Vantage Apparel Welcomes Diana Fernandez as eCommerce Revenue Manager

Avenel, NJ – Vantage Apparel, a supplier of custom-branded apparel renowned for its award-winning decoration and integration capabilities, is thrilled to announce the return of Diana Fernandez to their dynamic team, this time in the role of eCommerce Revenue Manager. Diana's exceptional skills and proven track record make her the perfect fit for this pivotal position.

Diana is no stranger to the Vantage family. Previously, she served as a talented Marketing Manager within Vantage’s esteemed marketing team, where her innovative strategies and dedication left an indelible mark. Her return brings with it a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective that will undoubtedly drive success in her new role.

As eCommerce Revenue Manager, Diana will be at the forefront of Vantage’s digital transformation, spearheading initiatives to enhance customer experience, optimize sales channels, and maximize revenue growth. Her keen understanding of market trends and consumer behavior, coupled with her strategic mindset, positions her as a valuable asset in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of e-commerce.

"We are thrilled to welcome Diana back to Vantage Apparel in this exciting new capacity," said Rob Watson, CEO at Vantage Apparel. "Her expertise and passion for excellence align perfectly with our commitment to delivering exceptional products and services to our valued customers. With Diana leading our eCommerce efforts, we are poised for even greater success in the digital realm."



Diana's return underscores Vantage Apparel's dedication to fostering talent and empowering individuals to thrive in their careers. "As we embark on this exciting journey, my aim is to marry our traditional strengths with cutting-edge digital tactics, ensuring that every interaction with our brand is not just seamless but also exhilarating,” says Fernandez.

Her transition from Marketing Manager to eCommerce Revenue Manager exemplifies Vantage’s opportunities for growth and advancement within the organization.

Hit Promotional Products Adds Amy Rabideau, MAS, To Its Leadership Team



St. Petersburg, FL – Amy Rabideau, MAS, has joined Hit Promotional Products as the company's new vice president of product.

Rabideau is a 26-year industry veteran and joins Hit from Facilisgroup, where she served as its senior vice president of strategy and innovation. She is also a long-time promo industry volunteer, including a term as the RAC Delegate to the PPAI Board of Directors.

“Amy is a huge addition to our industry-leading technology team,” says Jon Norris, chief strategy officer at Hit. “Her experience as a supplier, distributor and software provider provides a strategic perspective that will help Hit deliver technology solutions for our customers. Hit hiring a vice president of product ensures that we have a well-managed lifecycle and go to market for all our technology solutions. If the industry is in the middle of a technology arms race, Hit just added a new aircraft carrier.”

As vice president of product, Rabideau’s focus will be on technology and how the supplier goes to market. Her new role is part of Hit’s initiative to build its technical proficiency and modernize its infrastructure, according to Raj Mukherjee, chief information officer at Hit.

“I can’t think of anyone else in the industry who can help me lead this initiative other than Amy,” Mukherjee says. “Amy comes with decades of promotional products experience in leading IT teams and managing the buildout of complex e-commerce products. Her experience will add a new dimension to how Hit does business, especially in the web store/e-commerce space. I’m looking forward to the leadership skills that Amy will bring to the team and am excited for Hit’s future in tech with her addition.”

SanMar Testifies Before The U.S. Senate In Support Of AGOA Program



Issaquah, WA – SanMar recently lent its support on Capitol Hill for AGOA, a U.S. trade program that provides duty-free policy to goods of designated African countries. Currently, AGOA is set to expire in 2025 while a proposed bill would extend it by 16 years with an expiration date of 2041.

Melissa Nelson, general counsel and corporate secretary for SanMar recently testified in front of the United States Senate Committee on Finance in support of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). In her testimony, Nelson discussed the way AGOA plays a critical role in driving economic growth in the apparel industry as well as the ways it creates jobs and decreases poverty in Africa.



Facts and perspectives on the subject that Nelson presented to the Senate include:

• SanMar first began sourcing apparel from sub-Saharan Africa in 2009.
• Through apparel production in five AGOA countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar and Ghana), SanMar provides jobs to more than 9,000 Africans.
• Of the workers manufacturing products for SanMar in these countries, more than 70% of them are women.
• In order to move production away from China, sub-Saharan Africa provides a viable sourcing base, but this is dependent on the renewal of the long-term renewal of AGOA.

SanMar has a continued presence in Africa through its factory partnerships and programs. Starting in 2023, it partnered with distributor partners to create internships in Tanzania.

AGOA is a U.S. trade program that provides duty-free policy to goods of designated African countries.



“Many potential investments in AGOA countries are on hold because the program is close to expiration,” Nelson told the Senate. “It’s a common discussion among apparel manufacturers who source from AGOA countries. There is so much potential in vertical integration, but no one will invest when the benefits of AGOA could expire before a return on investment.”

Boosting Creativity with a Childlike Imagination

Ashley Bellow • Content Marketing Coordinator • SAGE

We all get it. The creative slump is exhausting and well, unproductive. Creating business plans and projects can diminish our spirits and put us into a creative fun. Read on to find out how to get out of this funk.

Creativity is an essential aspect of human life, and it enables us to think outside the box, explore new ideas, and find solutions to problems. Many believe creativity is reserved for artists, writers, and musicians. However, this is not true! Everyone can be creative if they put their mind to it, and one of the best ways to boost creativity is to tap into your childlike imagination.

Children are known for their endless curiosity, ability to ask questions, and vivid imagination. They see the world with fresh eyes and are not bound by the same limitations and preconceptions that adults often have. By tapping into this childlike imagination, adults can unlock their own creative potential and discover new ways of thinking.

Here are some ways to boost your creativity with a childlike imagination:

Embrace curiosity: Children are naturally curious and ask a lot of questions. A two-year-old’s favorite word is, why? Embrace this curiosity and ask yourself questions about the world around you. Why does this work like that? Or, why is this important? Wonder about the things you see and the things you don’t understand. By embracing your curiosity, you’ll be able to think more deeply and creatively about the world.

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