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Brand identity relies on engagement. Boost your profile this summer with this popular drinkware profile. You might even say the it's the current shape of our water! How about these 5 reasons? On-trend design combines a 40 oz capacity with essential functionality for all-day hydration. Sleek high gloss finish A slim base to fit your cup-holders An ergonomic carry handle A 3-position, splash-proof swivel lid provides a reliable, easy-to-carry experience when you’re on the move. Need 2 more reasons? How about purposeful partnerships? This option is part of our ProudPath Collection. One percent of sales are donated to environmental nonprofits through a partnership with 1% For The Planet. Plus, the handle, straw, splash-proof lid and lightweight interior liner are made with 100% recycled food-grade plastic. Explore more options for this silhouette, with different price points as well as levels of insulation. How are insulated tumblers different? Keep reading our next blog.

We know the answer- there is a secret. Keep reading for the answer! Water is essential for our overall health and well-being, and staying hydrated throughout the day is crucial. Whether you’re at work, exercising, or simply going about your daily routine, having access to clean, refreshing water is a necessity. That is why making sure your brand follows the latest trends in water bottles with high-tech insulation methods matters. The trend of new water bottles is an ever-going cycle that changes with shapes, sizes, and colors but the technology that makes these water bottles so popular falls within the actual bottle. Insulation in water bottles can take a normal everyday water bottle and turn it into an impactful promotional product that will elevate your brand. The Benefits of Insulated Water Bottles: Insulated water bottles are highly practical and functional items that appeal to a wide range of individuals. By offering an insulated water bottle as a promotional product, you’re providing a practical item that recipients can use in their daily lives. This functionality ensures that your brand remains visible and associated with convenience and usefulness. In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on health and sustainability. Insulated water bottles align perfectly with these values, as they promote hydration and reduce the consumption of single-use plastic bottles. By associating your brand with a sustainable and health-conscious product, you demonstrate your commitment to these important societal concerns. This enhances your brand's image and resonates with eco-conscious consumers who appreciate environmentally friendly choices. So How Does This Technology Work? There are four main types of insulation that can be offered which are silicone sleeve, air insulation, vacuum insulation, and copper vacuum insulation. As insulation is the reduction of heat or temperature transfer by manufacturing processes or materials, water bottles with any of these types of insulation will provide the temperature where you want it. Your reusable & insulated bottle can make you feel good about your impact on the environment while providing an ideal temperature while you are out. We have name brands and "knock off" brands with superior insulation. Set up a time to visit our showroom to compare your options. Will you enhance your brand's image through insulation? Let's make this happen together, with us as your creative partner.

Beyond insulation, decoration options deliver on marketing space. A little like the genie from Aladdin offering ultimate power in a "itty-bitty" living space. Content is king. Where & how you can tell your brand story matters. Aligning with brands that are purposeful in both construction and a greater good is one way to elevate your message to your vertical markets. Quality construction is also another way to make sure your marketing dollars are used wisely; with products recipients will keep and use. Drinkware has tremendous brand exposure, offering a low cost per impression with a high conversion rate for your marketing & advertising dollar. The space might seem small and compact like a genie bottle but it's actually quite large in the right graphic hands. Consider this: How can you increase visibility and engagement? Smart graphic design. Work with our talented marketing & design team to make sure that your imagery resonates with your target market. It's a huge content area in the right hands. Here are 6 sizzling ways to decorate- watch each video & comment on your favorite process. A colorful wrap, plus a handle imprint offers a lot of marketing space for your brand. Recreating the sticker craze effect. Adding measurement markers or words of encouragement! 4D printing Full color printing make it a WRAP! Matt ink! Which was your favorite?

Flag Day is nationally celebrated on June 14th, in celebration and remembrance of the creation of the original American flag in 1776. On May 30th, 1916 President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation establishing a National Flag Day on June 14th. The day commemorates the adoption of the Stars and the Stripes as the official flag of the United States. Did you know George Washington commissioned the flag before the Declaration of Independence was written? It's true! George Washington commissioned Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia seamstress, to create a flag for the new nation in anticipation of a declaration of its independence. That shows how much George Washington truly believed in the independence of the nation we know today. This story also highlights how powerful symbols, like flags, can be to send a message. Flags historically, have been used to symbolize and unify groups of people together, who together stand for the same cause. How can flags be used today? Flags are still used in the same way today and our business encourages you to use a flag to send your own powerful message. Whether it is for uniting people or bringing necessary attention to an issue, customizing a flag to meet your purpose is an influential way to get your message out. The images and colors that encompass a flag are only part of the story. Each star and stripe on the American flag represents a state and each of the original thirteen colonies. These colors symbolize patriotism and independence as well as unity under one governmental system. By working directly with our graphics team, you will be able to tell your own story through the important colors and symbols that represent your crucial message. A flag is the best way to unite people and the best medium to represent your message so that it can reach an entire nation. Below are some shapes we can customize with graphics that share your story. Your company or organization is it's own "space" and a flag is a perfect way to capture the pride & story behind your brand. What type of flag will tell your story?

The heart of a community is best felt and exhibited when individuals see a need in their community, take action, and create change. It's also helpful when the driving force behind the action is a spirited, can-do personality. We met up recently with Juanita J. Hunter-Young, over at the foundation for a behind-the-scenes tour. She is a passionate community leader who was eager to share the work being done by numerous individuals associated with White Oak Foundation. Perhaps you haven't heard of the work they are doing in the community? There is a strong Apex connection for kids, seniors, and connecting individuals to services for food & medical attention. For example, some programs you might see on social media during the summer are our town's first responders being active with the summer camp program, and during the holidays providing a holiday to remember through the Christmas with a Cop program. As Juanita shared, "The impact of a community working together is more than dollars and cents, it's about long-standing, faithful care & support for one another in the community." True to their mission a multi-faceted organization of programs to "care for the total person." This foundation is another sesquicentennial partner we've discovered through Apex connections that we encourage you to get to know. Take a look at this 2022 Snapshot Addressing Food Security by providing 310 Turkey Meals for families & seniors 4,047 food pantry households, 12,619 food pantry meals, 1.134 senior & homebound Holiday gifts for 25 families, including 69 children A HUD-Certified Housing Counseling Agency to help prevent foreclosure, provide rental counseling, and referrals to other agencies for assistance. Education for seniors in avoiding scams, disaster & hurricane prep workshops Senior Care- Friendship Cafe- with games, exercise, food, and engagement. Health & Wellness programs with assistance targeted to dental, mammograms, blood donation Scholarship programs for high school seniors seeking advanced degrees Who is the foundation? The White Oak Foundation started in 1998, under the support of the White Oak Baptist Missionary Church's congregation and pastoral leadership. Over the years, the White Oak Foundation has grown into a respected faith-based nonprofit located right in Apex, North Carolina. The foundation's main mission is to serve a diverse multicultural community in which there are varying levels of needs, socioeconomic statuses, educational attainment, employment statuses, and access to healthcare resources. Who does the foundation assist? The foundation seeks to help families and individuals in our community who have suffered from financial difficulties through its many charitable programs. The White Oak Foundation has played a huge role in saving family homes that have fallen into foreclosure around Wake County through their Housing Counseling Program which has directly saved over 540 homes from foreclosure since their formation. The foundation takes its support a step further by offering educational programs to home buyers and renters to ensure they are ready to face the ever-challenging housing market. Their motto, appropriately, is "Caring For The Total Person" which is perfectly demonstrated through their philanthropists' efforts in hosting bi-monthly food bank distributions and tri-weekly hot meals for senior citizens. "Caring For The Total Person," can also be seen as the White Oak Foundation providing college scholarships for those seeking higher education, medical screenings, and even offering financial support by paying utility bills for families in financial distress. All of these amazing efforts made by the White Oak Foundation have led to some outstanding accomplishments and benefits in our community. Including their Summer Education Enrichment Program, for kids 5-12, which works directly with the children in Wake County that had their educational experience interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. This program offers weekly field trips, hands-on learning, and of course, a lot of fun for the kids! Here are some images from the previous camp. What's new? In November- December 2023 the church will be opening its doors to a new community daycare program providing access to childcare for those that struggle to find affordable, quality options. Have you been following our previous stories? If not, we encourage you to read each of these previous posts to find out about community partners making a difference for Apex. Our last post shared about the work behind the organization Wheels4Hope.

According to an article by Forbes, there are 5 traits behind highly connected people. Those 5 traits - genuine interest in others, a desire to help others, patience, future focused mindset and quality over quantity are traits found in officers at the Apex Police Department. That's right; our local officer's serve & protect, and they are connected to the community. After-all, it's common interests & common experiences that spark a connection between strangers. If you've ever been out of town and suddenly meet someone from your state or hometown- immediately you start asking questions. Where did you live? What was your favorite place to eat? Where did you go to school? Who do you know? That simple spark of a common location immediately makes two strangers feel connected. Those strangers can't help but look for more things in common. When it comes to a company or an organization the word "personal brand" is a term used to describe the public's perception of that organization's personality. If you spent as much time as our Promotional Partners team in Downtown Apex you'd know that the officers that protect Apex are personable. They wave, beep to friends & share stories or a laugh when they pass you on the street or pop in for a coffee or keep us all safe during a local festival. Yes, they serve & protect the community. However on a deeper, more personal level, they are all some one's child. They get dressed in a uniform just like a child puts on their pants or socks, one leg or one foot at a time. They have hobbies, pets, families and favorite foods. Imagine the impact on our youth when they experience the feeling of a personal connection. For a child, finding out that behind the badge is a person who has something in common with them is "community policing". Consider the positive impact created through the realization that officers are just like the people they serve & protect. Take a look at the story behind the new children's book with this CBS 17 video with Chief Armstrong discussing the vision and purpose of the book. Note- Kudos to the police department for sharing their vision & goals. Through collaboration, this custom book was written, designed and published with our team to convey a sense of community.

Today is World Ocean's Day. Are you familiar with the organization behind this national date? World Ocean is a world-wide organization, active in 150 countries with individuals that want to restore & protect our "blue planet"- committed to One Ocean. One Climate. One Future- Together. Summer invites travelers back to our oceans to recharge, which also reminds visitors how much we enjoy the beauty of our oceans. Our family always enjoys seeing the sea turtle nest and while we have not been able to see an actual hatching, going behind the scenes in the aquariums to see the efforts being made to protect the sea turtle is a family tradition. As more of our industry partners create ways to repurpose trash into recycled material for clothing, bags, bottles and more-together those efforts are making a difference for our ocean life. As a follower of our blog you've probably read a few, but maybe not all, of our stories related to protecting & restoring our oceans. Many of the products are made from diverted plastic that would have made their way to oceans and often give back profits to non profits focused on efforts to restore our oceans.

The Apella is Durham was a stunning place to be today- a beautiful location for the quarterly Women in Business Series, presented by the Triangle Business Journal. The art, the light, the design- it was so polished and functional, yet open & cozy. No, I am not commission. No, I am not in architectural design- it was just that amazing. Check it out! Today's panel featured 4 women leaders in commercial real estate. Each panelist delivered insightful, honest and often humorous answers to very relevant topics. One topic that caught my attention was around the value of proximity for professional development. Several panelist shared that unexpected mentor moments developed along their careers due to proximity; presenting opportunity. You know, those serendipitous moments when by chance we hear, see or experience something not planned. Life is full of unexpected of moments, but sometimes it takes reflection to realize exactly what you absorbed through those experiences. We develop skill sets by mirroring what we've experienced. We build relationships around the people we come in contact with routinely. Each panelist found value in unscripted moments. Like what? Being asked to step into a meeting just to absorb the conversation Being included to share their perspective after a difficult call Bouncing around ideas with upper level managers because there was a quick break in the routine of day. Proximity to people develops into mentoring moments that added value and in this case helped shape professional growth. The take away? Get out there and mingle. Be present. Be around to listen & learn.

Move over chocolate & strawberry to make way for the greatest thing since the invention of ice cream! In the 70's, the idea of 31 flavors of ice cream created raving fans. Consumers could test out a spoonful of unique flavors was well, over 31 flavors. Fast forward to today - modern ice cream shops often have over 31 flavors or let you create your own masterpiece. No matter what flavor profiles are your go-to, your cravings can be satisfied with a host of local places in the Triangle with unique flavors - as well as homegrown flavors using quick freeze machines at home. Behind the scenes trivia? 1. Which preference wins? Cup, waffle cone or sugar cone Waffle Cone 2. Who's made homemade ice cream? We all have, most of us have the old-fashioned way with the crank, salt, and ice. 3. What are some of our favorite ice cream shops? Fresh, Sunny Skies, and Goodberry's (Yes, we know this is frozen custard) No matter how you like your ice cream, keeping it cold is an essential part of the experience. This magnet cooler sleeve made for ice cream quarts is the perfect pairing for a relaxing evening or a great way to chill in the summer heat. Mood changing products are fun way to connect with families at community events. Coloring changing products are also nice messaging around the call to action, when you are in the mood for change. Check out our services - if you can tolerate the puns, color changing products at an ice cream social make the perfect icebreaker. Asking attendees to sit with everyone that has the same color instead of their normal friend group. Now that you know a little more about us - we'd like to know, what's your favorite flavor?

Imagine being without your vehicle? Ask any 16 year old and they can remind you the ability to drive yourself is INDEPENDENCE. If you've ever had your car in the shop for repairs to know that it is always an annoying struggle when you are forced to order an Uber or inconvenience a friend to drive you around while your car is being fixed. Now imagine having to spare that extra expense every day just to simply go to work or the grocery store. What if you had to always rely on someone else for your appointments? This is a struggle that families all over our area face every day as they lack the funds to secure reliable transportation. So, What Is Being Done About This? Wheels4Hope is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that has been providing safe, reliable, affordable vehicles to people who need them since May 22, 2000. This organization began at the West Raleigh Presbyterian Church when John Weistart and Chris Simes saw the importance and life-changing effects a good car can have on a struggling family. Having a car can mean that they are able to get and keep a job, meet family obligations, or pursue an education. All of this means having a car is a necessity. Take a moment to consider how economically challenged individuals face very limited options when they go to purchase a car. Sometimes, they can even be charged inflated prices or be forced into paying high-interest loans. Wheels4Hope is dedicated to helping this need and providing a better solution for those who need it. From the beginning, starting through a mission group at the church, Wheels4Hope opened an all-volunteer garage to address low-income people’s need for affordable, reliable transportation. Here is a thought-provoking quote from the co-founder, Chris Simes: "Most of what we take for granted as normal family life requires a car. It is only when our car goes into the shop that we taste the sense of isolation and limitation that some of our neighbors face every day." - Chris Simes, Co-founder, Wheels4Hope Today, as a fully qualified nonprofit organization, Wheels4Hope is known throughout the Triangle, Triad, and Western North Carolina as an organization that helps individuals and families receive transportation. Why Talk About This? We have chosen to call attention to Wheels4Hope today as a part of our celebration for Apex’s 150-year anniversary. With this being a special year for our town, we want to make sure we are also giving back and recognizing the important, wonderful organizations that make our community so great. Wheels4Hope has been a part of our community for over twenty years and offers life-changing services for those who need them. How Does Wheels4Hope Do This? Most of the income is generated by the sale of donated vehicles. Most of these vehicles are received and repaired by Wheels4Hope. These vehicles are then sold as program cars. Some of the vehicles are sold to the general public and vehicles that are beyond their geographical reach or ability to repair are sold with 100% of the proceeds going to support the work of Wheels4Hope. In addition to these efforts, significant support comes from volunteer mechanics and Partner Garages. These sponsors provide the labor to repair vehicles that have been donated to Wheels4Hope. As well as receiving charitable gifts from individuals, congregations, corporations, and foundations allows Wheels4Hope to invest in opportunities to expand and strengthen the impact of its mission. The Wheels4Hope website has more information on how to help with this cause and how their organization functions. If you are interested in learning more about Wheels4Hope, check out their website, here. This partner is one of the many organizations that have spoken to the Apex Rotary Club over the years. As a result of that presentation, when it was time for Keith's father to quit driving he knew that his car was going to an organization doing amazing work- plus they picked up his car & took care of the paperwork. So simple! Have you read our latest 150 story about what Safe Kids Week is? It has a lot of beneficial tips to make sure your family remains safe! Check it out, here.

June is a month that puts a spotlight on diversity, equity and inclusion. Promotional products are the perfect canvas for custom, colorful imagery that also creates a tangible experience for interaction with your senses. Yes, your senses. Our industry knowledge, creative thinking & our graphic's experience combine to suggest innovative ways to utilize products that invite engagement & encourage individuals to share their unique experiences & perspective within your organization. Over the past couple months we have been working with several of our partners DEI Council's to highlight how we can capture engagement & create dialogue using products. Our partners are amazed how strong visual imagery incorporated into stock & custom projects generates a strong message too. Our core objective with each of these partners is to celebrate differences, build on mutual respect and cultivate a sense of belonging in the workplace or community. Here are 3 simple ways we customized products. 1. Stickers can be any shape, any size, any content and colorful! 2. A button surface can become any graphic! 3. A stock bag can have a custom image on the surface. We love combining our graphic design experience with our industry & marketing experience to create programs that hit on your message with recipients. Keep following our stories on our blog about innovative ways to use products.

Sometimes a little is more than a lot. Getting to the finish line requires staying on track to goals. However a race, a track does not have to run in a continuous loop. Break the mold, after-all, recognition is about individuals that go beyond the norm, the expected. As strong, colorful visual concept will always capture attention. Words Matter. Actions Matter. Images Convey Messages. When you want individuals to feel apart of a larger picture, provide them the ability to craft their own masterpiece- there own vision. Cubed art awards are the perfect eye-catching recognition piece that you can build in minutes. Choose from the variety of stock magnetic attachments or go with custom attachments. The recipient will be grateful to be recognized and motivated to keep up the good work. We encourage you to let us think inside and outside "the box" for inspiration. Find the hero stories. Make sure the MVP's on your team connect to the vision behind recognition. A bonus? Made in the USA, Free Personalization, Free Copy Change, as few as 1 unit!