Happy Wednesday! Let's get right to it with our third and final recap of new for 2013 items from the ASI Show in Dallas.

If you're catching up--

Part 1 (apparel and drinkware) can be found here.

Part 2 (audio, desk and displays) can be found here.

Health & Home

In this section, I'll cover everything from kitchen gadgets to Swiss pocket tools. If you're looking for a good promotional item to be used in the home, or perhaps an item to promote a corporate health and wellness program, be sure to read on!



Man, food containers and lunch kits were everywhere. Most items boasted snap lock lids, reusable cutlery, separate containers for hot/cold or dry/wet and BPA-free plastic.


Silicone seemed to be the material of choice for most kitchen gadgets. I saw it used in everything from pint glasses to oven mitts to mini spatulas.

Speaking of those mini spatulas (Clic Stic pen held in photo for size reference), they're the perfect size for scraping every last ounce of peanut butter from the jar. Even more effective than a finger... not that I would know.

Mini units of WD-40 and Tide to Go are paired together in this Squeaky Clean Kit. Even if I didn't rely on these two products for 90% of the messes and annoyances in my house, I'd still be won over by that punny product name.


There's really not much new to discuss in magnets, but I did find these magnetic cork board and chalkboard items to be pretty fun!


Microfiber dust mitts, available in small and large sizes, are super handy for cleaning blinds, keyboards and other textured surfaces around the house. Toss them in the washing machine to clean and reuse.



I have a big pet peeve with coasters. I hate it, hate it, when a coaster doesn't absorb condensation. I have some glass and laminate coasters at my house that I love for their design, but they're completely nonfunctional. Either the glasses's condensation runs right off the coaster onto the table, or the coaster momentarily sticks to the glass when I pick it up and falls with a loud clatter. #firstworldproblems

Let's talk about these Mug Rugs. I kind of love them.

Mugs Rugs are super absorbent coasters nestled into wood or colored polypropylene shells. From a branding perspective, I love that the standard decoration is a full color dye sublimation, with no setup. They're easy to clean, durable and supplier-guaranteed to last forever.

These Jetsetter mini pocket tools from Victorinox, the makers of Swiss Army Knives, are TSA-approved for carry-on luggage. The basic model contains a pair of scissors, a bottle opener, Phillips head screwdriver, wire stripper, key ring, tweezers and a toothpick. For USB memory, upgrade to the Slim Flight model.


I was also really happy to see that Victorinox brought back their gift card program. Gift cards have a reputation for being impersonal and lame to present (I personally don't agree with that), and this customized snap case and branded card solve that problem.

Expandable hardside luggage with 360 degree spinner wheels is a great option for executive gifts. They're really lightweight and easy to navigate through crowded airports. Full coverage, full color decoration is available at high quantities.

Auto

These illuminated car chargers are really beautiful in person. If you're looking for a useful item that puts the focus on your logo, I definitely recommend this piece. The printing was really crisp and clear- just an attractive piece in general.



There are a ton of key lights out there, but I snapped a picture of this piece because I really liked how it felt in my hand. The little black roller ball acts a switch- push it forward and back to turn the light on and off. Again, it's nothing revolutionary, but with a key light, form and function are what's most important.

This magnetic emergency light would make a really great gift for a safety campaign. With 7 LED bulbs, it's extremely bright, and the super strong magnet at the base makes it perfect for roadside emergencies. Just stick it on the side of the car when you need light to change a tire.

Fun

An alternative title for this category could have been "Alcohol-related Promotions", but "Fun" allowed me to toss in eye black and lollipops too.

Novelty flasks. Available in ridiculously huge and uselessly tiny sizes.


These custom race car coolers attracted a lot of attention at the show. They would be such a hit with Nascar fans (obviously), universities... any group that tailgates, really.

They call this the Corkicle. I have no comments.

These lollipops are decorated in full color and are available in a bunch of stock shapes: heart, house, football, telephone, etc. For other picture treat ideas, check out this post.

Bored with rally towels and cowbells? Custom eye black is a fun item for schools, universities, sports teams and particularly spirited sales teams.

Here's a green item that's just plain fun. They're called Seed Bombs, and they're made of wildflower seeds and post-consumer recycled paper. They come packaged in either an organic cotton bag or cello bag with custom header.

That's all I've got for you! If you'd like more information or pricing on any of the items from our three recap posts, please email your sales rep at Sonic Promos or call the office at 301.869.7800.

I spent last Thursday and Friday scoping out new product at the ASI Show in Dallas. You all seemed to enjoy our recap posts after the Orlando Show in 2012, so I made sure to snap plenty of pictures this time too.

I've got a lot to share with you, so I'll be splitting the info up across a few posts like last year. If you're not particularly interested in reading about everything from mini silicone spatulas to ladies' work apparel, I'm planning to split up the posts like so:

Friday-- Part 1: Drinkware and Apparel 

Monday-- Part 2: Desk, Audio and Displays

Wednesday-- Part 3: Health & Home, Auto and Fun

Please be sure to stop by the blog next week if you're looking for new ideas in any of those categories. Alright, let's get started!

Drinkware

If the number of suppliers carrying a particular piece is any indication of its future success, these double-walled party cups (available with or without a lid) are promising to be the next acrylic tumbler and straw a.k.a. the next big craze in drinkware. They have that stupid, silly, fun appeal- the same sort of appeal that made Toby Keith's "Red Solo Cup" one of the most popular country songs of 2011. Get 'em while they're hot.

Another drinkware piece rocking the country party vibe is this Mason Jar Tumbler. They come in a wide range of colors, not just orange. Don't you just want to fill it with sweet tea?


Pint glasses- in unique materials like bamboo and silicone- were another common trend at the show. The silicone cups are really versatile. They're virtually unbreakable, and they withstand extreme temperatures (you can even use the shot glass size as a baking cup/liner/mold).

How sweet is this mug with heart-shaped inner taper?


If you're in the market for a nice water bottle, I was really impressed with the Contingo AutoSpout Addison bottle. The one touch push button spout is strangely satisfying (and addicting) to press.

This accordion water bottle is inexpensive and fun for a charity race or school promotion... maybe even for a yoga studio... stretchy!

Apparel

We just covered major trends in corporate apparel on the blog last week, so I'll try to move quickly through what I saw in Dallas. I realize that some of you may not find wholesale clothing as interesting as I do!






Apparel suppliers seem to be paying particular attention to ladies this year; many of them have launched new lines geared specifically to women. I was very happy to see feminine details like ruffles, flattering necklines and unique buttons in these new additions. They're a lot more special than traditional ladies styles, in which a fitted torso and narrow shoulders really seem to be the only elements differentiating them from their male companions. Whether or not you're a lady, you should certainly keep their preferences in mind when purchasing apparel for staff or a large group.





Other trends of note: bright colors, especially jewel tones, and interesting prints and textures (heather, houndstooth and acid wash, for example).

That's all for now! I'll cover desk items, audio gear, and displays on Monday. Have a great weekend!

With Earth Day just around the corner (April 22nd this year), I've been seeing a lot of earth-related, green promotions in the mail, on the street and in stores.

The other week, I received an informational booklet, membership offer and a packet of wildflower seeds in the mail from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

I like a lot of things about this promotion: free seeds, cheerful copy, bright, beautiful photos. Most of all, I applaud its relevant timing. 

Now, it might seem like a no-brainer to send out wildflower seeds during the peak bloom period of Texas wildflowers, but I'm consistently surprised at how many poorly-timed promotions I see everyday.

Planning a large scale mailer or promotional campaign takes a lot of time, and unfortunately it's very easy to get behind schedule. Identify the day, week or season during which you'd ideally touch your prospect, and work backwards, building in one to two months to get logistics sorted, materials printed and mailing lists compiled.

Day, week or season? That seems like a really wide range...  

Well, it is. The timing of your promotion really depends on the type of event or service you're promoting. Something like a nature center membership or a discounted car wash is relevant across an entire season. An invitation to a charitable gala, on the other hand, has a much smaller window.

It would have been very easy to ignore the Wildflower Center's seed packet had beautiful scenery like this not been top of mind. 
 
Instead, they succeeded in getting my attention.

I really can't stress enough the importance of good timing. Sometimes even just a week or two can make all the difference. The longer a person leaves your mail on their coffee table or desk thinking- "I really should remember this for that project next season"- the less likely it is you'll ever hear from them.

This week at Sonic Promos, we're working on...







... Reusable bags in all colors, shapes and sizes for several local clients. Earlier this month, Montgomery County's 5-cent bag fee went into effect. The tax is similar to the District's 5-cent fee for food and alcohol establishments, but it is even more comprehensive in that it covers nearly all retail businesses. If you live in Montgomery County, be sure to stash some tote bags in your car or purse for everyday purchases! And, if you're a local business interested in creating your own promotional tote, please contact the office at 301-869-7800 for a presentation of popular pieces.

"This Week at Sonic Promos" is a regular feature on our blog.
Read all past posts here.
Check in every week to see some of the work that's going on in our office.

If you have to travel somewhere for a work conference, Florida is not a bad place. No siree.

Earlier this week, Seth, Julianne, Mallory and I had the pleasure of traveling to Orlando to meet with vendors and distributor partners and to attend the ASI trade show. We saw thousands of great items new for 2012, and over the course of the next few days, I will recap some of our favorites on the blog. 

If you want to hear about the real highlights, like Seth and Julianne's harrowing tale of survival on the Amtrak train or our recap of Harry Potter World, give us a call!

There is so much to share, and I'll do my best to keep it somewhat organized. Today, I'll focus on our favorite finds in apparel. 



Eco-friendly apparel has been around for years, but we spotted one line that has really taken it to a new level. This East Coast vendor combines recycled cotton with various recycled materials to create fashionable and wearable clothing with minimal environmental impact. Ever wonder what happens to all those X-rays that hospitals and dentist offices print? They get trashed... OR they get woven into your new favorite tee.



Americans throw away an astounding 2 million plastic bottles every 10 minutes. Every one of these recycled tees uses recycled polyester from approximately 8.5 PET bottles. They're available in three colors: beer bottle brown, soda bottle green and water cooler blue. An added bonus? These tees dry in HALF the time of a normal T-shirt.



We were also very impressed with their line of hoodies, composed of recycled cotton and textile scraps from factory floors. They're incredibly soft to boot.



Another apparel trend that caught our eye (for obvious reasons), was American Apparel's line of neon tanks, tees and raglans. I expect to see several neon-clad kickball teams on the Mall this spring. They would also be great for school spirit wear and retro graphic design.



Custom boxer shorts and pajama bottoms are traditionally big sellers for schools, universities and youth organizations. I love how this vendor has used flannel material to line sweatshirt hoods and for reverse or laser cut appliqué on the front chest. You can do this with several kinds of material; there were samples on display using seersucker and polka dot cotton as well.



I thought this example of screen printing with puff ink was worth sharing. To achieve this effect, the printer mixes an additive into the ink that puffs up when cured in a belt oven. The end result is a print that feels raised against your fingers. 



And finally, if you're looking for great tech polo, this piece uses a unique blend of yarns that provides a cooling sensation by pulling heat away from the skin. This particular manufacturer also carries a line of garments for cold weather. Each piece is rated on a temperature scale, much like you would see when shopping for a sleeping bag for camping. The rating system even distinguishes between light to moderate activity levels, so you know which garments are needed for running in -10 degree weather versus walking in 40 degree weather.

That sums up our highlights in apparel! Be sure to check back for more of our favorites in the coming days.