promotional products

The hospitality business is ever-changing. A sector that was dominated a hundred years ago by local inns and eateries is now so diverse that large chains like Marriott, Choice and W, as well as restaurants including Chili’s, Outback and Red Lobster, spread their big brands all over the world while smaller operations still pop up.

The term wearables can mean different things to different people. To much of the tech-savvy world, “wearable” usually means any sort of gadget you might wear on your head, arm or even your waist. Wearable devices might pump out music, make phone calls, or serve up useful data. Items like the Fitbit and the Apple watch are changing how we work, play and live. They are also somewhat of a fashion statement for those on the cutting-edge.

Businesses of every shape and size need to market in some way. Distributors of specialty advertising and promotional products provide small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with one of the most cost-effective ways to promote their products and services to customers, particularly in niche markets.

Last fall, we spotted a bit of a comeback trend. In our blog post talking about a variety of ideas for small and medium-sized businesses to highlight their brands, we deliberated on the re-emergence of the tote bag as a promotional product. Why has the tote bag made a bit of a comeback? The reasons are probably simpler than you think.

In a blog post back in March, we talked about how “Success May Be Habit-Forming!” and focused mainly on being prepared and positive thinking to move forward.

Just three months ago a lot of us who live in the northern part of the U.S., along with those in Canada, were left scratching our heads. “Why in the world is it so warm?” January and February, as we all know typically brings sub-zero chills. When winter is pleasant, we have opportunity to ski, snowboard or go sledding.

Last summer, LinkedIn’s Pulse ran an article stating something that almost everyone in business probably knows: salespeople are very competitive compared to other humans. Business data scientist Ji-A Min wrote that “Popular opinion argues — and research shows — that competitiveness is correlated with selling success.”

It’s the beginning of March, but where is that frigid weather? Whether it’s global warming, or just a lucky burst of warm air that’s got the temperatures up in northern parts of the country, sunnier days make us start to think of spring and summer.

Just when we thought we had another few weeks of fall weather, it started getting chilly. As strange as it was, December 2015’s freakishly warm weather — with temperatures in the 50s and 60s just a few days before the winter holidays — were a nice treat. So much for a “White Christmas”!

As if Florida in January wasn’t already a great idea, the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), is holding its next trade show in Orlando on January 4th to 6th, with exhibits on January 5th and 6th. For certain, we will be there.