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June is National Safety Month. Planning & training help prevent accidents, which extends to planning a successful safety incentive program. Reward employee behavior with branded gifts! I know what you're thinking, well you sell branded products so of course, you would suggest branded gifts. However, Scott Geller, Ph.D., a safety incentives expert at Virginia Tech points out, "People will say they want cash, but it isn't special enough. Safety awards should be a symbol and a remembrance." That is why more companies are turning to useful, high-perceived-value items as safety incentives. When items are branded with safety campaign messages and used daily, products shape behavior, drive awareness and make a significant impact on the bottom line. Creating a culture of safety. Creating a culture relies on personal engagement and buy into goals. Employee recognition and goals go hand in hand. What type of program should you create? Think beyond your grandfather’s program awarding a watch. Sure, there are some amazing watches, from name brands to tech watches that track your health. While individuals still like knowing their personal efforts matter, modern programs are focused on team-building, rewarding shared goals, creating camaraderie, and of course eliminating accidents! A well-trained team knows the rules to keep them safe, but a cohesive team adheres to protocols because they feel part of the company's reputation. Back in December, we offered some simple ways to engage employees. Recognition can take many forms. Your social media is a simple way to share achievement, like safety compliance, while personalizing your company to consumers. What are some additional ways to share the culture of your company? Installing a recognition wall will captivate visitors. Using milestone markers from stickers on hard hats to awards on the desk should dot your company's landscape; whether your workplace is on a ladder or behind a desk. Besides, acknowledging years of service speak to a culture that makes people want to stay! Actions speak louder than words! In developing a program, it's important we collaborate about the budget, frequency, and model that will work the best for your company. Our team is an expert in comparing options and outlining platform advantages. We will ask questions about when and how you gather, to design a program that works around a virtual gathering or in house meetings. For example, modern redemption programs around an eCommerce store are popular with remote workers or a national brand, because products ship directly to the recipient. Ready for some safety incentive inspiration? Add logos and safety slogans to brands like Carhartt or other quality name brands for out in the field. The key to safety is in your hands- ready to plan?

One thing is for certain, COVID-19 has increased the number of people headed outdoors. Whether its a bike ride or a walk in the park, the great outdoors are a great solution for social distancing activities. According to a survey by CivicScience: 43% of those surveyed will be doing more outdoor activities 15% said they planned to do more hiking 11% said they will be going to the park more Some of our outdoor must-haves with our partners at PCNA are: A place to sit. This hammock is ideal. It has a 500-lb capacity, tree-friendly and it weighs under 2-lbs making it perfect for those day hikes! Wet grass? No problem. Nothing is worse than planning a picnic and not having a dry place to sit. We love the fact that this picnic blanket has PEVA backing and foam padding to keep us dry. Bye Bugs. It's all about being prepared for the elements. This wellness travel kit is perfect for a day at the park or a hike in the mountains. Not to mention, it has hand sanitizer! Follow the beat. We are all about the music here in the office. It's no surprise that we love our wireless speakers. This one is waterproof and doubles as a wireless power bank! Stay cool. Nothing is worse than a warm drink in the heat of the summer! We love the look of this cooler, the large insulated compartment is big enough to pack everything you need without looking bulky!

When we opened our doors for business in 2007, Sanmar was our first supplier relationship. After 49 years in business, they've become an industry leader. They lead not only in the scope of their organization's size but the size of their hearts. There's been a lot in the news recently about small business, but what's amazing to me is when a small business becomes large without losing the heart, passion, and care that started their business. The t-shirt is an iconic symbol of American style, and so it was the product founder, Marty Lott chose when starting out. He launched SanMar in 1971 distributing t-shirts from his parents’ basement in Seattle. Today SanMar employs more than 4,000 people nationwide and offers 21 retail, mill and private label brands, and counting! SanMar is one of our partners that is extremely transparent about their commitment to responsible sourcing. What exactly does that mean for your brand? SanMar Family Values are at the heart of what they do. As a company, they strive to make a difference every day in the lives of their employees and the people who make your products around the world. They are committed to investing in each other and supporting all of their employees, helping them to grow and thrive in their chosen career paths. Take a look at why they are one of our key partners for your branding needs. Their founder, Marty Lott, instills a vision that permeates through the company of treating each other with respect and dignity- reminding us that life is too short to not be nice. You've heard the phrase that cotton is woven into the fabric of our lives, right? It's so true. Apparel is the go-to item that unifies us. We get dressed every day. What do we wear? A favorite concert t-shirt that rocks? A sharp polo shirt demonstrating company pride? A town league softball cap? A business traveler’s bag sporting a slick logo? We all wear apparel, it unites people and builds up teams, groups, and communities. Apparel is also a connection to our lives. We often save tees from our past that no longer fit just because it holds a memory. A tee can be pretty basic, but it can also share hopes and dreams. The designs we create and the messages you want to turn the blank canvas of a tee into statements or images that make us feel part of a larger group. Our Communities. Tee shirts can be found in sports arenas, schools, coffee shops, restaurants, charity runs/walks, and in support of local businesses. Take a look at this gallery of some of our tee designs our clients have selected over the years for their events and outreach.

Did you know that June 8th is World Oceans Day? We are constantly seeking partners that offer you value-add benefits. American Ad Bag has introduced a global initiative this year. They have partnered with the non-profit organization The Ocean Cleanup, which has developed technologies to rid the world's rivers and oceans of plastic. The goal of The Ocean Cleanup project is to tackle the 1,000 most polluted rivers, responsible for about 80% of the ocean plastic pollution, before the end of 2025. This is a huge task, an aggressive timeline and mission. To assist, our partner, American Ad Bag, is giving 10% of the EVERY sale of washable paper bags to The Ocean Cleanup Project. If you've never seen washable paper bags - we have samples in the showroom or we can send you a video. These products look and feel a lot like natural worn leather. The bags have options for various sizes and shapes as well as a single color and full-color imprints. While known for many types of bags since 1992, this washable line has also introduced a notebook for 2020. Take a look at this earth-friendly, well crafted Kraft Paper Padfolio featuring 2 credit card holders, 2 business card slots, and 2 interior slip pockets. This product also comes with a 5x8 double-sided 30 sheet notepad. This paper can be washed by hand or machine washed in cold water on the gentle cycle and laid flat to dry. How's that for a twist on washing away your germs?

Just because your event was canceled doesn't mean it can't continue, you'll need to consider new strategies. An option that's gaining acceptance is electronic group meetings. There are a variety of platform options, but we are more interested in the event. Just like the most popular bar in town- you'll need a bouncer. Always make sure you’re taking adequate precautions to prevent Zoombombing. The bouncer can also act as the point person for troubleshooting tech problems or outlining the rules in your meeting. Pants Required! Know what's expected. Will there be time for networking? Is there a theme or tone for the event? There are many questions, so you need to set expectations and communicate those expectations. Use your social media & marketing materials to make sure all attendees will be wearing pants when the head of human resources is providing tips for developing an employee manual. The elements to event planning are similar, only the logistics are different: Commemorate the event. Hire a photographer to take screenshots or create images the same way you would at an in-person event. Plan for group shots and more informal fun shots too. We all enjoy non-scripted authentic photos! Perhaps convert the budget you would have spent on a venue on creating a professional video or working with a tech guru to figure out how to house those power points & session videos into mini training sessions on demand. This approach generates revenue after the event and builds interest for 2021. Seize opportunity. Consider stretching out an event that would have been one day and breaking it up over several days. This approach will allow you to change the tone of each event. For example, when you show up to a 3-day conference, you usually have a fun theme inspired cocktail hour the first night. Wearing funny hats, encouraging folks to share the same beverages or dress up in a theme with destination wallpaper behind their face makes sense; and invites networking. When it's time to delve into serious topics, the look & feel should change to reflect the purpose of the event. Get Comfortable, but with pants. The tone has changed, keynote speakers or training sessions for professional development benefit from comfortable surroundings for attendees. Classics like drinkware, journals, pens and snacks provide new opportunities for sponsors because attendees can continue using them after the event. Think Bigger Picture. Sponsors want engagement. Instead of picking up swag at the event, sponsors can strategically benefit from kits built for attendees; adding value before, during and after the event. Create Hype. A coach motivates the players before the game, getting your Disney wristbands prior to your visit to Magic Kingdom adds excitement and builds momentum. Make kits with social media in mind, quality over quantity of items. Imaginatively themed packaging will generate shares on social media. It's all about the eyeballs my friend. Create kits! Mailing kits ahead of the event to attendees, add a perk for early bird registration. No budget for shipping? Is this a local event? Develop sponsor-attendee relationships with curbside pick up at sponsor locations. Even divide the attendee list among sponsors with strategic prospect pick up locations. Each sponsor would have time for one-on-one time with that registrant! Share Success! Let others know you rocked this event. Share on social media, through newsletters or video links in an email. (assuming you have everyone’s permission). Back to that question, which platform is right for your next event? We can build a kit that will add value to attendees and maximize sponsor engagement, but we aren't experts in video platforms. Here's a document to help you decide which platform works best for your needs.

Did you know that 80% of consumers own a branded tee and over 47% keep and wear that tee for about 2 years? That's a lot of return on your investment or ROI. While festival attendees want to capture the memory with collectible items, the social component brings people back year after year. Festivals for music or arts thrive in the spring to fall months. The festival tee just got better with this full-color combo. Double the impact of your message with commemorative tees in white or colors, paired with sunglasses. We have numerous clients that rely on our expertise for innovative ways to connect with attendees of local festivals, community programs, even the state fair. Our case studies are filled with stories from previous event success. However, we know starting from scratch can be intimidating. We've gotcha! Our festival planner guide helps reduce stress by outlining the ways we can be your one source partner in planning a rocking event! During our collaborative planning, we are going to discuss ways to add value for sponsors, ensure the staff is easily identified, and suggest ways to generate revenue with merchandise tents. What happens when your world hits a new reality? Adapt! According to Attopia, a mobile intelligence company, the use of ZOOM video conferencing app jumped from 171,000 users to 2 million in 6 weeks during COVID conditions. Our major networks featured everything from dance parties, reality singing competitions, watch parties and celebrity haircuts to connect us using electronic platforms. If this past spring has taught us anything, learning to groove to your own beat and an ability to rock on in any circumstance only requires some innovative thinking. We love new ideas! Getting creative will lead to a pattern of creative problem-solving. Author & Poet, Maya Angelou explained, "You can't use up creativity. The more you use it, the more you have." Need some more inspiration? Bruce Garrabrant said, "creativity does not wait for that perfect moment, it fashions its own perfect moments out of ordinary ones.

Let's be real, we know you don't like paying setup fees when ordering products, but it's a necessity due to the volume in production facilities. Imagine thousands of orders stacked up each day, each requiring different imprints and processes to decorate. The plates & screens are physically cataloged and stored for future orders. Machines have to been calibrated to clamp, roll and move products through the process. There are a lot of moving parts! Enough about production, let's get back to FREE! Some of our partners streamline their production processes, offering etching on all your products for example is quicker to calibrate, which also does not require saving plates or screens. The result- FREE setups! A popular reason for a low quantity request is a business start-up on a limited budget or for gifts were you many only need 1 for someone special. We've put together a quick guide to some of our favorite free set up and low quantity choices. Don't let fees keep you down- ask us to show you samples that are set up FREE! Speaking of FREE, a huge asset in working with our company is a team of expert professionals that free up your time by locating exactly what you need and comparing all the options for you. Like our tagline says; visionary assurance, united purpose.

Have you ever picked up a product and thought, that just feels good in my hand? The power of touch is significant because its the first sense we develop. The popularity of kits for welcoming employees to the team is on the rise; instead of waiting for recognition moments, employers are looking for ways to set the tone of their company's culture. Like what? How about a think tank in a box? Are you looking for a similar look, but more affordable for the masses? Let's construct your own kit to manage your budget. We can start with a box to accommodate the size of the products you select but more importantly provide a container that recipients will want to keep for future treasures. What can you insert? Doodlers to daily gratitude journalers will appreciate a journal that looks smart, feels good to the hand, and gives back by combining construction from recycled bottles. Multi-purpose tools to satisfy the "Macgyver" within you. Mark the page in your favorite book. A candle can immediately relax the senses delighting the eye, the nose, and touch! Not into candles? Maybe a diffuser instead? A trendy version of the classic tick tack toe? DIY enthusiasts at your workplace? Perhaps the team-building exercise might be a reward kit to use for home projects. A magnetic wristband will keep nails & screws within reach. Encourage recipients to share images of projects from their homes to invite conversation between teammates. No matter what you select, we know that the rustic look that feels good in your hand is a trend that will continue to be popular!

Ready for 5G? Would you like the ability to engage with the consumer holding your product? Send them messages or ask them questions? Data collection with products - it's a reality! Whether embedded into a product or applied as stickers to existing products, this type of technology is cutting edge. No app to download, does not require batteries and if embedded, it’s washable without damage; how's that for ease of use? Applications for use: Seasonal coupons or alerts about an upcoming event Generate lucky winner - a free trip to next conference Journal - create interactive polling or surveys all year to gauge learning from the event Unite attendees at events at a global level Offer advantage of real-time data collection from the recipient- big data collection Adaptable programming for style preferences to user around purchasing habits, areas of interest or e-learning Suggest companion pieces for items already purchased to make a set Seasonal offerings for your retail location More booth engagement at events for all attendees Can apply stickers to goods sold in the past to add more value now. Who's ready for this type of technology integration?

Who are you when I'm not looking? If you are a Blake Shelton fan, you will know that lyric. While do many of our blogs contain references to songs? Music has an ability to pull you into a narrative and keep focused on the story. Your brand is similar. Modern consumers want to know the back story. Who are you when I'm not looking? Like Blake, we want to know. As individuals we each gravitate to different causes, but we want to know social issues matter. Our industry is responding to consumer preference, by increasingly offering an ability to show our human side. It's exciting to see new products in our market, especially when products address social issues and create a the story that is relevant to our health & a greater good. What has us so excited? How about a line of personal care products that pamper & protect? Hand sanitizers, yes, but also gifts that revive, soothe, nourish and restore. Product sets that include lotions, soaps but do so much more than protect. By partnering this line with Soapbox Soaps; hope is born. Take a look at the video of this amazing initiative here. Who is Soapbox Soaps? A organization founded in 2010 with a simple mission: to empower people to change the world through everyday, quality purchases. Soap = Hope. For every Soapbox product you purchase, we, together, donate a bar of soap to someone in need either state-side or abroad. A pretty amazing yet simple concept! Brilliant! Eager for more stories like this one? Our blog consistently highlights products with impact in the cause section , including other posts about clean water and hygiene.

Last week I saw a news clip about the last remaining Blockbuster, in Oregon, still offering your racks of movies to rent even during the pandemic. In the early 90's there was a Blockbuster on nearly every corner, with 4,500 stores nationwide. The media also likes to tell us that "nostalgia is back, what's old is new" and if you've lived more than a couple decades you know that nostalgia always comes back in some shape or form. As a society, we seem to crave capturing memories that are part of a larger story. While we might not know what we will be talking about from this century, there surely will be room for some humor around zoom meetings! Meetings, whether virtual or gathered around a large table, are rarely fun. If your manager wanted to insert some fun, they could cater lunchboxes with fun pens instead, like an adult happy meal prize! After all, wouldn't your next zoom meeting be more exciting with a spinner pen or MopTopper product? PPAI studies conducted among media buyers and consumers reveal new insights into promotional products’ value and effectiveness. Of the consumers surveyed who could recall receiving a promotional product in the previous 12 months, 88 percent could recall the name of the advertiser, and 85 percent have done business with an advertiser as a result of receiving an item. Imagine the impact from your next lunch & learn session if attendees are rewarded with a gift that strategy relates to the touchpoints from the session. What did you highlight, what changes did you suggest that would free up attendees hands, what puzzle did you solve for consumers that brings your message back to their daily routine? As the advertiser, you are controlling the narrative and crafting individual messages to your target audience. Powerhouse advertisers aren’t just fortune 500 companies, they are mom & pop and everyone in between. What's cool about tangible branding is that there is no one product to select- there are products for any type of consumer and will fit any budget. While you may not be visiting your local blockbuster anymore, it's a memory you can't shake. The key to designing a successful campaign is selecting a product that your consumer will value and use, which will allow you to project your brand story on your vertical's big screen!

It's no secret, people love brand name products. How can you use this love to your advantage when choosing gifts to give your audience? How does a brand name help expand awareness of your brand? Well, keep reading to find out! 1. Popularity. Consumers are buying these brands in their personal life, therefore, demand and popularity are already established. Why not take advantage and give them what they already like. 2. Affordability. Surprisingly, premium brands are not always significantly more expensive than knock offs. There are many options at different price points, no need to worry about breaking the budget or compromising quality. 3. Brand Recognition. When marketers look for a way to elevate their brand status, they typically try to associate their brand with established brands consumers already know and trust, thus introducing your brand to an entirely new audience of loyalists. 4. High Perceived Value. The recipient feels "special" that you'd purchased a premium brand as a gift; elevating your brand. 5. Building trust. Like a third-party endorsement, consumers are ready to accept your message because of your brand alignment with a trusted brand. Provide products that consumers already know and trust, it'll make it easier for them to trust your brand in the end.