The Benefits of Promotional Products at Trade Shows

Promotional Products for Exhibitors

If you’re an invested business owner, then you are constantly looking for every edge possible to help differentiate your products and services from the competition.

Well, trade show management companies are no different. With you folks in mind, we’ve developed some creative ideas for helping exhibitors to enhance their bottom line and show some personality – and some SWAG, too.

Ready for that? Good. The first idea is to develop unique, never-been-seen-before event materials and the second is giveaways, for both the show and its exhibitors.

The benefits of this approach are two-fold:

1. A show is the perfect opportunity for companies to use their own promotional products to add a sense of personality to their brand, promote a memorable theme, and stand out in a sea of boring, SWAG-less cookie-cutter conferences.

2. By offering exhibitors marketing services around the design and execution of unique SWAG, a show can earn a portion of the merchandise revenue while increasing exhibitors’ happiness and retention. It’s win-win to the max.

What’s the alternative? Well, you’ve seen it before. Merely slapping logos on pens and coffee mugs is not enough. And it sucks. To execute on this approach and do it well, most show management companies need to engage with a strategic promotional products company with vast creative experience and the ability to draw on a large network of suppliers.

This partner should act as a marketing agency that places an emphasis on using physical products to promote the message.

And guess what? Often times, that creative promotional products company can employ physical products as a gateway to the virtual world with something like augmented reality technology. In doing so, they take this idea of differentiating the trade show itself while also helping exhibitors stand out to another level.

The best part? Augmented reality is easier to deploy to an entire trade show than you might think. There is a branded augmented reality app available that integrates the technology into a company’s preexisting app. This sets the stage for promoting and gamifying the show in fun new ways, meaning that you’ll keep someone’s attention long after they’ve left your booth and moved on.

It also presents another opportunity for the show to help exhibitors by leveraging the same technology platform to integrate digital content with their promotional products, literally duplicating the efforts of something that does quite well on its own, and even better with the SWAG of augmented reality.

Trust Your Promotional Products Supplier

When advertising your company or your business event, your desire is to wisely spend your money on suitable promotional products. The right promotional product for your advertising is the one that represents your brand and makes people willing to remember and talk about you;  this is what the right product and the right people can do for you!

Here are some examples:

When you work with schools, you realize that children are fond of bright and funny things, going from clothes such as T-shirts and hats to such products as bangers  and clappers for their sporting events. Children can talk to their parents about our promotional products company ; thus the word of mouth works!

If you are unsure what promotional products you should opt for , a well organized promotional companycan help you choose the right product for your campaign.

The most commonly used products are clothes such as T-shirts, caps, and jackets. Then you also have lanyards, mugs, USB keys; you should not forget hampers and confectionery. Our cooler bags range is wide; we actually sell thousands of them. You can also find sports bags, backpacks, and shopping bags. The list goes on and on, it might be overwhelming for an average buyer.

Be sure to have confidence in your promotional products supplier because he will be the one to give you all necessary information on his product range.

Sizzling Summer Products Heating Up Promotions

Golf discs, sunblock hats, art kites and impressionable flip-flops hit ASI’s top 10 hot list

TREVOSE, Pa., June 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) today released its annual top 10 list of hottest summer products putting the sizzle into ad campaigns, promoting everything from beach resorts and golf outings to company picnics and swim clubs.

The list includes flying golf discs for the newest sports craze sweeping college campuses and the suburbs, humungous beach towels, collapsible coolers and kites that make an artful impression.

According to the Professional Disc Golf Association, the game is played much like traditional golf, but instead of a ball and clubs, players use a flying disc. The object is to complete each hole in the fewest number of throws, instead of strokes.
“There are 92 days in summer, and the promotional products industry makes every one count with imprintable items that make a big splash in marketing and ad campaigns designed to showcase any company or event,” said Timothy M. Andrews, president and chief executive officer of ASI. “By capitalizing on new trends, the industry remains on advertising’s cutting edge.”

 

The Top 10 List of Sizzling Summer Products:

 

Disc Golf, from Par One. Unique discs come with super grip and a large imprint area to promote summer games.

Sunblock Hat, from Whispering Pines Sportswear. Make like a true Aussie and beat the sun with a UPF 45+ cap, perfect for golf outings and beach resort companies.

Quick ‘n Slick Sauce Brushes, from Bay State. The silicone brush spreads sauces smooth and easy without dripping. Great food industry giveaway.

Big Beach Towel, from Professional Towel Line. Super-size messages from real estate companies serving beach areas and resorts with a 35″ x 60″ cotton terry beach towel.

Fiji Thong Flip-Flops, from Neet Feet. Ideal for spas or the discerning traveler. Leaves imprinted logo or company name in the sand as you walk.

Golf Dotz, from Pure Brands Management Inc. Make like a pro and transfer logo directly onto any golf ball. Super for corporate promotions, tournaments and giveaways.

BrandRims Sunglasses, from BrandRims. Provides complete coverage of logo and designs across the entire sunglass frame, for any sporting event or company picnic.

The Art Kite, from The Art Kite. Poster art that flies. Fly it, then hang it on the wall to show off logo or color photo for years to come.

Grill Mitt, from The ETC Line. A 16″ super mitt that will protect users from fingertip to elbow. Fire companies can give it away to promote fire safety.

Bucket Cooler, from The Bag Factory. Lays flat for easy storage, then pops open for tailgating, trips to the beach or backyard grilling. Ideal for “cool” promotions.

Click here to watch a video demo of the products. click here for photos and complete product descriptions.

SOURCE Advertising Specialty Institute

A Great Promotional Product

Footzyrolls is an exciting new product that has recently been introduced into the market. They were created by two sisters – Jennifer and Sarah Caplan. These rollable shoes are becoming quite popular as they’ve reportedly been worn by famous stars, such as Kim Kardashian and Blake Lively. They are quickly gaining a lot of attention because of their unique comfort and style.
It is easy to see why Footzyrolls are great to giveaway as advertising merchandise for your company. You’re not only giving a wonderful gift to your receivers that will solve a very common problem, but you’re also promoting your company. Each time they wear their exciting new Footzyrolls, they’ll be reminded of your business in a positive light. When they have a need or problem, they will likely think of your business first for a solution. Footzyrolls can really get you and your business stepping in the right direction!

I have a link for the online retail store on this blog.  If you are looking for branding opportunities for your company. Please contact me directly via our Fan page or my email.

25 Ways To Recognize Valued Employees

According to a Maritz Research study, employees who participate in creative recognition programs at work are five times more likely to feel valued, 11 times more likely to feel committed and seven times more likely to stay in their jobs.

Still not convinced a recognition program is worth the investment? “On average, it costs a year’s salary to replace an employee,” says Ken Lloyd, organizational behavior consultant and author of 151 Quick Ideas To Recognize And Reward Employees.

Here are 25 creative ways to recognize employees today – and ensure that they don’t jump ship.

1. Erect a wall of fame for top performers. Choose a highly visible wall in a public area of the office and post the photos, names and accomplishments of employees who exceed goals or reach key milestones. Give a gift card or another small reward to whoever makes the wall.

2. Don’t wait five years to celebrate an anniversary. “At most companies, the highest employee turnover occurs between day one and year three,” says Charles Elton, co-author of The Carrot Principle. Pepsi makes newer employees feel valued by giving them logoed bottle-cap keyrings on their first day, engraved pens on their second anniversaries and a crystal Pepsi bottle on their third. All gifts are accompanied by cards and messages from the CEO.

3. Use the power of the press. “Company newsletters provide excellent opportunities for recognition,” Lloyd says. “Employees enjoy reading words of praise and they appreciate the efforts managers take to write personalized articles.”

4. Recognize employees’ family members. Have a stellar sales rep that’s constantly traveling? Elton recommends sending a food basket or logoed gift directly to spouses or partners with a note from the CEO that says, “Thanks for taking care of all of the big things at home so [fill in name here] can be on the road.”

5. Give superstars access to the top brass. Ask outstanding subordinates to take your place at an executive meeting when you’re not available – or invite them to dinners or special events where they can rub elbows with the company CEO.

6. Send high performers back to school. Recognize key players by offering them in-house training, off-site seminars and college courses, advanced degree programs, certification courses, peer counseling sessions and advanced management training.

7. Award lapel pins to top achievers. “The Hard Rock Café gives out so many milestone and recognition pins that it takes waitstaff up to an hour to put them on, and they come to work looking like Russian Generals,” Elton says. “But they’re willing to do it because they’re proud to wear them.”

8. Give winners a choice. Hold a sales or customer service contest and let winners choose from a selection of prizes to make sure they get what they really want. Include trendy items that winners might not already have, like solar-powered charging stations, customized iPod skins and watches loaded with features, like mini flashlights.

9. Don’t leave out the little guys. Suture maker Hephicon celebrated 50 years in business with a huge outdoor picnic where the company awarded logoed anniversary watches to every employee, from top executives down to the maintenance man. “Everybody felt like an important part of the company that day,” Elton says.

10.  Whip up excitement for incentive travel. Get salespeople excited about an upcoming incentive trip by putting together travel kits that include flip-flops, cameras, robes, beach towels, sunglasses, water bottles, spa items, duffels and luggage tags. Hand out the kits at a pre-trip party so that the winners get the star treatment in front of their peers.

11. Use the power of technology. Tout employee achievements Web chats, Internet message boards and any other company communications. As an example, Home Depot broadcasts via satellite episodes of “Breakfast with Bernie and Arthur,” (a meeting with the company’s chairman and CEO which celebrates employee achievements, among other things) to employees at all store outlets.

12. Reward brilliant ideas. Periodically ask for suggestions to improve a process or save money. Reward the best ideas with logoed merchandise or gift certificates.

13. Fete hard-working teams with food. Got a team that’s burning the midnight oil? Instead of pizza and soda, treat teams to a gourmet dinner brought in from a local restaurant – and have the CEO serve it.

14. Do something unexpected. On the Friday of a productive week, stop everything and hold a bowling contest in the company warehouse, complete with prizes for the best bowler.

15. Give promotions the fanfare they deserve. Part of the fun of getting a new title is the congratulations that come from peers. Take care to make a big deal of promotions. As an example, American Express stages celebrations where executives hand out new business cards and leather portfolios to the person being promoted.

16. Create your own recognition awards. Choose from custom plaques, acrylics, desktop items, crystal creations and inspirational trophies. Even better, have an award (like a custom bobblehead!) created exclusively for the employee you want to fete.

17. Don’t be afraid to get a little goofy. The most popular performance award at Synovus Financial Corporation – a $30 billion firm – is a tacky pink flamingo with a bow tie that employees proudly display in their cubicles. The flamingo award comes with a luncheon, $100 cash and a paid vacation day, but employees say the bird is the real prize.

18. Use scrapbooks to make a retirement memorable. Everyone can get in on the fun of gathering photos and memories, including customers. Put it all in a big book and give it to the retiree at a celebratory event as a special memento.

19. Mix up reward choices. Don’t give the same rewards time after time. International Paper once gave a sales star helicopter service for a day for doubling his quota. His trek from his home to the office and back was videotaped and shown to his peers for extra trophy value.

20. Let employees nominate their peers. Don’t let managers choose who should receive all the awards. Empower employees to catch their coworkers doing something good – and hand out rewards to the peers they nominate.

21. Have seasonal kickoff parties. Is summer your busy season? Kick it off with an indoor “pool party.” Spread sand around, play Caribbean music, spread out beach chairs and give employees logoed beach towels and sun visors.

22. Solicit clients’ help. Bring in your sales reps’ favorite clients for awards ceremonies and recognition events. Let clients present an award and say why their rep deserves it.

23. Leverage your PR efforts. Get employees’ achievements even more exposure by sending press releases to the local media, touting staffers’ good work.

24. Put managers to work. Have executives put some sweat equity into recognition efforts. Great Western bank holds employee-appreciation banquets where employees are given play money to bid on services to be performed by managers, including washing cars, babysitting, cooking a meal and doing an employee’s job for six hours.

25. Give gifts on unique holidays. Forgo the annual end-of-year gifts and reward employees at offbeat times of the year, like on March 9 – “I Want You to Be Happy Day.” via ASI Central

How Much Do You Love Cupcakes?

Cupcake Lip Balm

We’ve all been there. You want a cupcake (you need a cupcake), but you just don’t have room to eat one. So what do you do? That’s right, you rub it all over you face, hoping to get some of the taste on your lips. Messy, sad, and wasteful. But if you had some Cupcake Lip Balm, you could get that same sensation without compromising your morals.

Yes, friends, Cupcake Lip Balm is just what your lips need to be happy. Sure you could slap any old lip balm on for lip protection, but wouldn’t you rather have some that tastes like frosting? Yes, we know you would.Cupcake Lip Balm is wonderful. It fills the cracks in our lips and the cracks in our heart (from not having cupcakes all the time). Cupcake Lip Balmwants to be your friend too.

Cupcake Lip Balm

• Frosting flavored lip balm – for your lips.
• Makes you infinitely more kissable.
• Ingredients: Petroleum jelly, mineral oil, Beeswax, Polybutene, Octyl Pamitate, Propylparaben, Fragrance.
• Dimensions: 2.5″ long tube.

Chew your cupcakes.

We could say they are fairy eggs. We could say they hold dreams inside. We could say a lot of wacky stuff, but why? These are Cupcake Gumballs– they are gumballs that taste like cupcakes. Simple. Eloquent. Delicious.

Don’t have time to eat a real cupcake? Well, Cupcake Gumballs are ready to be chewed on the run. Eating a real cupcake too messy with whatever else you are doing? Cupcake Gumballs don’t require hands to enjoy.Cupcake Gumballs are great to tide you over until you can eat real cupcakes. CUPCAKES!

For nutrition information, click here.

Cupcake Gumballs

• Yummy gumballs that taste like vanilla cupcakes.
• Approx. 22 balls per tin.
• Tin Dimensions: 3.25″ x 2.5″ x 0.75″.

via ThinkGeek.com

Ad specialties are less expensive per impression than most other media

The Advertising Specialty Institute recently released a landmark study that proves advertising specialties beat out prime-time TV, radio and print advertising as the most cost-effective advertising medium available.

The most significant findings of the 2010 Global Advertising Specialties Impressions Study show advertising specialties are less expensive per impression than most other media* and are very affordable and effective when compared to other forms of media.

To complete its research, ASI conducted a total of 3,332 online and in-person surveys, including interviews with businesspeople in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, London, Sydney, Toronto and Montreal metro areas.

The 2.0 study, a follow-up to the definitive 2008 survey, includes new demographic information on politics, ethnicity, gender and age, since knowing the likely recipient of products is paramount for an advertiser. This year, the comprehensive report also adds global markets and includes more products, such as automotive accessories and food.

The study was released at the fourth annual ASI Power Summit in Aventura, Florida. Among key findings, results show:

• Cost per Impression. In the U.S., the cost per impression of a promotional product stayed virtually the same from 2008 to 2010, at .005 cents.
• Product Usage. Bags have the highest number of impressions in a month, over 1,000, and over one-third (36%) of those with incomes under $50,000 own bags.
• Gender Preferences. Males are more likely than females to own shirts and caps, while females are more likely to have bags, writing instruments, calendars and health and safety products.
• Ethnic Preferences. African-Americans have more promotional products on average (11.3) than any other group.
• Positive Reinforcement. 75% of independent voters prefer consumer-branded products; nearly 1.5 times more than Democrats or Republicans.
• Identifying the Advertiser. 83 % in the U.S. say they can identify the advertiser on a promotional item they own.
• Influencing User Opinions. 41% of U.S. respondents say their opinion of the advertiser is more favorable after receiving a promotional product.
• Global Reach. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of respondents from Great Britain have received and kept a pen in the last 12 months. In the U.S., writing instruments are used the most often, an average of 18.2 times per month.
• Popular Products. The most commonly owned promotional products among U.S. respondents are writing instruments (46%), followed by shirts (38%) and calendars (24%).
• Promo Product Capital. Los Angeles has the highest average number of items owned, at 12.7.

ASI’s research studies are the most influential in the industry’s history, continuously cited throughout the B-to-B industry and across the advertising and marketing spectrum.

“Our 2010 study once again proves the undeniable power of promotional products,” said Timothy M. Andrews, president and chief executive officer of ASI. “Distributors and suppliers should use these results to educate their customers, prospects and end-buyers about ways ad specialties can increase sales and brand exposure. Even smaller companies can deliver the kind of high-impact punch enjoyed by multi-million-dollar companies.

“It’s important to note that the pass-along rate has actually increased 11 points from just two years ago – which speaks directly to the global recycling trend. Not only do ad specialties make impressions on everyone who sees them, but messaging is reinforced every time the item is used. No other form of media can allow the advertiser to so closely tie a benefit to the recipient.”

At $0.005, the average cost-per-impression (CPI) of an advertising specialty item is less than nearly any other media. According to data obtained by ASI* the CPI for a national magazine ad is $0.045; for a newspaper ad, $0.029; for a prime-time TV ad, $0.018; for a cable prime-time TV ad, $0.005; for a syndicated daytime TV ad, $0.005; and for a spot radio ad, $0.058.

These statistics show marketers get a more favorable return on investment from advertising specialties than almost any other popular media, with a very low-cost per impression, high recall among those who receive ad specialty items, and increased intent among recipients to make purchases from the advertiser.

Larry Basinait, executive director of research services for ASI

 

Beyonce launches a line of Temporary Tattoos

I know what you’re thinking… Beyonce is creating her own line of temporary tattoos? She did and they are very popular.

Starting November 1st, Beyoncé and Japanese makeup brand Temptu have partnered with Deréon to create a range of temporary tattoos.  Some of the available temporary tattoo designs will include Deréon’s signature fleur icon, spiders, bolts and chains and jeweled baubles designs, to mimic the theme and feel of the overall fall collection.

The tattoos will be available in two different packages including a basic and a deluxe edition. Both options will consist of eight temporary tattoo transfer sheets (2 sheets each of the 4 designs); 10 tattoo application pads and one of three kit designs, each featuring a different fall and winter Deréon ad campaign image of Beyoncé, all for $16. However, if you opt to spend the asking price of $34, the deluxe edition will also include a signed photo of Beyoncé and a chance to win a trip to New York for a photo shoot.

The temporary tattoo technology has improved greatly;  and in either choice, all of the tattoos are waterproof and designed to last for two to five days. They come in a variety of design and sizes,  as small as coin to as large as the full body design on the right

They are slated for a retail arrival in November and will be available at Sephora stores in the U.S. and Canada, Sephora Online, and at both Deréon and Temptu’s websites.

If you want to learn more about temporary tattoos, please feel free to contact us and request samples via our Fan Page.

A Pharmaceutical Green Initiative

One of our Pharmaceutical companies came to us seeking assistance with their new “Green Initiative.”  They normally print thousands of brochures, pamphlets and flyers for the trade shows they regularly attend.  The goal was to reduce their environmental impact with regards to printed materials.  At first, this wasn’t something I was overly excited to assist them with.  Primarily because we would lose a huge chunk of the printing services we provide them. Don’t get me wrong, all the printed material we provide this customer with, is 100% recycled.  In essence they already have begun the transition to Green, just not to the level they are seeking.

After further consideration it dawned on me.  If I was helping them with their efforts towards environmental conservation.  In part, we would be contributing as well.  At the end of the day, it now became our initiative to provide a solution which would meet their requirements.

Over the years we’ve offered this company alternative mediums for marketing their catalog of products other than print:  USB drives and min CD’s, Web Keys, Hot Buttons, etc.  These products work well but are costly and don’t provide the ability to demonstrate graphically, as would a printed piece.

The solution is to integrate the two.  We found and presented the “Web Key Brochure.”  This product allows a company to market their products and/or services graphically. Utilizing a standard brochure package with a detachable web key.  This, USB type, device takes the user of this key to the company’s website.  Where they can view e-catalogs or promotional incentives from the trade show; and all the digital versions of sales materials available (instead of print).

We have a very happy customer making a difference for the good of the environment.  It’s a nice feeling to have contributed to their “Green Initiative.”

 

A Worldwide Phenomenon

Wondering what that is those kids are wearing around their wrists?

We’ve turned this worldwide phenomenon into the hottest value-priced promotional product on the market! Kids of all ages love to wear’em and trade’em!

Our Squiggles are available in seven themes and come packaged in a random assortment of 6 rubber bands in a polypack with a full-color advertiser card. (Note: You cannot specify the assortment but, don’t worry, everyone will love them anyway!)

Available themes:

Dinosaurs                    Sea creatures                    Insects                         Fruit

Music                           Transportation                   Dental                           Animals

Need custom shapes? Just ask for a quote!