Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Promotional Products

Diversity, equity, and inclusion shape how promotional products are created, marketed, distributed, and sourced. On this page, we examine representation across leadership and the workforce—such as women in distribution and underrepresented racial groups—then connect those realities to DEI policies, training, and employee resource groups. We also explore supplier diversity, including procurement spend and contracting goals.

Key Takeaways

65% of industry leaders identify as white males in executive roles
35% increase in female leadership hires since 2020
55% of boards include at least one person of color
72% of promotional products companies report having a formal DEI policy in place
68% satisfaction rate with DEI programs post-implementation
42% of companies track DEI metrics quarterly
15% of suppliers to the industry are minority-owned businesses
40% of promotional products firms have supplier diversity goals
25% growth in women-owned supplier contracts
82% of companies offer DEI training programs annually
75% of employees report feeling included after DEI workshops
90% of large distributors mandate DEI training
Women comprise 48% of the total workforce in promotional products distribution
22% of employees are from underrepresented racial groups
Hispanics make up 12% of the industry workforce

Promotional products companies are expanding DEI, yet leadership representation and supplier diversity still need major progress.

01 · Category

Leadership And Executive Diversity20 stats

65% of industry leaders identify as white males in executive roles

35% increase in female leadership hires since 2020

55% of boards include at least one person of color

18% of C-suite executives are women

20% of vice presidents are from minority groups

28% of board seats held by women

14% of CEOs are women

24% female representation on boards

32% increase in diverse leadership over 5 years

15% minority C-level executives

22% of directors from underrepresented groups

27% board diversity score average

19% Hispanic executives

33% female VP roles

25% minority board chairs

16% women CEOs in mid-sized firms

21% executive diversity pipeline programs

11% multi-racial executives

17% Black leadership representation

23% board members with disabilities

Interpretation

Leadership And Executive Diversity Interpretation

Leadership and executive diversity in the promotional products industry still skews heavily toward white males, with 65% of leaders in executive roles, even as women’s leadership hiring has risen 35% since 2020 and boards show incremental progress with 28% of seats held by women and 55% including at least one person of color.

02 · Category

Policy And Program Implementation18 stats

72% of promotional products companies report having a formal DEI policy in place

68% satisfaction rate with DEI programs post-implementation

42% of companies track DEI metrics quarterly

Employee Resource Groups present in 35% of firms

85% of DEI policies include pay equity audits

70% of firms report improved retention from DEI efforts

62% of policies address accessibility

40% of companies have DEI officer roles

58% of policies updated in last 2 years

75% of large firms have ERGs

45% of companies measure DEI ROI

60% policy coverage for remote inclusion

52% tracking gender pay gap

41% of policies include family leave equity

70% of firms with annual DEI audits

73% ERG participation rate

55% policy alignment with industry standards

83% of large firms invest in DEI budgets

Interpretation

Policy And Program Implementation Interpretation

With 72% of promotional products companies already reporting a formal DEI policy and 85% of those policies including pay equity audits, the Policy And Program Implementation landscape is showing broad adoption alongside tangible impact, reflected in 70% of firms reporting improved retention from their DEI efforts.

03 · Category

Supplier And Vendor Diversity18 stats

15% of suppliers to the industry are minority-owned businesses

40% of promotional products firms have supplier diversity goals

25% growth in women-owned supplier contracts

30% of procurement spend allocated to diverse suppliers

16% of suppliers are women-owned

Diverse supplier certification held by 22% of vendors

35% of contracts awarded to minority suppliers

Veteran-owned suppliers at 8% of total

18% of suppliers LGBTQ+-owned

42% spend target for diverse suppliers met

20% growth in disabled supplier partnerships

17% of procurement from small diverse businesses

23% women and minority supplier spend

12% veteran supplier utilization

26% diverse supplier onboarding increase

31% minority-owned supplier growth

14% disabled vendor contracts

29% supplier diversity training completion

Interpretation

Supplier And Vendor Diversity Interpretation

Supplier and vendor diversity is moving in the right direction, with women-owned suppliers up to 16% and a 25% growth in women-owned supplier contracts, while 40% of firms report supplier diversity goals and 30% of procurement spend goes to diverse suppliers.

Diversity Equity And Inclusion In IndustryDiversity Equity And Inclusion In The Automobile Industry Statistics

04 · Category

Training And Development15 stats

82% of companies offer DEI training programs annually

75% of employees report feeling included after DEI workshops

90% of large distributors mandate DEI training

78% of training sessions focus on unconscious bias

Mentorship programs for minorities in 45% of companies

50% of executives underwent DEI training in 2023

76% participation in DEI webinars

80% of training includes allyship modules

65% employee engagement boost from inclusion efforts

88% of mandatory training completion rate

72% of programs include microaggressions training

79% satisfaction with mentorship outcomes

84% DEI certification pursuit

67% unconscious bias training efficacy

64% of training customized for industry

Interpretation

Training And Development Interpretation

With 82% of companies offering annual DEI training and 78% of those sessions centered on unconscious bias, the promotional products industry is clearly prioritizing regular, targeted training to drive inclusion, reinforced by 75% of employees reporting they feel included after workshops.

05 · Category

Workforce Demographics23 stats

Women comprise 48% of the total workforce in promotional products distribution

22% of employees are from underrepresented racial groups

Hispanics make up 12% of the industry workforce

Black/African American employees represent 8% of staff

Asian employees account for 5% of the workforce

52% of mid-level managers are female

10% increase in LGBTQ+ representation since 2019

60% of entry-level hires are diverse candidates

Native American employees at 2% of workforce

Multi-racial employees make up 4% of staff

55% female workforce in sales roles

White employees at 68% of total workforce

Disability-inclusive hiring in 29% of firms

49% women in marketing roles

13% Black women in management

51% female entry-level staff

7% Asian management representation

9% LGBTQ+ workforce percentage

3% Native American staff

56% female sales managers

46% women in operations roles

69% workforce feels equitably promoted

34% Hispanic management staff

Interpretation

Workforce Demographics Interpretation

In promotional products distribution, women make up 48% of the workforce and 52% of mid-level managers, while racial diversity among employees remains limited with only 22% coming from underrepresented racial groups.

report visual · Breakdown

Leadership Diversity Snapshot (Women & Underrepresented Groups)

Women and underrepresented groups occupy a minority share of top leadership roles, with only a portion of executives and board leadership reflecting broader representation.

65%

65% of industry leaders identify as white males in executive roles

35%

35% increase in female leadership hires since 2020

report visual · Comparison

Policy and program implementation: DEI coverage and outcomes

Most promotional products companies have formal DEI policies, and many also implement audits, tracking, and roles that support ongoing program execution.

85% of DEI policies include pay equity audits85%

72% of promotional products companies report having a formal DEI policy in place

72%

70% of firms report improved retention from DEI efforts

70%

42% of companies track DEI metrics quarterly

42%

report visual · Key figures

Supplier Diversity in Promotional Products

Minority-owned and other diverse supplier participation is measurable across suppliers, contracts, and procurement spend targets.

15%

15% of suppliers to the industry are minority-owned businesses

40%

40% of promotional products firms have supplier diversity goals

25%

25% growth in women-owned supplier contracts

30%

30% of procurement spend allocated to diverse suppliers

16%

16% of suppliers are women-owned

22%

Diverse supplier certification held by 22% of vendors

report visual · Key figures

DEI Training Coverage and Program Features (Promotional Products Industry)

Most organizations provide DEI training and incorporate targeted modules like unconscious bias, allyship, and microaggressions.

82%

82% of companies offer DEI training programs annually

75%

75% of employees report feeling included after DEI workshops

90%

90% of large distributors mandate DEI training

78%

78% of training sessions focus on unconscious bias

45%

Mentorship programs for minorities in 45% of companies

50%

50% of executives underwent DEI training in 2023

report visual · Breakdown

Workforce Demographics: Gender & Representation Gaps

Women make up nearly half of the workforce, but representation varies across specific groups and leadership/role categories.

48%

Women comprise 48% of the total workforce in promotional products distribution

52%

52% of mid-level managers are female

Reference

Cite This Report

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APA

David Kowalski. (2026, February 13). Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Promotional Products Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-promotional-products-industry-statistics

MLA

David Kowalski. "Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Promotional Products Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-promotional-products-industry-statistics.

Chicago

David Kowalski. 2026. "Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Promotional Products Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-promotional-products-industry-statistics.