2026
Celebrating 40 years
Sands Promotions celebrates 40 years in business.
Timeline
Since 1986
40 years of Sands Promotions
From the early days of Sands Badges to four decades of promotional products, industry recognition and growth, this is the story of the people and milestones that shaped Sands Promotions.
1979
The Sands Badges back story begins.
1986
Sands Promotions takes its name.
2026
Sands celebrates 40 years.
The story
Four decades, one timeline
2022
Lauren becomes General Manager
Lauren is promoted to General Manager.
2020
Young Achiever recognition
Lauren receives the APPA Young Achiever Award and is also elected Vice President of APPA.
2018
Industry recognition and acquisition
Steve Skalla is awarded the Industry Distinction Award.
Sands acquires A Prominent Profile.
2016
30 years of Sands
Sands Promotions celebrates 30 years in business.
Another Gold for DHL
Sands wins another Gold award for DHL.
2014
2013
Gold and Silver for DHL
Sands wins a Gold and a Silver award for DHL.
2012
Silver for the Weet-Bix Kids' TRYathlon
Sands wins an APPA Silver Award for the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids' TRYathlon campaign.
2011
Multiple Golds and the overall Platinum Award
Sands wins Gold Awards in multiple categories and the overall Platinum Award for Meat & Livestock Association.
2008
Growth through acquisition
Sands acquires Sylberg Promotions.
Lauren joins the company.
2006
Gold Pyramid and 20 years
Sands wins the Gold Pyramid Award for Men's Health Magazine.
Sands celebrates 20 years.
2005
A permanent home in Allambie Heights
Sands purchases its premises at 252 Allambie Road, Allambie Heights.
BJ becomes a shareholder.
2004
Silver Pyramid for Men's Health
Sands wins a Silver Pyramid for Men's Health Magazine.
2001
Christmas Wish List wins Silver
Sands wins an APPA Silver Pyramid Award for its Christmas Wish List self-promotion.
2000
APPA Life Membership and another creative award
HJ is awarded Life Membership to APPA.
Sands wins its second award for creative excellence for Colour Copy Centre.
1999
The first APPA creative excellence award
Sands wins its first APPA award for creative excellence for client Colour Copy Centre.
1997
Bruce joins the team
Bruce joins the company in a sales role, having previously worked in the life insurance industry.
1996
10 years in business
Sands celebrates its 10th anniversary.
1994
Leading APPA
HJ is elected President and Chairman of the Board of APPA.
1986
Sands Promotions is born
Howard joins the company from John Sands, and the company changes its name to Sands Promotions to reflect a broader offer of products and services.
Sands is one of twelve founding member companies of the Australian Promotional Products Association (APPA), which has grown to more than 600 members by 2026.
The back story
Before Sands Promotions
1982
Steve joins Sands Badges
Steve acquires Bill Sands' shares and joins Mario Donnaruma at Sands Badges.
Sands Badges also wins the contract to supply name badges to the newly created Westpac Bank, formed through the merger of Bank of NSW and Commercial Bank of Australia.
1979
Where the story starts
Bill Sands leaves John Sands to start Sands Badges, manufacturing name badges and button badges.
John Sands is one of Australia's oldest trading names, established in 1837 by English immigrant John Sands.
From Sands Badges to Sands Promotions: 40 years of people, ideas, creativity and industry recognition.
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