For events like SXSW, there’s no sense in throwing out all of the merch just because things didn’t happen as planned. With technology being what it is, a lot of these events that can move online have. In these instances, promotional products companies are still fulfilling their orders, just a little differently…
Read MoreAuthor: Brendan Menapace
PPAI Cancels Expo East Due to COVID-19
Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) announced today that it has decided to cancel PPAI Expo East, scheduled for June 3-5 in Atlantic City, N.J. In an email statement, PPAI president and CEO Paul Bellantone outlined the association’s decision amid the COVID-19 pandemic still growing in the U.S….
Read MoreTrump Administration Set to Announce 90-Day Deferral of Some Apparel Tariffs (China Excluded)
The president is reportedly set to give the green light to defer certain tariffs by three months. The move would only pertain to what Bloomberg called “most-favored nation duties,” which means tariffs put in place as a result of “enforcement action,” like those on Chinese goods, are still in place. But it would ease tariffs on some apparel products…
Read MoreThe Secret to Staying Productive While Working From Home
Working from home can be a challenge. But, just because we might be in a different work environment doesn’t mean that productivity needs to take a hit. Your output and focus can remain the same as it was in the office, as long as you focus on the right things. For some tips on bossing it from home, we talked to a work-from-home pro…
Read MoreLegal Group Offers Nationwide Pro Bono Consultation for Small Businesses
Legal nonprofit Lawyers for Good Government Foundation (L4GG) announced last week that it is launching a program called the Small Business Remote Legal Clinic, which will provide pro bono legal consultations for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The group, which is made up of more than 125,000 legal professionals in the U.S., will provide…
Read MoreFanatics Is Using MLB Jersey Material for Medical Masks, Gowns
Fanatics is halting its production of MLB jerseys, and is using the material to make gowns and masks for medical professionals dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. They might even look a little familiar to Phillies and Yankees fans. Fanatics executive chairman Michael Rubin discussed the plan in a series of tweets yesterday…
Read MoreTito’s, Anheuser-Busch and Others Are Now Manufacturing Branded Hand Sanitizer
Tito’s, the brand known for reasonably priced but pretty solid vodka, announced that it plans to make its own hand sanitizer. Tito’s said it would initially roll out 24 tons of hand sanitizer and give away the bottles for free. Anheuser-Busch is also making hand sanitizer, along with a number of other beverage brands large and small…
Read MoreApparel Suppliers, Promo Companies Shift Production to Face Masks During COVID-19 Outbreak
The promo industry is facing major adversity. But apparel manufacturers have taken this opportunity not only to pivot for the sake of their business, but to do some real good. Last week, we we reported that Los Angeles Apparel offered its workforce to create face masks. It’s now joined by companies like Hanes, SnugZ USA, Starline and more…
Read MoreThe SWAG Act Is Still Alive, But It’s Now Much More Industry-Friendly Than You Think
Iowa Sen. Jodi Ernst’s SWAG Act gained momentum in the Senate thanks to support from big-name legislators like Rand Paul and Rick Scott. What we’ve learned since our story last week is that the bill’s new, revised version was done with input from PPAI, and is at a point where the association is happy with it if it becomes signed into law…
Read MoreGildan Suspends Manufacturing Until Mid-April
Gildan Activewear, Montreal, announced today that it is suspending production at all of its manufacturing facilities until mid-April. The company cited a decrease in demand due to event cancellations, government measures and slowing retail demand via social distancing as a result of COVID-19. The company’s distribution centers will remain open…
Read More