Gordon Sinclair (PPAI 111537, Gold), PPAI 100’s No. 31 supplier, is strengthening its leadership team with two key moves designed to support the company’s continued growth and deepen its value to distributor partners.

The supplier has announced the promotion of Kat Tate to Chief Revenue Officer and the appointment of Kate Masewich as Vice President of Marketing. Masewich joins Gordon Sinclair after serving as Vice President of Marketing at commonsku, bringing deep industry experience, strong distributor insight and a proven understanding of how storytelling, technology and community continue to shape the modern promotional products marketplace.

“These leadership moves are about building the next phase of Gordon Sinclair,” said Robert Gluck, CEO of Gordon Sinclair. “We’re laser focused on alignment, speed and clarity because that’s what it takes to lead in today’s market. Kat brings the discipline and drive to accelerate growth, and Kate brings the vision to elevate how we show up and compete. Together, this is about raising the bar for our business, for our brand and most importantly, for our distributor partners.”

Tate’s promotion recognizes her leadership in building strong customer relationships, supporting Gordon Sinclair’s sales and service teams and helping drive the company’s revenue strategy. In her expanded role as Chief Revenue Officer, Tate will continue strengthening the connection between sales, customer experience and business growth, while helping ensure distributor partners receive the insight, service and support they need to win more opportunities with their customers.

“As distributor expectations continue to evolve, we have an opportunity to be more than just a product supplier,” said Tate. “We want to be a strategic partner that helps distributors move faster, sell smarter and create stronger brand experiences for their clients. Bringing revenue, product and marketing into closer alignment is an important part of that.”

Masewich’s appointment adds a complementary layer of industry perspective to Gordon Sinclair’s next phase of growth. Her leadership at commonsku gave her a front-row view into the needs, challenges and opportunities facing distributors today. At Gordon Sinclair, she will lead brand strategy, product storytelling, marketing communications and sales enablement, working closely with Tate and the broader leadership team to connect customer insight, product strategy and market-facing resources.

“What drew me to Gordon Sinclair was the combination of great people, strong product potential and a genuine commitment to distributor success,” said Masewich. “The company has incredible momentum and a real opportunity to evolve how it tells its story, brings products to market and supports distributor growth. Having spent years working closely with distributors, I’ve seen firsthand how much thoughtful storytelling, sales enablement and supplier partnership matter, and I’m excited to help elevate the Gordon Sinclair brand in a way that creates even more value for distributor partners.”

Pasolivo (PPAI 886255, Standard Base), a premier estate-grown extra virgin olive oil producer on California’s Central Coast, achieved standout international recognition in 2026, earning five Gold medals at the New York International Olive Oil Competition (NYIOOC)—the world’s leading competition dedicated exclusively to extra virgin olive oils—and receiving the most awards among U.S. producers at the Los Angeles International Olive Oil Competition (LAIOOC), while tying for the most awards worldwide across both extra virgin and flavored categories.

At the NYIOOC, which evaluates only extra virgin olive oils, Pasolivo received Gold Awards for its extra virgin olive oils, demonstrating exceptional consistency in blind tastings judged by an international panel of experts.

At the LAIOOC, which includes both extra virgin and flavored olive oil categories, Pasolivo’s Lemon Olive Oil—crafted with fresh Meyer lemon zest—captured the prestigious Margaret Edwards Award (Best in Show for flavored oils), one of the competition’s highest honors. The company also earned multiple Best in Class distinctions.

“These awards reflect the discipline, care, and passion we bring to every bottle,” said Brian Dirk, President of Pasolivo. “Our oils are intentionally produced in limited quantities from our single estate in Paso Robles.”

Imperial (PPAI 133496, Silver) announced a new partnership with the UNDERRATED Golf Tour, Founded by NBA 4x Champion and 2x MVP Stephen Curry.

Through this partnership, Imperial will outfit participants and staff with premium headwear while collaborating on exclusive product collections and on-site activations throughout the Tour schedule. The partnership reflects Imperial’s continued investment in the future of the game—supporting emerging athletes and expanding the reach of golf to new audiences.

“Partnering with the UNDERRATED Golf Tour represents an exciting step forward for Imperial as we continue to evolve alongside the game,” said Jane Smith, VP of Marketing at Imperial. “The UNDERRATED platform is shaping the next generation of golfers, and we’re proud to be part of that journey by delivering headwear that performs at the highest level while giving players a way to express their identity both on and off the course.”

“This partnership is about more than product, it’s about connecting with a new generation of golfers in a way that feels authentic to how they experience the game,” said Jerry Biag, Director of Marketing at Imperial. “UNDERRATED is building a powerful platform at the intersection of sport and culture, and we’re excited to bring headwear to life through storytelling, style and moments that resonate both on and off the course.”

Imperial will introduce a series of UNDERRATED x Imperial headwear collections, featuring a mix of performance-driven styles and modern silhouettes inspired by the athletes and culture surrounding the Tour. Limited-edition releases will coincide with key events, creating unique product moments tied directly to the energy and storytelling of the competition.

“We’re excited to welcome Imperial as our Official Headwear Partner,” said Jason Richards, Athletic Operations Director for the UNDERRATED Golf Tour. “Their commitment to quality and innovation, combined with a shared belief in growing the game, makes this a natural fit as we continue to build opportunities for young golfers.”

In addition to on-course integration, Imperial will support the partnership through digital storytelling, athlete-driven content, and direct-to-consumer activations on imperial1916.com, bringing fans closer to the Tour through exclusive product drops and behind-the-scenes access.

Par One (PPAI 135556, Silver) announces that it now carries J. Pritchard Pickleball apparel, from the founders of pickleball offering premium performance apparel as well as equipment, including The Founders Paddle.

Par One says this addition reflects its commitment to offering high-quality, distinctive products that resonate with athletes and lifestyle-driven consumers alike. Par One has built its reputation over more than 25 years by providing customized golf products and serving clients with a focus on quality and creativity. J. Pritchard, meanwhile, has established itself as a premium pickleball brand with a refined identity rooted in the sport’s origin story.

“Par One is proud to expand our apparel selection with J. Pritchard Pickleball,” says[Ron Miller, CEO and president of Par One Golf]. “Their brand brings timeless design and heritage to pickleball, and we are excited to make it available to our customers.”

The move comes as pickleball continues to grow as one of the most dynamic sports in the lifestyle and recreation space, and as premium sportswear partnerships increasingly emphasize the connection between performance and culture.

By carrying J. Pritchard, Par One strengthens its position as a destination for customers seeking thoughtfully selected products that combine function, style and premium appeal.

Universal Unilink (PPAI 654790, Standard Base) successfully concluded Universal Connect 2026, its annual hosted-buyer conference for promotional products distributors and supplier partners, held May 18–20, 2026, at the Embassy Suites Downtown Greenville in Greenville, South Carolina.

The event attracted 77 attendees representing 25 distributor member companies and 21 leading supplier companies from across the promotional products industry. Organizers reported that all attendee spots sold out quickly, with distributor member participation filling faster than any previous Universal Connect event.

Designed as a highly interactive, speed-dating style conference, Universal Connect focuses on one-on-one suite meetings between distributor members and suppliers. The format allows every participating member dedicated time with each supplier partner to review new products, discuss market trends, strengthen relationships and identify new business opportunities.

Attendees gathered at the Embassy Suites Downtown Greenville, located alongside the Reedy River in the heart of downtown Greenville. Many participants praised the venue’s walkable location, scenic riverfront setting, and vibrant dining and entertainment options.

The conference opened Monday with a series of education sessions focused on sales growth, artificial intelligence, recurring revenue strategies, and business development. Featured speakers included Joan Miracle of Advertising Specialty Institute, Ron Friedman of MerchPilot, and Bernie Borges of Fulfilled@Work Academy.

Tuesday’s agenda featured a keynote presentation from Jonathan G. Isaacson, Executive Chair of Gemline, who shared insights on leadership, innovation and building purpose-driven organizations.

“The event was fantastic—one of my favorite things is having the opportunity to ‘pick someone’s brain’ and dive into conversations about products, the pros and cons, and the challenges people are seeing,” said Mollie Gurley, Owner of All Things Promotional.

Another attendee, Susan Baker, Owner of TY Ink Promotions, emphasized the value of both the educational programming and supplier interaction.

“The sessions were the best we’ve attended anywhere, and the overall atmosphere made the experience not only valuable but genuinely enjoyable,” Baker said. “I especially appreciated the exchange of ideas with the suppliers and their willingness to learn about what we are doing and bring new ideas to the table that relate directly to the projects we’re working on.”

Top industry suppliers participated throughout the event, showcasing new products, technology, apparel, hard goods, and service offerings while connecting directly with Universal Unilink distributor members.

“Our members and suppliers are truly the reason Universal Unilink exists,” Fowler said. “The relationships built over the years are what make this organization special. Seeing everyone come together to share ideas, support one another, and grow together is incredibly rewarding, and we deeply appreciate the trust our members and suppliers place in us.”

Promotional products distributor Bankers Advertising Company (PPAI 101972, Silver) recently welcomed sales partners, supplier representatives, and employees to its 2026 National Sales Meeting, themed “Coming Home to Celebrate 130 Years,” in Iowa City, Iowa.

Held at the nostalgic and retro-inspired Graduate Hotel, the meeting celebrated Bankers Advertising’s 130th anniversary in the company’s hometown, bringing together attendees for several days of education, networking, recognition, and celebration.

The event featured supplier speed sessions, peer networking, a tabletop tradeshow, and award ceremonies recognizing the accomplishments of Bankers’ sales partners. Attendees also enjoyed a tour of the Bankers Advertising home office and plant, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the company’s operations and history.

Additional highlights included keynote and breakout sessions with bestselling author and business strategist Tony Rubleski of Mind Capture Group, as well as Bankers’ traditional fashion show, where employees took the runway to showcase the latest apparel and promotional trends.

“Celebrating 130 years in Iowa City made this meeting especially meaningful,” said Erica Kelley-Gogel, CAS, Vice President of Sales. “Coming home gave us the opportunity to reflect on our history, reconnect with our partners, and look ahead to the future of our industry together. The energy, engagement, and support throughout the week made it a truly memorable event.”

For 130 years, Bankers Advertising Company has partnered with clients and sales professionals to deliver impactful marketing strategies through promotional products that support business growth.

Hydrapeak (PPAI 802063, Standard Base) announced that Richard Sakkal has been named the New England Promotional Products Association’s (NEPPA) 2026 Rising Star.

This accolade recognizes outstanding emerging leaders who demonstrate exceptional innovation, dedication and growth within the promotional products industry.

Sakkal helped launch Hydrapeak’s dedicated promotional division in 2022, expanding on the established success of his family’s retail enterprise, the Hydrapeak Retail brand.

From the outset, Sakkal focused on establishing a powerful industry presence, memorably leading the Hydrapeak team to exhibit at The PPAI Expo during its pivotal return as the industry’s largest trade show post-COVID-19.

Under Sakkal’s strategic leadership, Hydrapeak has steadily captured market share in a highly competitive promotional drinkware landscape.

A defining pillar of Sakkal success has been his sophisticated ability to mindfully navigate and secure major national relationships. Rather than rushing blindly into massive accounts, he has taken a relationship-first approach to large-scale partnerships, ensuring that Hydrapeak’s infrastructure matches its growth step-for-step. He attributes this rapid acceleration to a steadfast focus on the promotional channel and a deep, empathetic understanding of the distributor’s journey.

“The team learned early on that developing trust, showing up, and delivering are the required hallmarks of a supplier and formed our commitment to this industry,” said Sakkal.”Our growth is a direct reflection of our focus on what distributors actually need to succeed, whether they are a local boutique or a massive national account.”