SPECIAL EDITION:2013 NATIONALSALES MEETING

The Sterling News Published by HALO Branded Solutions

Editor Stephanie Preston | Director of Marketing | Layout, Design & Writing Marc Book | Marketing Consultant

AUGUST

2013

2013 NATioNAl SAleS MeeTiNGA brief review of the activities and

announcements from the 2013 National Sales Meeting in Chicago, illinois.

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NATioNAl SAleS MeeTiNG PHoTo

GAlleRYHighlighting the 2013 National Sales Meeting through photographs and quotations from

Account executives and Preferred Suppliers.

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2013 NATioNAl SAleS MeeTiNGThe amazing teams that make up the HALO organization gathered again, this time for the 2013 National Sales Meeting. The Windy City beckoned as Account Executives, staff and suppliers headed to Chicago, IL the week of July 23rd-26th. This was the largest event to date, breaking all previous records, with 210 AE’s in attendance and nearly 130 suppliers exhibiting and participating in the trade show on Thursday.

The Sales Meeting kicked off with a short preview of the week from CEO, Marc Simon, before boarding double-decker buses to tour downtown Chicago for a proper introduction to the city. The tours ended at Navy Pier where the group boarded the Anita Dee II yacht for an adventurous dinner cruise. The waves were strong on Lake Michigan but that didn’t keep the HALO group from having a great time catching up and networking.

Wednesday morning marked the return of Vendor Compression Sessions. The 10 minute presentations provided a quick and informative glimpse into 32 vendors’ strategies and specials to increase sales. The evening offered dine arounds, sponsored by HALO’s Preferred Suppliers, at 20 of Chicago’s top restaurants.

The best trade show in the industry kicked off on Thursday. The theme, in true Chicago fashion, was Blues Brothers. Nearly all of the suppliers participated in the theme this year. Gemline took top honors for “Best Supplier Booth“ and the New Product Pavilion showcased over 75 of the hottest items of the year. TriMark powered by Leeds took home the “Best New Product” this year with their Oyama Knit Jacket (Item # 18120).

Thursday evening marked the long awaited return to the Sterling Corporate Office. It only took 8 buses and 2 hours to get the entire team from Chicago to Sterling. The astonished AE’s walked off the buses to cheers, clapping, and hugs from the Sterling Team as well as the spirited music of the Sterling High School Marching Band! The night was a delight for everyone in attendance. Food was catered by Sterling’s own Candlelight Inn (home of the famous “Chicken George”), music provided by a local jazz duo, and one final performance from the Sterling High School Marching Band’s Drum Line capped the night with an exclamation point. The Sterling visit was the true highlight of the week offering AE’s and staff the rare opportunity to spend quality time with each other.

The final day in Chicago began with VIP sessions from 12 Preferred suppliers. The longer and more comprehensive sessions closed the educational portion of the Sales Meeting. From there it was a short walk to Chicago’s famous Millennium Park for the closing event. Account Executives and staff were able to play games, dine on food and drink from Chicago’s own Goose Island Brewery, and were a short walk from the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra and Chicago’s iconic Cloud Gate, also lovingly known as “The Bean.”

The 2013 National Sales Meeting was HALO’s greatest event yet made successful by the enthusiastic participation of Account Executives, Preferred Suppliers and staff. Stay tuned for more details on the date and location for the 2014 meeting.

Marc Simon, CEO

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2 Kathy Kishpaugh (OH), Tom Thompson (UT), Al DeMartini (CA) and Pat Thompson (UT)

Faye and John Smith (PA) are greeted by Pam Gray (Director of

Customer Service)

Jack Mewhirter (President), Steve Parker (CA) and Tomas Cohan (RVP-Mountain

States) on the Anita Dee II during the Lake Michigan Dinner Cruise.

Kristi Worthman (CO), Kim Bot (SD), Mercy Crespo (FL) and Norris Perez (FL) enjoy the view

from the double decker bus.

I feel HALO is a top notch organization that I’m proud to belong to. The

marketing staff and others who were involved in planning this deserve a big

round of applause.- Karen Giattino (TN)

AE’s enjoyed a quick tour of downtown Chicago atop 4 double-decker buses on Tuesday.

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Scott Balestra (MO) & Lisa Madsen (KS) enjoying the camaraderie and skyline view on the

Anita Dee Dinner cruise.

Dale Limes (SR. VP of Sales), Cathy Chapman (LA), Kay Rehorn (KS)

Pam Dunagan (TX), Julie Laguarta (TX) and Brenda Spillman (TX)

Jim Stutz (Exec VP Business Development), Nicki Staats (Supplier Compliance), Dawn Olds (VP of

Operations), Sunil Reddy (Director of IT Services), Julie Harms (Supplier Relations), Stephanie

Preston (Director of Marketing)

Debbie Ward (CA), Susan Kornblatt (MD), Cathy Hodin (MD) and Linda Carrow (SC)

Carole Higgins-Kelly (TX), Marilyn Dowell (TX), Jon Kelly (TX) and Kirsten Bury (GA)

Karen Giattino (TN) and Laura Bernon (FL)

The immense effort it took to pull off the logistics of this meeting is

amazing... and greatly appreciated! The Sterling visit was the highpoint

for sure.- Cathy Chapman (LA)

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“The positive energy we created in Chicago provides tremendous momentum for our team for the

balance of 2013!”

- Jim Stutz (Exec VP of Business Development)

Casey Halsne (Sterling CSR) greets one her Account Executives, Deb McKenzie (CO).

Katie Sweeney (OH) shows her excitement upon arriving in Sterling.

Jim Stutz thanked the teams for their tremendous efforts this year and highlighted

achievements and anniversaries.

Marc Simon (CEO) addressed the crowd in Sterling.

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5Sharon Steffan (CA) and Steven Perlmuter (CA)

Eric Tucker (CA), Mandie Kusk (Apparel Order Editor), Jim Ianora (NY) and Paul Steinberg (RVP-Northeast)

HALO AE’s and Staff playing the back yard game of Cornhole.

Seated: Rick Greene (RVP-Western Region), Jeff Goda (AZ), Jean Sillman (MI). Standing: Linda Carrow (SC), Georgia Staley (Billing) and Kevin

Vaughn (AZ)

Tomas Cohan (RVP-Mountain States) and his Colorado crew pose for a photo.

The Sterling High School Drum Line performs.

Chris Reese (TX), Scott Berry (MI), Tracy Kuhn (CSR), Jane Miller (MI), Linda Stephens (CO)

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6Seated: Charlie Stevens (RVP-Baltimore), Rich

Rothschild (MD). Standing: Jack Wilson (CO), Sara Fran Richman (MD), Linda Cline (NY), Linda Milikin

(MD) and Becky Schumacher (MD)

Sara McDermott (MO), Linda Greathouse (MO), Ross Loevy (MO), Karen Salger (IL), Julie Reimer (IL), Brian Hiner (RVP-Midwest), Matt Gallegos (IL)

and Casey Silseth (IL)

Kim Bot (SD), Randy Southard (OH) and Eric

Ekstrand (RVP-Mid-Atlantic)

Guests enjoy The Grant Park Symphony at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.

Front: Ginger Hutter (TX), Donna LeBlanc (TX), Sheri Breaux (TX). Back: Susan

Kornblatt (MD) and Steven Perlmuter (CA)

Jim Pribble (OH), Dawn Olds (VP of Operations), Jim Woodburn (CO), Jack Mewhirter (President),

John Helder (NJ) and Tom Heneghan (MA)

As a supplier, the HALO meeting is a ‘can’t miss.’ The format, sales people, and

organization are simply the best in the industry.

- Patty Ceranski (Gemline)

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Chris Piper (RVP-Northwest), Mitch Rhodus (OH), Dale Limes (SVP Sales), Jim Stutz (EVP), Tomas

Cohan (RVP-Mountain States), Chuck Connelley (CO)

Seated: Danny Simon (IL), Stanley Ng (CA), Marcy Simon, Marc Simon (CEO). Standing: Julie Harms (Supplier Relations), Sunil Reddy (Director of IT Services), Marti Eastman (Program Operations Manager),

Shannon Weinrich (OP Manager), Lisa LeMond (Gill Studios) and Stephanie Preston (Director of Marketing).

Seated: Pam Gray (Director of Customer Service), Linda Janczkowski (CFO). Standing:

Mary Pat Stewart (Customer Service Supervisor), Hilary Abes (FL), Phyllis Jones

(RVP-South), Mary Wickstrom (MN), Darren Ankosko (RTB West) and Michael Abes (FL)

“It was another outstanding meeting, Chicago was a great town to see - Sterling was so much fun! So great to meet the people we

work with on a daily basis, thank you!

- Gwen Knight (PA)

HALO Account Executives and staff enjoy the symphony at Millennium Park.

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Stephen Smidt (St. Regis Crystal) shows off some new products during Compresssion Sessions.

Kelly Borre (AAA Umbrella) shows off custom printing options during Compression Sessions.

Brett Garran (Edwards Garment) presentsat a VIP Session.

Phyllis Jones (RVP-South), DeShaun Diggs (Gemline), Patty Ceranski (Gemline) and Lori

Dobrez (Gemline) show product to HALO AE, Dell Macklin (AL).

Suppliers treated groups of HALO AE’s to dinner at 20 of Chicago’s best

restaurants on Wednesday Night.

Chris Piper (RVP-Northwest) and Rick Greene (RVP-West) show off their Blues Brothers look.