Hub, whose parent company is HPG (PPAI 110772, Platinum), recently marked seven decades of innovation, quality and exceptional customer service.

• The celebratory event brought together more than 180 employees to commemorate this remarkable milestone, and featured a variety of festivities, including a food truck, custom cupcakes, raffle prizes and special recognition for employees who have been with the company for over 20 years. Watch a video of the event here.
• Hub’s journey began in 1954 when Rita and Frank Fleming sold pens door-to-door. Over the decades that followed, the company achieved significant milestones including purchasing its first hot stamper and direct ink fill machine, starting automatic assembly for retractable pens and landing large customers like Harvard University and MIT. In the 1990s, Hub pioneered free 24-hour service on pens and added screen printing and laser engraving. In the 2000s, the company introduced its most popular pen, the Javalina, which remains a best-seller, added MLRs to the team and hit its first one-million pen order. In the mid-2000s, it joined forces with HPG and rebranded to a give Hub a fresh, new fun look.
• Today, the company has grown into a multi-million-dollar operation, serving national and international markets, with 250 million pens sold annually.

Mike Fleming, VP of sales and son of Hub’s founders, says, “Hub started with my parents’ vision and dedication, and it’s heartwarming to see how far we’ve come. Celebrating this milestone with our family of co-workers is truly special.”

Chipply (PPAI 810551), a team store platform for team dealers, custom apparel decorators and corporate suppliers, has brought on Meghan Brazzelle as senior territory manager and Patrick Tolivar as territory sales representative.

• Brazzelle brings more than 18 years in the print wear industry and a proven track record of success. In this role, she will continue to excel in implementing cutting-edge strategies and optimizing processes while ensuring sustained growth and strengthening market presence.
• With nine years of experience at Augusta Sportswear Brands, Tolivar previously managed more than 600 accounts. In his new role, he will manage key accounts, develop new business opportunities, maintain relationships and achieve ambitious sales targets within the designated territory.

This year’s SAAC EXPO 2024, taking place at the Anaheim Convention Center August 14-16, promises to be a landmark occasion, showcasing the transformative initiatives led by the Specialty Advertising Association of California (SAAC) Board of Directors to revolutionize the regional promotional products industry.

• In late 2023, SAAC embarked on a new strategic direction by transitioning to a new executive director, Bob Levitt, aimed at infusing fresh ideas and cutting-edge technology to redefine industry standards and elevate the experiences of both suppliers and distributors.
• SAAC EXPO 2024 will kick off with Professional Partnership Meetings designed to foster collaborations between suppliers and distributors. The main event begins August 15 featuring more than 148 individual booths, 10 private meeting rooms, professional headshots, a massage lounge, educational presentations, a beer garden and private dinner at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort. On the third day, the show opens to distributor-hosted clients.

This month, Boston-based Proforma Printing & Promotion, the largest Proforma (PPAI 196835, Platinum) franchise in New England, celebrates its 25th anniversary. The distributor was founded in 1999 by Barry Resnick; his sons Bill and John joined in 2004.

• Proforma Printing & Promotion serves more than 350 active clients and processes more than 3,000 orders annually. It achieved membership in Proforma’s Million Dollar Club in 2006 and this year it joined the ranks of the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies in America.

“Over the past quarter-century, we’ve nurtured strong bonds with our clients, both new and longstanding,” says Bill Resnick. “Our roots in the Boston community run deep, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to uphold this tradition.”

The new Koozie Group (PPAI 114187, Platinum) 2024 Gift Ideas Book is now available online through ZOOMcatalog, as a downloadable PDF and in print.

• Centered around the theme “Let’s Celebrate,” the guide provides inspiration for recognizing people, occasions and accomplishments, and is designed to last beyond the year-end gifting season.

Rachel Rosario, senior director, marketing & communications, says, “Recent studies suggest the corporate gifting market will exceed $300 billion next year. We wanted to create a gift guide that will outlast the holiday season. This is a year-round tool that our distributors can use to secure their piece of the corporate gifting pie.”

Pop! Promos (PPAI 564497, Standard-Base) is now offering retail-quality, customizable, Pantone-matched ice molds and silicone products through a new distribution partnership with Siligrams (PPAI 824695, Standard-Base), a Boston-area-based manufacturer.

• Pop! Promos will exclusively sell its USA-made ice cube trays, cylinder ice trays, whiskey ball molds and silicone coasters, with a five-day production time.

Siligrams founders Ben Shey and Clay Andrews recall the kismet moment at The PPAI Expo 2024, which led to the partnership: “We were lucky enough to be positioned directly across from Pop! Promos’ booth at the Expo, being able to witness their popularity first-hand,” says Andrews. “We were thoroughly impressed by the way they established themselves in the industry, along with their variety of high-quality, Pantone-matched products, and thought we might make a great addition to the line.”

“Siligrams’ products are the perfect addition to our existing line of quick-turn, custom, Pantone-matched merch,” says Julie Callahan, chief sales officer at Pop! Promos.