Counselor Top 40 distributor iPROMOTEu (asi/232119) hosted its 2025 Affiliate & Owner Awards Luncheon last month, honoring performance, leadership and community impact among its network of more than 1,700 independent distributors and salespeople in the U.S. and Canada.

Sherri Krenk (center left) and Shannon Torchia (center right) of BrandAways – posing here with iPROMOTEu (asi/232119) SVP Dave Saracino and CEO Lori Bauer – were named iPROMOTEu’s Affiliate of the Year. Courtesy of iPROMOTEu

“Our Affiliates and Owners consistently set a high standard for performance and professionalism,” said Lori Bauer, CEO of iPROMOTEu and a member of Counselor’s Power 50 list of most influential people in promo. “This year’s award winners demonstrate what success looks like in our industry. Their results reflect strong leadership, disciplined growth and a commitment to contributing to the strength of the broader iPROMOTEu network.”

According to iPROMOTEu, the series of awards luncheons recognizes owners and affiliates who have achieved exceptional sales performance and sustained growth, and have made meaningful contributions to the organization’s culture and community over the past year. The awards opened with insights from Jeremy Lott, president and CEO of SanMar (asi/84863), the promo industry’s largest supplier, and Frank Carpenito, president and CEO of Counselor Top 40 supplier Gemline (asi/56070). Both Lott and Carpenito are also members of Counselor’s Power 50 list.

Jeremy Lott of SanMar (asi/84863) addresses iPROMOTEu affiliates and distributor owners in his keynote. Courtesy of iPROMOTEu

The awards recognized excellence across several categories. Sherri Krenk and Shannon Torchia of BrandAways, who joined iPROMOTEu in 2013, were named Affiliate of the Year. According to the company, Krenk and Torchia have been influential across the organization since they became part of the network, earning top honors year after year.

Meanwhile, Craig Stephens of Imprint Logo LLC (asi/230995) was recognized as Owner of the Year. Since joining in 2021, Stephens has consistently delivered impressive sales with an innovative business model that took his growth to the next level in 2025, iPROMOTEu said.

Craig Stephens of Imprint Logo LLC (asi/230995) poses with his Owner of the Year award. Courtesy of iPROMOTEu

Jacquie McBain of Go To Promotions Inc, and Brian and Kris Alston of The Total Source (asi/444198), received Rising Star awards for achieving impressive sales goals and positively contributing to the iPROMOTEu network. In addition, Niki Frese of Southpaw Print Co. and Gustavo Gilio of Mondello Promotional received the Breakout Performance awards, which celebrated growth and momentum in 2025.

Additional recipients were recognized for their leadership and support of fellow affiliates and owners, qualities that iPROMOTEu said define its collaborative culture, including:

• Alison Andreasen of Extend Marketing Inc and Steve Graff of Green Monkey Promotions (asi/444193), who received Affiliate Appreciation awards for consistently demonstrating creativity, enthusiasm and a willingness to engage with the organization.
• Ellen Orne of Ellco Promotions, Inc. and Bob Simmons of NDS Solutions, who were inducted into the iPROMOTEu Hall of Fame for their distinguished careers and lasting influence.
• Jeff Poore of Marketing Works, who was honored with the David Woods Memorial Award, recognizing kindness, integrity, perseverance and commitment to making a difference.
• Ross Silverstein, iPROMOTEu’s now-retired founder, received the inaugural Ross Silverstein Founder’s Award, established to honor members of the iPROMOTEu community who lead with innovation and purpose while elevating others along the way.

“All our 2025 honorees demonstrate what can be achieved when independent business owners have the autonomy to lead their operations, supported by the right resources and community,” Bauer said. “Their results underscore the strength of our network and iPROMOTEu’s position as a powerhouse in the promotional products industry.”

Based on 2024 North American promotional products revenue of $371 million, iPROMOTEu ranks eighth on Counselor’s most recent list of the largest distributors in the industry.