Toronto-based commonsku (PPAI 552077) recently hosted its annual skucamp conference in Nashville.

  • commonsku is a cloud-based CRM, order management and social collaboration platform tailored to the promotional products industry.

There were various presentations during the three-day business boot camp, including:

  • Best-selling author Lia Garvin, who has led teams across Google, Microsoft, Apple and Bank of America, sharing how to build “Unstoppable Teams.”
  • Andrea Kramer, president of Ohio-based distributor City Apparel+Merch, spoke on building a purpose driven culture.
  • Michael Wolaver, founder of Wisconsin-based distributor Magellan Promotions, shared how he has built a high-retention business by building a great place to work.
  • Dominique Volker, vice president of sales at remote distributorship Whitestone, demonstrated how to create a high-performing team.
  • Ryan Paules, chief swag officer at Los Angeles-based distributor Radar Promotions, shared how to create a compensation plan to crush your goals.

Plus, commonsku CEO Catherine Graham interviewed Dan Pantano, president and CEO of alphabroder, about PPAI 100’s No. 5 supplier S&S Activewear’s acquisition of the No. 2 supplier in the PPAI 100.

Transparency in the supply chain was the primary topic of a panel hosted by Elizabeth Wimbush, PPAI’s director of sustainability and responsibility, hosted a panel about transparency in the supply chain and Clive Goldberg, president at PPAI 100’s No. 14 supplier Logomark, and Rob Spector, president at PPAI 100’s No. 35 supplier Spector & Co., took part in a CEO panel.

“We were thrilled that nearly half the attendees this year were brand new to skucamp,” says Mark Graham, commonsku’s president and chief brand officer. “It’s always an honor to facilitate an experience that inspires both the experienced pro and the starting professional to reach further and aim higher. This year, with the focus on team building and team sales, we were all challenged to push beyond our comfort zone. We’re excited to see what this year’s attendees will do as they return home and focus on growing their businesses!”