Screen Printing
Embroidery
Merch
What started as a friendly competition among employees has become an exciting annual event for customers, suppliers, friends and neighbors. Each employee crafts a batch of chili, picks a charity to represent then put it all out there for our guests to decide. The company awards the top 3 winners a generous cash donation to their chosen charity and the victor gets bragging rights for a year! All are invited to help vote and cheer on all the competition!
This legendary VIP access event takes you “Backstage” to experience our industry and is designed to help you focus on getting a jump start on your holiday and Q4 projects! We have several of our preferred vendors bring their new merch and we also demo various decoration methods. Of course it wouldn't be a coveted event without the best food, a coffee cart and swag to take home!
As a branded merch company, we started from humble beginnings in the garage of our owner's home in 1993. There we employed the values of hard work, quality, customer service, and integrity. Through long hours and big Rogue contracts, we began to see how the power of custom merchandise delivers a tangible and emotional connection to the brands we love. We moved to our first production facility in Troutdale and quickly outgrew it as we brought on our first sales member. In 2005 we got a facility upgrade in Portland and quickly began to see expansion. Now we are located near PDX AIRPORT with a phenomenal team of account coordinators, production techs, and creatives. Promotional products and branded merchandise are the only advertising medium that has the power to touch all five senses, and we are thrilled to be in this industry! As we've partnered with innovative brands on exciting projects, we've never forgotten where we came from; those late nights and long days made us who we are. Welcome to KG Specialties, where you'll see your Ideas Built Stronger.
What Year Did you Enter the Industry?
1991
Favorite brand?
H2go stainless steel bottles
Most exciting project at KG?
Researching and developing our heat-transfer department to decorate hats with various patch styles
What Motivates You?
Seeing how appreciative our clients are, it shows me our team did a great job!
Kyle Gibson
President & Founder
What Year Did you Enter the Industry?
2005
Life Outside of KGS?
5 Kids, Hiking, Volunteerism, Mentorship, Cooking
Most Exciting Project?
Knife River belt buckles
What Motivates You?
To be better today than yesterday
Geoff Brown
Vice President
What Year Did you Enter the Industry?
2008
Favorite Brand?
OGIO, the sweatshirts are the softest!
Coffee Brewing Schools?
I worked at Starbucks for 5 years and never got a complaint
Life Outside of KGS?
Playing/Coaching Volleyball and traveling to see pro baseball fields
Norma Davis
Office Manager
What Year Did you Enter the Industry?
1989
Life Outside of KGS?
Wildlife, night sky and landscape photography
Super Power at KGS?
Humor and being able to roll with the challenges
What Motivates You?
Seeing clients amazed by what we do for them.
Jay Howard
Senior Account Manager
What Year Did you Enter the Industry?
2013
Super Power at KGS?
The Mom who makes sure no one is forgotton
Spirit Animal?
Elephant, I never forget!
Most Exciting Project?
The Genuine Foods re-brand
Anne Wand
Account Coordinator
What Year Did you Enter the Industry?
1991
What Motivates You?
The satisfaction of fulfilling the customer's ideas
Life Outside of KGS?
The great outdoors!
Super Power at KGS?
Ability to print on any substrate. Metals/woods/garments/etc
Dennis Searles
Screen Printing Manager
What Year Did you Enter the Industry?
1998
Favorite Brand?
Pacific Headwear, great quality and easy to sew on!
Coffee Brewing Skills?
ZERO, but my tea brewing skills are on point
Life Outside of KGS?
Drawing, painting, sewing, music, volunteer at church
Cathy Talavera
Embroidery Manager
What Year Did you Enter the Industry?
2014
Spirit Animal?
Wild Boar!
Most Exciting Project?
Any PDX clients because I get to see the merch around town.
Life Outside of KGS?
Girlfriend, Cats and musical projects
David Johnson
Screen Print Assistant
What Year Did you Enter the Industry?
2015
Favorite Brand?
Dior. Major pioneer in women's fashion.
Last Meal?
Porterhouse with a baked potato. Don't judge me.
Super Power at KGS?
Versitility
Jamie Coe
Account Coordinator
What Year Did you Enter the Industry?
2022
Most Exciting Project?
All Geoff's jobs
Last Meal?
Biscuits and Gravy with Tabasco Sauce
Spirit Animal?
House Cat
Ben Fabian
Production
A behavioral health practice was preparing to reopen when shelter-in-place orders were lifted. However, they needed a way to communicate the enhanced safety protocols they put in place to patients coming into the office.
Read MoreA regional race supporting breast cancer research added an initiative to promote a program encouraging proactive actions to prevent and reduce breast cancer risk. This new initiative was launched on race day and encouraged the community to commit to breast health for themselves and the women in their lives.
Read MoreA local brewery wanted an eye-catching promotional item to place on tables that would boost their alcohol sales and highlight their weekly specials while encouraging enrollment for their tasting events and brewery tours.
Read More