SAAGNY News

  • August 29, 2017 7:11 AM | Donna-Jean Plante

    As you know by now, Hurricane Harvey slammed into the Texas Gulf Coast late Friday night, bringing heavy rain to the entire region. Massive flooding in the Houston area has closed many businesses and caused the Houston Area Promotional Products Association (HPPA) to postpone its Hot Stuff Expo. The show was scheduled for Tuesday with 220 exhibitors and more than 700 distributors in attendance at the NRG Center in Houston. The rain continues to fall, and flood waters continue to rise, which means many months of cleanup and rebuilding ahead for impacted families and businesses.

    So far, 18 counties have been declared a state of disaster by the federal government, and PPAI has activated the Regional Association Council Business Recovery Fund for businesses located in the designated counties. The fund can help replace lost equipment and supplies—computers, cell phones, office supplies, promotional products catalogs and samples—provide a work area, or give other assistance as needed to get a business up and running as soon as possible. Those in the designated counties that need assistance can fill out the assessment here: http://www.regionalassociation.org/business-recovery-fund/brf-assistance.

    PPAI also issued a member alert on Friday to all businesses in the region notifying them that it was opening its headquarters in Irving, Texas, (about 400 miles north of Houston) to industry members displaced by the storm. In an email from PPAI President and CEO Paul Bellantone, the Association offered its office space, phone, fax, wifi, copiers, restrooms and showers to allow industry members to continue business until their offices or home offices were available for occupancy. A special email address and phone extension have been set up to handle requests: MYPPAI@ppai.org or 888-I-AM-PPAI, extension 3280.  

    Some Houston area suppliers and distributors are reporting they are safe and dry, although many are closed due to flooded roads. A number of distributors in the Houston area are also closed because of flooded roads and to ensure the safety of employees. However, many are working from home and can respond to email at this point.

    Check the PPAI Publications website for the status on member companies at http://pubs.ppai.org.

    Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted in any way by this storm and its aftermath. 

  • August 25, 2017 7:39 PM | Donna-Jean Plante

    Thank you to everyone who nominated their colleagues for Supplier of the Year, Distributor of the Year, Multi-Line Rep of the Year, and more.  Finalists will be announced and voting will commence at the SAAGNY Fall Show.  Winners will be announced at the SAAGNY Holiday Party and Awards Celebration.

  • August 23, 2017 11:28 AM | Donna-Jean Plante

    A heartfelt thank you from the Principal and students at the Hilltop School to The SAAGNY Foundation volunteers who provided the kids with smiles and the volunteers with that feel-good feeling.   The SAAGNY Foundation sponsored a Fun Day for all the students including carnival games, prizes, crafts, snacks, and goody bags.  

  • August 18, 2017 9:13 AM | Donna-Jean Plante

    SAAGNY members were in attendance at Citi Field last evening for the final game of the Subway Series between the New York Yankees and New York Mets.  A more perfect night it could not have been - weather, food, friends, and SAAGNY.

    Thank you Team Walter B and Outdoor Cap for the great hats that our members proudly wore.  

    Lots of opportunities to catch up with old friends and make new ones!  Thank you everyone who came to the game!


  • August 17, 2017 8:47 AM | Donna-Jean Plante

    Former SAAGNY President and Hall of Fame member Bill Lazarus was one of those named as a PPAI Distinguished Service Award Honorees for 2018.  The award recognizes PPAI members who consistently contribute their skills and expertise toward the betterment of PPAI through volunteer service and leadership.

     Bill will be honored at the Chairman’s Leadership Dinner on January 15, 2018, during The PPAI Expo in Las Vegas.

    Please click here for more information.

  • August 14, 2017 6:50 AM | Donna-Jean Plante

    Last evening, SAAGNY President  John R. B. Cudahy was among the 20 individuals honored as a 2017 Rising Star by PPB magazine.  PPB’s annual recognition program spotlights the industry’s most watchable young pros based on nominations related to their accomplishments, leadership potential, and involvement in their industry and community.

    More than 80 individuals were nominated this year, a record for the program that was introduced in 2010 and has proven to be one of the most popular and sought-after honors in the industry.

    President Cudahy was among the 10 suppliers and 10 distributors recognized during the PPAI North American Leadership Conference being held in Austin, Texas, this week.

    Congratulations to all the PPB 2017 Rising Stars:

    Distributors

    Maggie Cox, HALO Branded Solutions

    Jacob Fletcher, Image Source, Inc.

    Tiffany Gomas, Elevate Brand Marketing

    Kate Harthan, Corporate Recognition

    Max Levavi, BAMKO

    Edward Martin, Proforma Media & Print Solutions

    Anna Nguyen, Monarch & Company

    Eric Schmaltz, OmniSource Marketing Group, Inc.

    Brittan Stiff, Bates-Wells, Inc.

    Marci Schwartz Taran, Bradley Company

    Suppliers

    John Cudahy, Prime Line

    Nicole Deen, Trimark Apparel/PCNA

    Doug Donnell, Hit Promotional Products

    Charity Gibson, Peerless Umbrella Co.

    Jason Haft, alphabroder

    Bryan Kiel, Edwards Garment

    Carrie Laufenburg, MAS, The Magnet Group

    Scott Leonard, Hit Promotional Products

    Nate Robson, Raining Rose, Inc.

    Chris Vinci, AAkron

  • August 09, 2017 5:10 PM | Donna-Jean Plante

    Today The SAAGNY Foundation and its volunteers visited the Hilltop School in Haverstraw, New York for its annual Fun Day.  

    Over 80 students enjoyed carnival games, snacks, crafts, prizes, and goody bags.  The children's  smiles and pure joy were a treat for all the volunteers.  But what truly made it special for every volunteer today and those who have donated items to The SAAGNY Foundation was the little boy who stopped us from  leaving so he could give us this thank you note.  #worthit


  • August 07, 2017 8:55 AM | Donna-Jean Plante

    SAAGNY Awards Season is upon us.  Nominations are currently being accepted for Distributor of the Year, Supplier of the Year and many more through Friday, August 25.  Click here to nominate your favorites.  The top nominees will be announced and voting launched at the SAAGNY Fall Showcase on Tuesday, September 26.  Winners will be announced at the SAAGNY Holiday Party and Awards Celebration on Wednesday, December 13.

    Applications for the Linda Robinson ScholarshipPast President ScholarshipSAAGNY Diamond Award, and SAAGNY Rising Star award are being accepted through Friday, October 13.  Please click on the name of the award for the application.  Winners will be announced at the SAAGNY Holiday Party and Awards Celebration on Wednesday, December 13.


  • August 06, 2017 8:54 AM | Donna-Jean Plante

    Eric Rackoff, Immediate Past President and Chair of the Nominating Committee is calling for SAAGNY Nominations - Class of 2020. 

    The nomination process is a vital step in ensuring the future success of our organization. Your participation in this process will help to ensure that SAAGNY's leadership will maintain its strong representation of our members.  SAAGNY members will elect four representatives at the Annual Meeting at the SAAGNY Fall Showcase (Tuesday, September 26) to serve a two-year term on the Board of Directors, beginning January 1, 2018 and concluding December 31, 2020.  You can step up yourself or suggest another potential leader with whom you are acquainted and who you believe will make a contribution. Please email your nominations including nominee name, company, phone, email and type of promotional product business (i.e. distributor, supplier, multi-line rep, business services) no later than Friday, August 18, 2017, by email  to donna-jean@saagny.org


  • July 26, 2017 9:36 AM | Donna-Jean Plante

    Thank you to all the hard working volunteers, some of whom are pictured here, who came out to Happiness is Camping, Hardwick, NJ, yesterday.  Happiness is Camping is a summer camp for children with cancer and their siblings. 

    As The SAAGNY Foundation has done for more than 20 years they hosted a Pirate themed day which included songs, pirate flags, scavenger hunt, games, crafts, water ice, gifts, and goody bags.  The SAAGNY Foundation does numerous charitable activities throughout the year, if you are interested in helping please email saagnyfoundation@saagny.org.