The conference for innovators, explorers and dreamers in the promotional products industry

Sunday, January 14, 2024

Keep Memory Alive Center, Las Vegas

SOLD OUT!

About skucon

skucon, the conference that inspired a new generation of innovators, explorers, and dreamers in the branded merch industry, is back! It’s a team-electrifying experience where you can come together to be inspired, challenged, and pushed to dream bigger and reach higher.

skuconX marks the 10th time the industry’s most innovative thinkers will gather together to connect, learn, and re-ignite alongside like-minded pros! skuconX breaks boundaries in the promotional products industry and sits at the cutting edge of merch life, featuring stories from pros in the trenches, fresh ideas from tomorrow’s leaders, and a celebration of brilliant brand execution and growth.

Join us for skuconX as we celebrate our 10th journey together in the only way we know how: by imagining a bolder tomorrow!

Who Should Attend?

skuconX is for distributors and suppliers in every role: leadership, sales, production, and support. It’s a team-unifying experience and the one place you and your team can come together to be inspired, challenged, and pushed to dream bigger and reach higher.

About commonsku

skucon is hosted by commonsku, cloud-based software for the promotional products industry. commonsku was created to empower your business: to streamline your workflow, connect your team, impress your clients, and allow you to close deals faster. We believe strongly in the power of events to connect and inspire professionals in the promotional products industry.

white skuconX logo

In-Person Pass

For distributor and supplier customers of commonsku


$499

What’s Included:

  • Ticket to skuconX at the Keep Memory Alive Center, Las Vegas
  • skuconX Merch Kit
  • All meals (breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner)
  • Ticket to the skucon After Party @ Topgolf
  • Access to the skucon video portal
  • commonsku University (Jan 15, Mandalay Bay)
  • 5.5 CAS level credits

General
Admission

For distributors not using commonsku software


$699

What’s Included:

  • Ticket to skuconX at the Keep Memory Alive Center, Las Vegas
  • skuconX Merch Kit
  • All meals (breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner)
  • Ticket to the skucon After Party @ Topgolf
  • Access to the skucon video portal
  • commonsku University (Jan 15, Mandalay Bay)
  • 5.5 CAS level credits

Meet Our Speakers

Hear from some of the promotional products industry's most passionate and creative personalities. Walk away inspired and ready to tackle the year ahead.

Schedule

7:30 - 9:00 AM

7:30 - 9:00 AM

Registration / Breakfast

Grab your badge, skucon merch and breakfast!

9:00 - 9:15 AM

9:00 - 9:15 AM

Welcome to skucon!

9:15 - 10:15 AM

9:15 - 10:15 AM

Never Lose A Customer Again

Joey Coleman
Joey Coleman | Design Symphony

Losing customers is the biggest threat facing businesses today and yet most companies don't even realize it. After making huge investments of time, money, and energy to acquire new customers,most companies see between 20-70% of those customers disappear in less than one hundred days. In an engaging and entertaining keynote, Joey Coleman will introduce you to The First 100 Days® methodology - a way of approaching your customer experience and customer service efforts that will turn new customers into lifelong fans. His presentation will feature research and case studies showing the importance of making a great impression and creating a remarkable experience in The First 100 Days of the customer lifecycle.

10:15 - 10:25 AM

10:15 - 10:25 AM

skucon Story: Kate Nash

Kate Nash
Kate Nash | Raining Rose

Big order fails. Brilliant client saves. Narrow margin orders that went south. Product disasters. Embarrassing client moments. Life-shattering experiences. We've all had them. Most of the stories in the industry are normal; the simple price we pay for being in a crazily-adventurous, anything-can-happen, deadline-driven business. But these stories? The best of the best of them. 10-minute promo tales to put a smile on your face. Make you think. Inspire you to dig deep. And mostly, to remind you ... you are not alone.

10:25 - 10:30 AM

10:25 - 10:30 AM

skummunity Award:
Distributor Community Champion

The commonsku community, aka the skummunity, is comprised of over 4500 forward-thinking distributors and suppliers who are invested in a better way to work together. Join us as we celebrate the game changers who are shaking up the industry!

10:30 - 11:00 AM

10:30 - 11:00 AM

Future Proofing Promo

Denise Taschereau
Denise Taschereau | Fairware

Gen Z and the next generation (Gen Alpha) usher in a new type of buyer. By default, they are inquisitive about sourcing and manufacturing, passionate about global and local social impact, and dedicated to improving communities and the diversity of the businesses they work with. They’re also blind to our industry’s definition of suppliers vs. distributors. Does our industry have the resilience, nimbleness, and fortitude to meet the demands of today’s buyers? If not, what are the core requirements we’ll need to not only meet today’s demand, but also lead the next generation through high-impact, conscientious merch experiences? Join Denise Taschereau, one of the industry’s pioneers in sustainable merchandising, to unpack how we can not only future-proof our industry moving forward but also create a vibrant and attractive future for our industry, our clients, ourselves, and the next generation to come.

11:00 - 11:20 AM

11:00 - 11:20 AM

Break

11:20 - 11:50 AM

11:20 - 11:50 AM

skucon Table Talk

The power of commonsku has always been the community and the heart of the community has been collaboration, the sharing of ideas. In this rapid-fire session, you’ll be able to trade tactics that have fueled your success and ideas that will help shape your future. We’ll jump start the conversation by providing key questions and it’s a great time to take advantage of the experts sitting all around you. Join us as we connect, contribute, and inspire!

11:50 - 12:00 PM

11:50 - 12:00 PM

skucon Story: Reba Joy

Reba Joy
Reba Joy | Genumark

Big order fails. Brilliant client saves. Narrow margin orders that went south. Product disasters. Embarrassing client moments. Life-shattering experiences. We've all had them. Most of the stories in the industry are normal; the simple price we pay for being in a crazily-adventurous, anything-can-happen, deadline-driven business. But these stories? The best of the best of them. 10-minute promo tales to put a smile on your face. Make you think. Inspire you to dig deep. And mostly, to remind you ... you are not alone.

12:00 - 12:05 PM

12:00 - 12:05 PM

skummunity Award:
Supplier Community Champion

The commonsku community, aka the skummunity, is comprised of over 4500 forward-thinking distributors and suppliers who are invested in a better way to work together. Join us as we celebrate the game changers who are shaking up the industry!

12:05 - 12:35 PM

12:05 - 12:35 PM

Creating High-Impact Brand Engagement

Kate Hallett
Kate Hallett | Harper + Scott
Andrea Stoll
Andrea Stoll | Touchstone

Kate Hallett, CMO, leads one of the most dynamic distributor brands today: Harper + Scott, a PPAI 100-recognized company. Andrea Stoll is the Brand Engagement Director at Touchstone, an ASI Top 40 honoree. Both brands have done something unique in the branded merch space: Crafted a bold opinion and a unique viewpoint in a sea of sameness. In this interview, we’ll explore with Kate and Andrea how they use their brand to “spark curiosity, speak your truth,” and, above all, create differentiation that determines worth.

12:35 - 1:30 PM

12:35 - 1:30 PM

Lunch

1:30 - 2:00 PM

1:30 - 2:00 PM

How to Target, Attract, and Reach Your Perfect Customer

Kirby Hasseman
Kirby Hasseman | Hasseman Marketing & Communications

Whether you're a seasoned pro or a newcomer to the business, everyone should assess or reassess their target market on a regular basis. In this talk, Kirby will break down three of the core steps involved in creating the right criteria for the perfect customer for you, including: creating your ideal customer avatar, crafting your core message, attracting the right kind of customer through rented or owned media, and creating a lead magnet that addresses your target customer's pain point. Join Kirby as shares insight from his new book, Hit the Target (A Story About Marketing, Business, & Life).

2:00 - 2:05 PM

2:00 - 2:05 PM

skummunity Award:
Shops Innovation Award

The commonsku community, aka the skummunity, is comprised of over 4500 forward-thinking distributors and suppliers who are invested in a better way to work together. Join us as we celebrate the game changers who are shaking up the industry!

2:05 - 2:15 PM

2:05 - 2:15 PM

skucon Story: Brian Duran

Brian Duran
Brian Duran | Media Tree

Big order fails. Brilliant client saves. Narrow margin orders that went south. Product disasters. Embarrassing client moments. Life-shattering experiences. We've all had them. Most of the stories in the industry are normal; the simple price we pay for being in a crazily-adventurous, anything-can-happen, deadline-driven business. But these stories? The best of the best of them. 10-minute promo tales to put a smile on your face. Make you think. Inspire you to dig deep. And mostly, to remind you ... you are not alone.

2:15 - 2:55 PM

2:15 - 2:55 PM

A Community Chat with Jonathan Isaacson and Jeremy Lott

Jonathan Isaacson
Jonathan Isaacson | Gemline
Jeremy Lott
Jeremy Lott | SanMar

Jonathan Isaacson is the Chairman and CEO of Gemline. Jeremy Lott is the President and CEO of SanMar. Together, the two companies not only represent the industry’s largest categories, but they also lead the industry in innovation and progress. Gemline is one of the largest companies in the industry and was recognized as ASI’s 2021 Supplier of Year. Jonathan Isaacson also received one of our industry’s highest honors, Person of the Year, not just for their record growth but for being a voice and influence for good. Jeremy Lott leads the industry’s largest supplier with over 2.4 billion in revenue. Sanmar was recognized by the Wall Street Journal as a 2022 Best Managed Company. Join us in this open chat with the community as we take your questions and tackle some of the toughest topics facing the future of our industry in the areas of social impact, sustainability, and technology.

2:55 - 3:00 PM

2:55 - 3:00 PM

skummunity Award:
Supplier Connected Workflow Award

The commonsku community, aka the skummunity, is comprised of over 4500 forward-thinking distributors and suppliers who are invested in a better way to work together. Join us as we celebrate the game changers who are shaking up the industry!

3:00 - 3:20 PM

3:00 - 3:20 PM

Break

3:20 - 3:50 PM

3:20 - 3:50 PM

skucon Table Talk

The power of commonsku has always been the community and the heart of the community has been collaboration, the sharing of ideas. In this rapid-fire session, you’ll be able to trade tactics that have fueled your success and ideas that will help shape your future. We’ll jump start the conversation by providing key questions and it’s a great time to take advantage of the experts sitting all around you. Join us as we connect, contribute, and inspire!

3:50 - 3:55 PM

3:50 - 3:55 PM

skummunity Award:
Distributor Entrepreneur of the Year

The commonsku community, aka the skummunity, is comprised of over 4500 forward-thinking distributors and suppliers who are invested in a better way to work together. Join us as we celebrate the game changers who are shaking up the industry!

3:55 - 4:05 PM

3:55 - 4:05 PM

skucon Story: Isaac Hetzroni

Isaac Hetzroni
Isaac Hetzroni | Imprint Genius

Big order fails. Brilliant client saves. Narrow margin orders that went south. Product disasters. Embarrassing client moments. Life-shattering experiences. We've all had them. Most of the stories in the industry are normal; the simple price we pay for being in a crazily-adventurous, anything-can-happen, deadline-driven business. But these stories? The best of the best of them. 10-minute promo tales to put a smile on your face. Make you think. Inspire you to dig deep. And mostly, to remind you ... you are not alone.

4:05 - 4:45 PM

4:05 - 4:45 PM

Merch Life: The Was, Is, and Must Be

Danny Rosin
Danny Rosin | Brand Fuel

From microfiche to machine learning. From logo-slapping to logo-less. From crap to collectible. From quantity at scale to quality at scale. From promotion to participation. From rejection to ROI. From product to purpose. Branded merch has evolved. From an advertising add-along to today’s intimate merch experience, embraced by brands, adorned by fans. Join industry lifer, Danny Rosin, on a waltz down the industry’s memory lane to remind us of our past in order to imagine our inspirational future: our was, is, and must be.

4:45 - 5:00 PM

4:45 - 5:00 PM

Closing

7:30 - 9:30 PM

7:30 - 9:30 PM

Official skucon After Party @ Topgolf

Venues


Merch Kit

Each year our attendees receive a collection of curated products that we select and design with our supplier partners. We've partnered with our fantastic sponsors to create a limited edition gift pack for skuconX which in-person attendees will receive at the event.

While the details of our skuconX gift collection are a closely guarded secret, take a look at some past merchandise to give you a sense of what you can expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does pre-registration work?

Pre-registration is open to our distributor customers of commonsku. If you pre-register, we will give you a 24-hour advance window to register your ticket for skucon before we open registration to everyone. Registration opens in September.

Pre-registration does not commit you financially to buying a ticket, nor does it guarantee a ticket (tickets are subject to availability). It just provides you with a 24-hour advance booking window.

How much is skucon?

skucon is a paid event. Pricing is $499 USD per ticket for commonsku customers, and $699 USD for distributors not using commonsku software.

What’s included in my ticket?

Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are included in your registration fee for the in-person event, plus access to our skucon after-party which includes drinks and dinner. The skuconX merch kit is also included.

Is there a maximum number of tickets/company for the in-person event?

In an effort to make skucon available for a broad range of customers, we have implemented a 5-ticket maximum for distributors and a 2-ticket maximum for suppliers.

Who should attend skucon?

Everyone! Distributors and suppliers (in any role) and skucon is the perfect event for teams! Scheduled for the first full week in January, it’s an ideal time to amp your year with high inspiration and actionable ideas.

I’m not a distributor customer of commonsku. Can I still come to skucon in Las Vegas?

Yes! We have a limited number of distributor general admission tickets available for purchase for our in-person event. These are subject to availability. If you are interested in how our software can change your business workflow for the better, you can contact us here.

I’m not a supplier partner of commonsku. Can I still come to skucon in Las Vegas?

Unfortunately, skucon is only available to our commonsku supplier partners (subject to availability). If you are interested in learning about becoming a supplier partner prior to skucon, you can email David Shultz, our VP of Supplier Partnerships, david@commonsku.com

Will I get a skucon gift bag if I register?

We've partnered with our fantastic sponsors to create a limited-edition gift pack for skuconX. All in-person attendees will receive the full collection.

I can no longer attend, can I get a refund?

Yes, we will issue a refund (less Eventbrite fees) if you cancel before December 14, 2023. We will happily transfer a ticket to a colleague for no fees at any time.

There are no refunds after December 14, 2023.

Sponsors