CEO, S&S Activewear

“Inventory planning has been near and dear to my heart since my first day at S&S,” says Frank Myers, CEO of S&S Activewear and a member of the PPAI Board of Directors. “It was the first project I worked on with our Chief Transformation Officer, Brian Beale, back in 2009. We believed then, and know now, that having deep and reliable inventory is the most fundamental thing we can do for our customers.

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“ApparelSoft IQ is a milestone in that journey and a testament to what happens when long-term commitment meets the tools of today.”

Anticipating Demand

Developed by S&S Activewear’s data science team, ApparelSoft IQ combines more than 35 years of the Bolingbrook, Illinois-based firm’s historical data with information from alphabroder, which was acquired in 2024.  

• By applying machine learning directly to this data, ApparelSoft IQ generates highly accurate purchasing recommendations and inventory positioning decisions, the firm says.

We’re not just reacting to demand; we’re anticipating it and positioning inventory ahead of it.”

Josh Clark

COO, S&S Activewear

ApparelSoft IQ is built into S&S Activewear’s proprietary ApparelSoft ERP platform, which powers its e-commerce experience, customer tools and distribution network. As a result, its insights translate directly into action across the supply chain, from vendor purchase orders to inventory transfers between distribution centers. The goal is to ensure faster response times, more efficient allocation and more consistent product availability.

RELATED: S&S Activewear: Into The Big Room

“This starts with a highly sophisticated forecasting system built specifically for the blank apparel industry,” says Josh Clark, COO at S&S Activewear. “We’re not just reacting to demand; we’re anticipating it and positioning inventory ahead of it. That allows our customers to operate with more confidence and less disruption.”

Written by: John Corrigan

Published with Permission from PPAI

The leading supplier in branded merchandise is getting even larger.

Late Monday, BELLA+CANVAS (PPAI 304892, Silver) announced it had entered a “definitive agreement” with SanMar (PPAI 110788, Platinum) that would see the Issaquah, Washington-based apparel giant take ownership of BELLA+CANVAS while preserving it as a distinct and independent brand.

PPAI Media has confirmed the announcement with sources close to SanMar.

Executive Vice-President Megan Spire will retain her leading role at BELLA+CANVAS.

Founded in 1992, BELLA+CANVAS has become known in the industry for its fashion-driven basics, such as T-shirts and hoodies. SanMar is the largest apparel supplier in branded merchandise, driving an estimated $4.1 billion in 2025 revenue. It has ranked No. 1 among PPAI 100 suppliers since the inception of the measurement of industry leaders in 2023.

“As the fashion leader in the industry, BELLA+CANVAS has earned the trust and respect it holds today,” says SanMar President and CEO Jeremy Lott. “Our commitment is simple: Give BELLA+CANVAS the focused ownership and resources it needs to keep doing what it does best and to deliver even more of what the market expects from this exceptional brand.”

Our commitment is simple: Give BELLA+CANVAS the focused ownership and resources it needs to keep doing what it does best and to deliver even more of what the market expects from this exceptional brand.”

Jeremy Lott

President & CEO, SanMar

Headquartered in Los Angeles where it bases its dye and cut operations, BELLA+CANVAS has two additional distribution facilities in Nevada and Maryland.

According to the announcement, BELLA+CANVAS will be “maintaining the creative autonomy and clear point of view that have always defined the brand.”

“BELLA+CANVAS has always operated with a simple conviction: The people who print, decorate and sell our products deserve the best blank apparel in the world,” Spire says. “That belief is not changing. With focused ownership and additional investment behind the brand, we will be able to bring more newness, more innovation and an even stronger commitment to the partners who make BELLA+CANVAS what it is while staying true to who we’ve always been. I have never been more excited to lead this brand.”

Megan Spire

Executive Vice President, BELLA+CANVAS

Departing the company in the change of ownership are Danny Harris and Marco DeGeorge, who co-founded BELLA+CANVAS as a garage screen printer in 1992. Their apparel empire also includes billion-dollar retail brand Alo Yoga.

Harris and DeGeorge cited the importance of finding the right owner for BELLA+CANVAS in an acquisition, mentioning SanMar’s family-owned structure.

• “SanMar believes deeply in this brand and is uniquely positioned to support its growth through inventory depth, service, and operational excellence. The BELLA+CANVAS legacy lives on, and I can’t wait to see what comes next,” Harris says.
• DeGeorge says: “We know SanMar will be exceptional stewards of the brand and of the BELLA+CANVAS team who continues to shape it today.”

While BELLA+CANVAS has maintained privacy over its blank and decorated apparel revenue, the company is among the largest sources of wearables in the industry. As recently as 2023, it employed more than 700 people across its facilities and boasted nearly 1.5 million square feet of operations.

Written by: Josh Ellis

Published with Permission from PPAI

Fully Promoted (PPAI 240143, Gold), PPAI 100’s No. 51 distributor, has named Walter Miska as its new brand president, effective immediately.

Miska, a former Fully Promoted franchise owner and regional vice president, succeeds Andrew Titus – the youngest son of founder Ray Titus.

• A 2024 PPAI Rising Star, Andrew was appointed president in late 2022 and led the brand through a significant growth period that included its 25th year in business.

“We’re super excited to welcome Walter back to the Fully Promoted family,” Andrew says. “As we made this decision, we ultimately wanted someone who has a proven track record of business ownership experience and can take the momentum we’ve built to the next level. I couldn’t be more confident in Walter, and I’m excited about the brand’s trajectory as we continue investing in the resources and people needed to grow it further.”

Andrew will fully transition into his role as president of United Franchise Group – parent company of the West Palm Beach, Florida-based distributor – a position he was appointed to in January as part of an executive realignment at the company. 

I’m excited about the brand’s trajectory as we continue investing in the resources and people needed to grow it further.”

Andrew Titus

President, United Franchise Group

He will remain involved in the growth of Fully Promoted, particularly focused on strategic acquisitions and partnerships in the branded merchandise industry, as Miska’s direct report.

Miska’s Background

Miska became a Fully Promoted franchise owner in 2005 and grew his location into one of the top-performing businesses in the system, earning induction into the company’s hall of fame, its President’s Award and the Extraordinary Mentor Award. 

He later served as regional vice president of United Franchise Group. Most recently, he helped build a franchise in the culinary staffing industry, adding to a career that also includes launching and growing several businesses as an entrepreneur. 

ICYMI: Fully Promoted Expands Global Network Into India

“We’re thrilled to have Walter back in the UFG family,” says Ray Titus, chairman and CEO of UFG. “Andrew will remain involved with Fully Promoted as he oversees the growth strategies for all our UFG brands, and he and Walter have built a strong working relationship over the years. We’re confident this will be a smooth and natural transition, and we’re more excited than ever about the future of Fully Promoted.”

Fully Promoted is an outstanding brand that has continued to thrive in recent years.”

Walter Miska

President, Fully Promoted

Miska says it’s an honor to be appointed president of Fully Promoted, a brand he’s deeply passionate about and that has played such an important role in his career.

“Fully Promoted is an outstanding brand that has continued to thrive in recent years – a direct reflection of Andrew’s innovative and strategic leadership, the team he has built and the dedication of our franchise owners; many of whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years,” Miska adds. “I’m looking forward to reconnecting with many of them and learning more about what’s working well across the brand today.”

Written by: John Corrigan

Published with Permission from PPAI

Norman Cohn, the longtime leader of Advertising Specialty Institute and one of the most consequential figures in the history of the branded merchandise industry, died Friday at the age of 93, ASI has announced.

Norman Cohn

For more than seven decades, Cohn’s career traced – and in many ways defined – the evolution of the branded merch marketplace. From his earliest days as a teenage distributor selling holiday gifts to his tenure guiding ASI into the digital era, Cohn’s influence reached virtually every corner of the industry.

His passing marks not only the loss of a business services leader, but of a figure whose vision, competitive drive and ethos helped shape the relationship between distributors, suppliers and service providers.

Industry leaders, including from PPAI, have begun to share their remembrances.

“Norm Cohn was the patriarch of the advertising specialties, promotional products, swag and branded merch industry,” says Danny Rosin, CAS, PPAI Board Chair and co-owner of North Carolina-based distributor Brand Fuel. “He and the Cohn family helped build a foundation for our industry. He was a gentleman, statesman and entrepreneur.

He and the Cohn family helped build a foundation for our industry. He was a gentleman, statesman and entrepreneur.

Danny Rosin, CAS

PPAI Board Chair

“He will be missed, and yet his legacy will live on through the many people and companies who adored and respected him.”

Drew Holmgreen, CAS, PPAI president and CEO, called Cohn “a titan.”

“I had the privilege of spending time with him on several occasions, albeit briefly,” Holmgreen says. “And in those conversations, he was generous with his perspective and his advice. I’m thankful for the guidance he shared with me. He truly was a godfather to the modern branded merchandise industry, and his influence will be felt for generations to come. All of us at PPAI and throughout the market are grateful for his service to the industry, and share our heartfelt support for his family and the entire ASI team.”

All of us at PPAI and throughout the market are grateful for his service to the industry, and share our heartfelt support for his family and the entire ASI team.”

Drew Holmgreen, CAS

PPAI President & CEO

A Monumental Leader

Cohn entered the merch business while still in high school, an origin story that has become part of industry lore. What began with assembling and selling food gift packages soon expanded into a family enterprise before pivoting toward media and services.

In 1962, Cohn and his father acquired ASI from founder Joseph Segel, a move that would ultimately position him at the center of the industry’s infrastructure. Five years later, he was named chairman. He would hold this role, in various forms, for the rest of his life.

During that time, the industry expanded from a niche business measured in tens or hundreds of millions to a multi-billion-dollar global marketplace. By the time Cohn received ASI’s Counselor Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023, the industry had grown roughly 50-fold over the course of his career.

READ MORE: Promo Congratulates Norman Cohn On Lifetime Achievement Award

Colleagues frequently pointed to the market’s growth as inseparable from Cohn’s work. “No single person has played a more significant role in our mutual success,” said Gene Geiger, Board Chair of Maine-headquartered distributor Geiger, when presenting the award.

Building The Business

Cohn’s legacy is perhaps most visible in the systems and platforms that underpin the industry today. Under his leadership, ASI introduced innovations that helped modernize how business was conducted – from early demonstrations of fax technology to the development of computerized business systems and digital product search tools now ubiquitous to the industry.

Yet even as he championed technology, Cohn remained a steadfast advocate for the industry’s human dimension. He consistently emphasized that merch is, at its core, a relationship-driven business.

READ MORE: ASI Names New CEO With Background In Technology Platforms

That dual focus, on innovation paired with interpersonal connection, became a defining characteristic of his leadership style.

Yet across that competitive dynamic, there was broad consensus about his impact. Industry leaders routinely described him as both a fierce competitor and a generous collaborator, someone capable of driving his organization forward while maintaining a long-term view of what was best for the industry as a whole.

A Legacy Of Humanity

If Cohn’s professional accomplishments are widely known, it is his personal qualities that colleagues may remember most fondly.

Stories of quiet generosity, from mentoring executives to recognizing employees in deeply personal ways, became part of his reputation. That approach extended beyond business into civic and philanthropic work, where Cohn and his family supported a wide range of causes, from education and cultural institutions to health research and community relief efforts.

As a father, he and his wife of 61 years, Suzanne, brought children Matthew Cohn and Stephanie Cohn Schaeffer into the fold at ASI. The two were named co-chairs of the company in March.

“He always said, ‘The best is yet to come,’ and he made you believe it,” Cohn Schaeffer commented in ASI’s Saturday announcement of the passing. “I carry that forward as I continue his legacy – taking care of our customers and employees and helping them grow and succeed – determined to always make him proud and to make those words true.”

Written By: Josh Ellis

Published with Permission from PPAI

Almost 60 industry volunteers joined PPAI staff in our nation’s capital this week to ask for a clear and predictable trade policy and to educate lawmakers on how our global supply chain supports hundreds of thousands of American jobs.

Each year, a dedicated group of industry professionals travels to the nation’s capital to advocate for the needs and interests of the branded merchandise industry. PPAI revamped and intensified its advocacy efforts in 2025, with a new lobbying partner in Washington, new guidance for advocacy at the regional association level and much more.

ICYMI: PPAI Advocacy Report Card: Expanded & Intensified Efforts In 2025

“LEAD is a critical annual moment for PPAI because it elevates our medium through advocacy on Capitol Hill, amplifying our collective voice and showcasing an industry that powers lasting connections, supports jobs and strengthens communities,” said Drew Holmgreen, PPAI president & CEO.

• LEAD 2026, on April 21, took place less than three months after our first-ever LEAD ECHO, or Executive Capitol Hill Outreach, where a small cohort of PPAI 100 executives met with federal agency leadership and key members of Congress in February.

“The thing that impressed me a lot was some of the people we met with today remembered us and some of the things we talked about last year, and they asked us about them, which tells me our messages are resonating,” said Joe Michmershuizen, owner of Promotions By Design.

LEAD is a critical annual moment for PPAI because it elevates our medium through advocacy on Capitol Hill.”

Drew Holmgreen

PPAI President & CEO

Our Messages

A crucial part of the annual Legislative Education and Action Day, better known as LEAD, is explaining who we are and our economic impact in the U.S. This year was no different, as LEAD attendees helped lawmakers understand that although most promo products are imported, the value is largely created in the U.S. – by American workers – through design, decoration, customization and more.

“As a first-time LEAD participant, what stood out to me is how important it is to bring real business stories into these conversations,” said Brenda Speirs, founder & CEO of Buzztag. “Policy decisions aren’t abstract. They directly impact how we plan, price and grow. Being here gives our industry a voice, and that matters. I encourage everyone to participate when they have the opportunity.”

Members also urged lawmakers to oppose efforts to restrict federal agencies to purchasing only products made in the USA. Such efforts are based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the critical role of American workers in the branded merchandise industry – but a prohibition also would restrict the choices available to federal buyers, as many of the most popular blank products buyers want are not made in the U.S., such as double-wall stainless steel drinkware.

“This year’s LEAD was exceptionally well executed and deeply impactful, bringing together experienced advocates and new voices in a way that strengthened our entire community,” said says Kara Keister, MAS, head of GOOD for Social Good Promotions and PPAI Regional Relations Committee board liaison. “The depth of preparation, real‑time engagement and collaboration on display made this one of the most meaningful LEAD events yet and a powerful representation of our industry.” 

Capitol Hill conversations also focused on asking for clear, deliberative and predictable trade policy, such as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement that’s up for review this summer, and the African Growth & Opportunity Act, which expired Sept. 30, 2025, but was renewed retroactively on Feb. 3 through the end of this year.

Policy decisions aren’t abstract. They directly impact how we plan, price and grow. Being here gives our industry a voice, and that matters.”

Brenda Speirs

Founder & CEO, Buzztag

Members shared how tariffs and the uncertainty caused by rapid changes have affected their businesses over the past year. Many noted pricing challenges and reduced revenue from absorbing increased costs, as well as import delays and deferred hiring.

• Our most recent member survey found that more than half of PPAI 100 distributors and suppliers experienced cost increases in 2025 due to tariffs.
• Tariff relief under USMCA for goods from Canada and Mexico provided important pricing stability for many American businesses in 2025.

“What an incredible day of advocacy, connection and impact!” said Mark Gammon, vice president of national accounts and buying groups at PCNA and a PPAI Board member. There’s nothing quite like seeing our industry show up in force, sharing our story, championing the power of promotional products and making sure the voices of our businesses are heard on Capitol Hill.”

Gammon added that he felt energized after the conversations with lawmakers: “I think we had more receptive ears this year. Last year, everybody was nervous about tariffs, but today it was a very open conversation on both sides.”

Renewal of AGOA was an important win for PPAI, and we continue to ask for a longer-term renewal, which would provide important stability and predictability for American businesses with ties to the continent. Members also asked lawmakers to encourage stability as a top priority during the scheduled joint review of USMCA and to pursue renewal of the agreement with minimal changes.

“It’s an honor to be remembered in these meetings, and especially meaningful when congressional staffers reference past challenges we’ve raised and ask how policy changes have impacted us since,” said Mark Shinn, MAS, a former regional association president and longtime attendee who was at the first PPAI LEAD in 2010.

There’s nothing quite like seeing our industry show up in force, sharing our story, championing the power of promotional products and making sure the voices of our businesses are heard on Capitol Hill.”

Mark Gammon

PCNA VP of National Accounts & Buying Groups and PPAI Board Member.

What’s Next?

LEAD is a critical part of our advocacy efforts, which are a marathon, not a sprint. An upcoming PPAI Media webinar at noon Central on April 30 will provide a comprehensive recap of the event with a clear view of how the branded merchandise industry is represented on Capitol Hill – and how you can help.

Mark Your Calendar: Webinar Recaps PPAI Legislative Concerns & How You Can Help

Attendees will hear directly from PPAI advocacy leaders, along with our lobbying partners in Washington and LEAD volunteers who took part in meetings with elected officials. Here’s a sneak peek:

“This is the best LEAD I’ve attended,” said Bill Petrie, founder & creative director of brandivate and longtime LEAD attendee who’ll be sharing more in our webinar. “Representatives and senators from both sides of the aisle made it clear that not only do they appreciate the efficacy and value of our medium, but that they understand the challenges we face – especially those of the 98% of us who work for or own small businesses. PPAI and our lobbying partners at Thorn Run did a truly phenomenal job of preparing us to ensure that our message was clear, united and powerful.”

Written by: Rachel Zoch, CAS

Published with permission from PPAI

Fully Promoted (PPAI 240143, Gold), PPAI 100’s No. 51 distributor, has named Walter Miska as its new brand president, effective immediately.

Miska, a former Fully Promoted franchise owner and regional vice president, succeeds Andrew Titus – the youngest son of founder Ray Titus.

• A 2024 PPAI Rising Star, Andrew was appointed president in late 2022 and led the brand through a significant growth period that included its 25th year in business.

“We’re super excited to welcome Walter back to the Fully Promoted family,” Andrew says. “As we made this decision, we ultimately wanted someone who has a proven track record of business ownership experience and can take the momentum we’ve built to the next level. I couldn’t be more confident in Walter, and I’m excited about the brand’s trajectory as we continue investing in the resources and people needed to grow it further.”

Andrew will fully transition into his role as president of United Franchise Group – parent company of the West Palm Beach, Florida-based distributor – a position he was appointed to in January as part of an executive realignment at the company. 

I’m excited about the brand’s trajectory as we continue investing in the resources and people needed to grow it further.”

Andrew Titus

President, United Franchise Group

He will remain involved in the growth of Fully Promoted, particularly focused on strategic acquisitions and partnerships in the branded merchandise industry, as Miska’s direct report.

Miska’s Background

Miska became a Fully Promoted franchise owner in 2005 and grew his location into one of the top-performing businesses in the system, earning induction into the company’s hall of fame, its President’s Award and the Extraordinary Mentor Award. 

He later served as regional vice president of United Franchise Group. Most recently, he helped build a franchise in the culinary staffing industry, adding to a career that also includes launching and growing several businesses as an entrepreneur. 

ICYMI: Fully Promoted Expands Global Network Into India

“We’re thrilled to have Walter back in the UFG family,” says Ray Titus, chairman and CEO of UFG. “Andrew will remain involved with Fully Promoted as he oversees the growth strategies for all our UFG brands, and he and Walter have built a strong working relationship over the years. We’re confident this will be a smooth and natural transition, and we’re more excited than ever about the future of Fully Promoted.”

Fully Promoted is an outstanding brand that has continued to thrive in recent years.”

Walter Miska

President, Fully Promoted

Miska says it’s an honor to be appointed president of Fully Promoted, a brand he’s deeply passionate about and that has played such an important role in his career.

“Fully Promoted is an outstanding brand that has continued to thrive in recent years – a direct reflection of Andrew’s innovative and strategic leadership, the team he has built and the dedication of our franchise owners; many of whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years,” Miska adds. “I’m looking forward to reconnecting with many of them and learning more about what’s working well across the brand today.”

Written by: John Corrigan

Published with Permission from PPAI

Arch Promo Group (PPAI 820951, Silver), PPAI 100’s No. 28 supplier, has announced that Steve Ehlert, national general manager, is stepping down to focus on personal priorities, with plans to reengage professionally in the coming months.

Jason Saghir, COO of Confluent Holdings, Arch Promo Group’s parent company, will assume the role of national general manager.

“Saghir brings extensive operational experience and a strong track record of driving growth and organizational excellence. His leadership will ensure continuity and support the company’s strategic direction,” the company said in a statement.

Steve has played a pivotal role in shaping Arch Promo Group… We’re grateful for his leadership and wish him the very best.”

Jason Saghir

COO, Confluent Holdings & Incoming National General Manager, Arch Promo Group

Additionally, Scott Anderson, vice president of sales and marketing at Arch Promo Group, will assume expanded responsibility for all sales and industry functions.

“Steve has played a pivotal role in shaping Arch Promo Group,” Saghir says. “He was instrumental in growing Arch from one location to seven, completing eight acquisitions, expanding the product line and geographic footprint, and leading the company to its current position as No. 28 on the PPAI 100. We’re grateful for his leadership and wish him the very best.”

Ehlert’s Impact

A 30-year veteran of the branded merchandise industry, Ehlert began his promo career as general manager of Texas-based supplier Ennis. In 2018, he became GM of Gemini Industries, which was acquired by Arch Promo Group two years prior.

In 2022, he was named GM of Arch Promo Group. During the 2021-2024 timeframe, in which the St. Louis-based firm achieved a 416% growth rate, Arch Promo Group acquired HOWW Manufacturing Company, Drum-Line and StrombergBrand Umbrellas, among other companies.

“Our goal is to acquire successful companies, remove their headaches and stay out of their way,” Ehlert told PPAI Media in August.

Written by: John Corrigan

Published with Permission from PPAI

HALO (PPAI 106462, Platinum), PPAI 100’s No. 2 distributor, has announced the appointments of Erin DeCesare as chief product and technology officer, Ameed Mallick as executive vice president of the seller platform and Michael Snyder as vice president of uniforms.

DeCesare joined HALO in January. She brings extensive experience leading product and technology organizations through periods of scale and transformation. Most recently, she helped evolve the marketplace platform at ezCater and previously held leadership roles at Vistaprint.

“Erin joins us at a pivotal moment,” says Jim Hilt, CEO of HALO. “Her ability to connect strategy to execution will help us accelerate our transformation and build capabilities that scale.”

Mallick joined the Sterling, Illinois-based company on March 30. He brings experience building and scaling marketplace platforms, including leadership roles at Instacart and Angi.

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“The seller platform is foundational to providing accessible, scalable and adaptable solutions for our customers,” Hilt says. “Ameed brings the experience to turn that vision into reality.”

Snyder joined HALO on March 25. He brings more than three decades of leadership experience in apparel and uniforms, with expertise across product design, sourcing, go-to-market strategy, sales and category expansion.

“Uniforms are a foundational way our clients express their brands in the real world,” Hilt says. “Michael’s experience will equip our team to turn this offering into a true growth engine.”

Written by: John Corrigan

Published with Permission from PPAI

“Adding Caylan to the BamBams Sales team is an exciting moment for the present & future of BamBams. We are making an investment into the Texas market, where Caylan will drive Texas sales into our Sealy TX facility. This market represents significant upside for BamBams and adding Caylan to the BamBams team will only help to foster this growth more quickly!” Statement from Rustin Luedtke, VP of Strategic Development at BamBams.

Living in the Houston area, Caylan is an industry veteran with previous experience at both Hirsch and Sunjoy. Her primary role will be as a Texas specific sales representative that will help to support both the AE and CSR teams in growing the BamBams sales footprint in her territory. Caylan will be our “Boots on the Street” for BamBams and will be participating in sales meetings and networking events that are specific to HPPA and PPAS, as well as attending client specific meetings throughout 2026.

Welcome to the #BamFam Caylan!!