UPDATE: The Affected Promo Companies section has been continuously updated since Thursday morning. Check each firm’s social media accounts, as they may be providing real time updates about their status.

Los Angeles continues to contend with massive wildfires that have been spreading across parts of the city, due in large part to historically dry January conditions in the area. Buildings and homes have been turned to ash, multiple people have died, and tens of thousands of people have been evacuated.

As of Thursday morning, there were four primary fire areas around the city, but the smoke of fires there and elsewhere spread far due to hurricane-level winds, which has worsened air quality. On Wednesday morning, there were more than 300,000 power outages reported in the LA area with electricity issues being a factor, likely through the week.

Much of the promo community is directly or indirectly – through friends, family or acquaintances – impacted by the danger, practical inconvenience or ongoing fear caused by the LA wildfires. Our own director of sustainability, Elizabeth Wimbush, resides in the LA area. Wednesday morning before heading to Las Vegas for The PPAI Expo 2025, she reported that she and her family are out of imminent danger.

Affected Promo Companies

PPAI Media has been in contact with several promo professionals and businesses in or near the affected area. *If you are a promo firm in or near LA and would like to provide an update on the status of your business, please contact JonnyA@PPAI.org.*

We have employees that have been affected due to the fires and are asking for patience and understanding at this time as we as well as everyone else are working thru this trying time.”

Terry Hilpert

Western Region Territory Manager, Cosmo Promos

Cosmo Promos lost access to electricity in the offset of the disaster, but as of Thursday afternoon, had resumed operations. “Cosmo Promos is currently up and running today after a day and a half without power,” says Terry Hilpert, Western region territory manager. “We have employees that have been affected due to the fires and are asking for patience and understanding as we and everyone else are working through this trying time. Our thoughts are with everyone and know we’ll get through this and come out stronger.”

Ryan Paules of Radar Promotions posted Thursday evening that his house and office were under active threat and evacuation orders. He encourages everyone to check on people you know in the affected area. Of course, when reaching out for business or personal reasons, exercise patience, as many lives have been upended.

Norm Hullinger, president of BELLA+CANVAS, issued this statement to PPAI Media: “At BELLA + CANVAS, philanthropy has always been at the core of who we are as a team. We’re heartbroken by the devastating fires in Los Angeles – our home and where our journey began.

This city has given so much to us, and we’re dedicated to standing by our community through this challenging time and beyond.”

Norm Hullinger

President, BELLA+CANVAS

“In response to this ongoing tragedy, we’re fully committed to supporting our employees and the families affected. We’re moving quickly to provide assistance by connecting with organizations and shelters on the ground to deliver clothing and essential supplies.

“Now, and even after the fires have stopped, we’ll continue to provide support to our neighbors as they navigate recovery and rebuilding efforts. This city has given so much to us, and we’re dedicated to standing by our community through this challenging time and beyond.” 

Los Angeles Apparel, which reported being a safe distance from any imminent danger, is encouraging those displaced by the fires to visit the Los Angeles Apparel Factory Store for free T-shirts, socks and other essentials.

We have no electricity, so we will be slow to getting back to emails, and no phone calls are being received.”

Monique Nigorizawa-Salvatier

Director of Sales & Marketing, Pinnacle Designs

Pinnacle Designs was closed Wednesday. “We have no electricity, so we will be slow to getting back to emails, and no phone calls are being received,” says director of sales and marketing Monique Nigorizawa-Salvatier. The company will continue to provide updates throughout the week.

Meanwhile, Graf Lantz has managed to continue to operate business as usual. “We have some team members on evacuation watch, but so far, the business and team are safe,” says Erin Herrera, VP of sales, wholesale and B2B.

We have some team members on evacuation watch, but so far the business and team are safe.”

Erin Herrera

VP of Sales, Wholesale & B2B, Graf Lantz

Andrew Spellman, CAS, chair of the PPAI Board of Directors and vice president of corporate markets at Los Angeles-based Therabody, says that the team is doing OK. “Our CEO reached out on Tuesday night and requested all LA-based employees stay home to mitigate any disruption to the efforts to contain the fires,” Spellman says.

BAMKO, which is PPAI 100’s No. 6 distributor, is technically based out of LA, but its business is spread out around the country, allowing operations to remain running.

“BAMKO announced that its business operations remain unaffected by the ongoing wildfires in the Los Angeles area,” the company said in a statement to PPAI Media. “However, the company acknowledges that some of its employees have been directly impacted by the fires.”

Our thoughts are with our employees and everyone who has been affected by these devastating wildfires. We are committed to supporting our employees during this difficult time and are providing them with the resources they need to recover.”

Statement From BAMKO

“Our thoughts are with our employees and everyone who has been affected by these devastating wildfires. We are committed to supporting our employees during this difficult time and are providing them with the resources they need to recover. BAMKO is taking steps to ensure the safety and well-being of its employees in the Los Angeles area.”