A lot has changed over the past year-and-a-half. Working remotely became a way of life – and even when people weren’t on the clock, they were still spending more free time at home. It all created interest in products that make our homes more comfortable, which is why we’re so excited to expand our housewares with collection with the introduction of a new brand partner: Good & Well Supply Co. Good Smells Done Well Good & Well Supply Co. crafts candles that celebrate nature, using the business to advocate for and support public lands through donations. The Good & Well Supply Co. mission is to bring the best of nature to your home, and we’ve got three new candles that do so – just in time for gift season. Made in the United States and inspired by national parks, each one is ethically sourced and handcrafted from all-natural soy. Great For Gifting And just in time for gift season, we’re excited to introduce three new Good & Well Supply Co. candles – with plans for more in the future! Each one is eco-friendly, ethically sourced and hand-crafted from all-natural soy. They’re made in the USA and inspired by U.S. National Parks, making them the perfect gift for anyone who loves the smell of fresh air. Zion National Park 14oz Candle | 6000-06 Inspired by Zion National Park, the scent is composed of desert lavender, sage and dried herbs. Rainier National Park 14oz Candle | 6000-05 Inspired by Rainier National Park, the scent is composed of balsam fir needle, balsamic woody crushed pine needles and citrus. Redwood National Park 14oz Candle | 6000-04 Inspired by Redwood National Park, the scent is composed of oakmoss, sage, citrus and damp earth. Like we mentioned, Good & Well Supply Co. supports the public lands that are the company’s inspiration, making annual donations to the National Park Foundation and others. So it’s more than a thoughtful gift – it’s one you can feel good about giving, too.

QR codes offer a way for your audience to gain access to valuable information without much effort. Content is king and in a rapidly changing environment your ability to pivot is easy with the configuration of lines and dots that make up a scannable shortcut - a map to any destination. You know this adaptable symbol as a QR code! There are numerous applications and mediums that are basically made for QR codes; read on to learn! Ready to incorporate QR Codes into your marketing strategy? Reach out to us!

Sustainability isn’t just a trend – it’s a new way of doing business. People everywhere have made it their responsibility to become greener consumers, and many companies are answering the challenge by offering more environmentally friendly products. CamelBak® is one company taking huge strides to shrink its carbon footprint, in part by making all its plastic water bottles with Tritan™ Renew, an eco-friendly material composed of 50% recycled content. Here’s why it’s such a game-changer. A Better Life For Old Plastics Much of what gets recycled ends up in landfills and incinerators or is mechanically chipped and recycled into new products that don’t always have the durability needed for daily use. There is science in the solution. Polyester Renewal Technology (PRT) is more efficient than mechanical recycling and produces new material made with 50% recycled content. Less virgin plastic needed for new products means saving precious environmental resources. Tritan™ Renew is highly durable, dishwasher-safe, and free of BPA, BPS and BPF chemicals. Reusable Bottles Made Better The science behind the process is fascinating. Here’s how it works: First, polyester waste plastics are collected for recycling. They’re then broken down into monomer building blocks, creating new copolyester plastic. Next, bottles are made with recycled material, creating less demand for finite resources, like virgin petroleum. You still get the same awesome product, but with less impact on the environment. It’s a win-win.

It’s an exciting time of year. Big events are back, which means the return of tradeshows, conferences, year-end employee awards and holiday celebrations, just to name a few. The coming months are filled with gift opportunities, and whether you’re buying for a big group or a small handful of people, you’ll want to choose something everyone can use – like power banks, speakers and earbuds. Popular tech items check all the boxes, and we’ve got some of the best brands in the industry. When it comes to tech accessories, a popular retail brand strongly enhances the perceived value. Here are four brands to focus on this gift season: mophie® - Designed To Power Inspiration The mophie® suite of portable power products, charging is simplified & designed to complement your life. An in-house design team selects materials that have the right combination of aesthetics and durability. Materials are vetted for durability as well as high-quality looks. Not only will mophie® products charge your phone fast, they’ll look good doing it and last for many more charges to come. Our pick: mophie® Power Boost XL 10,400 mAh Power Bank Bose® - Audio For Life When you think about high-end audio, one name comes to mind: Bose®. The brand is known around the world for being an innovator of sound technology. Whether it’s used for rugged adventures or backyard BBQs, a Bose® speaker delivers unbeatable sound quality and durability that stands the test of time. This year, give the gift of superior sound. Our pick: Bose® SoundLink Micro Bluetooth® Speaker Skullcandy® - Sound Without Boundaries There’s no doubt about it – Skullcandy® has been making some noise in the promo industry. The mobile-audio brand has carved out a niche as an edgy alternative for headphones and earbuds, combining a youthful spirit and underdog attitude. Skullcandy® products are designed for people who don’t want to just hear the music, but actually feel it. And with our selection of 18 great Skullcandy® products, there’s something for everyone on your list. Our pick: Skullcandy® Indy™ Evo True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds Popl - Instantly Share Anything You only get one first impression. Make it pop with Popl, a business card that makes it easy to share your information instantly by tapping another person’s phone. Popl is compatible with both iPhone® and Android™, and the other person doesn’t need to have a Popl or app to receive your info. More connections, more leads, more sales. It’s the future of networking. Miss our recent post about this product? Need more inspiration for gifting? Check out these electronic catalogs or set up time to visit the showroom. Holiday Guide Allure of Retail Brands Eco & Sustainable Solutions- Making a difference for the planet By the way, what's your favorite retail brand?

Do you recall making a paper weaving in school? The papers lock together by threading the horizontal strips of paper through every other vertical strip, using an over-under repeating pattern. Modern machinery makes weaving cloth seem "effortless." Fabric has an allure. Consumers are drawn into various textures, colors, patterns and weaves. However the foundation of fabric is practical- providing us items to wear for protection against the elements or to make our day or night more comfortable. Connecting with consumers within their daily routine is truly the essence of strong promotional campaign. When a marketing campaign fits like a glove to your target markets, the product transcends advertising, becoming-excuse the pun- part of the fabric of your life. At our recent show we share one of our favorite textile partners. Keep in mind many items are also USA Made! What types of products do they offer for your next campaign? Socks! Woven, fuzzy grippers for healthcare settings or home, work socks, athletics socks, fundraisers- fun runs and team building. Shoe tags or zipper pulls- add a unique way to showcase a sponsor, commemorative event or VIP with these colorful editions to outerwear and shoes. Patches- of course for identification on uniforms, but also for spirit, collectibles, recognition and unity. Gloves- Gloves protect our hands from the elements, can be colorful to show spirit or add additional function by allowing us to access our smart devices without having to remove our gloves. Instant Images and Patches- peel & stick to apparel for an instant team or add to hard goods for a permanent branded image. Add these to a post card for a pre show mailer or alumni connection. An adaptable item that's very affordable. Beanies- a gift that fits everyone! What additional items should you consider- watch this quick video for inspiration.

Do you check your email frequently? How about these stat's: According to a 2018 study by Adobe, individuals born between 1981 and 1996 spent a total of 6.4 hours a day on email. Statista, who tracks marketing data, states there were over four billion email users worldwide in 2020 with over 305 billion emails sent and received globally. Email marketing allows you to easily send a message & communicate with an audience who has opted-in to hear specifically from you, anytime and anywhere. What types of emails can incorporate promotional marketing? Promotional: Outreach to your target market with a new product announcement, a seasonal sale, special offer or exclusive content. Consider offering incentives to win a curated kit with branded items that fit your message. Transactional: If you’re a frequent shopper, using a digital marketplace the order confirmations, e-receipts and updates about your account activity are part of the customer experience. Why not track and reward loyal consumers with gifts? Use tiered levels to each points to redeem branded items or simply add gifts to their orders when shipped or picked up curbside. Drip: Automated responses, as a result of an action the consumer has taken. These types of increase sales by suggesting, if you liked this product, you will love this one. This item completes the set. If you are selling sustainable clothing or hand made products, then a promotional gift that also has a greater good is the perfect place to start for this type of reward. Loyalty Program: Everyone enjoys feeling special, create VIP options with exclusive loyalty programs. Turn key ways to reward could be food gifts on their birthday or anniversary perks. We can apply our industry knowledge to design turn key single items, even personalized, for your signature program series. Change up the items from year to year. Put our graphic & marketing talents to work as your partner, we can design the right program to maximize consumer or employee engagement.

What's the influencer driving consumers? This influencer is more than an "everybody" wants one rumor. There are stats gathered from real consumers, by real research teams that confirms everybody is influenced by- the power of touch. Try this fact- Millennial's make up over a 89.2 million of the US population and they ARE influenced by the power of touch, watch here. The influencer is promotional products in the hands of consumers. It's simple, product campaigns grow brands! Here's a quick run down of the facts: By Recognizing Achievement. Identifying & rewarding your best employees for a job well done. By touching the senses, you are triggering a ‘Thank You’ response, because everyone appreciates being acknowledged. Becoming Remembered. Promotional Products are designed to trigger brand recall, because the products align your brand with your customer’s lifestyle. Interaction inspires future action, creating the advertising results you want, because everyone remembers them. Creating Conversation. Everyone talks about promotional products they enjoy & find useful. We can help you cut through the clutter and make a lasting connection with your clients & customers. Get Noticed Increases Brand Awareness. Everyone keeps quality, useful, attractive promotional products. We can help you create personalized brand experiences that stand the test of time. Energize Your Business. Certified professionals can save you time and money, because we have both the experience and expertise to design campaigns with products that produce results! In fact, our Promotional Partners team won a Pyramid Award for our work designing the logos & producing the products decorated with the the trademarked phrase, The Peak of Good Living. This popular Town of Apex Peak Promo Store, elevates their brand and offers enthusiast's a way to secure their own Peak of Good Living gear. So, the rumors are true. Everyone asks for promotional products, which helps you reach your target audience in a way that no other advertising medium can touch. Our award winning, certified team puts our collaborative & creative approach to work for your brand. By touching & comparing options in our showroom, brainstorming with our talented team and utilizing our in- house graphic team, our clients save save time & money. Eager to learn more about the power of touch? Take a look at this video Keep an eye on our social media leading up to Promotional Products WORK Day- October 20, 2021!

Creating an advantage is often associated with the term "a leg up." Getting a leg up on your competition might be as simple as focusing your purchasing choices for apparel around sustainability. We recently found a blog post from an industry partner that concisely captured how sustainability is changing fashion. Let's take a look at the article: There are two main pillars of sustainability, ecological responsibility and social responsibility. On the ecological leg, clothing is made from renewable materials or manufactured in conditions that preserve natural resources. On the social leg, sustainable clothing is manufactured under fair labor conditions, including paying workers living wages and not employing sweatshops or slavery practices. When it comes to promotional apparel, the majority of available options fall into the middle part of the sustainability spectrum. When helping your customers choose sustainable uniforms or promotional clothing items, look for the following things: What materials are the items made of? Synthetic fibers like polyester can take over 200 years to break down naturally. Look for fibers like linen, hemp, or Tencel™. Organic cotton is another good option; but keep in mind that cotton is very water-intensive, making it less sustainable than some other options. Where are the items manufactured? Different countries have different labor laws, so locating where your items were made is a reliable way to determine how socially responsible their manufacturing processes are. Look for countries of origin that have stricter labor laws and higher wages where possible. Does the company have any green certifications? Look for certifications such as Fair Trade, Global Recycled Standard, GoodWeave, or Certified B Corporations that indicate a neutral third party has reviewed the company for its sustainability practices. How easy is locating the above information? Transparency is essential to sustainability. If you’re having trouble finding information about a brand’s labor or environmental practices, consider why that might be. Determining what products are and aren’t sustainable can seem overwhelming but know that every step in the right direction is just that – a step in the right direction. No one brand is perfectly sustainable, and it’s not realistic or reasonable to expect perfection. However, choosing items that satisfy some sustainability qualities is better than choosing products that have none, and every effort made to strive for sustainability makes a difference. How do you feel about sustainable efforts in your apparel? Let us know in the comments! *Source: Caitlin Flynt Marketing Coordinator at our industry partner SAGE

Support For Ukrainian Refugees- we have a number of partners offering proceeds from your orders to humanitarian efforts overseas. Our partner PCNA will donate up to 1% of March sales revenue to assist with humanitarian relief efforts benefiting Ukrainian refugees in Poland, where their European counterpart, PF Concept, has operations. In addition to financial support, PF Concept continues to donate products such as blankets, clothing and power banks for those in need. Around the world, the situation in Ukraine has united people who want to help. Together, we have an opportunity to make a difference. Ask us to share products from this line that will align with your marketing needs.

For some the new push pop is phenomenal and for others, it's just a silly toy. In the February edition of our newsletter, we started a poll to find out what our clients think about this toy, and so far - the no's are winning. The spinner toy craze of 2017 has morphed into the pop-it. How much do you know about the transformation of the fidget phenomenon? You might ask, what is it? A toy that looks like bubble wrap and offers the chance to place extra energy or stress. The popular toy comes in a flying disk, key tag holder, a writing instrument, and of course a desk accessory. Check out some pop-ular options on our website. Is the idea of a fidget toy new? Hardly - in the 12th century Ming dynasty China, there were Baoding balls: two small balls that could fit in one hand and repeatedly rotate to reduce stress, and supposedly have mental health benefits! The Greeks have been using worry beads, or Komboloi, to offer a soothing, meditative state to the user for over 800 years. What's your take on this trend? We'd like to know!

Can your choices make a positive difference for the environment? Yes! It starts by limiting our environmental impact through smarter production means and materials. We've introduced to our lines the Nimble Community, a brand that strives to partner with consumers to reduce e-waste and plastics ending up in our landfills - and offer you quality technology! Responsible Premium Creating world-class personal tech is one thing. Building it from high-quality materials with less environmental burden is another. By choosing to reuse waste and explore renewable sources, we minimize the impact of what your product is made of, so we can focus more on the way it’s made. What's Actually Being Recycled? Recycled Silicone Silicone is less toxic than petroleum-based plastic and requires less resource extraction to produce it. A highly recyclable material, it’s commonly found in many electronics like computers, keyboards and phones for its durability and resistance to moisture and extreme temperatures. Recycled PET PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottles are among the most common types of plastic waste materials in the world. Despite being one of the easiest to recycle, processing rates in the U.S. are dropping. The good news - recycled PET is ideal for making tech accessory components like internal structures, external housing, and fabric coverings. Cool features about this charging pad: Wirelessly charge two devices at once with this Apollo Duo Wireless Charging Pad Made from eco-friendly materials like RePlay™ Certified Recycled Plastic and recycled silicone Charges newer iPhones, Samsungs, Androids, AirPods (2nd Generation), AirPods Pro, and Google Pixel 3 on contact Plus, like all Nimble Products, this charging pad is Climate Neutral Certified and supports environmental non-profits through 1% for the Planet! Looking for more Nimble products? Getting Involved is Simple Use the pre-paid shipping label to easily send old electronic devices, plastic cases, cell phones, cables, etc. directly to Homeboy Electronics Recycling*, the e-waste recycling partner for safe, responsible reclamation. To date, Nimble has successfully recycled over 10,000 pounds of e-waste, phone cases and CDs. *Homeboy Electronics Recycling offers certified recycling and data destruction services to residents and businesses like us, while providing permanent jobs and training to people who face systemic barriers to employment.

99.6% of business in NC are considered small businesses! Maybe a smaller number of employees, but know small businesses are large in heart! When our owners Olivia & Keith founded Promotional Partners Inc. in 2007 there were an estimated 821,189 small businesses in North Carolina, employing 47.9% of the state's 3,586,552 non-farm-sector employees. Fast forward to 2021- what's the current economic profile? There are 934,604 small businesses in NC, representing 99.6% of all business, employing 1.7 million people. It's National Entrepreneurship Week. News stories are abundant around the growing number of entrepreneurs since 2020. Promotional Partners is excited by this growing trend, because we know small businesses invested in their local communities as volunteers, mentors and sponsors. Sharing knowledge & experiences within the business community grows ideas & builds best practices with one another. After all, collaboration leads to creativity, and innovation keeps the economy thriving. Right? What innovative products are there to inspire entrepreneurs to dream? Never lose a great idea with this innovative product. Save paper while jotting down your thoughts with the Quartet Dry Ease Desktop organizer. Watch this short video to see one in action. LapGear is the perfect solution for the individual that likes to jump between projects, working anywhere, including the sofa! Watch this video to see this product. Lume Cubes are ideal for video conferencing & individuals working remotely. Here's the product in action. Are you interested in Promotional Partners Inc.'s backstory & journey of entrepreneurship? Flash back to our roots with an image of our first location in historic Downtown Apex. Lessons learned by our owners over the years, or did you catch Olivia's interview with Voyage Raleigh about being a woman-owned business? Even after 15 years, your story is our why! Why do you support small businesses?