Initiatives

Digital Transformation

Modern technology and processes uplift the promotional products industry through an improved customer experience. PPAI is advancing order efficiency and fostering data-driven decisions.

What Is Digital Transformation?

A constant need in modern competitive business, digital transformation in branded merchandise is the effort to improve IT systems and practices to improve order efficiency, foster data-driven decision making and digitize operations. Promo Data eXchange (PDX) is a core component of PPAI's effort, but security, technology integration and compliance are also vital to the market's evolution.

The Technology Revolution In Promotional Products

Turning digital transformation from jargon to actionable methods, processes and results is a front-facing mission for PPAI.

While distributors and suppliers work to make strides of their own, the Association is working with suppliers, distributors and tech-focused business services firms to facilitate the necessary advancements.

Digital transformation also better prepares promo to face some of the most common challenges in business today, including a broad range of security threats, the need to streamline customer experience and stay on the right side of compliance standards.

The Latest Innovation News

Innovation

What Happens When AI Exposes Pricing Secrets Of The Branded Merch Industry?

It started with a simple Google search. Out of curiosity, a distributor typed the letter codes from a supplier’s catalog into a search engine. In the branded merchandise industry, those letters have long served as shorthand for distributor pricing – information not intended for end buyers. But this time, artificial intelligence delivered the answer instantly. […]

Experts , Innovation

Varshal Thakor: Why Merch Firms Must Design Their Operations As Intentionally As Their Brand

The branded merchandise industry has always understood the power of great design. The perfect logo placement. A carefully chosen color palette. Premium packaging. A retail-inspired presentation that creates an emotional connection. Distributors and suppliers invest enormous time and creativity helping clients build memorable brands because they know great design influences perception, builds trust and drives […]

Innovation

Facilisgroup Announces New Head Of AI At Supplier Showcase

Facilisgroup (PPAI 493664, Gold), a technology-based business service provider, shared a few updates about its Syncore promo platform with attendees of its annual Supplier Showcase. Among the announcements were new products and capabilities within the realms of compliance and products search. But arguably stealing the spotlight was the focus on AI and its relation to […]

Industry News , Innovation

Association Search Tool Relaunches To Identify Local Incentive Merch Brands

Incentive Merchandise To Reward & Appreciate (IMRA) has announced the relaunched version of its IMRA Brand Search tool. The tool is intended to help companies explore their local incentive merchandise brands while filtering their search by product category. The search tool can be accessed and experienced for free here. Enhance Reps’ Participation Experience If IMRA […]

Digital Transformation Solutions

PPAI-member business services firms offer solutions to support and simplify industry companies' processes. The PPAI Solutions Center features vetted and verified industry partners and information to address the promo's varied technology needs.

Image of businessmen discussing data in touchpad at meeting

Promo Data eXchange (PDX) is the centerpiece of PPAI's digital transformation efforts for the promo industry. This widely adopted interface connects businesses to the greater promotional products digital landscape.

While also supporting PromoStandards, another collaborative industry effort toward integration, PPAI created PDX with the goal of serving a larger share of industry companies with simplified setup. Today, more than 45,000 distributor associates receive product updates automatically every day. PDX-integrated businesses save on costs while eliminating unnecessary phone calls and emails.

If your business is behind on B2B integration or needs to improve efficiency and cost savings, take the next step and learn how PDX can work with your existing software and IT ecosystem.

There is no fee to use PDX for distributors or suppliers.
Free technical implementation support is provided to all PPAI members using SAGE, PPAI's official technology partner.
PPAI leverages PDX through a full-featured API to communicate inventory levels and order status directly to users in SAGE.
Most integrated organizations experience a quick and painless integration process.

PDX And SAGE

PPAI has collaborated with SAGE – the official technology partner of the Association – to make PDX more accessible. Via SAGE's applications and through PDX's integration of real-time updates on inventory levels and order status in supplier systems, users can perform a single integration to access data from every participating PDX vendor.

This integration is possible through SAGE Connect.

Accessibility of crucial data is a step forward in eliminating industry friction. By providing real-time updates on inventory levels and order status, PDX, in conjunction with SAGE Connect, streamlines operations for distributors and business service providers

PDX Adoptees

Hundreds of promotional products firms use PDX to meet inventory and order status communication needs.

Companies Using PDX

The PPAI Technology Committee

The digital transformation of the promotional products industry can't happen without the insights, expertise and advice of those who work within the field. PPAI's initiative has been developed hand-in-hand with a volunteer group of promo technology experts and business leaders to ensure it effectively meets the needs of the wider industry community.

Chris Alfano

Chief Digital Officer at Vantage Apparel

Chris Alfano

Matthew Price

Chief Information Officer at Gold Bond

Matthew Price

Ben Townes

Director of Systems and Operations, Shepenco

Ben Townes

Ben Townes is a 4th generation pencil pusher at Shelbyville Pencil Company (SHEPENCO). As Director of Systems and Operations, Ben designs, implements, and manages custom solutions to assist our niche in promotional products. His main responsibilities include managing our tech infrastructure and ensuring data integrity across the business. Ben's focus is building automation and integrations that let a fourth-generation family company operate at modern speed.

Charles Wilson

Owner, Absolute Printing Solutions

Charles Wilson

Dawn LaPrell

Director of Business Transformation & PMO, Geiger

Dawn LaPrell

Eric Granata, CAS

Eric Granata has spent his career helping promo businesses simplify their systems and get more done with less hassle. With a background that spans e-commerce, design, automation, and digital strategy, he brings a practical, real-world perspective to using technology in the promotional products industry. Eric previously served as CTO at Brand Fuel and got his start as Director of E-Commerce at ROBYN Promotions, giving him firsthand insight into the challenges distributors face every day. As the industry's "Zapier guy", Eric is passionate about making no-code tools and automation accessible to businesses of all sizes. His approach is rooted in a sincere desire to help people reclaim their time, reduce friction, and build businesses they're proud of. Whether it's streamlining back-office workflows or scaling up without burnout, Eric's goal is to help promo pros use technology to get closer to the work (and life) they really want.

Lisa Hubbard

Lisa Hubbard, VP of Sales and Marketing, Vernon Company

Lisa Hubbard

Lisa Hubbard is a dynamic sales and marketing leader with more than 20 years of experience driving growth, innovation, and digital transformation across the branded merchandise, safety, and logistics industries. As Vice President of Sales & Marketing at The Vernon Company, she leads strategic initiatives focused on modernizing the customer experience, expanding digital capabilities, and empowering sales organizations to thrive in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

Michael LaPlante

Vice President of Technology, Proforma

Michael LaPlante

I am a senior engineering executive with over two decades of experience building software, leading technology teams, and growing organizational capability from the ground up. Currently, I serve as SVP of Information Security and Operations at Proforma, the largest family-owned and operated technology and business success leader in the print and promotional products industry. In this role, I’m responsible for building and scaling the Proforma Network’s security and compliance division—establishing the people, processes, and systems needed to protect the organization at an enterprise scale. I also support our Distributor Owner Network by providing security tools and processes that help them secure competitive RFPs. My background spans both sides of the technology equation: I have spent my career designing and configuring software systems while simultaneously developing engineering leaders and cross-functional structures that sustain them. I believe that durable technology outcomes require both technical rigor and intentional design. Beyond Proforma, I serve on advisory boards at Full Sail University and Keiser University, providing industry insights to shape curricula for web development, mobile, and cybersecurity programs.

Tyler Merriam

Co-Owner, Cedarhue Branding

Tyler Merriam

Tyler Merriam is a Managing Partner at Cedarhue Branding, an agency distributor focused on sustainability and purpose-driven branded merchandise. He brings a strong interest in technology adoption, workflow automation, and AI integration to the PPAI Technology Committee. Outside of work, Tyler enjoys exploring the great outdoors and adventure travel with friends and family.

Jarod Thorndike

VP of Business Development, SAGE

Jarod Thorndike

Jeison Ortega

Committee Chair, Charles River Apparel

Jeison Ortega

Tony Wavering

President, Promo Hunt

Tony Wavering

John Twist

Director, Information Technology

John Twist

John Twist, MBA, PMP, Six Sigma Black Belt, joined as PPAI’s Director of Information Technology in 2025, bringing more than 20 years of leadership across project management, ERP modernization, business intelligence, and operational excellence. An Air Force veteran and former CIO, he has a track record of stabilizing complex environments, simplifying system architectures, and aligning technology strategy with organizational goals. His experience spans cloud platforms, data and analytics, AI-enabled workflows, and integrated business systems, with a consistent focus on reliability, security, and measurable impact. John’s leadership style is grounded in transparency, accountability, and service, building high-performing teams, strengthening cross-department partnerships, and making technology approachable for non-technical stakeholders. Away from the office, he is a published musician, world traveler, and adventurer, passions that shape his perspective on creativity, culture, and human connection in the way he leads and builds solutions.

Kate Alavez

Board Liaison, President PromoShop

Kate Alavez

Kate Alavez is President of PromoShop, Inc., where she leads organizational change and transformation with a focus on people, technology, and sustainable practices - building cultures where teams can do their best work. A two-time Counselor Power 50 honoree and 2024 PromoStandards Distributor Person of the Year, Kate serves on the PPAI Board of Directors and holds an MBA from CSU Monterey Bay. Outside of work, she serves as a Service Unit Manager for Girl Scouts of Los Angeles, supporting 195+ girls and 40+ leaders, runs an industry book club focused on closing the access gap, and through Our Big Kitchen LA has helped provide thousands of meals to those experiencing food insecurity in 2026.

Ashley Colautti, MAS

VP of Sales, Spector & CO.

Ashley Colautti, MAS

Ashley Colautti, MAS, VP of Sales for Spector & CO., has been in the industry for nearly 20 years. She is the current Chair of PromoKitchen, an industry not for profit that promotes education and mentorship. Ashley volunteers on the PPAI Professional Development and Certification Committee and is the past event chair of Brand Chain.

See All Committee Members