Crystal D Selected Winner for 2008 PPAI Supplier Achievement Awards

Crystal D, St. Paul, Minn., was recently selected as a winner in two categories for the 2008 Promotional Products Association International Supplier Achievement Awards. The categories are “Etching-Engraving” and “Two or More Distinct Processes to Produce a Specific Visual Effect”. Crystal D submitted its crystal Columbus Award for the “Etching-Engraving” category. The item was front- and reverse-etched to create a unique visual effect. For the “Two or More Distinct Processes to Produce a Specific Visual Effect” category, a crystal NASCAR Car was submitted. The creation of the NASCAR piece included modeling the award after Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s car. It was etched with each individual

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SanMar Launches 2008 Apparel and Accessories Catalog

SanMar, Seattle, is premiering its complete 2008 Apparel and Accessories Catalog in time for the fall selling season. The new 436-page catalog is SanMar’s largest catalog to date. It features more than 800 products from its proprietary brands, including Port Authority, Sport-Tek, CornerStone, District Threads and Precious Cargo, as well as Nike Golf and the PING Apparel Collection, of which SanMar holds the exclusive distribution. Three new brands—Red House, the Tiger Woods Collection and OGIO—will debut in the catalog. Red House is a luxurious collection that reflects the wine country lifestyle. The Tiger Woods Collection is performance sport shirts approved by the [famous] golfer.

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Tips of the Trade: The Epitome of Self-Promotion

By Ilise Benun, marketing mentor I [recently] ran for a seat on a local committee here in Hoboken, N.J., and, along with 10 other people on my team, I won! Talk about self promotion! This is the essence of it: knocking on doors and asking for a neighbor’s vote. One of the main marketing lessons I’ve learned so far is the importance of identifying the market—not just the general group of prospects, but the actual prospects, one by one. With limited time and resources at our disposal, we couldn’t possibly expect to campaign to all the potential voters in our district. So we

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G&G Outfitters Awarded Multiple Award Schedule Contract

G&G Outfitters, Lanham, Md., was awarded the U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule Contract on Federal Supply Schedule 78 for sports, promotional, outdoor, recreational, trophies and signs for procurement of discounted promotional products and corporate apparel. Through the GSA Schedules Program, GSA establishes long-term, government-wide contracts with commercial organizations, providing federal government customers with access to more than 10 million commercial supplies and service, which can be ordered directly through the GSA Advantage! online shopping and ordering system. GSA Schedules also offer potential benefits of shorter lead times, lower administrative costs and reduced inventories. “Obtaining the Schedule 78 Contract is a huge

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Dallas to Host Proforma’s Annual Convention/Family Reunion

Cleveland-based Proforma will hold its 19th Annual Convention and Family Reunion in Dallas from July 29 to Aug. 1, at the Adams Mark Hotel. The four-day event will bring together representatives from the company’s 600 franchise offices throughout North America, as well as its extensive vendor network, motivational and industry speakers, and Proforma’s Worldwide Support Center staff. The convention will offer educational seminars and sessions, networking opportunities and presentations. Attendees can choose from more than 40 educational and informational seminars that offer advanced training, tools and business strategies. James Mapes will deliver the keynote address titled, “Quantum Thinking: Going Beyond Your Limits”. Guest speaker

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