Assembly Bill 5 (AB5), which addresses employee classification, becomes law in California on January 1, 2020. This law implements a new test for employers to use to determine if a worker is an independent contractor for the purposes of the Labor Code, Unemployment Insurance Code and the Industrial Welfare Commission (IWC) wage orders. The law will also apply to Workers’ Comp coverage as of July 1, 2020.

AB5 sets a new “ABC Test” for determining a worker’s independent contractor status, which is intended to be easier and more predictable for employers and workers. Under the new law, a worker is considered an “employee” unless they meet all three conditions to be classified as an independent contractor. The three conditions are:

1. The worker is free from the control and direction of the hiring entity in connection with the performance of the work, both under the contract for the performance of the work and in fact; and
2. The worker performs work that is outside the usual course of the hiring entity’s business; and
3. The worker is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation or business of the same nature as that involved in the work performed.

While a majority of employers and their workers will need to meet these conditions, there are a few exceptions that would need to follow the multifactor Borello test, including:

• When the Legislature or IWC has defined an employment relationship in a certain way;
• When a court determines the ABC test cannot be applied; or if the occupation or contracting relationship is specifically exempted.

More information on the ABC and Borello tests, exemptions and requirements under AB5 is available at https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/FAQ_IndependentContractor.htm.

California-based companies should take these actions:

• Determine which workers are now classified as independent contractors.
• Review the list of exemptions to determine if you must apply the ABC test or the Borello test.
• Examine carefully each worker’s actual job duties, expectations, control, supervision, etc. applying the applicable test.
• If applying the “ABC test,” be sure workers meet all three conditions to be classified as an independent contractor.
• If you need to reclassify a worker from an independent contractor to an employee, be sure to update your records, get the employee on your W-2 payroll, and be sure the employee is covered by unemployment and Workers’ Comp as well as other state benefits.
• If there is a question about the worker’s classification, it is best to default to “employee” as it is usually more beneficial for the individual.

This information was provided by PPAI’s affiliated human resources partner, Affinity HR Group, Inc., a company specializing in providing human resources assistance to associations, including PPAI and its member companies. The company is available to answer questions about this and other HR-related issues for any PPAI member company at www.affinityHRgroup.com.

Used with permission from PPAI Publications

CAMARILLO, Calif. (December 13, 2019) – The Specialty Advertising Association of California (SAAC), the regional voice of the promotional products industry in Southern California for more than 60 years, is pleased to announce Ray Jimenez of The Magnet Group has been elected to the SAAC Board of Directors.  He will fill the one open supplier board seat and begin his two-year term on January 1, 2020.

“This year we had four incredible candidates with a great vision for the future of SAAC and a willingness to serve our association,” said Jennifer Bingham, SAAC Executive Director. “The passion and commitment they show for our regional community does not go unnoticed, and we are so appreciative of their dedication."

The board of directors is the governing body for SAAC and plays a major role in carrying out the vision and mission of the organization.  Jimenez brings with him 21 years of industry experience and a fresh perspective that will serve the Southern California promotional community well.

“I am thrilled to welcome Ray and know he will be a wonderful asset to our board and association,” said Rhett Todd, president of SAAC. “This year is ending on such a high note for SAAC. I have no doubt Ray will complement the returning directors as we continue to find new ways to best serve our community and members.”

“Having the opportunity to serve on the SAAC Board and represent The Magnet Group is such a privilege,” said Jimenez. “We are in a relationship-based industry and relationships are exactly what we need to focus on to continue creating a sense of community within SAAC. I’m excited to join a great group of individuals with that same vision.”

The 2020 Board of Directors include:

President: Tara Villanueva, Geiger

Vice President: Stephen Ropfogel, HALO

Immediate Past President: Rhett Todd, Printgear

Treasurer: Bob Levitt, Staples

Secretary: RJ Hagel, Goldstar

Director: Jim Ristuccia, A+ Wine Designs

Director: Tonia Allen Gould, Tagsource

Director: Daniel Henderson, Proforma

Director: Shane Ball, Mothership

Director: Jeff Stevens, WestCo Marketing

Director: Ray Jimenez, The Magnet Group

Elected directors’ terms are two years, with an option to be re-elected for two additional two-year terms or be eligible to be elected to an officer position of the association subject to confirmation by the membership.  Ballots were distributed November 18 and completed December 10.

About SAAC

The Specialty Advertising Association of California (SAAC) is comprised largely of promotional products professionals located in the Southern California region. For over 60 years, SAAC has supported the promotional products industry through programs and services designed to enhance the professional lives of our members. The membership includes suppliers, distributors, multi-line representatives and business service companies. The Specialty Advertising Association of California is a 501 (c)(6) non-profit organization.

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John C. Clegg, father of Founder and CEO Tim Clegg and President Kevin Clegg of Clegg Promo,  passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, May 4^th. 

John was the son of Ambrose and Mildred Mehringer Clegg of Queens NY.   John was a beloved husband for 59 years to Eileen Dearie Clegg.  He was the father of seven children and 21 adoring grandchildren.  Community service was the work he most enjoyed and for which he will be lovingly remembered.  He loved being a coach, referee, and commissioner of the basketball program for the Chagrin Athletic Association, a board member on the Chagrin Valley Rec Center, a lector at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, and a fixture at all Chagrin Falls High School sporting events for over 50 years!

John was class president and valedictorian at Jamaica High School, a mathematics major at Manhattan College ’58, a computer programmer at Sperry Gyroscope, Manager Information Systems at ATO/SMG, Chief Information Officer at Standard Products, and in 1994 he became Gadfly & Ombudsman for Clegg Industries.

 When John retired from Standard Products, he threw himself into a new role as Gadfly, Ombudsman, and outside factory rep for Clegg Industries from 1994-2004.  He surprised all of his children as he transformed from a Chief Information Officer to an outgoing factory rep specialist.  He relished traveling through Ohio and the Midwest, visiting distributors in offices, parking lots, homes, and barns. No distributor was too small for John to visit.  Not only did John become a master at presenting the Clegg line, he became well known on the trade show circuit, as John & Eileen would work many of the key Midwest Shows.

In addition to presenting, John was a tireless proofreader and editor for numerous Clegg and Americhip catalogs.  For years, under his direction, there was not a single typo or mistake in any of our catalogs. 

Our Dad loved Clegg & Americhip and he gave his all to make us a better organization.  We were so blessed to have him as our Father and equally as fortunate to have him as part of the Clegg and Americhip team.

We’ll continue to work hard, do well, improve, treat people well and make a difference in what we do and in how we do it.  We know that would make our Dad very proud of us. 

Our thanks to all of you for being part of our Dad’s journey.

With much gratitude,

Tim & Kevin

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a “Membership Scholarship in the Name of John C. Clegg” at the Chagrin Valley Rec. Center,

PO Box 84, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA (May 3, 2019) Visstun® announces their Everything Green program. This program replaces Visstun’s current paperboard with paperboard that contains 30% or more of Sustana’s EnviroLife, FSC Certified, Post-Consumer Recycled Fiber – at no additional cost to customers. All paper cup, container, & lid products are upgraded including Paper Hot, Cold and Microwave Cups and Containers as well as Vx2™ Double Wall Cups and P2™ Paper Lids.

Everything Green in a nutshell:

• ALL paper products made with 30% or more Sustana EnviroLife™, FSC® Certified, Post-Consumer Recycled Fiber
• No Upcharge – cost neutral for customers
• No List of Options – This is our new standard not an additional item
• Appearance and performance like regular paper board
• Just Green – a great use for recycled fiber

“We started making products with Sustana’s awesome NEW Post-Consumer Recycled Fiber in April 2019 and expect to have 100% of our paper cups, container, and lids built using this paper by the end of 2019,” states James Lake Visstun cup production manager. “Why focus on Post-Consumer Recycled Fiber? Right now, the United States has a recycling crisis. Consumers are recycling paperboard products more than ever... But, there's nowhere for it to go! Visstun® decided that providing a use for Post-Consumer Recycled Fiber (PCF) in our cups and containers is an important, socially responsible first step.”

There are other "Green" options available like PLA, Sugar Cane PE, and other surface coatings; but, so far, none of them perform to the standards expected from Visstun®. Many of the current “eco-friendly” options have a significantly higher price tag or their eco-claims are tenuous. There are a lot of important pieces to the Eco-Friendly "Green" puzzle and using renewable and recycled resources is just the beginning. Visstun® has explored many different options and is working to get to a cup that is compostable or biodegradable and Made in the USA. Stay tuned for future developments.

To see Visstun’s Everything Green progress, visit Visstun.com/nowgreen.

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About Visstun®:

Founded in 2007 in Las Vegas, Visstun® launched the world's first Hi-Definition convolute cups. This unique, state-of-the-art technology improved traditional cup imprinting methods by first printing high-quality images on flat sheets and then forming them into cups on custom-engineered machinery. Visstun® manufacturers reusable, top-shelf dishwasher safe Clear & White plastic cups, single use paper Hot, Cold, Microwavable & Double Wall cups, and paper lids. For more information, please visit us at www.visstun.com.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (May 6, 2019) – Quality Certification Alliance (QCA), the only coalition dedicated to ensuring accountability and independent validation of corporate responsibility throughout the promotional product industry’s supply chain, has expanded its Advocacy Council with the addition of Memphis, Tennessee-based Signet, Inc.

The Advocacy Council [previously Distributor Advocacy Council (DAC)] is comprised of industry advocates who are leading the way for brand safety through the responsible sourcing of promotional products. Advocates recognize QCA as the standard by which industry firms consistently deliver socially compliant, safe, high-quality and environmentally conscientious merchandise. Together, the Advocacy Council, QCA Accredited Suppliers and end buyers of promotional products are forming new levels of collaboration to effectively ensure supply chain transparency and control that protects brand reputations.

“While suppliers have much accountability when it comes to product safety and social responsibility, distributors also play an integral role by connecting end buyers with products that not only support their brand but also protect it,” said Tim Brown, MAS, QCA’s executive director of operations. “One past criticism was that distributors didn’t have an opportunity to meaningfully contribute within the QCA structure. As a part of the new participation model that debuted in January, we redesigned the Advocacy Council to give distributors the ability to participate in the ways they had been requesting.”

These changes prompted Signet, which was one of the companies that formed the initial DAC, to become a part of the new and improved Advocacy Council. “Previously, there was little opportunity for participation at the level we were seeking, despite good intentions,” said Elizabeth Tate, Signet CEO. “We are glad to see this change. The new participation model gives us the ability to have greater input, be heard and to have more significant influence.”

David Tate, Signet COO, continued: “Distributors have an important role to offer since we are the ones closest to end buyers. Without us, much valuable input can be missed. If we help, inform and encourage suppliers and their processes, it helps improve our individual companies and, without question, this improvement also pushes out to the industry as a whole.”

This is the second addition to the Advocacy Council in the last six weeks. Ethical Swag began participating in March.

For more information about QCA’s Distributor Advocacy Council and to inquire about the process and benefits received, contact tbrown@qcalliance.org.

About QCA:

Quality Certification Alliance is the only coalition dedicated to ensuring accountability and independent validation of corporate responsibility throughout the promotional product industry’s supply chain. It brings together users, distributor advocates, certified distributors and decorators, and accredited suppliers with the mission to elevate the standards by which promotional products firms consistently provide socially compliant, safe, high-quality and environmentally conscientious merchandise.

QCA Accreditation is granted to companies who complete an independent third-party audit and comply with stringent standards, which are based upon a combination of state and national laws, international standards and industry-accepted best practices that are recognized for their strength and effectiveness.

Tim Brown, MAS is QCA’s executive director – operations. D E (Denise) Fenton serves as executive director – compliance.

For more information about QCA Accreditation and to inquire about the process and benefits received, e-mail tbrown@qcalliance.org.

For more information about the Quality Certification Alliance, visit http://www.qcalliance.org/ and sign up for QCA News.

Like QCA on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/QCAlliance, follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/QCAlliance and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/quality-certification-alliance/.

 

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Mason, OH – April 24, 2019 – IMAGEN Brands Welcomes Lisa Brooks as Vice President of Marketing

IMAGEN Brands is proud to announce and welcome Lisa Brooks as Vice President of Marketing. Lisa comes to IMAGEN Brands from outside the Promotional Products industry, holding leadership roles in Consumer Packaged and Durable Goods organizations representing home fragrance, stationary, art and crafts, baby gear and adult beverage categories. “I am excited to lead imaginative thought and drive disruption for IMAGEN Brands, strengthening trade relationships while delivering profitable growth,” says Brooks. “I am eager to immerse and understand the Promotional Products business, forge solid partnerships and collaborate to elevate awareness and success for the industry as a whole.”

Lisa will oversee the Marketing and Category Management teams for both Crown and Vitronic brands based out of the IMAGEN Brands headquarters in Mason, OH.

“Lisa brings a wealth of knowledge in Marketing and Product Development along with new ideas to our IMAGEN Brands Marketing teams,” says Paul Lage, President of IMAGEN Brands. “We are confident that her leadership will bring a new level of success for our company.”

ORBUS NAMED ONE OF FIVE BEST PLACES TO WORK IN THE MEETINGS INDUSTRY FOR 2019

Woodridge, IL – April 15, 2019: Orbus Exhibit & Display Group®, one of North America’s leading wholesale suppliers and manufacturers of display, exhibit, graphic and event solutions is excited to share that it has been named one of “The 5 Best Places to Work in the Meetings Industry for 2019” by Meetings & Conventions Magazine (M&C). The M&C Best Places to Work list, now in its eighth year, selects companies in the meetings and events industry based on their online ratings from well-known and respected sources, inclusion in local publications and suggestions from meeting industry representatives. Orbus was honored with its’ inclusion based on the impressive company culture, competitive benefits and devotion to giving back via the social committee fundraising efforts. A complete list of Orbus’ historical and current Awards & Accolades can be found here.

About Orbus

Orbus Exhibit & Display Group is a market-leading, privately owned group of companies that specialize in the manufacture and trade only supply of portable modular and custom modular exhibit and display products, graphics and solutions. Companies and brands within the group include The Exhibitors’ Handbook®, The Promo Handbook™, Nimlok®, and SignPro Systems®.

Orbus is a proud member of the ISA, SGIA, ASI, PPAI, UPIC, and SAGE; the company boasts G7 Master IDEAlliance certification and is registered to ISO 9001:2015 for the highest manufacturing quality standards and ISO 14001:2015 for its environmental management system and “green” efforts.

Orbus’ supply and manufacturing facilities reside in Woodridge, IL and Las Vegas, NV. For more information, visit www.orbus.com.

HUB Pen Company Hires Customer Service Rep Gashia Hollingsworth

Braintree, Massachusetts, April 2019 HUB Promotional Group’s HUB Pen Company is pleased to announce the addition of Gashia Hollingsworth to their award winning customer service team.  She will be working with customers in California and Nevada as well as supporting others in her team.

Gashia came to HUB in November 2018 with over 12 years of experience of customer account management.  “You have to be on point when handling people’s accounts,” Gashia says. “It’s a matter of knowing what needs to happen and communicating with the right people.”  She truly loves people and enjoys working with her team to get her customers’ orders out. 

Hub Pen Customer Service Manager Chris Ford is happy to have her on board. “Gashia truly is a people person and has a passion for service excellence.  We are very excited to have her as part of the HUB Pen family.”

About HUB Pen: Boston has been described as the “Hub of the Universe” and in the HUB Pen story the same holds true. From Frank and Rita Fleming’s humble beginnings in Boston in 1954 to the 100 million pen annual operations of today, HUB Pen has grown to serve an ever -increasing national and international market. Our customers have rated us “A+” on the SAGE rating system and 5 out of 5 stars on ESP, and we have been voted ASI’s Distributor Choice for pens 4 years running. For more information on HUB Pen, visit our website at www.hubpen.com or call customer service at 800-388-2323.

About HUB Promotional Group: HUB Promotional Group, The Better Impressions People, is home to Hub Pen Company, Beacon Promotions, BEST Promotions USA, Cooler Graphics, Debco, BCG Creations, Origaudio and HandStands.  We provide the BEST in promotional products all with award winning quality and customer service.

Please visit hubpromotionalgroup.com for more information.

Media Contact: Pam Baker, Marketing Copywriter, 781-535-5511, pambaker@hubpen.com

American Solutions for Business Donates to Local Humane Society

GLENWOOD, MN – April 2, 2019 – American Solutions for Business recently donated three desktop computers and six monitors to help create another work station for an additional office and provide backup equipment for future growth or technical issues.   

"This helps us out tremendously," explained Lauren Wensmann, LAHS Shelter Manager. "We can put that financial aspect into other uses for the shelter and the animals."

The shelter employs 10 people and has several shelter volunteers who donate their time ranging from once a week to daily. Lauren explained that volunteers are always welcome and that the shelter hosts an orientation every second Monday of each month at 5:30 to review the history of the shelter, their mission and how volunteers can help.

“We’re proud to be so connected to our community,” said Justin Zavadil, President of ASB. “Small gestures can go a long way, and the humane society does incredible work to help animals in need.”  

"Everyone from the Lakes Area Humane Society would like to give ASB a huge thank you for thinking of us and being so generous. It is greatly appreciated and helps us be able to keep helping the community around us," said Lauren. 

To learn more about the Lakes Area Humane Society and how you can help donate or volunteer, visit www.lakesareahumanesociety.org . 

About American Solutions for Business
American was founded in 1981 in Glenwood, Minnesota, and has evolved into a leading distributor, providing our customers with print, promotional products, marketing collateral, fulfillment and more. Despite our growth in technology, resources and sales, we maintain our grassroots attitude by operating as the only large employee-owned distributorship in the industry. This results in a team of personally-invested employees that care for our customers’ branding, spend and creative reach to help achieve their goals.

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