(Editor’s Note: PromoWire by PPAI Media is a running digest of news releases and updates submitted from organizations around the promotional products industry. PPAI Media edits these only slightly, including for length, and will consider newsworthy entries from any member organization.)

November 14, 2022

AAA Innovations Transitions To Eco-Friendly Products

AAA Innovations announces it will be the first major supplier to transition its entire product offering to eco-friendly materials, and will do so without raising prices.

  • AAA has already eliminated excess packaging where possible and has launched a variety of solar products to replace disposable batteries. This past March, the company began updating the fabric in its umbrellas, bags, chairs, and tents on a rolling basis with their rPET equivalents as each item sells out.
  • By January 2023, more than half of the company’s umbrellas will be made from rPET (polyester made from recycled plastic bottles) with their Sasquatch roto-molded coolers and Satchels New York bag collection following suit – being produced from ocean bound plastics (OBP) and recycled cotton/ nylon, respectively.
  • In an effort to ensure that end users understand that these promotional products are eco-friendly, AAA Innovations has designed special labeling and hang tags that will be featured on each product.


MiPPA Announces New Board Of Directors, Board Officers

The Michigan Promotional Professionals Association (MiPPA) has announced their 2023 Board of Directors and Board Officers for the term January 1-December 31, 2023.

The Executive Committee will be:

  • 2023 President - Glenn Miotke, president of AIA Unfolding Communications
  • President-Elect - Tony Shereda, MAS, vice president of QMI Group, Inc.
  • Treasurer - David Szidik, owner of Proforma Infinite Marketing and Image Builders Unlimited
  • Secretary - Carly Jaeger, regional account sales manager for Koozie Group
  • Immediate Past President - Eric Pehrson, MASI, Michigan territory rep for Cutter & Buck

The 2023 Board of Directors includes Parker Melvin (Goldstar), Scott Wakefield (Alphabroder/Primeline), Mike Freestone (The Promo Agency), Ashley Grenell (Augusta Sportswear) and Sandra Kelley, MAS (Prestige Promotions LLC.).


November 11, 2022

EME Hires New Director Of Sales

Exclusive Meeting Events (PPAI 532363) has hired industry veteran Vicky Tirpack as director of sales.

  • Tirpack began her career working for Miller Freeman as an account representative selling booth space for the NY Premium Incentive Show and later joined PPAI selling advertising for PPB Magazine. From there, she spent more than 20 years with NAPCO Media/Promo Marketing as senior business development manager selling print and online advertising.
  • Tirpack will lead sales by building strong relationships with suppliers, embracing the standards of EME excellence and looking to the future to bring innovative ideas and methods to the format to create an even stronger environment for fostering relationships between suppliers and distributors.


November 10, 2022

AIA Hosts Regional Meetings To Drive Owner Collaboration

Throughout 2022, AIA Corporation (PPAI 101364, D12) hosted a series of regional meetings designed to bring together Owners, AIA leadership and MVP Suppliers for a day of collaboration, education and exclusive supplier access.

  • The regional meetings were held in Atlanta, Seattle, Denver and Boston and focused on Owner-led conversations and collaboration to discuss best practices and growth strategies.
  • AIA partnered with MVP Suppliers at each event, including SanMar, Hit Promotional Products, Koozie Group, alphabroder, HPG Brands and Gemline. Each MVP Supplier engaged in roundtable discussions with Owners, sharing the latest in product and industry innovation.

Hanes Partners With UC-Berkeley As Primary Apparel Partner

HanesBrands announced a new primary apparel partnership with the University of California, Berkeley.

  • The 10-year strategic agreement gives HBI exclusive rights to design, manufacture and distribute high-quality, on-trend fanwear.
  • The deal broadens the university’s retail footprint and includes the company’s iconicChampion and Hanes (PPAI 191138, S10) brands, the eco-forward Alternative Apparel (PPAI 217134, S5) brand and the garment-dyed ComfortWash.
  • U.C. Berkeley joins the University of Southern California, University of Texas, The Ohio State University, University of North Carolina, University of Georgia, Villanova, and University of Tennessee, among others, that have primary apparel partnerships with HBI.