Well, here we are. The leaves are turning, we are stocking up on Halloween candy, and somehow we’re in the home stretch of the year. Q4 has a way of sneaking up on all of us, but there’s still plenty of runway left, and this is a good moment to finish strong. Right now clients are juggling holiday plans, year-end budgets and early thinking about next year. That makes this a good window for strategic conversations. Is there leftover budget they need to use before December 31? Is there a holiday gift program, an employee appreciation event or a Q1 kickoff they haven’t nailed down yet? The distributors who reach out first usually get the business. A few proactive calls this week can go a long way toward a strong close and a head start on 2027. Speaking of finishing strong, what a time we had at the Distributor Leadership Summit! Thank you to everyone who joined us for the conversations, the ideas and the energy. Inside you’ll find a recap of the highlights and some takeaways you can put to work right away. Read on for Q4 selling strategies, the Summit recap, a few fun, and some well-deserved member wins. Here’s to a focused, successful finish to the year.
Cheers,
Dana Geiger | Executive Director |
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From Your Executive Director |
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PG Distributor Leadership Summit Recap
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October 18–21 | Tampa, FL
From October 18–21, 36 distributor leaders from 22 member companies met in Tampa, Florida, for our 2½-day Distributor Leadership Summit. Over the course of the event, members talked openly about the issues that matter most to their businesses, including company culture, the challenges of adopting AI, and and challenges emerging in day-to-day operations.
Our supplier partner, HIT Promotional Products, was a generous host. Attendees met with HIT’s leadership teams and toured the factory floor, which gave them a firsthand look at the people and processes behind the products they sell.
Attendees left inspired, intrigued, and more connected than ever. This is what Premier Group is about: leaders sharing ideas, learning from each other, and building relationships that make all of us stronger.
Thank you to every attendee who took time away from family and business to be with us. A special thank you to HIT Promotional Products for rolling out the red carpet.
The Distributor Leadership Summit has grown over the years and takes place each October. Stay tuned for the 2027 dates! |
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AI Should Give You Time Back— Not Take the Human Out |
AI is everywhere. But in a relationship-driven industry, the better question isn't what can AI replace?
It's: what can AI take off your plate?
From invoice vouching and storefront order imports to order tracking, proof follow-ups, and everyday operational work, Ritanshu Dokania, COO of Trelium sees the opportunity differently: let AI handle more of the repetitive work so your team has more time for the work that actually needs a human. |
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Less busywork. More time to sell, solve, create, and connect.
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Don't Wait for the Holiday Order |
Holiday selling doesn't start with a product. It starts with the right conversation.
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Jamie Lorenty of Lorenty Consulting LLC shares five reminders for selling with more intention before the season gets busy. |
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5 WAYS TO CREATE THE OPPORTUNITY
1. Don’t assume. Start the conversation.
Last year doesn't predict this year. Ask what's changed and what they're planning now.
2. Always know the next step.
One touchpoint is rarely enough. Decide what comes next—and follow through.
3. Make every touchpoint intentional.
Before sending another lookbook or sample, ask: Why this? Why them? Why now?
4. Discover before you recommend.
Understand the goal, audience and timing before jumping to products.
5. Mindset matters.
Small, intentional actions compound. Stay focused, proactive, and keep moving.
Happy Selling! — Jamie |
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Premier Group congratulates the 2026 PPAI Rising Stars, and we’re especially proud that this year's class includes four PG members: Terrin Conway (Sock 101), Kelsey Jones (City Apparel + Merch), Amanda Maynard (Hirsch), and Madeline Weiss (Spector & Co).
PPAI Media started the Rising Stars program in 2010 to recognize emerging leaders under 40 in the branded merchandise industry. Honorees come from distributors, suppliers and business service firms. They’re chosen from a field of nominees for what they’ve accomplished, what they’ve contributed to their companies and communities, and their potential to lead. Honorees were recognized at PPAI’s Leadership Development Conference this week in Texas.
PPAI describes this year’s class as having “the ambition to lead, the curiosity to keep growing” and the instinct to bring others along. We see those same qualities in our members every day, and we’re thrilled to see them recognized across the industry.
Please join us in congratulating our Rising Stars and the whole 2026 class.
Read more about the honorees: Meet the 2026 PPAI Rising Stars
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Connecting with PG in Vegas |
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Heading to Las Vegas? Make the most of it by connecting with the PG community. Join us at our annual cocktail reception, an evening of great conversation, new connections and catching up with familiar faces. Prefer an early start? Our member breakfast is a relaxed way to network over coffee before the day gets busy.
When you need a break from the show floor, stop by the PG Member Lounge. It’s a quiet place to recharge your batteries, both literally and figuratively. Plug in your devices, grab a seat and take a moment for yourself before heading back out. Read more here. |
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From The Supplier Community
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THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, BRAND RECOGNITION MATTERS
When clients are choosing holiday gifts, familiarity can make the decision easier.
Amanda Maynord of HIRSCH suggests putting recognizable retail brands front and center—brands people already know, enjoy, and would be excited to receive themselves.
Think of names like BrüMate, Brookstone, Solo Stove, and JBL. The opportunity isn't simply to sell another product. It's to start with something people already want, then show your client how they can make it their own. |
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Amanda Maynord
Director of National Accounts, HIRSCH "Don’t just sell the product.
Sell the brand behind the gift"
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THE ULTIMATE HOLIDAY UPSELL |
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The gift is sold. Is the packaging?
The same product can feel completely different with the right presentation. During a season built around reconnecting, celebrating, and showing appreciation, packaging becomes part of the experience—and part of what makes the gift memorable.
From stock boxes, tissue, and ribbon to fully custom packaging, there’s an opportunity to add value to the moment and to the sale.
Before you close the order, ask one more question: How are we packaging it? |
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HOLIDAY EDIT: WRAPPED IN WONDER
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The right gift does more than check a box. It creates a moment.
This year's Holiday Edit brings together thoughtful finds inspired by how people want to connect, experience, and celebrate right now.
Consider this your starting point for a little more wonder this holiday season.
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Sam Brown of Proven Strategists, designs human-first go-to-market strategies for distributors and suppliers. Creating highly addictive brand engagements, committed customers and better bottom lines.
Be sure to take advantage of this benefit for Premier Group members.
Schedule time at no-charge for you and/or your team. |
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Connections matter!
Discover our expanded membership and connect with new partners. Make sure your listing in our Supplier Member directory is fresh and accurate to maximize connection opportunities.
Easily search for members by zip code, member type or systems or technologies used. It's just one more way we strive to keep members connected. |
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Brands, Giveback Programs,
Made in USA |
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