Founded in Seattle in 2003, Kotis Design (PPAI 256795, D10) now has expanded production facilities to Ohio and Utah. Referring to themselves as “brand evangelists” the Kotis team also uses its online presence to promote its sustainability measures in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Focusing on the specifics of water reduction, energy savings and green printing, the distributor also makes sustainability part of its company culture, encouraging 72% of its employees to work remotely to reduce emissions, single use plastics and power usage.

The company’s DEI Committee is also constantly evolving in an attempt to foster an inclusive environment within the promo world. “While it may feel comfortable to work with people that look and share similar beliefs as you, there’s so much to learn and gain from those who are different,” says Jeff Becker, CEO of Kotis Design.

Positive Promotions’ (PPAI 159230, D3) growth and embracing of online tools since its founding in 1947 represents yet another example of how far the promotional products world has come over the years. The founder Irving Taxel’s son, Nelson, teamed with Madison Avenue designers in 1976 to focus on educational slide guides, relics of a different time that prompted the company to briefly change its name to “Promotional Slideguide.”

Nearly half a century later, Positive Promotions has evolved with the available technology, earning high marks for its online presence in the PPAI 100, and offering modern products. The distributor’s Facebook page has over 20,000 followers, and the distributor makes regular engaging posts on LinkedIn and Instagram. Moreover, the company has steadily grown over the past three years with its revenue growing by more than a third over that time.

The placement of Leaderpromos (PPAI 176187) on the PPAI 100 list is a testament to how a company’s focus on digital innovation and responsible decisions can fuel a distributor’s growth. In fact, “Responsibility”, “Technology” and “Growth” were all high marks for the Ohio-based company on the PPAI 100’s inaugural list.

Leaderpromos stresses its commitment to being a certified B-Corporation that focuses on sustainability throughout its supply chain. It also boasts being the “largest wholly woman-owned agency,” founded by current CEO Stephanie Leader.

Ohio-based Proforma (PPAI 196835, D13) offers an ecommerce training and certification program with education, training and tools to help its members meet evolving market demands. In addition, Proforma’s development of an automated workflow has boosted operational efficiency and enabled over 1 million orders processed through ProVision, its proprietary business management platform. These initiatives earned recognition for CEO Vera Muzzillo, who spearheaded the company’s technology expansion, as well as Michael LaPlante, Proforma’s VP of technology. “We are beyond thrilled to be recognized for our more than $25 million investment in the best business management platform in the industry and our ongoing commitment to empowering the success of our distributors through the best technological resources and tools available,” says Muzzillo.

The high mark that PromoShop (204997, D11) earned for “Industry Faith” in the inaugural PPAI 100 technically refers to the company’s positive credit rating, but the Los Angeles-based distributor has built a strong reputation among its industry competitors and peers. Just last year, the company’s former chief compliance officer and director of vendor relations, Kim Bakalyar, received PPAI’s 2022 Woman of Achievement Award, before retiring.

PromoShop has only pushed forward since then, growing in revenue, earning a place in PPAI’s Greatest Promo Companies To Work For in 2023, and maintaining a standard of pre-qualifying the suppliers it works for safety, compliance and socially responsible products.