Coin Toss and Auction Fever

The local chapter of HSMAI (Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International) put on a wonderful event on October 23, 2009 at the newly renamed Double Tree hotel on I-Drive. Their annual fund raiser “Chinese Auction” featured The Second Harvest Food Bank in Orlando as the recipient of a large financial donation to their organization. Here are a few shots of The Sunshine Group in action. You may recognize the guest Gong ringer, Phil Sunshine. The concept is neat…simply toss a quarter in the bucket when you want to bid. The spotters call out numbers from the floor. When the gong rings, the last number called is the winner of the prize. As the cost to bid increases and the quality of the prizes increase, so does the energy in the room. One of the rules was “no standing on chairs”. Now, I understand why. In case you were wondering if I won anything, I did! I received a gift basket from a butterfly themed party location, an MP3 player with 100 songs and a few items from the silent auction. I suffer from a contagious condition known as Auction Fever. I can’t help myself at a silent auction. I left the evening with a two night stay and dinner at The Peabody in Memphis and a 4 night/5 day cruise for two.

Let’s go to the movies…AAF-Orlando presents “Art & Copy”

AAF-Orlando proudly presents 2 exclusive screenings of “ART & COPY,” a powerful new film about advertising and inspiration. Directed by Doug Pray (SURFWISE, SCRATCH, HYPE!), it reveals the work and wisdom of some of the most influential advertising creatives of our time — people who’ve profoundly impacted our culture, yet are virtually unknown outside their industry.

 Art & Copy – At the New Plaza Cinema Café

•  $15 Admission (includes parking)
•  Tuesday, November 10
•  11:30 a.m. screening
• 6:30 p.m. screening
• (space is limited, purchase your tickets early)
•  Cash bar at 6:30 p.m. screening

 Due to limited seating and times, tickets must be purchased in advance of the show. Tickets are available for purchse on Facebook link below.  There is a trailer of the movie on the page link, too.

 http://www.facebook.com/AAFOrlando?v=app_4949752878

 Please share with others that may want to attend this screening. I hope to see you there!

Shoot! I forgot my bags AGAIN!

 

I shop at the Winter Park Holianna Publix on average three times per week. How many of those times do you think I actually remember to bring my own bags? I sell the same polypropylene bags that Publix does. I have samples from trade shows. I have over-runs from a clients order. I have bags that are canvas. I have bags that were recycled from plastic bottles. I have even purchased bags from Publix that are fun colors like purple and pink. You would think I could remember to bring them into the store with me. I know Publix has a sandwich board sign that says “Did you remember your bags?” in front the store on each side. I usually walk right by the sign as I am thinking about what to make for dinner.  The stores need a life size cut out of an animated shopping bag with a motion activated announcement asking if we have our bags. According to articles in The Orlando Sentinel, the days are nearing where we will be charged for paper or plastic bags.

 http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/orl-bk-florida-bag-ban-101409,0,7990938.story

My goal with these shoppers is to create fashion friendly bags that you don’t mind carrying around because it actually compliments your outfit. Here are two examples of the same bag in different color combos. These are stock colors so your imprint can be added and shipped out and on the streets in a matter of days. Let’s talk about making a custom bag that will become a favorite to your customers.

 

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

October 14 is just 73 days away from Christmas day and just 60 days from the start of Chanukah. Where has 2009 gone? To be honest, I am ready for cooler temperatures, making winter recipes and spending a few days away from the office. Before I can take that break, I wanted to share a few ideas with you to get that little spark going for the gift giving holidays.

These ideas can be used as a gift with purchase, decorations in the shop or office, employee gifts, vendor gifts, handed out at parades, or gift wrap add-ons. Set-up a kids play/color contest area in your store to help parents while they shop. Mark the holiday ducks on the bottom with a number and the winner gets a special prize. Commerate getting through the 2009 recession with an extra special gift for your employees, students or clients. Give a winter mug with tea, coffee or hot chocholate featuring your logo.

Don’t forget to order your holiday cards and calendars…2010 is just 79 days away.

Bud Light shows sense of humor with must have promo items!

It is exciting to see promotional items in the media. It is even more refreshing when the items are featured in a positive light rather than the alternative. Just ask the producers of plastic bottles that contained the additive PBA or State Farm who had a recall on their teddy bears due to the plastic eyes that posed as a choking hazard for small toddlers. It appears that folks at Bud Light not only “get it”, they have made an entire satirical campaign around promotional items. Ahhhhh, now that’s what I call refreshing.

If you’ve been around our industry for a while, you know that the most entertaining items are the multi-use products. Bud Light features the “3-in-1 condiment dispenser”, the “Tailgate Companion” that is a vest worn by your dog and carries condiments, The “Grooler” (grill/cooler combo) and the “Foozie” (Giant #1 foam finger with built in koozie…simply amazing!). When showing multi-use items to clients, I can’t help buy to use the “Wait, there’s more” comment ripped from TV infomercials.

Maybe these multi-use products aren’t for you. Perhaps the “Natural Fake Grass Can Cooler” is more your style. The “Youblehead” is just the perfect thing for the person who has everything.

Speaking of having everything, you too can have these items. Bud Light has these items for sale on their website. How genius is that? Purchase the same items in the commercial and you will be the hit of your next tailgate party. I can’t recall if Bud Light mentions how tasty their adult beverage is or if it’s the hops that makes all the difference but use of these promotional advertising products may put you in the running to one of the “Bud Light Real Amercian Heros”.

 

 

 

Leaked from VEGAS

What happens in VEGAS is supposed to stay in Vegas unless of course you are going to the trade show about promotional items. What happens on the showroom floor should be shared with each and every one of you. Here is a link to the “JOE SHOW” that reveals a few new and interesting promotional advertising products and gifts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snjSOrfMG5E

Two years ago I attended the January Promotional Items trade show in Vegas. Picture two floors of booths that feature nothing but pens, shirts, hats, bags, blinking items, lapel pins, golf gifts, and on and on. It is amazing and overwhelming all at the same time.  I had a definite plan about the types of suppliers I was lacking contacts and finding the newest and neatest products to talk about. While I was in flight, a rush order for pennant ribbon that I was working on was not going to be produced in time for the client’s event. The very first booth at the entry of the trade show was for the same product. After an exchange of handshakes, a very quick conversation and a phone call to the factory and my office in Orlando, the order was rerouted to this new supplier. Whew! What a relief to do business face to face on the showroom floor.

 

 

Uncovered blockage

When I started my blog, I was so excited to share ideas, information and products that were out of the ordinary. Each week I planned my blog, searched for articles and made time to keep up with entries. I know it has been a while since my last post but in that time, I had some busy weeks with quotes/orders, an industry trade show, went on a quick road trip to Philly (first timer) and attending networking functions at HSMAI and AAF-Orlando. With that being said, I would rather of had a blockage rather than a “Blahhhhhhhggg”. Here’s hoping that I do not lag the rest of 2009 away on my blog or Twitter updates.  Thanks for checking in and reading. I hope you enjoy the content. If there is anything you would like to know more about, just ask!

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USB drives get to the point

Looking for a unique USB Drive to store documents and images? Look no further than a USB drive encased in a bullet. Ask me about other shapes and styles of these flash drives.

What’s in a logo?

http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/107520/whats-in-a-new-logo.html

Global View

I wonder what Christopher Columbus would think of this globe? Perfect item for shipping companies, airlines, travel agents, or anyone looking to “think outside the box”.