In the 2026 PPAI 100, 35 suppliers earned High Marks for Professional Development, signaling that the best branded merchandise companies encourage their teams to continue to grow through industry-specific courses and engagement.
- Scoring for this category includes the total number of CAS, MAS and MAS+ certified employees on each company’s roster, with added credit given for the more advanced certificates.
“At Goldstar, professional development is a priority because we believe our people are our greatest strength,” says Heather Smartt, global head of Goldstar, PPAI 100’s No. 8 supplier.
“The growth of our business is directly connected to the advancement of our team, so we are committed to creating an environment where employees feel supported both personally and within their roles.”
Putting In The Work
Many of the PPAI 100 suppliers who earned High Marks in Professional Development support continuous learning through a variety of resources and programs.
Goldstar offers leadership development initiatives such as its GROW program, which helps cultivate people-first leaders across the organization. The San Diego-based firm also provides employees with access to tools like LinkedIn Learning, industry-specific education such as PPAI Advance courses and a dedicated budget for external training.
Heather Smartt
Global Head, Goldstar
Beyond formal learning, employees benefit from mentoring with senior managers and leadership, Smartt says. “We want our team members to feel empowered to invest in themselves, knowing they have the support of the company behind them,” she says.
Pop! Promos, PPAI 100’s No. 39 supplier, relies upon a framework called “MILE: Mentoring, Industry Involvement, Leadership Development and Education,” which are four paths to grow people with intention rather than hoping the right experiences find them.
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“We’ve been honest that individual performance and leadership readiness aren’t the same thing,” says Kristine Eng, CAS, director of marketing at Pop! Promos. “Somebody can be an exceptional contributor, a top performer and a person their team trusts completely and yet still need real preparation before stepping into a management role.
“The skills that make someone great at their job aren’t automatically the skills that make them a great leader. We’ve built our development programming around that distinction. We don’t promote people into management and then figure it out. We prepare them first.”
Kristine Eng, CAS
Director of Marketing, Pop! Promos
The Philadelphia-based company also actively encourages its team to engage with mentors through PromoKitchen, as well as from outside the branded merchandise industry.
That commitment to growth shows up in how Pop! Promos approaches industry involvement, too, as the firm has begun participating in PPAI’s Women’s Leadership Conference, Leadership Development Conference and other events.
“We want our people connected to peers, ideas and conversations that make them sharper, not just as employees but as leaders,” Eng says.
Growing From Within
Internal growth is a priority for many of these PPAI 100 suppliers, and professional development plays a key role in that.
“We’re invested in our people, and we prefer to promote from within whenever possible,” says Jeffrey Trinh, MAS, head of growth at OTTO International, PPAI 100’s No. 22 supplier.
OTTO’s employees are encouraged to learn beyond their day-to-day roles, across different functions like operations, sales, customer service, etc. The Canadian firm also takes great pride in its highly collaborative work culture, which makes cross-functional communication and especially professional learning between team members seamless, Trinh says.
Jeffrey Trinh, MAS
Head of Growth, OTTO International
“Professional development isn’t just about building skills – it’s also about building curiosity and versatility,” he adds. “We believe our employees perform best when they understand how their work connects to the bigger picture. Our managers and employees are highly engaged in the business as a whole, and that hands-on, growth mindset is rare in a company of our size in this industry.”
BAG MAKERS, PPAI 100’s No. 32 supplier, also promotes cross-training across its production and office teams to support employee growth and long-term career development.
- Nearly 90% of its management team began their careers in entry-level roles at the Illinois-based company, according to HR Director Gina Willard.
“We also offer flexible scheduling options for employees who are pursuing further education, reinforcing our belief in investing in our people and their future,” Willard says.
Gina Willard
HR Director, BAG MAKERS
Eng points to Pop! Promos’ track record of promoting from within, citing Clare Thompson joining in a sales support role before being promoted to director of client success and Sarah Smith ascending from account executive to director of strategic accounts.
“Those aren’t lucky outcomes,” Eng says. “They’re what happens when you invest early, give people room to become what they’re capable of and let their authenticity and ambition drive results.”
“Ask your developing leaders to walk a mile in their own shoes,” adds Jay Dilley, CEO of Pop! Promos. “Authentic leadership starts with comfort in who they are, not by imitating someone else.”
Jodie Schillinger, MAS
EVP, Maple Ridge Farms
Maple Ridge Farms, PPAI 100’s No. 69 supplier, is currently investing in educating its workforce on AI literacy and application training.
“As we prepare for the future, we’re grounded in what makes Maple Ridge Farms strong – our people, our culture and our commitment to learning,” says Jodie Schillinger, MAS, executive vice president of Maple Ridge Farms, PPAI 100’s No. 69 supplier.
“Bringing new tools into our workflow isn’t about replacing the human side of our craft; it’s about amplifying it. When technology strengthens our ability to connect, create and serve, we build adaptable, empowered teams who can carry our legacy forward. When our people grow, our company grows – and so does our community.”
