The Advertising Specialty Institute^® (ASI) today announced the distinguished honorees of the 2024 Counselor Awards, with CJ Schmidt, CEO of Hit Promotional Products (asi/61125), recognized as Counselor Person of the Year. In the eight years since Schmidt, 41, took control of his family’s Florida-based company, Hit has achieved remarkable growth, doubling revenue from $319 million in 2015 to nearly $640 million in 2023.

ASI is the leading technology, marketing and information provider in the $26.1 billion promotional products industry. ASI’s award-winning Counselor magazine, celebrating its 70th year as the voice of the industry, named its first-ever Person of the Year in 1965.

“Growing up with one of the most well-known last names in promo, CJ Schmidt found his true calling within the family business, quickly shattering expectations and pouring his heart and soul into his work,” said ASI President and Chief Executive Officer Timothy M. Andrews. “He built his company by doubling down on investments, revenue and efficiency, all while maintaining a down-to-earth approach and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction.”

Florence Mosnier, general manager of International Partnership for Premiums and Gifts (IPPAG), a global cooperative of leading promo products companies spanning 35 countries, was named Counselor International Person of the Year. Mosnier is at the forefront of a global movement to keep promo products highly relevant by championing sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

ASI also introduced the Counselor Sustainability Advocate of the Year category, recognizing individuals and businesses committed to advancing sustainable practices within the industry.

Counselor Award recipients and Top 40 companies were honored Wednesday night at a festive awards ceremony at the McCormick Place Convention Center during ASI’s 25th ASI Chicago trade show. Profiles of each recipient or company chosen for a Counselor Award are now live at asicentral.com/news.

The Counselor Top 40 lists, featuring the industry’s top performers based on 2023 North American revenue, included three billion-dollar companies. Collectively, Top 40 suppliers and distributors generated revenue of $13.3 billion and $9.9 billion, respectively.

SanMar (asi/84863) continues its reign as the largest promo products supplier with an estimated $3.6 billion in 2023 revenue, up nearly 6%. The Issaquah, WA-based firm was again named one of the Best Managed Companies in the U.S. by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal. Rounding out the top five are S&S Activewear (asi/84358), with an estimated $2.1 billion in 2023 revenue, alphabroder (asi/34063), Gildan (asi/56842) and PCNA (asi/66887).

Oshkosh, WI-based 4imprint (asi/197045) again topped the Counselor Top 40 distributor list with 2023 revenue of $1.3 billion, up 16.3%, helped by an increase in total orders, which included generating more business with existing customers. HALO Branded Solutions (asi/356000) remained No. 2 with 2023 revenue of $937.7 million. The remainder of the top five are Staples Promotional Products (asi/120601), Custom Ink (asi/173232) and Proforma (asi/300094).

The 2024 Counselor Award honorees are:

Person of the Year: CJ Schmidt, CEO, Hit Promotional Products (asi/61125)
International Person of the Year: Florence Mosnier, general manager, IPPAG
Sustainability Advocate of the Year: XD Connects, CEO Albert van der Veen
Distributor Entrepreneur of the Year: Joseph Sommer, founder, Whitestone Branding (asi/359741)
Supplier Entrepreneurs of the Year: Seth Inyang and Vinh Lieu, co-founders, Elemental Bottles (asi/51846)
Distributor Family Business of the Year: Goldner Associates (asi/209800)
Supplier Family Business of the Year: J.Charles (asi/62985)
Woman of Distinction: Susan Lewandowski, managing director, BEL Promo (asi/39552)
Bess Cohn Humanitarian of the Year: Jed Seifert, co-founder, Stakes Manufacturing (asi/88974)
Lifetime Achievement Award: Fred and Suzette Albrecht, co-owners, Proforma Albrecht & Co. (asi/116308)

Recipients of Counselor Awards are nominated by industry peers and chosen by an in-house committee. Honorees are featured in Counselor magazine’s annual State of the Industry (SOI) issue, published each summer in print and online. Using data from the magazine’s annual SOI survey, Counselor provides coverage and analysis of the issues that matter most to the promo market.