iPROMOTEu’s (PPAI 218870, Platinum) DunkFest 2025 is back for its 17th year, bringing even more excitement to March Madness with the addition of a Women’s NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge.

• This expansion gives participants the chance to compete in both the men’s and women’s tournaments.
• DunkFest 2025 is open to everyone in the industry working as or for a distributor, supplier or service provider, including distributor salespeople, supplier salespeople and multi-line reps. Participants in the men’s and women’s bracket challenges will compete for awards, special recognition and the ultimate prize – bragging rights.
• The deadline to enter the men’s tournament is Thursday, March 20 at 12:15 pm ET, and the deadline to enter the women’s tournament is Friday, March 21at 11:30 am ET. For more information and to participate, CLICK HERE

“DunkFest is one of the most engaging traditions in the promotional products industry because it is all about fun, friendly competition and bringing people together,” says Lori Bauer, CEO of iPROMOTEu. “iPROMOTEu has a long history of promoting women’s achievements, so with the incredible rise in women’s college basketball we are including their tournament in this year’s DunkFest challenge.”

Raleigh, North Carolina-based distributor Brand Fuel (PPAI 277900, Gold) has been selected as an authorized reseller of Patagonia corporate wear, team apparel and gifts.

• Brand Fuel says the brand, known for responsibility, innovative designs and quality materials, has a value-driven culture that is very close to its own. Like Brand Fuel, Patagonia is also a B Corp member.

Following S&S Activewear’s (PPAI 256121, Platinum) acquisition of alphabroder earlier this year, the supplier has been working on ways to better optimize its operations. As a result, it will close its Pompano Beach, Florida, warehouse in August.

• The objective is to combine operations into larger locations equipped with advanced technology to provide deeper inventory levels, better product availability and improved service in these regions.
• All orders and services previously available through the Pompano Beach facility will be transitioned to the Orlando facility, which has a greater one-day shipping reach.

S&S CEO Frank Myers says, “Our goal remains to significantly expand inventory levels, improve product availability and elevate service standards ensuring our customers have faster access to the products they need, exactly when they need them. We are committed to optimizing our distribution network and are confident this change will have minimal impact on your experience with S&S.”

On March 3-5, AIM Smarter (PPAI 230461, Platinum) brought together suppliers and AIM members for networking, collaboration and suite-style meetings at its AIM Higher Event held at the Clearwater Beach Marriott Resort on San Key in Clearwater, Florida.

• The company says the event’s success underscores its dedication to fostering a vibrant and supportive community within the promo industry.

“The AIM Higher Event exceeded our expectations in every way. The enthusiasm and engagement from our members and suppliers were truly inspiring,” says Cathy Cummings, executive vice president of supplier relations.

Quad/Graphics (PPAI 887327, Standard-Plus) is expanding into the promotional products industry.

• Quad employs more than 12,000 people in 14 countries and serves approximately 2,500 clients including industry leading blue-chip companies that serve both businesses and consumers in multiple industry verticals with a focus on commerce, including retail, consumer packaged goods and direct-to-consumer, financial services and health.
• The Sussex, Wisconsin-based distributor says the move strengthens its portfolio of integrated solutions that helps marketers make more direct and meaningful connections with customers and employees.
• Quad is ranked among the largest agency companies in the U.S. by Ad Age and is also one of the largest commercial printers in North America, according to Printing Impressions.
• The company’s new branded solutions group will take a consultative, holistic approach to ensure brand consistency, creative ideation, scalable production, exceptional quality, speed to market, and provide a single point of contact for marketers to reduce time and effort needed to oversee branded goods programs.