iPROMOTEu (asi/232119), the 13^th-largest distributor by revenue in the North American promo industry, named SanMar (asi/84863) its Top Supplier of 2022, while Quasha Brown of Hit Promotional Products (asi/61125) earned the distinction of Supplier Representative of the Year.

Wayland, MA-headquartered iPROMOTEu presented these awards – along with many more – at a ceremony honoring the distributorship’s affiliates and preferred vendors in January in Las Vegas.

Joe Hoffmann, vice president of vendor management at iPROMOTEu; Susan Rye, director of strategic sales at SanMar; Tracey McIntosh, account executive at SanMar; Adam Quintana, account executive at SanMar; Fred Hickman, national account manager at SanMar; Steve Cuthbert, vice president of sales at SanMar; and Ross Silverstein, president/CEO of iPROMOTEu.

“2022 brought plenty of accomplishments to celebrate in the promotional products industry for our affiliates and suppliers alike,” said Ross Silverstein, president/CEO of iPROMOTEu and a member of Counselor’s Power 50 list of promo’s most influential people. “We are very fortunate to work with the best distributors and suppliers in the industry.”

As for other supplier awards, Starline (asi/89320), a Top 40 firm just like SanMar and Hit, took home iPROMOTE’s award for Breakout Supplier of the Year. Goldstar (asi/73295) earned the Supplier Appreciation Award for its continued support of iPROMOTEu and its affiliates. iPROMOTEu’s Top Twenty Preferred Vendors for 2022 were also recognized and honored during the awards presentation.

“It was a spectacular event with plenty of incredible people and accomplishments to celebrate,” said Joe Hoffman, vice president of vendor management at iPROMOTEu. “We rely on our vendor community to help our affiliates grow their businesses, so we were delighted to gather together to recognize and thank the suppliers for their continued support.”

Ross Silverstein, president/CEO of iPROMOTEu; Don Hagney, owner of B Marked Promotions and iPROMOTEu Affiliate of the Year; and Lori Bauer, senior vice president of affiliate sales and support at iPROMOTEu.

iPROMOTEu also recognized more than 160 affiliates for a variety of achievements. They included:

• Affiliate of the Year: Dan Hagney of B Marked Promotions

• John Lascelles Memorial Award: Mike Stanley of Interstate Branding

• Tommy Joyce Memorial Award: Michelle Robello of Red Zone Promos

• Rick Badiner Award for Integrity and Professionalism: Bruce Anderson of A4 Promotions (asi/114970)

• Affiliate Appreciation Award: Michelle Kaufman of Blue Monkey Promotions. This honor recognizes an iPROMOTEu affiliate that enthusiastically participates in the company’s programs and events, and who seeks to improve the organization for the benefit of all affiliates.

• Rising Star Awards: Alison Andreasen of Extend Marketing, Elena Hutslar of Intention Advertising and Kristin Sager of Magical Marketing (asi/259641).

The Breakout Year Award recognized four affiliates for taking their business to a new level of growth and success in 2022, executives said. Honorees were Pauline Vanderwal and Trish Jewell of TOA Print & Promote; Rochelle Moneta of LeRoe Promotional Marketing; and Christy Muckey of Lucas Promotional Products (asi/466825).

“As we continue to strengthen partnerships with our vendor community, celebrating the suppliers that go above and beyond for our affiliates is something we look forward to each year,” said Lori Bauer, senior vice president of affiliate sales and support at iPROMOTEu. “We are also fortunate to celebrate the big wins of our affiliates. It’s amazing what our affiliates can accomplish in a year, and iPROMOTEu is proud to recognize their dedication and hard work.”

Based on 2021 North American promotional products of $180 million, iPROMOTEu ranked 13^th on the most recent list of the largest distributors in the industry. iPROMOTEu has more than 1,100 independent distributors and salespeople throughout the United States and Canada.