Visionary Assurance, United Purpose is more than a tagline for our brand. Each word is purposely selected to convey the essence of our client experience. Our core values of creativity, collaboration, community and certification are the foundation behind our brand. Our identity is rooted in community; a symbiotic story. After nineteen years of quietly creating graphic designs for an array of partners, we designed a signature collection of products to celebrate our hometown business. As a destination, the culture and beauty of Apex reinforces why the town’s known by its trademark phrase, the Peak of Good Living. The popularity around collecting destination mugs became the centerpiece of our growing collection of retail inspired products & designs. Follow our socials or review the why partner page of our website and you’ll discover we are community invested. Life is a series of choices. Our choices can either fulfill or drain us. The sense of belonging created through our connection to Apex enriches my life, making me grateful. I describe the feeling of home Apex embodies within me in this reflective post. Our objective with this collection was to capture the destination we call home. Each element in our original graphic design work captures the ways we’re tied to Apex; location, community service, events and relationships. Since planting our roots in 2007, we’ve been immersed in the fabric of what makes Apex special. In Apex, neighbors support neighbors and businesses; together we make a difference. We're lucky to be part of a community that cares deeply and puts action behind the heart. Apex, more than a destination for our business. Historic Downtown Apex is home. If it seems odd to equate a business to a home, ask any business owner how much time they spend investing in their business. It's immersive, personal, and similar to adding another child to the family. I've learned a symbiotic relationship exists between entrepreneurs & the community we serve, creating a thriving community. By feeding what matters in our community and caring for one another, we all grow. The secret behind our brand was founded by four core values. How we apply the values of creativity, collaboration, certification and community each day keeps our story growing & evolving. Guided by our values, our actions become the partner experience, resulting in visionary assurance, united purpose. May kicks off the runway towards our 20th year in business. Help us celebrate. Contact us to be part of our upcoming Partner's Championship Celebration. #ApexSmallBizWeek #ApexSmallBizSuccess #SBASmallBusinessWeek #PromotionalPartnersApexNC

Partners and champions of your story develop naturally when community matters! We love seeing our partners grow. Together we can all do more. Support matters. Elevating your brand identity is our story; it's our why. Since 2018 we've created space at our PeakFest booth space to promote a local non-profit. Meet Sage Crossing, a non-profit dedicated to enhancing the lives of seniors through meaningful, service-based programs that foster intergenerational connection, nature-based engagement and compassionate caregiver support. What the heart behind their story that resonates with me? In the late 70's I was a "candy striper"- meaning I wore a striped uniform while volunteering in a senior community. By today's standards that facility was institutional, with dark corridors and overworked employees providing care to way too many residents. It was my first experience with dementia. Residents clung to dolls repeating their child's name and begged me to take them "to the station"; their mind locked in the past. Through those experiences, I also met amazing seniors with more left to give. I even learned to tie a bow tie, because that resident wouldn't leave his room till he was "properly dressed." Many of the seniors shared amusing stories that remain part of my formative DNA. Touched by these residents, I considered a career in senior living, only to have my supervisor advise me against the pursuit. She stated, "this line of work will eat away at your kind heart. You'll find it exhausting and depressing to continually deal with the loss." She was projecting her own frustrations. In 2021, I re-engaged with dementia through my own personal experiences with my mom, then my father in law. There is a void in senior healthcare and how society supports aging that's is not in lock-step with living. Dementia is an emotional journey for everyone involved- the caregivers, the family and the senior loosing a life they once controlled. As a society often we console the grief of loss by saying, at least you have your memories. What happens when you lose your memories and you can't process your day? The mind shuts down and senior cope by retreating from what they can't process. The senior is existing, but not living. Supporting seniors requires innovative thinking. In November 2025, Sage Crossing launched a group respite program as a first step towards a long-term vision to change how seniors live! The vision became a vibrant Senior Enrichment Center that empowers individuals with cognitive impairments to age with dignity and purpose, allowing them to experience a sense of belonging at every stage of aging. As part of their plan, the vision is a permanent location built through strong community partnerships that provide holistic care. When you visit PeakFest, step over to our booth. Learn how you can support an inclusive future for aging. Follow their socials Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for ways to support or donate here. Watch our recent social media story introducing this non-profit here. Learn how you can score a set of matching Apex mugs here. See ya at Town Hall Campus on Saturday May 2nd! #PromotionalPartnersApexNCCares #PromotionalPartnersApexNC

Every April, Earth Day and Arbor Day put a spotlight on the environment, however the modern consumer is how their future will be greener 365 days a year and for the years to come rather than focusing attention on the environment for a day. Does that mean we're on track for a greener future? When we started the business in 2007, very few of our clients asked about sustainable options and never asked about the packaging waste. In 2026, our partners are constructing more products with recycled materials, using packaging that can be recycled and changing operational practices for production changes to reduce their carbon foot print. There is also transparency. If you'd like a sustainability report, detailing ongoing initiatives and commitments to environmental responsibility- we can provide it! Our partners are: Re-thinking where they can reduce plastic Pursuing certifications that demonstrate their environmental commitment Setting concrete goals for zero waste in their manufacturing plants Expanding their portfolio of sustainable brands Actively seeking brand partners offering more value, balancing purpose with profit Partnering with carriers focused on carbon neutral efforts to off set emission's in shipping We prioritize partner relationships in the product lines we share with you. When our partner's give back their profits to organizations like 1% For The Planet that infuses millions of dollars into clean water initiatives, nature-based cardon solutions or plants trees through non-profits like Evertreen; you feel good about your investment. If sustainability and certifications are topic you'd like to explore, you're in luck. Get comfy and start reading. 166 blog posts include the word sustainable. 146 posts contain the word certification. 21 posts include efforts related to FSC, the Forest Steward Council 251 posts that include the mention of trees 318 posts around the key words environmental impact Frequently our 441 posts with cause marketing key words share brand impact stories, making a difference through charitable efforts and non-profit organizations And finally, 52 posts with the word earth Working together, we’ll continue making a difference. Responding to your concerns- that's united purpose. Aligning values, that's visionary assurance.

In May we celebrate 19 years in business. Partnership Matters! Trends come and go, but sage marketing strategies shaped by knowledge, talent and expertise keep brand messaging consistent. What's our team chemistry? Our persona is playful, practical, intentional and humorous Our tone is honest, vulnerable, direct and humble Our language is simple, savvy, and purposeful We're united in purpose to engage, educate, amplify, and exceed expectations We communicate with clarity, honesty and consistency. We give, freely sharing our marketing expertise We don't take strengthen our partners to value proposition lightly. Molding a narrative around products requires a deep understanding of your brand and a unique skillset. Here's an example of how our brand management works. The Apex Cougar Club has a set of brand assets with several logos and a distinct color palette. Managing those assets while applying originality to an array of communication touch points requires expertise! This is our visionary assurance, united purpose at work! For more than 60 years, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has celebrated National Small Business Week, acknowledging the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. We'll be celebrating partners through “Love Local” highlights and continue to support our community. Follow our socials from May 3rd- 9th 2026 as we highlight and applaud the success of our local partners. #ApexSmallBizWeek #ApexSmallBizSuccess . Check our regional special featured through Triangle Small Business Week, for more information, visit trianglesmallbusinessweek.com .

Ah, Mikey, he won't eat it, he hates everything! Do you remember that classic commercial for Quaker, Life cereal? Maybe he wanted chocolate pebbles or flakes, however the quality was undeniable to Mikey. Even if the cereal was good for him. It tasted great too! Remember as a kid, half the fun of selecting a cereal was for the free prize? My mom always made us wait. If we dug down to get the price first, we were in trouble. She was more concerned about the ingredients in the box. Those projecting yellow tags, shelf talkers, are like all noise on your social platform's screaming "pick me". The packaging is always appealing, but it's what's inside that counts. As your partner, were full of surprises and amazing ingredients. In fact, ahead of our May anniversary, let me break down exactly what you'll find inside. Spoiler alert, we're not flakes! We're also not boring- we snap, crackle and pop! Our services like ingredients are good for you. We're resourceful, finding a workable solution to bring unique ideas to life.   From private label options to decoration methods that exceed visual expectations, we're agile storytellers who infuse original ideas into our collaborations with you.   We're hardwired to handle projects, offering solutions that aren't on a website or in a catalog. Which is one of the many reasons we've never had a shopping cart on our website. We prefer being original.     We don't shy away from complicated; instead, we lean in with confidence. As we move into our May anniversary, a reminder of the work behind the scenes from our dedicated team.   We apply our industry certifications, supplier partner relationships & graphic design guide us to the right decisions to approach your employee retention & engagement and marketing & advertising challenges. Through experience and certification, we've learned to safely and compliantly source both domestic and overseas products. We stay in touch with our partners, meeting consistently throughout the year to ensure regardless of the size of your order, we have the solution. By investing in our education, staying ahead of trending merchandise, and following what resonates with today's consumers, our showroom remains a curated collection of purposeful products. We help you stand out by balancing trends with reliable intel in an extremely fast paced & evolving market. That's our specialty. We're behind the scenes, making critical decisions, vetting the options, saving you steps for reliable outcomes. By customizing your marketing plan rather than simply suggesting products adds complexity to our day, which we embrace. We are a problem-solving partner, not a product provider. Through collaborations, we explore possibilities, then our team makes it happen with real-world timelines and budgets.   Problem solving and delivering creativity without sacrificing quality requires we communicate. We juggle a lot. Daily we manage expectations through the sales process, troubleshooting logistical challenges that arise and brainstorming alternatives that keep us delivering quality outcomes. Trusting us as an extension of your team requires we remain responsive, transparent and proactive. Thank you for trusting us with your projects. We're heart healthy, a source of strength to your daily tasks. Life's short and it's full of work. We love making your workload easier!   Our reputation relies on doing what's right. Visionary Assurance, United Purpose is your prize.

The size of a promotional product is not the key to success- it's the impact. According to Robin Pittman, MS, MCHES Family Life Senior Director at Poe, over 8,600 children and adults participate in family life programs each year in the Poe Center. Executive Director Ann Rollins introduced me to Julie Henry, Director of Marketing & Communications for AmeriHealth Caritas of North Carolina, at a Poe event. From there, our conversation led to a collaboration that created results. Introduced as creative and strategic partner, our company was tasked with creating a product to serve as a visual reminder to the education topics covered in Poe’s teaching theater. To maximize the budget for thousands of students, the product needed to be low-cost, yet high impact. It was essential the product offer flexibility to travel with students throughout their day as a visual reminder of the messaging and partnership between Poe and AmeriHealth. We suggested a unique shape for a key tag, an ameba; then designed the tag. Our key tag design provided a low-cost, large impact reminder of the information covered in the presentation. The product would travel with recipient, providing long term engagement. The tags were USA Made! The clip allowed students to decide where to attach the product. The tags easily attached to a bag or zipper as a wearable reminder. Students were given the clips after attending programs in the Poe Center education theater and on the road at pop up events around the state in partnership with AmeriHealth Caritas NC. Because an ameba can alter its shape, it represented the state of flux associated with puberty. Teens navigate the changes in their own body and mind as they mature. Educational programming helps shape their understanding around the impact of their current choices on their future health. We also designed a mobile backdrop for pop up events around the state. The design work incorporated holistic health education into the graphics. Each backdrop was dual sided for more flexibility at various locations and for messaging at events. Attendees were encouraged to take selfie photos for social sharing, increasing visibility and reinforcing the educational messaging each time images were shared. Julie stated, " Our health plan was considering ways to reinforce our existing relationship with the Poe Center that could serve as a reminder of what students are learning.  We worked with Promotional Partners, considering options that would appeal to a fairly wide age range – from 4 th  graders through high schoolers – and settled on a zipper tag because it is small enough to tag onto a backpack or lanyard easily, and with the unique shape, might even be a fidget toy.  Giving students something they are likely to keep in a visible place, rather than stuffed in a drawer, allows more opportunities not only for brand visibility, but for recall of their visit to Poe. "  Robin shared as a summary to this project, " AmeriHealth Caritas has been a dedicated supporter of the Poe Center’s Family Life programs since 2023. Family Life programs are among the most attended programs at the Poe Center. Schools and organizations across the state rely on our programs to provide age-appropriate medically-accurate sexual-health education. Programs take a holistic approach to healthy adolescent development focusing on topics, such as puberty, healthy relationships, communication, decision-making, values, and reproductive and sexual health. Parent-child workshops on adolescent development are among the most well attended. Over 8,600 children and adults participate in Family Life programs each year. As the primary sponsor of Family Life programs at the Poe Center, AmeriHealth Caritas has provided funding to help promote Family Life programs and its educational messages. We needed a promotional item that was popular with pre-teens and teens, but could also promote the health messages of our programs. The zippy clip key chains were a great option. Focus group feedback from youth told us that key chains were a hit item. The fun shape with imagery of healthy nutrition, physical activity, and mental wellness behaviors helped reinforce key lessons. Every child who participates in a Poe Center program receives one. Health educators also distribute them at health fairs and events. And they are a popular item to be picked up from our information kiosk. Kids love hanging them off their backpacks. We are well satisfied with the youth’s reaction to the key chains. They are a small subtle way to send a BIG message." Through repetitive engagement, reach & recall the message resonated with the recipients; creating change. The success and popularity of the ameba clips, translated into an order for a brain shape zippy clips and stickers for the education program Train Your Brain. Play Neural Fortification; is a twist on the popularity of Fortnite Video Game with teens. This case study is an example of how a promotional product WORKS! We are excited to update this blog post originally posted October 25, 2025 to insert a special announcement. We've added to our Pyramid Collection, earning a Silver Pyramid Award from PPAI. This case study demonstrates the marketing & graphic design value we provide our partners. This collaboration captures our visionary assurance, united purpose.

Is running a hobby, a passion, one's therapy or does being part of a pack provide you a sense of community? Whether your reason to run is to stay fit or to push yourself, it's clear running is a phenomenon that's attracting record numbers of runners. No screen time, just real scenery to absorb over your course. Friendly competition among runners another quest to pursue. This partnership story travels all around town and back. Stories that live "in the wild" matter. Our team knows, there are no "rules" for awards. We lean into the quirky ideas that work for marketing strategy! Crafting a story, requires layers. An award is meant to be a symbol of accomplishment, jogging the memory  each time it's seen. Participants of the Apex Chamber's annual "Run The Peak" earn a medal . After sharing images on race day, race participants add to their personal collection at home or in the office. Each year we change the plating colors of the medal to keep the event fresh to participants. In 2025, top performers were rewarded with our annual pint glass and this year a zipper pull. The mini medal attached to a zipper creates a moment among running enthusiasts to talk about this event. As you can see, our team never goes halfway with ideas. Cheers to the participants.   “Promotional Partners was great to work with for our race.  They provided the committee with several options, made the process very efficient and affordable.  They’ve proven to be a very reliable partner.” Skeet Woolard- Run the Peak Race Chair

What's the impression you seek to leave with consumers about your brand? We make sure you stick the landing, creating a positive, lasting impression. Whether it's engagement one-on-one with a person that leaves us with a lasting impression of themself or a consumer response to a brand; impressions matter. For 15 years ASI, Advertising Specialty Institute, creates their annual Ad Impressions Study. It's a data-driven survey to determine the effectiveness of tangible marketing. The findings demonstrate the power of promotional products for marketing & advertising and swaying consumer preferences while accomplishing this feet with a low cost per impression compared to other forms of advertising. The studies consistently show that the average CPI of promotional products is minuscule – just pennies, often, a fraction of a cent. What's the most popular product? T-shirts – it's promotional item consumers say they’re the most excited to receive. Nearly 80% of U.S. consumers who receive a promotional item say they have a more favorable impression of the advertiser after receiving a product, turning their favor into action by starting a relationship with the brand. If that's not compelling enough, promo out performed other advertising mediums – including TV, social media, radio and online advertising. Consider this data: Our clients have the full report in this month's newsletter! As part of our visionary assurance, united purpose- we share data with our clients.

We've all heard there are moments not to cut corners. As the 2026 Olympics prepare to close, it's a great time to continue a discussion around insuring your golden celebrations remain joyful! Athletes train for years, devoting considerable hours each day to perfect their craft, in pursuit of Olympic gold. Medals take center stage during this high profile event, as a symbol of achievement; not a time to cut corners. Surely you've heard about the 2026 Winter Olympic medals separating from their ribbon during the celebration. Our industry was buzzing about the design & material choices that likely contributed to failures. After-all, our day job and reputation relies on quality deliverables. ASI Media, asked two leading industry medal manufacturers to weigh in on this construction failure. The article by Kiran Sheth, shared this blog reference a report from USA TODAY. Sheth writes, USA Today reported the previous Olympic medals had loops or grommets, the 2026 Winter Olympic medals featured a groove at the top. “A metal pin resting in a loop at the bottom of the ribbon fits into the groove, securing the medal and ribbon in place,” the newspaper wrote . “But the pin has a spring mechanism, and when the medal or ribbon is pulled or jostled, it activates, and the two separate.” “The medals do not break,” said the Italian State Mint and Polygraphic Institute, which produced the medals, in a comment to USA TODAY. “For a limited number of medals, the anti-choking safety device activates during celebrations by opening.” The damaged medals will be replaced, but the situation left our industry scratching our heads. Sheth's article includes two trusted industry expert perspectives. “It appears that the manufacturer attempted to use a plastic clip of some kind to attach the medals to the neck ribbons,” says Tom Farrell, marketing director for EMT (asi/52263), which produces medals, pins and patches, among countless other product categories. “Mixing materials like this, especially when the plastic clip is playing a structural role, is a risky proposition.” An attachment point is the load-bearing connection between the medal and the ribbon. Nick Wright, marketing director at Simba (asi/87296), a maker of medals, rings, championship belts and other products. “With one of the highest profile events in sports, the quality control should have been more rigorous than it was. ”In promo, we’re always focused on creating emotional connections,” Farrell explains. “When it comes to medals, awards and other recognition items, that emotional connection is inherent. These are items that represent milestone achievements and sometimes significant life events. Because of that, durability isn’t just a functional requirement, it’s part of the meaning behind the item.” A common misconception is that gold medals are made from solid gold. “Olympic medals are typically made from another metal, like sterling silver, and then plated with gold,” Farrell says. “That’s actually similar to how most high-quality medals in the promotional space are made. Most commonly, base metals like brass, iron, or zinc alloys are used and then plated in different finishes to achieve the appropriate aesthetic and perceived value.” Our industry works in tandem. Trusted supplier relationships provide knowledge and education to to distributors like Promotional Partner which produces a quality result. Beautiful medals, with structural integrity, insures our recipient's can jump for joy anywhere they'd like! This case study with the Apex Chamber- Run the Peak, the Town of Cary Mayor Medals capture visionary assurance, unite purpose at work for our partners. We know a thing or two about how to champion our partners! Watch them twirl!

In the March 2026 edition of PPAI Magazine, The Best of PPAI Expo, there an article showcasing how to break through the digital spiral of doom scrolling. Instead creating effective and impactful programs that get results. It's clear, the tangible appeal of promotional products is WORKING ! How do I know tangible marketing works? Keep reading to discover the entire story behind our inspiring client promotion. Our core values of collaboration, creativity, certification and community are at work! In her article titled, "Inspiring Client Promotions" Tina Berres Filipski captures the story behind the effectiveness of our industry as a marketing & advertising strategy. Her article features 18 stand out programs, including one from our company; Promotional Partners Inc! It's exciting to see our company in print. The daily work behind the scenes, each promotion, each client- it's valued. "Our why" is creating amazing results for our partners. Being recognized for our third Pyramid in six years occurred because our team provides more than a place to purchase a product. We're not a selling a product, we're agency power behind your brand. Our value is our creativity & expertise! In the words: Did you know the average person worldwide spends nearly seven hours per day on screens, including watching TV, scrolling social media, gaming, browsing websites and reading? Add to that another hour in the car listening to radio and – you get the picture – the average person is exposed daily to thousands of advertising messages aimed at influencing how they spend their money, time and energy. In contrast, the hands-on approach of promotional products cuts through all the clutter by delivering customized, interactive experiences centered around tangible products that people keep, use and remember. This year, 18 of the best campaigns were singled out for the PPAI Pyramid Award in Client Programs, an annual competition that’s been spotlighting the best promotions for more than 60 years. While some of these winning programs incorporated virtual events and social media, the centerpiece remained product focused. Our role as your partner is not to provide a commodity, those can be purchased anywhere. As your partner, it's validating to be recognized for all the work behind the scenes. We live in a high speed, pressure paced environment, juggling hundreds of products. Usually we don't get to see the final result at work. Learn more about all three wins in this recent post. Explore the entire story of our collaboration with The Poe Center here . As we rapidly move towards our 2027, 20th year and our Vicennial Celebration being recognized as an agency that's promoting & elevating the work of our industry means our foundation of visionary assurance, units purpose is apparent to others; and working daily through each client collaboration!

Birds are cared for in the nest till it's time to soar. As a student, your classroom experiences should provide the tools to help you innovate. Art teaches critical thinking, problem solving, innovation and inspires students to act on their dreams. Classrooms without walls, where the past meets the present, provide the right environment to help students soar. Much like a bird borrowing from it's environment to build a strong nest, when students gain access to community partners and expertise beyond the classroom walls, the tools leaned in the classroom take on a practical application. Connection outside the traditional classroom encodes permanent, relevant experiences that shape their perspective and help students soar. Today's story spans 100 years and honors the legacy of a trailblazing woman; passionate about access to education. Thanks to visionary thinking and community partnerships, her story continues is inspire and educate students today on the site, this pioneer founded. The back story of this project starts with The Palmer Memorial Institute (PMI), a private school for African American youth, closed its doors as an educational institution in 1971. However, history is coming to life on this site, through resources & partners in the NC community. 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Canary Cottage, Dr. Brown's home and a designated NC Historic site. Recently, students from Western Guildford High School's  Adobe Visual Design class applied their newly acquired skills to an innovative project with the museum. Students in Mr. George Brown’s Adobe Visual Design class became part of the narrative of the Palmer Memorial Institute. Tanesha Anthony, site manager of the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum shared, "Through the class, student learned about the design-to-production process, gaining valuable skills and came away with a deeper understanding of merchandising. “Dr. Brown believed deeply in education and preparing young people to lead with confidence and purpose,” said Tanesha Anthony, site manager of the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum. “This project gave students an opportunity interact with history on their own terms, apply their talents in a real-world setting, and see their work valued by the community. We are pleased to not only preserve the history of Dr. Brown and PMI, but cultivate a space for the next generation of leaders and cultural stewards.” Register here to attend the event on Wednesday. Here's a sneak peek of skillsets applied to museum merchandise. In preparation for creating their new line of merchandise, we collaborated virtually with the museum staff. Thanks to technology, brain storming and visiting our showroom & design studio is simple; regardless of distance. As a former art educator and public school art teacher, it's exciting to see students be part of this type of learning experience; it will resonate a lifetime. Interested to learn more? On Wednesday, March 18th at 12;30, I will see students unveil their designs and talk about the inspiration, process, and lessons learned at a launch event for the new merchandise, “Canary 100: The Cottage Collection.” Visit their Instagram or Facebook account for a sneak peek of the new collection. Read more about Dr. Brown in this earlier post.   Read the entire press release here. Partnering with on a project that celebrates a woman with vision and assisting modern day students taps into all of the reasons I love my industry. Visionaries see more than a promotional product, instead carefully selected products become a vessel for your narrative, helping market the brand behind the story. In this case, Dr. Brown. #Canary100 #SalonConversation #VirtualLecture #LearningHappensHere #CHBMuseum #CharlotteHawkinsBrown

Once a year, we all seem to become Irish! Yep, that's right. Long time partner Doherty's has grown from a single Cary location to Apex, Holly Springs and Pittsboro; apparently good food, drinks and people make us all yearn to be Irish! An important aspect of any restaurant & pub includes employee identification, as well as rewarding your brand enthusiasts. Order gear year-round in their merch store and make sure to be early to buy your new 2026 St Patrick's Day tee design. Branded merchandise sales = smart marketing strategy. For us, relationships are golden- long term partnerships, are trusted partners! We love seeing our partners grow. Head over to one of their locations on Tuesday- click here for details, FAQ and to make reservations. Plus, check out their gallery of even more of our collaborations.