Category: Promotional

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Earth Day is April 22, 2017

Did you know Earth Day began on April 22, 1970? The website Earth Day Network says “The idea for a national day to focus on the environment came to Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, after witnessing the ravages of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Inspired by the student anti-war movement, he realized that if he could infuse that energy with an emerging public consciousness about air and water pollution, it would force environmental protection onto the national political agenda.”  And it did. Earth Day is now celebrated all over the world and brings us together (at least for a day) across cultures, religions, and country boundaries.

Take a peek  a few offerings that are made with organic cotton and recycled polyester. Keep scrolling for some ideas how you can make Earth Day an all month event while promoting your brand and giving a shout out to Mother Earth at the same time.

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For those of you using organic/natural products in your business you got it easy!

  • Landscapers using non-toxic lawn chemicals.
  • Food Trucks using all organic ingredients.
  • Cleaning Services using non-toxic cleaning supplies in the home or office.

Throw an Earth Day message  and your logo on your item of choice and your job is done .

For those of you in businesses that don’t  directly promote an earth friendly product, don’t despair. You may just have to think outside the box a bit harder. Here are three ideas to get you started.

For the month of April set up a can recycling spot and have all the employees get involved in the recycling project. At the end of a time period you set up take the cans to be redeemed and use the money for a  pizza party to celebrate Earth Day. Then keep the good recycling habit going!

Do you work in a corporate office where there is that one department that uses way more paper than needed? Set up a friendly competition among all departments with recycling bins for paper  that would normally be thrown away/shredded when not needed. At the end of the competition weigh the paper and whoever has the least to recycle wins. May some nice sweatshirts or tee’s with the company logo for the winning team. The loosing departments…..  shredding duty. Or throw a shredding party for the whole office with snacks and drinks. Just make sure to recycle all that paper.

If you work in a business park get the whole business community involved. Set up a donation day where used clothing, toys, and small household goods are brought to a spot within the business park. Have a park wide picnic and celebrate Earth Day. The donations can be picked up by the charity of your choice at the end of the event. All of the donated goods stay out of the landfill and you have just made some great new friends within your business community.

For clothing ideas for your Earth Day Events or to make a donation check out Earth Day Network.

Posted by Leann 4.3.17

 

 

 

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Columbus Award

Everyone should be recognized for a job well done. Some companies show their appreciation by giving bonuses , a well deserved  vacation, or gift certificates. Nothing however beats the receiving of a well made, elegant award.

These will hold a place of honor on your employee’s desk for a long time to come. The key is to find an award that is NOT cheesy. A task that is not always easy to accomplish.

One of our customers recently had the Columbus Award made for an awards ceremony last week and  we were able to see first hand the quality of this product.

We were impressed. Beautiful etching of the world (get it…Columbus award….) presented in a black box with blue velvet lining. The award is heavy too which makes it all the more classy. The notch you see in the last quadrant of the above photo is there to enable it to stand on point giving it unique twist.

For more info on the award click on the above photo or jump on over to our promotional website The Next Event.

 

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Glow in the Dark Zip Up Hoodie

I am completely mesmerized by these hoodies. Mainly because I am curious where the heck the batteries go and what they mean by light-up settings. But nevertheless here is the latest offering from J. America: The Glow In The Dark Hoodie.

The electroluminescent (real word) piping on the zipper placket and hood offer up to three lighting set ups and come in   four color options (Neon Green, Electric Blue, Electric Red, and Ice Blue). The jacket is 7oz. black 100% polyester fleece with pouch pockets.

The novelty of these jackets makes them perfect for any use but here are some ideas just in case…

  • Corporate Events
  • Sporting Events
  • Running, Bike, or OCR Racing
  • Spirit Wear
  • Concerts, Dance Clubs, Night Clubs, other Evening Events

Then again maybe you just want to have one on hand to relax by the fire on those cooler summer evenings. Just remember Batteries Not Included.

Photos courtesy of J. America and S&S

Posted by Leann 3.15.17

 

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Backpacks for Commuters

It is so much easier to work from home these days. Unless you run an embroidery shop then not so much…those machines are way to heavy to carry anywhere! But for a lot of folks bringing home the lap top is a way of life. As long as you have to (or want to) do it why not make a stylish statement with it.

Backpacks are a highly visible  way of getting your brand out there.  More important it is a product guaranteed to be used; not tucked away in some dark spot in the far corner of a desk collecting dust.

Besides being perfect for your employee’s everyday use  they also can be used to highlight employee achievements, work anniversaries, or used as an appreciation gift for your top clients. Going on a corporate outing, retreat, or trade show? The backpacks can be stuffed with other goodies and become  another  way to make your brand seen.

Click on any of the above photos to be take to our Next Event promotional website where you can find pricing and other color options.

Posted by Leann 2.28.17

 

 

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Howlers and Growlers

I am a big fan of large water bottles. ( Ask Dale…he teases me about the ginormous water bottle always close at hand on my desk.) Most of the larger water bottles (mine included) are the garden variety kind with the screw off, flip up, or slide lids. All perfectly functional if not a bit boring.

Last night while working on a project for a client I  stumbled upon these beauties with metal clasp lids.

 

Not ordinary or boring at all! The Growlers hold 64 oz., the Howlers holds 32 oz, and both  sizes come in Stainless Steel as well as  Maroon, Black Matte, and Copper. The Glass bottle holds 1 Liter and while it only comes in glass it features “an airtight, hermetic clamp closure with a rubber gasket that keeps the contents fresh”. At least that is what the blurb on it says and I have no reason to doubt.

These drink ware items are not super cheap so here is where you have to think about creative ways to use them. They can be given away at client meetings where you really are looking to make a statement or a creative first impression. Want to boost company morale? These can be given out as incentives, team building or company outings gifts. They would be perfect if your company or school offers a small retail shop.

I think the glass bottle would make creative center pieces for your next company picnic or holiday party. You could even use them as wedding decor….place settings or guest favors perhaps.

All of the above items are new and we currently don’t have samples in the shop. But as always if you need us to get some just send us a comment using our new Contact Us button on the right side of the page above our social media links.

Post by Leann 1.10.17

 

 

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Welcome 2017

We had a block buster fall and wanted to thank  all of our customers that made that happen. Now that we have had a chance to catch our breath, clean up the shop, and get ready for a new year we will be back to posting (we hope with a little more regularity).

In the next couple of weeks we will be uploading new catalogs to our E-Catalogs tab. There are fresh new styles we will cast a spot light on. And we will keep you updated on the latest trends in promotional items.

Here is to 2017!

photo courtesy of valentinesdaywishes.org

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Charles River Doggie Rain Gear

For all you with four-legged BFF’s are you ready for this cuteness?

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Charles River has just introduced the New Englander Doggie Rain Jacket. It coordinates with the human version so you and your pal can step out in style.

A few of the product features include:

  • 100% wind and waterproof shell
  • Leash access opening
  • Back pocket for doggie bags and treats
  • Silver reflective trim for visibility

These jacekts are a great way to promote your pet store, grooming shop, vet practice, or specialty shop that focuses on the tourist trade.  (Think Newport, RI in the summer.)

We don’t have a sample in the shop as of yet but if you want to check one out in person drop us a line and we will make it happen.

Photos are courtesy of Charles River.

 

 

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Patterned Fleece Blankets..who knew?

I really should spend more time browsing on-line. (And Dale its for research purposes I promise….)

We have a lot of blankets that come through the shop all in great colors. But none ever have  patterns. Then while browsing (for research purposes of course) I found these beauties.

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Patterned blankets may not work for everyone but they just might kick off your next big marketing/branding idea.

Now back to browsing…I mean research…

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Giveaway Ideas Part 1: Glasses, Mugs, and Water Bottles

Drinkware is very versatile at expos and events. There are tons of styles, colors, shapes, and sizes to choose from. Some even come as a gift sets if you want to up your giveaway level. If your company has multiple logos or tag lines drinkware can be very cost effective. Instead of charging logo set ups for multiple locations most vendors offer a wrap service. This means you are given an area that wraps around the glass, mug, or water bottle. Whatever you can fit in that area is considered one logo, one location. Pretty niffty huh?

Scroll through the ideas below and see if anything floats your boat. For a full image click on the item you are interested in.

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Mugs

Water Bottles

 

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It’s Show Time!

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The first quarter of every New Year is marked by a lot of promoting. Home shows, boat shows, bridal expos, fitness expos, small business events, city and town events all abound in the winter. My theory: Cold weather, captive audience.

The amount of promotional items available is staggering. Don’t believe me? Check out our Promotional tab on the website. Where do you start? So many goodies so little time. Overwhelming!

Some clients know exactly what they are looking for. Most don’t. And that’s okay. Here are some questions we try to ask to help get the brainstorming started.

When is the event? This is BIGGEST and most important question of all. When dealing with promo items try to allow at least six weeks for the idea search, sourcing, sampling if needed, production, and shipping. Who wants to pay rush charges when you don’t have to? We try to work with local companies first. That way shipping time and costs are reduced. When it’s not possible we cast our nets further.

How big is your space? With everything else you are dealing would at a trade show the last thing you want to be doing is juggling more stuff. Remember you have to have a spot to store the items during the event.

Do you have a theme or have very specific branding? If so do you want to stick to the theme or the branding? Do you like to think outside the box and try something that, right off the bat, may not scream your theme/brand but ultimately will remind your clients of you? These are  the hardest questions to answer. Just remember your first instincts are usually right. If you find an item you like but don’t think it will fit with the theme/brand don’t discount the idea. There may be something else along that same line that would. Or there could be a way to tailor that item with a clever tag line that will relate to your theme/brand.

Do you want levels of giveaways or just one item for everyone? Would it be to your benefit, for example, to give pens to folks who are just walking by but give a car charger to a client who is a real prospect you will be following up with after the show is over? This is probably the second hardest questions to answer and one that has no right or wrong answer. You may find different level of giveaways work at some events and not at others.

How big is your budget? Having some idea of what you can or want to spend is always helpful but don’t let it get in the way of brainstorming ideas .You may have a tremendous budget but know that what works well in your industry is to give away note pads. On the other hand you may have a smaller budget and feel you only afford note pads when a more expensive item that nails your theme/branding will produce bigger results by the time the show is over.

Over the next couple of weeks we will be highlighting some new productions that have come to our attention for 2016. You may like them, you may not, or you may be hit with an “AH HA” moment and discover that perfect item for your event.

photo courtesy of Illini