The Premier Group Network Board of Directors is pleased to announce the renewal the PPEF Named Scholarship honoring Paul E. Smith, MAS, president of Ardmore, Pennsylvania-based supplier Calconix, Inc. The scholarship was created by the Premier Group Network to honor Paul, one of the group’s founders, during their 20th anniversary celebration in 2017. The renewal will continue the Paul E. Smith Scholarship through 2025. 

Founded in 1997, the Premier Group Network is an alliance of 70+ distributors and suppliers in the promotional products industry. This group of dedicated peers collaborate to build business success and long-lasting relationships with innovative tools and valuable face-to-face interaction. With representation in numerous territories throughout the United States and Canada, and nearly $200 million in distributor buying power, the Premier Group Network is one of the largest partnering organizations in the industry.

 

PPEF offers higher-education scholarships to promotional products industry employees and their children. In 2021, $278,750 was awarded to 161 students. PPEF’s Named Scholarships are established as long-term honorary gifts or memorials that endure over several years to assist students in pursuing their college educations.

 

“Paul Smith is a firm believer in higher education. He has been an active volunteer to both his alma mater, Lehigh University, and the promotional products industry. PPEF is honored to be part of recognizing Paul for his efforts to make education accessible to the next generation,” says Sara Besly, PPEF executive director, “and we are so grateful to the members of the Premier Group for continuing this scholarship to honor Paul.”

 

Past recipients of the Paul E. Smith Scholarship can be found here. The application deadline for 2022 is March 15. Click here for more details or to apply.

 

About PPEF 

PPEF is an industry-based nonprofit organization that raises money to help students achieve their higher education goals.  PPEF was founded to recognize and encourage scholastic ability and academic performance among promotional products industry employees and their children. Since 1989, it has awarded over $2.7 million in financial assistance to 1,488 recipients. More information about applying for and supporting the scholarships is available at www.ppef.us. 

 

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 ABOUT PGN

Premier Catalog Group AKA Premier Group Network is the leading supplier-distributor networking group in the promotional products industry and the only one that grants full and equal membership to both suppliers and distributors.  Membership is selective and based on a recommendation of the membership committee and approval of the Board of Directors.  Now in its 25^th year, it is among the oldest “buying groups” in the industry.  Founded in 1997 by Paul Smith and Doug Bruce, it has evolved and grown over the years.  It is recognized under Internal Revenue Service code as a 501(c)6 non-profit organization.  More information about Premier Group Network may be found at www.premiergroupnetwork.com.