International Forest Products Ltd. is a forest products trader headquartered in Foxborough, MA. It is the United States' 5th largest exporter and conducts business in more than 100 countries. It was established in 1972.

Gillette is an American brand of safety razors and other personal hygiene products including shaving supplies, now owned by the multi-national corporation Procter & Gamble (P&G). The Gillette Company and brand originate from the late 19th century when salesman and inventor King Camp Gillette came up with the idea of a safety razor that used disposable blades. Gillette's invention was inspired by his mentor at Crown Cork & Seal Company, William Painter, who had invented the Crown cork. Painter encouraged Gillette to come up with something that, like the Crown cork, could be thrown away once used. While Gillette came up with the idea in 1895, developing the concept into a working model and drawings that could be submitted to the Patent Office took six years. Gillette had trouble finding anyone capable of developing a method to manufacture blades from thin sheet steel, but finally found William Emery Nickerson, an MIT graduate with a degree in chemistry. Gillette and other members of the project founded The American Safety Razor Company on September 28, 1901. The company had issues getting funding until Gillette's old friend, John Joyce, invested the necessary amount for the company to begin manufacturing. Production began in 1903, but the following year, Nickerson succeeded in building a new blade grinding machine that had bottlenecked production. During its first year of operation, the company had sold 51 razors and 168 blades, but the second year saw sales rise to 90,884 razors and 123,648 blades. The company was renamed to the Gillette Safety Razor Company in 1904 and it quickly began to expand outside the United States. In 1905, the company opened a sales office in London and a blade manufacturing plant in Paris, and by 1906, Gillette had a blade plant in Canada, a sales operation in Mexico, and a European distribution network. In 1917, military regulations required every soldier to provide their own shaving kit, and Gillette's compact kit with disposable blades outsold competitors whose razors required stropping. Gillette marketed their razor by designing a military-only case decorated with U.S. Army and Navy insignia and in 1917 the company sold 1.1 million razors. In 1918, the U.S. military began issuing Gillette shaving kits to every U.S. serviceman. After the war, Gillette utilized this in their domestic marketing and used advertising to reinforce the habit acquired during the war. Gillette's original razor patent was due to expire in November 1921 and to stay ahead of an upcoming competition, the company introduced the New Improved Gillette Safety Razor in spring 1921 and switched to the razor and blades pricing structure the company is known for today. Based in Boston, Gillette expanded its overseas operations after the war, from 1917 to 1925, by opening a manufacturing plant in Slough, near London, to build New Improved razors, and setting up dozens of offices and subsidiaries in Europe and other parts of the world. Gillette experienced a setback at the end of the 1920s as its competitor AutoStrop sued for patent infringement. The case was settled out of court with Gillette agreeing to buy out AutoStrop for 310,000 non-voting shares. However, before the deal went through, it was revealed in an audit that Gillette had been overstating its sales and profits by $12 million over a five-year period and giving bonuses to its executives based on these numbers. AutoStrop still agreed to the buyout but instead demanded a large amount of preferred stock with voting rights. The merger was announced on October 16, 1930, and gave AutoStrop's owner Henry Gaisman controlling interest in Gillette.

The Great Depression weakened Gillette's position in the market significantly. The company had fallen behind its competitors in blade manufacturing technology in the 1920s and had let quality control slip while over-stretching its production equipment in order to hurry a new Kroman razor and blade to market in 1930. In 1932, Gillette apologized for the reduction in blade quality, withdrew the Kroman blade, and introduced the Blue Blade (initially called the Blue Super Blade) as its replacement. Other Gillette introductions during the Depression years were the Brushless Shaving Cream and an electric shaver that was soon discontinued due to modest sales. In 1938, Gillette introduced the Thin Blade, which was cheaper and about half the weight of the Blue Blade, even though it cost almost as much to manufacture. The Thin Blade became more popular than the Blue Blade for several years during the Second World War due to high demand of low-cost products and the shortage of carbon steel. Beginning in 1939, Gillette began investing significant amounts on advertising in sports events after its advertising in the World Series increased sales more than double the company had expected. It eventually sponsored a radio program, the Gillette Cavalcade of Sports, which would move to television as that medium expanded in the late 1940s. While the Cavalcade aired many of the notable sporting events of the time (the Kentucky Derby, college football bowl games, and baseball, amongst others) it became most famous for its professional boxing broadcasts. At this time, however, most of Gillette's earnings were coming from outside the United States. AutoStrop's Brazilian factory allowed Gillette to start expanding into the Latin America. In England, the Gillette and AutoStrop operations were combined under the Gillette name, where the company built a new blade manufacturing plant in London. In 1937, Gillette's Berlin factory produced 40 percent of Germany's 900 million blades and retained a 65 to 75 percent share of the German blade market. The Second World War reduced Gillette's blade production both domestically and internationally. As a result of the war, many markets were closed off, German and Japanese forces expropriated the company's plants and property, and Gillette's plants in Boston and London were partially converted for weapons production. In 1942, the War Production Board ordered Gillette to dedicate its entire razor production and most blade production to the U.S. military. By the end of the war, servicemen had been issued 12.5 million razors and 1.5 billion blades. Gillette also assisted the U.S. Army in military intelligence by producing copies of German razor blades for secret agents venturing behind German lines so that their identities wouldn't be compromised by their shaving equipment. The company also manufactured razors that concealed money and escape maps in their handles, and magnetic double-edge blades that prisoners of war could use as a compass.

During the post-war years, Gillette began to quickly ramp up production by modernizing its major manufacturing plants in the United States and England, expanding the capacity of several foreign plants, and re-opening plants closed during the war. The company opened a new plant in Switzerland and began manufacturing blades in Mexico City. By 1950, Gillette's share of the U.S. blade market had climbed to 50 percent. During the 1950s, the company updated and in some cases moved some of its older European factories: the Paris factory, for example, was moved to Annecy. In 1947, Gillette introduced the Gillette Super Speed razor and along with it the Speed-pak blade dispenser the company had developed during the war. The dispenser allowed the blade to be slid out of the dispenser into the razor without danger of touching the sharp edge. It also had a compartment for holding used blades. In 1948 Gillette bought the home permanent kit manufacturer The Toni Company and later expanded into other feminine products such as shampoos and hair sprays. In 1955, the company bought the ballpoint pen manufacturer Paper Mate, and in 1960, they introduced Right Guard aerosol deodorant. Gillette bought the disposable hospital supplies manufacturer Sterilon Corporation in 1962. Television advertising played a big part in Gillette's post-war growth in the United States: the company began TV advertising in 1944, and in 1950, it spent $6 million to acquire exclusive sponsorship rights to the World Series for six years. By the mid-1950s, 85 percent of Gillette's advertising budget was used for television advertising. The company also advertised the Toni product line by sponsoring the TV show Arthur Godfrey and His Friends and the 1958 Miss America contest and its winner. However, the Cold War restricted Gillette's operations in many parts of the world and closed entire markets the company would have otherwise entered in Russia, China, Eastern Europe, Near East, Cuba, and parts of Asia. More and more countries demanded local ownership for foreign enterprise in exchange for continued operation or entry into their markets. Outside the US and European markets, Gillette spent time and money building manufacturing facilities and distribution networks in anticipation that the markets would eventually be opened up and nationalistic restrictions lifted. Some of Gillette's joint ventures included a 40 percent Gillette 60 percent Malaysian mini-plant operation that began production in 1970, and an Iranian manufacturing plant with 51 percent government ownership. The Iran plant was one of Gillette's largest and most modern factories until the Iranian Revolution of 1979, when Ayatollah Khomeini rose to power and American businesses were targeted as enemies of the new government, forcing Gillette to abandon the operation and withdraw from the country.

While Gillette managed to retain market leadership against Bic, who had developed the first disposable razor in 1974, prompting Gillette to do the same, the popularity of disposable razors, their higher production cost compared to cartridges, and price competition eroded the Gillette's profits. Gillette had at first hoped that disposables would take no more than 10 percent of the total razor and blades market, but by 1980, disposables accounted for more than 27 percent of the world shaving market in terms of unit sales, and 22 percent of total revenue. John W. Symons began steering Gillette into a different direction after becoming the director of Gillette's European Sales Group in 1979. Despite Gillette's strong sales and a large share of the European razor and blades market – 70 percent, which was higher than in the United States – cash flow was declining. In Symons's view, the issue was Gillette's attempt to compete with Bic in the disposables market, which was eating into the sales of its more profitable cartridge razors. Symons reduced the marketing budget of disposables in Europe and hired the advertising agency BBDO's London branch to create an ad campaign to make Gillette's blade and razor systems – such as Contour – more desirable in the eyes of men. The new marketing strategy, combined with cutting costs and centralizing production increased profits. In 1980, Gillette introduced Atra – known in Europe as Contour – a twin-blade razor with a pivoting head. The razor became a best-seller in the United States during its first year and eventually became a market leader in Europe. Under the leadership of Colman M. Mockler Jr. as CEO from 1975 to 1991, the company was the target of multiple takeover attempts, from Ronald Perelman and Coniston Partners. In January 2005, Procter & Gamble announced plans to merge with the Gillette Company. The Gillette Company's assets were incorporated into a P&G unit known internally as "Global Gillette". In July 2007, Global Gillette was dissolved and incorporated into Procter & Gamble's other two main divisions, Procter & Gamble Beauty and Procter & Gamble Household Care. Gillette's brands and products were divided between the two accordingly. The Gillette R&D center in Boston, Massachusetts, and the Gillette South Boston Manufacturing Center (known as "Gillette World Shaving Headquarters"), still exist as functional working locations under the Procter & Gamble-owned Gillette brand name. Gillette's subsidiaries Braun and Oral-B, among others, have also been retained by P&G.

First Night International is a non-profit organization with the mandate to promote alcohol-free New Year's Eve celebrations. The organization began as an alternative New Year's Eve celebration in Boston in 1976. The organizers of this event promoted the festivities as an alcohol-free, family-oriented New Year's celebration, and its success prompted an organization called "First Night International", which trademarked the name "First Night," so that all cities wishing to organize a festival by that name must first join the organization and pay a fee. Over 150 American cities and some international cities host these festivities on December 31. First Night festivals feature a variety of acts, events, and demonstrations showcasing the visual and performing arts, drawing primarily on local artists and entertainers. Cities generally stage First Night festivals in a central location and the atmosphere may resemble that of a street fair. Although some open-air entertainment is available to everyone, people who wish to attend events scheduled for indoor venues generally have to buy a pass (usually in the form of a button they wear on their clothing) which entitles them to attend all the events. One of the stated goals of First Night International is to wean people away from more boisterous, alcohol-laden New Year's Eve celebrations. Beyond decreasing alcohol consumption on New Year's Eve, they aim to promote a sense of community, provide family-oriented entertainment, deepen public appreciation for the arts, and bring new life to downtown areas.

Bose Corporation is an American manufacturing company that predominantly sells audio equipment. The company was established by Amar Bose in 1964 and is based in Framingham, Massachusetts. Bose is best known for its home audio systems and speakers, noise-cancelling headphones, professional audio products and automobile sound systems. Bose has a reputation for being particularly protective of its patents, trademarks, and brands. The majority owner of Bose Corporation is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, donated to MIT by the founder Amar Bose himself, which receives cash dividends through the non-voting shares donated by the founder in 2011.

Greg Stump Productions is a ski and mountain bike film company started by freestyle skier, Greg Stump. The company is known for producing pioneering freestyle ski and snowboard film 'The Blizzard of Aahhh's' (1988) and pioneering mountain biking film 'Pulp Traction' (1995). In 1991, Greg Stump Productions made a series for Fox television titled "Greg Stump's World of Extremes", a notable episode of that series being 'Ace Mackay-Smith Ski Bum 1992', which profiled Whistler resident Ace Mackay-Smith. Greg Stump productions has since moved away from making ski films, and has instead become involved in making commercials and music videos. Greg Stump is now owner, director, and producer of Delamo Films, Inc., which he runs out of Victor, ID. Greg Stump Productions films include The Droids (1984), Time Waits For Snowman (1985), Maltese Flamingo, The Ski Movie That Flew The Coop (1986), The Good, The Rad & The Gnarly (1987), Blizzard of Aahhh's (1988), License to Thrill (1989), Dr. Strange Glove (1990), Gonzo'd To Extremes (1990), How to thrill: the instructional video for aggressive skiers (1990), Groove Requiem: In The Key of Ski (1991), Greg Stump's "World of Extremes" (1991), Steep Techniques With Scot Schmidt (1991), The Skier's Guide to the Galaxy (1992), Sneaux Zone (1992), P-Tex, Lies, & Duct Tape (1993), Snow Vibrations (1994), Pulp Traction (1995), Siberia (1996), Fistful of Moguls (1998), Something about Whistler (2001), Something Else About Whistler (2002), Color of White (2002), Aspen: The Power of Four (2003), and Legend Of Aahhh’s (2012).

Lange is a major producer of ski boots used in alpine skiing. They introduced the world's first plastic ski boots in 1962, and a greatly improved model aimed at the ski racing market in 1965. After several World Cup and Olympics wins in 1967 and 1968 made them a must-have on the circuit, their boots have equipped five times as many World Cup medal winners as any other brand into the 2000s. The front-entry design introduced by Lange is used by almost every modern ski boot to this day and Lange remains a major brand worldwide. Bob Lange, Lange's founder from Boulder, CO, had been experimenting with plastic reinforced ski boots as early as 1958, but it took some time before the basic design was made usable. The first examples from 1962, built by Lange employee Dave Luensmann, used ABS shells and laces for closure, but were not very successful. A follow-up design released in volume in the winter of 1965/1966 used a new thermoplastic shell, hinged cuff, and latching buckles, and became the first commercially successful replacement for leather boots. By 1970, they were almost universal on the racing circuit. Lange entered the hockey market during the 1970s. Lange skates were an outgrowth of their plastic ski boots; Phil Esposito endorsed and used Lange skates. They fell out of favour due to their weight and non-traditional looks, but had the advantages that they were comfortable to wear and offered more protection than traditional skates. A major technical misstep in 1970 led to financial difficulties and the eventual sale of the company to Garcia in 1973. Under the new ownership, the company continued development of the classic front-opening ski boot design. Over a series of models, the cuff began extending up the calf of the leg to greatly improve directional control and reduce lower-leg injuries. Garcia ran into financial difficulties of their own, and their suite of ski products was purchased by the owner of Rossignol in 1978. Under their direction, Lange released the famous bright-orange XL-R and Z designs of the 1980s, versions of which remained a ski racing favourite well into the 1990s. Modern Lange boots have changed little in design since these models. The company is now headquartered in Bloomfield, CO.

The University of Hawaii is a public, co-educational college and university system that confers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees through three university campuses, seven community college campuses, an employment training center, three university centers, four education centers and various other research facilities distributed across six islands throughout the State of Hawaii in the United States. It was founded in 1907 and is mainly based in Honolulu.

Hawaiian Tropic is a brand of suntan lotion and sun care products also known for its pageants. It was founded by Ron Rice in 1969. Rice became the largest private manufacturer of sun care products in the United States, until Hawaiian Tropic was acquired by Playtex Products, Inc. in May 2007. With Hawaiian Tropic and Playtex's other brand of sun care, Banana Boat, Playtex became the largest manufacturer of sun care products in the Western Hemisphere. Shortly after purchasing Hawaiian Tropic, Playtex Products was purchased by Energizer Holdings Inc. in a deal valued at $1.9 billion.

Coca-Cola is a soft-drinks manufacturer and company founded in Atlanta, GA on January 29, 1892 by John Stith Pemberton. Originally marketed as a temperance drink and intended as a patent medicine, it was invented by John Stith Pemberton, but was bought out by businessman Asa Griggs Candler, whose marketing tactics led Coca-Cola to its dominance of the world soft-drink market throughout the 20th century. The drink's name refers to two of its original ingredients: coca leaves, and kola nuts (a source of caffeine).

Gatorade is an American brand of sports-themed beverage and food products, built around its signature line of sports drinks. Gatorade is manufactured by PepsiCo and is distributed in over 80 countries. The beverage was first developed in 1965 by a team of researchers led by Dr. Robert Cade. It was originally made for the Gators at the University of Florida to replenish the carbohydrates that the school's student-athletes burned and the combination of water and electrolytes that they lost in sweat during rigorous sports activities. Originally produced and marketed by Stokely-Van Camp, the Gatorade brand was purchased by the Quaker Oats Company in 1983, which, in turn, was bought by PepsiCo in 2000. As of 2010, Gatorade is PepsiCo's fourth-largest brand, on the basis of worldwide annual retail sales. It competes with Coca-Cola's Powerade and Vitaminwater brands worldwide, and with Lucozade in the United Kingdom. Within the United States, Gatorade accounts for approximately 75% of market share in the sports drink category. Gatorade is headquartered in Chicago, IL.