Founded in 1902 by F.L. Vernon, The Vernon Company (PPAI 109323, D11), has a long history in the promotional products industry. Now under its fourth generation of family leadership, the company has grown to support customers in a wide range of businesses from its Newton, Iowa, headquarters. It’s also been an active supporter of the promo industry as well. The late Bill Vernon, father of current President and CEO Chris Vernon, MAS, is a past board chair of PPAI – then the Specialty Advertising Association International – and an inductee into the Association’s Hall of Fame.

Along with its support of its staff professional growth, as recognized in its PPAI 100 ranking, The Vernon’s Company’s emphasis on education extends to the Promotional Products Education Foundation as well. It established a William F. “Bill” Vernon Named Scholarship with PPEF, for outstanding students with parents working in the promo field.

Kansas City-based SLWM (PPAI 446276, D11) was formed through the July 2022 merger of established distributors SupplyLogic, LLC and WebbMason Marketing. Later that year, investment firm Gallant Capital Partners acquired the combined company, further supporting its tech-enabled marketing services. SLWM’s expertise includes print, digital and creative, point of sale and branded merchandise.
The investment SLWM has received is reflected in the high marks it earned in PPAI’s ranking for the industry’s faith in the company and for its technological accomplishments.

Headquartered in Suwanee, Georgia, distributor Smart Source (PPAI 313388, D10) operates across the U.S. through 19 branch offices. It offers its clients a range of brand management business solutions, including business process outsourcing, creative services, printed products and promotional merchandise.

The company works with both international and domestic clients, and has developed a reputation for successfully integrating and growing customer relationships by leveraging its brand sourcing. Through this and some strategic acquisitions, it has realized substantial growth and expansion in recent years.