Sustainability is more than a trend – it's a long-term shift in thinking. Purchasing EcoSmart®, makes it easy to find the best sustainable products and make good choices for the planet. What makes these products better for the planet? Most often it's the unique materials and fabrics. Each one has an interesting story about how it became part of an umbrella or backpack. Here's a quick primer: 1. RPET Polyethylene terephthalate, better known by the abbreviation PET, is the most common type of plastic used for water and soft drink bottles, food containers such as peanut butter jars and containers for household cleaners. It's a favorite of the food and beverage industry thanks to its strength, durability and transparency. Unfortunately, these characteristics also mean that it takes about 450 years for a plastic water bottle to decompose (Popular Science). It's not all bad news, though. PET happens to be the most recycled plastic in the world. Used PET containers are sorted, cleaned and ground into pellets that are reintroduced to the manufacturing process that produces our EcoSmart® backpacks, umbrellas and even journals. And if you're looking for a retail brand in the eco-friendly game, we've partnered with Parkland to offer their on-trend collection of backpacks, totes, duffel bags and pouches – all made with 100% recycled water bottles. Want to feel good about what you're wearing? Our eco apparel is made with a blend that includes more than 30% recycled PET, taking plastic waste and turning it into something you can feel good about wearing. But it's not just good for the planet – it's high-quality fabric that feels good and looks good, too. See How It’s Made 2. Bamboo Pandas love bamboo and so do we. We use it for everything from lunch boxes and cutlery to photo frames. Aside from being 100% biodegradable, bamboo is durable and highly renewable. Incredibly, it grows several feet in 24 hours and requires 30% less water to grow. Plus, we think it looks pretty classy too! 3. Wheat Straw After all those wheat grains are harvested to make your favorite baked goods, what becomes of the rigid stalk that's left over? Believe it or not, it ends up in some of our EcoSmart® products. When added to the barrel of a pen or a lunch box, wheat straw greatly reduces the amount of plastic in the product. And no need to worry about allergies. Since there is no wheat grain in these products, they are totally gluten-free. See How It’s Made 4. Recycled Cotton According to the Council for Textile Recycling, annual textile waste is estimated to equal 25 billion pounds. Once in landfills, all that material can take hundreds of years to decompose. Instead of letting it go to waste, we take that fabric and use it to make some trendy tote bags, travel pouches and more. See How It’s Made 5. PLA A biodegradable, bio-based material derived from renewable resources sounds too good to be true. But that’s exactly what you’re getting with PLA, an eco-friendly thermoplastic produced by fermenting carbohydrates, like corn starch or sugarcane. Not only is it a great alternative to plastic – unlike plastic, it doesn’t emit toxic fumes when oxygenated – it’s also recognized as safe by the FDA, making it perfect for food packaging, medical applications and more. The positive economic impact from producing these “green” materials is staggering. In fact, it’s estimated that by 2030, over 300,000 jobs will have been created in the bioplastics industry (European Bioplastics). Yep, PLA is a plastic alternative we should all be excited about. See How It’s Made The Bottom Line We believe that big change begins with small steps. Choosing eco-friendly products is your way of making a difference. EcoSmart® is our way of helping- shop here.

A roomy, top quality cotton tote is a classic accessory for summer. Totes are a popular choice with consumers because they are reusable, reducing waste. Totes are a smart choice for branding because: Consumer support is growing for banning single use plastic bags 73% of consumers own a branded bag Bags capture over 3,300 impressions over their lifetime & are kept on average over 11 months. Which means a $5.00 bag is only 2/10 of cent in your cost per impression. What else is cool about a bag promotion for summer? It's roomy enough to add a water-bottle, sunglasses, beach ball, sunburn alert stickers and if you are looking for something quirky- a floating cap! Yep. Best of all, each of these items are part of our anniversary month special (May 13-June 13) for The Poe Center. Ask us how your purchase can give back to help our youth. Source for stats: ASI's 2020 Global Study

Guaranteed Quality UNTUCKit sources cotton from all over the world. The team travels the globe looking for wrinkle-free fabrics that can withstand more than 50 washes and still look great. That ‘Just Right’ Length These shirts are designed to fall halfway between the belt and the bottom of the pants zipper, allowing the front pockets to be partially exposed. Customers can easily access their pockets for a cool, casual style. And every shirt is measured on the production line to ensure the highest quality possible. Contoured Hemline The hemline is rounded, not straight, so you can also wear it tucked in. Signature Sail The UNTUCKit sail can be found on the bottom of each shirt, reminding you to let loose and be free. Wear that shirt unfurled! Reinforced Collar and Cuffs Collars and cuffs maintain their structure with a little help from a Freudenberg interlining, an innovative bond between the fabric layers. This eliminates the need for an iron, steamer or dry cleaner. Products are manufactured to strict standards of weaving, dyeing and finishing. In short, these are shirts you can wash, dry and go. Buttons All buttons are attached using a patented sewing thread that permanently “locks” the button in place. For women’s styles, there are “perfect-placement” buttons, which means no awkward openings, pulling or gaps. Just flattering fits for women. From Work To Weekend UNTUCKit shirts aren’t just for the office. They’re also perfect for happy hour or going out on the weekends. They’ve got that just-right length, fit all shapes and sizes, and help you look sharp — even at your most casual. Excited to see more? Check out the full UNTUCKit collection here.

What's a strategic way to build your brand awareness? Impressions. It's simple math- a low cost item, worn repeatedly around your target market is going to capture views, aka impressions. Strong ROI ( return on your investment) for your CPI ( cost per impression). 85% of consumers can recall the advertiser on a branded product & 6 out of 10 men in the USA have kept a promotional item more than 5 years! Summer is coming, so cool shades are the perfect accessory for running errands, going to the farmer's market, leisure time at pools or beaches, and while boating or golfing. There is plenty of time to design a well constructed distribution plan ahead of National Sunglasses Day in June. Adding full color packaging to enhance the message, is a low cost, high impact option. Select from numerous styles including: Mirrored Color changing Built in bottle openers Velvet touch Patriotic Not "seeing" the style your seeking? No problem, we have plenty of other options, including kid sizes. Best of all, these sunglasses are one of the many special featured items for our yearlong give back to The Poe Center. Check your partners newsletter for details. Purchase up to 500 units through our partnerships program options between now and June 13, and your order will give back to Poe! That's a great way to reflect your brand to the community. Source: ASI's 2020 Global Study

Whether you are working out, cooking in the kitchen or video conferencing- there are times that an extra pair of hands would be helpful. If you've ever Googled a how to video, and tried to follow the directions while watching the video then you know that the ability to stabilize your phone, in your line of sight, without holding it would be an asset. These gel mounts are the perfect solution to your helping hand needs. Besides, a helping hand is what community is all about, right? Will you help us support our annual campaign to give back to The Poe Center with your purchases this month? Ask us how this item can be part of the program and travel with your consumers throughout their day. Consider the message behind the promotion- showcasing your brand as a innovator, problem solver and a partner that sticks around. We love constructing stories, you might say it's #YourStoryOurWhy!

You’ve heard national dates drive engagement, but which dates should you add to your marketing plan? Select dates that align with your brand identity and purpose- making them authentic to your target markets. Embrace dates as a way to show your personality. For example, June 21 is National Selfie Day. Create a fun setting within your business to encourage posts and offer your customers perks for posting. Located in a thriving business district, reward the most creative posts or highest number of shared posts. Drive foot traffic with smart cooperative marketing. Just like adding multiple logos to a 5K tee to show the unity of local sponsoring businesses, develop synergy around national dates with your favorite business partners! June 27 is National Sunglasses Day. Here are some bright ideas! A town can share its parks by encouraging images of favorite locations within the park, of course wearing sunglasses. Entries could be rewarded with a custom lanyard. Create a contest for local amateur photographers to submit a photo using sunglasses as the prompt. Partner with your arts council and local frame shop to promote this event and frame the winner. Display the top entries in local restaurants, create postcards to purchase in local retailers, or add to a shopping tote locals can purchase- proceeds going to the local food pantry. Create a contest with no work- yep, no work; to qualify the photos must tag the business where they took the selfie. The photographer with the most likes & shares wins! Simply tally up the votes! Individuals wearing sunglasses to your business on a specific day might qualify for a family vacation, earn shopping points or receive a discount on summer apparel. Local restaurants, with exclusive channels & pay per view events, might offer access to diners wearing sunglasses. Set up photo spots around your town to take selfies in sunglasses to encourage foot traffic. Offer a tropical drink to shoppers wearing sunglasses or ice pops for the kids Give away sunglasses at the point of purchase. Reward customers wearing sunglasses with a free sample! Getting eyes on your business doesn't have to be hard, just strategic. Looking for more ways to engage your markets? We can shed some light during our next collaboration.

A quality cooler, like this one from Engel, is a must for summer fun. In yesterday's post we highlighted how brands are build through impressions. 69% of consumers keep a promotional item if the quality it superior. Engel coolers have been used by EMS units for years because of their airtight, leakproof qualities, making your brand alignment to quality an important theme to consumers. Did you miss our post about why brand names matter? Make sure summer adventures at the beach, lake, pool and backyard party include branded products your partners will enjoy. These coolers are also part of our anniversary month "extra" give back focus for The Poe Center until June 13. Right now is the perfect time for us to plan your summer promotions- we love crafting your stories- after all, #YourStoryOurWhy. Source- ASI's 2020 Global Study

What's behind the allure of curated collections and smart packaging for gifts and mailers? The mystery and presentation factor make the recipient immediately engage. Did you know Americans spend more than $3.2 billion on gift wrapping, apparently looks do matter! In the retail market, well-known consumer brand favorites know that distinctive, well designed and functional packaging adds considerable value to both the perception and purchasing decisions- creating influence. A well designed package, enhances brand communication, supports product positioning and helps a product stand out among other choices. Packaging is the visual communication tool that sets the tone for the contents. Think of mailers and gifts as your point of sale display. The shape, materials, colors and design of the package draw in the consumer, creating opportunity for engagement. One of our favorite collections for smart looking gifts and unique flavor profiles is our partner crating these yummy treats- art to the eye and rave reviews for the taste! There's a kit style for everyone on your list and since only need to order 1 style kit, with no set up- you can mix & match for your recipients. Pretty easy huh? Interested in your crafting your own curated collection from around the triangle or with an NC theme? Not a problem, we can even layer in the Custom wrapping paper, ribbons, bags and tissue to make sure your fulfilled packages add the memorable wow factor.

Earth Day is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about the environment, but what about the other 364 days? One of the most exciting aspects of being a distributor, is our ability to partner with companies that focus on being part of a greater good. Sustainability is an all year around focus via our partnership to offer you the EcoSmart® collection. This collection includes over 150 sustainable options, for Earth Day or any day. We've even chosen one of our favorites as an additional perk, a bag that demonstrates a triple commitment, by reducing waste in the construction- using recycled water bottles. Additionally, this bag gives to 1% For The Planet, which one percent of EcoSmart® sales are donated to nonprofits like Well Aware and for April, 10% of the net proceeds of the bag will be applied to our year-long Give Back Campaign for The Poe Center Based in Austin, Texas, Well Aware provides innovative and sustainable solutions to water scarcity and contamination for communities in East Africa. By funding and implementing life-saving water systems, the organization helps drive economic development and empowers communities. Here's what Well Aware is working to change*: + One in seven people lack access to clean water + In sub-Saharan Africa, individuals walk an average 3.5 miles for clean water + Women and girls spend an average of six hours a day collecting water + Every 90 seconds, a child dies from a preventable waterborne disease The numbers are breathtaking. The mission is critical. Our supplier partner is proud to support the work of this exceptional organization and as a distributor, owned by a Rotarian- we are supporting the efforts of Rotary International to eradicate diseases through access to clean water. Kareece Sacco, Well Aware executive director, says the partnership is making a difference. “It is such an honor to partner with PCNA. Your dedication to helping others and providing a clean source of drinking water has already enabled a lot of good in the world,” she says. “In just over a year-and-a-half, your support has provided lasting clean water to more than 4,000 people in our East Africa partner communities – completely changing their futures.” Sacco also recognizes the role our distributor partners play. With every single purchase of an EcoSmart® product, they’re helping to create statistics that tell a different story. Less disease. Better education. Greater economic development. More hope. “We’re really grateful for the support of your customers,” Sacco says. “And we look forward to seeing what more we can accomplish together!” To learn more about Well Aware and their extraordinary work, please visit wellawareworld.org. If you’d like to support our nonprofit partners through the products you purchase, ask for the EcoSmart collection.

Your business profile is meant to capture the essence of yourself to a stranger, but introducing your entire business- well that's a bit trickier. Making an impression is a work of art- showing enough imagery to delight the eye, with enough intrigue to the story behind the images to capturing what makes your organization tick in under a minute. A successful introduction is the difference between a desire for dialogue or the recycle bin. As individuals and as organizations, we are complex. Discovering what's behind the surface, and the value brought to a relationship is one of our favorite types of campaigns. Dimensional mailers aren't merely envelopes or boxes, they are containers that should become part of your story. In fact, they can be a compelling storybook- all about your brand. Think of it this way, from the moment you see a unique mailer box, your story can unfold like a page-turning novel. Get right to the point with compelling questions that create a call to action and set the tone for your story. Consider using technology to transport the recipient, perhaps bookmarking a specific site with a QR code. Items that travel with consumers, like lip balm, are a perfect subtle reminder of your message. Functional items like journals are a great way to provide double value to your target market, but insert some key take-away messages by adding custom pages. For example, we've created custom journals to help attendees follow the conference schedule, while reducing waste, generated a call to action to sign-up for future events, shared the goals & mission behind fundraising, and showcase case studies as a snapshot of a company's creativity at work. Our team loves incorporating a hidden message, in plain sight- much like the back story to our own company logo. Art in motion! In fact, if you follow each link in this story; you'll have the opportunity to see our creativity at work.

“The two most powerful words when we’re in struggle: Me too.” - Brene Brown Mental health issues have been behind the most disturbing stories we see featured in media, from the roots of addiction to unthinkable acts. Mental health however is not about front page stories, in the workplace & home, issues usually center around anxiety and depressions. The ability to provide a trusting, supportive culture within the workplace is the key to identifying ways to help manage stress among your team. April is National Stress Month, and while most of us work in teams- stress begins with self imposed rules or expectations in the workplace. In fact, we mold our behaviors based on the actions and reactions of others within the workplace. Common workplace stress revolves around work overload, a lack of support from managers, poor relationships with colleagues and unclear expectations. Similarly behavioral cues hint at stress-feeling too busy to take time off, working long hours or struggling to prioritize or focus on tasks. Everyone experiences life differently and faces different challenges. That why there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to supporting mental health. What are some easy ways to be part of creating positive impact in the workplace. I stumbled on these tips to reduce stress that you can implement yourself. Work in 90-minute increments, then taking a 20-minute break. Read more. Whether you reach for a book or a magazine, reading helps rewire how your brain works, plus you collect new ideas! Let the screens go dark at dinner. Enjoy the food or the company of those around you. Attentive eating can also help you balance your food intake. Exercise. Getting up and moving every day brings a host of health benefits. including increases your heart rate, which pumps more oxygen into the brain. This helps release hormones that allow for the growth of brain cells. You don’t have to run a 5K—just do something every day to move. Balance on one leg. Another small way to improve your life is to work on your balance. Balance becomes increasingly important as we age, and it’s something that is easily overlooked until an accident or injury occurs. Standing on one leg while you brush your teeth or wait in line. It doesn’t require a huge time commitment or much effort, but it can help you over time. Spend a few quiet moments alone. Slowing down for a few minutes also activates neural pathways to release feel-good hormones like melatonin, serotonin and oxytocin- besides I read it preserves your brain power as you age. How does our team destress? Keith likes to play games, Miranda likes to shop, Arien likes to craft and Olivia likes movies! What's your favorite way to reduce stress?

It’s no secret that the younger generation is full of creative, expressive, and eccentric individuals. More than ever before, we’re seeing a surge of tech-savvy, open-minded, and independent youth storm social media and build a name for themselves. Stickers have a huge play in this, and are often an accessory used by Gen Z’ers to extend their personality, and call attention to their passions and interests. Today, we’re taking a dive into why exactly this generation is sticker crazy, and how they’re leveraging stickers in their day-to-day lives! Turning blank objects into a vessel of self-expression Nothing is quite as satisfying as taking a simple object, like a Hydro Flask, notebook, or laptop case, and creating a stickerbomb’d masterpiece. Self-expression has proven to be very important to Gen Z, and stickers are a fun way to accomplish that. Your everyday possessions are a canvas, waiting to be decorated and adorned by you. Showcasing visual art and talent From painting and sketching to photography and illustration, a huge variety of visual art forms can translate beautifully as stickers. Many talented artists have used stickers as a means of getting their artwork out into the physical world and being seen. After all, 51% of Gen Z agrees that they’re more creative than their previous generation! Stickers can be thought of as a sticky portfolio of your work, allowing you to take your art with you anywhere you go. Use them as a conversation piece, and a means of making new friends and fans! Promoting side hustle and hobbies Gen Z makes up more than 40% of U.S. consumers. Digital platforms like TikTok, Etsy, and Instagram have opened a world of possibilities for the younger generation to channel their tech-savviness into business ventures and side hustles. Building brand awareness becomes that much easier with stickers. For example, business logo stickers can be given out as a gift with purchase, allowing customers to place the sticker anywhere they'd like, where it will continue to build a branding presence for years to come! No matter how you express your brand, the possibilities with stickers are endless!