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As 2020 came to a close, we all breathed a shared sigh of relief. Though we are still uncertain as to what the coming year has in store, it is important to celebrate the successes we’ve achieved amidst the hard times our industry has recently faced. That’s why, at TOPS+ Virtual, PPPC is presenting the PPPC Awards for top suppliers, multi-line reps and distributors of 2020. What a better time than to recognize and celebrate those who adapted to and excelled in our distanced world? 

Utilizing the state-of-the-industry virtual platform on which TOPS+ Virtual will be held, industry professionals are encouraged to tune into our live presentation of the PPPC Awards on February 2 at 11 am ET. Image Award trophies will be awarded to the top supplier, multi-line rep and distributor member companies and staff who showed excellence over the past year. These companies and staff have been voted “best of the year” in their categories by their peers and business associates across the PPPC membership.

For the first time, we are excited to be awarding small, medium and large supplier awards. In the past, only one supplier was awarded top supplier of that year. Due to high demand from members, the PPPC staff worked hard to collect revenue information from supplier members to categorize them into small, medium and large groups. We’re excited that we finally gathered the resources to make that happen for our supplier members. We hope that members enjoy this new breakdown and, most importantly, that all PPPC members feel appreciated and that they have a shot at an award. 

The voting for top supplier companies was based on the following criteria: 

  • Customer service
  • Product quality
  • Imprint quality
  • Catalog quality
  • Creative response
  • Willingness to help
  • Delivery time
  • Proactive sales and services

Other supplier award presentations will include best website, best catalog, top customer service representative and top sales representative. We look forward to recognizing the best of the best in our supplier categories.

Nine awards will be given to distributor member companies across the country. These are categorized by region (west, central and east) and size (small, medium and large) to ensure that our 1,200-plus distributor members all have a shot at the win. The recipients of these awards were voted on based on excellence in: 

  • Professionalism
  • Creativity
  • Proactive selling
  • Loyalty
  • Effective business management
  • Purchase order clarity
  • Willingness to work with suppliers

In addition to regional and size categories, suppliers have also voted for the top national distributor of the year. The recipient of this award embodies all the same qualities as the winners in the distributor categories, but with a larger, national presence in the industry. This coveted award is sought after by many PPPC distributor members.


Over the month of January, PPPC members cast their votes for their top suppliers, multi-line reps and distributors of 2020. Voting is now closed and the results have been tallied. We look forward to sharing the well-deserved winners with everyone at TOPS+ Virtual on February 2 at 11 am ET. The award show may be different from our usual Natcon gala, but we will still be celebrating our members’ accomplishments in style—from a distance. 


Distributors can register to attend both the show and the award ceremony at topsplus.pppc.ca/distributor. Non-exhibiting suppliers and multi-line reps can gain access to the ceremony only via a guest link, which can be found at topsplus.pppc.ca/awards-info. After the show, look for a recording of the awards presentation at topsplus.pppc.ca/awards-info. 

PPPC members across the country continue to work toward greatness for our industry and we could not be prouder of them. Join us in celebrating those who really excelled in 2020, even over the pixelated delay of Zoom video chats.  

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Jonathan Strauss is president and CEO of Promotional Product Professionals of Canada (PPPC).