Franchise owners and brand leaders gather in Fort Worth to focus on execution, customer experience, and the next phase of growth for the global promotional products franchise

WEST PALM BEACH, FL (March 17, 2026) – Fully Promoted®, a leading distributor in the promotional products industry, brought franchise owners, vendor partners, and leadership together for its 2026 Annual Summit, themed “Raising the Bar.” Designed as a next-level learning and implementation experience, this year’s event focused on elevating the customer journey, strengthening operations, and positioning franchise owners for sustained growth in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Fully Promoted’s 2026 Summit was intentionally built around execution. The “Raising the Bar” theme challenged franchise owners to move beyond the habits that built the brand’s foundation and embrace new strategies that will elevate performance at every level – from delivering a more personalized, consultative sales experience to selling higher-end, more profitable merchandise and deepening long-term client relationships.

“This year’s Summit was about evolution. Over the past three years, we’ve strengthened our marketing tools, expanded education and training, and enhanced our sales resources. Now it’s time to implement at a higher level,” said Andrew Titus, President of Fully Promoted. “Raising the Bar means refining our processes, strengthening operations, and delivering a premium experience that truly differentiates Fully Promoted in the marketplace.”

The multi-day event, which took place March 9-11 in Fort Worth, Texas in conjunction with the ASI Show®, delivered an elevated experience with expanded educational programming, enhanced networking opportunities, and dynamic keynote presentations. Attendees heard a keynote from former professional athlete and motivational speaker Walter Bond, about how to achieve a break-through while he shared lessons on resilience, discipline, and performance at the highest level.

Franchise owners were also inspired by a keynote delivered Ray Titus, Chairman and CEO of United Franchise Group™ and founder of Fully Promoted, who reinforced the importance of vision, and execution.

“Fully Promoted has already made significant strides over the last several years, strengthening systems, expanding capabilities, and investing in franchise owners,” said Ray Titus. “Raising the Bar is about taking that progress and turning it into disciplined execution at the local level. When our franchisees commit to excellence in service, sales, and leadership, we don’t just grow but set the standard for our industry.”

Andrew Titus further outlined the brand’s strategic direction, emphasizing operational excellence, customer experience, and continued expansion of Fully Promoted’s global footprint and systemwide capabilities. Together, the speakers delivered actionable insights aligned with Raising the Bar philosophy, challenging franchise owners to think bigger, serve better, and push their businesses to the next level.

Education was a central focus of the Summit. Established vendor partners shared strategies for selling smarter and maximizing profitability, while new and emerging supplier relationships were introduced to expand product offerings. Sessions also explored the philosophy of gift giving, equipping franchise owners to position themselves as experts in the gifting space and deliver thoughtful, strategic merchandise solutions that drive deeper emotional connections for clients.

The Summit reinforced Fully Promoted’s upward trajectory within the promotional products industry. With stronger marketing and sales tools than ever before and more robust training opportunities across the system, the brand is shifting from improvement to disciplined implementation – ensuring franchise owners are confident executing strategies that drive sustained growth.

The event concluded with an awards dinner and ceremony recognizing franchise owners who exemplify leadership, performance, and commitment to excellence. Honorees included:

  • Mentor of the Year: Alex Taggard (Newton, MA)
  • Humanitarian of the Year: Hector and Miguel Leal and Team FP McAllen (McAllen, TX)
  • Rookies of the Year: Amber Saddler and Kreig Johnson (Cincinnati, OH); Pete Anderson (Louisville, KY)
  • Most Improved: Chad Dick (Lawrence, KS); Fernando & Cristina Bertero (Cleveland E/W, OH)
  • Master Partner of the Year: Yousuf Sandeela (Canada)
  • Team Players: Jeff & Dina Slain (Fishers, IN), Jeff Moffett (Overland Park, KS); Allen Landis (Lancaster, PA); Michelle Bottino (St. Charles, IL); Jim Palombo & Kathleen Mawanay (Oceanside, CA); Doug Jakobitz (Urbandale, IA)
  • Millionaires Club Inductees: Grand Rapids, MI and Cleveland E/W, OH ($1 Million); Fully Promoted of Southern NH and Albuquerque, NM ($2 Million); Mendota Heights, MN ($3 Million)
  • Years of Excellence Honorees (20 Years): Wyandotte, MI; Carlsbad, CA; Gahanna, OH; Canton, OH
  • Vendor of the Year: SanMar
  • The Rock: Robert & Tina Pouliot (Raritan, NJ); Bill Reilly and Jocelyn Hechtl (Mendota Heights, MN)
  • President’s Award: Spencer Coleman (Wasatch Back, UT); Garrick Jacobi (Boise, ID)
  • MVP Award: Garrick Jacobi (Boise, ID)
  • Hall of Fame Inductees: Dan & Maude Swearingen (Arbutus, MD); Michelle Monhollen and Robert Steffek (Centerville, OH)

As Fully Promoted continues building momentum, the 2026 Annual Summit delivered a clear message: Raising the Bar is an enduring commitment to operational excellence, elevated service, and industry leadership.

About Fully Promoted

Fully Promoted® operates a full-service branded apparel, promotional products, and marketing service business with approximately 300 individually owned and operated locations around the world.  It is an affiliated brand of United Franchise Group™, the global leader for entrepreneurs. Fully Promoted has established its reputation as a one-stop-shop for branded swag, merchandise, and apparel, perfect for business conferences, tradeshows, incentives, recognition and award programs, corporate gifts, and company stores, building brand recognition that can take your organization to the next level. To find the Fully Promoted nearest you, visit www.fullypromoted.com, and for franchising opportunities, visit www.fullypromotedfranchise.com.

About United Franchise Group

Led by Chairman and CEO Ray Titus, United Franchise Group™ (UFG) is a globally recognized leader in franchising, home to an award-winning family of brands and franchise consulting services. With over 1,600 franchises across more than 60 countries, UFG empowers entrepreneurs through proven franchise systems, multi-unit growth opportunities, and industry-leading support. Its portfolio includes iconic brands like Signarama®, Fully Promoted®, Black Optix Tint®, Transworld Business Advisors®, Exit Factor™, Accurate Franchising™, Franchise Real Estate™, and thriving food concepts under Big Flavor Brands™, such as The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill® and Graze Craze®. With 40 years of franchising experience, UFG and its expert consultants have helped develop over 350 successful franchise brands, supporting thousands of franchisees worldwide. From B2B services to fast-casual dining, UFG offers scalable, high-demand business opportunities backed by comprehensive training, marketing, and operations support. Entrepreneurs choose UFG to lead in their local markets and grow with a trusted network that’s driving the future of franchising. With a commitment to rapid growth, UFG continues to expand its global footprint, helping franchise owners thrive in local markets worldwide. For more information, visit www.unitedfranchisegroup.com.

Search