Tag: Industry

Disaster Relief Program From U.S. Small Business Administration

Staff Writer

Unfortunately, it seems that more and more businesses in the Promotional Industry (and elsewhere) have been hard hit by natural disaster. With a flood-, hurricane-, tornado- and ice storm-ravaged industry, it’s at least a little comforting to know help is available. If you know a business affected, then you should check out the disaster relief program sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
From the U.S. Small Business Administration:
“Whether you rent or own your own home, own your own business, or own a small agricultural cooperative located in a declared disaster area, and are the victim of a disaster, you may be

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Has the Recession Arrived?

Staff Writer

Whichever candidate comes out on top of the electoral college today, (and not the popular vote) he may just be inheriting a full-blown recession in addition to two wars and several other national security issues. According to the National Association for Business as reported in BusinessWeek, demand—as in supply and demand—is on the downturn for the first time since 2001. And that might just be the one defining factor when taking in the current economic reality:
From BusinessWeek:
“U.S. business conditions worsened in the third quarter and are likely to deteriorate further, according to an industry study released Monday.
The National Association

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Prime Line Backpacks Conquer Kilimanjaro

Staff Writer

Bridgeport, Connecticut-based Prime Line, in conjunction with Bedford, New Hampshire-based Henderson Associates, announced Prime Line’s String-A-Sling backpacks reached the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. “We are always very excited to see the great distances our best-selling String-A-Sling backpacks reach,” said Jeff Lederer, executive vice president. “They were recently provided for the Glory Outreach Assembly Children’s Conference in Kenya,” he added.
For more information on Prime Line, visit www.primeline.com
Chocolate Inn Gets Gold From Geiger
Chocolate Inn, a chocolate manufacturer in the promotional products industry, was again designated a Gold Star Production Partner by Geiger. This designation is for excellence in quality,

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Let’s Hear About Those New Hires

Staff Writer

Don’t be shy folks. We want to hear all about! Whose new? Whose hot (as in selling well, etc…)? And who just landed the well-deserved promotion. It’s a small industry after all, so drop me a line and get the word out there.
Jones Joins Fame Fabrics
Woodstock, Georgia-based Fame Fabrics, a manufacturer of uniform apparel, announced the addition of Dean Jones as regional sales manager for the Southeast covering Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Jones brings 22 years of apparel and textile sales and service experience with him to Fame Fabrics. Jones is an experienced industry veteran with vast

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Good Look

Staff Writer

I just need to take a moment to call everyone’s attention to the new Women’s Vineyard Jacket from Charles River. It’s on page 10 in the catalog, and here’s the link:
www.charlesriverapparel.com/CGI-BIN/LANSAWEB?WEBEVENT+L6F83209B4A8137004C3C016+A01+ENG).

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say this might be one of the cutest, most stylish promotional jackets I’ve ever seen.
Hopefully, this is a harbinger of what 2009 will bring to the industry. For one thing, forget the six-month lag. This piece is right in line with current retail trends.
Plus, a defined waistline makes for a really flattering, classic look (see any

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Guilt Trip

Staff Writer

We travel a lot as an industry, I’ve come to learn. And being that I just finished my first-ever promotional products trade-show cycle, I feel a little trepidation at the thought of starting all over come January. I just booked my flights for ASI Orlando and I’m tired already.
I realize making face-to-face connections is invaluable, particularly with you party animals, and maybe that alone is worth the price of admission (flights, booths/accoutrement, shipping, client dinners, etc.). But in terms of ROI, at what point do they stop being valuable and start becoming “same old, same old”? How many times a year do

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More From Around The Industry

Staff Writer

Now for a little rundown of what else is going on in the promotional products industry …
Do we have a Brangelina sighting? Check out who loves the Rebagz eco-line.
An award for the award makers. See who was honored at Crystal D.
Someone is on the rise at Pioneer Balloon. Find out who scored the promotion.
TPS joins the IGC… Find out what this stands for.
Green packaging is real. Curtis Packaging becoms Ceres company.

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See You In Chicago

Staff Writer

With near 100 degree heat here in Philadelphia, it’s safe to say a short trip to the Windy City will be a nice break. As an editor, I always look forward to checking out what new products are out there as well as seeing some familiar faces. Hopefully I will get a chance to talk to many of you about some of the new and exciting things happening with PromoMarketing.com and get your feedback on what you need from us to run your business better. See you all there.
Other Industry News:
Top Brands Adds Lufkin Tape Measures
Oshkosh, Wisconsin-based Top Brands Inc. announced

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Good Cheer

Staff Writer

For those who have met me, this might be a surprising confession, but here goes.
I was a high-school cheerleader.
No, not a recreational-type pom-pom waver. I was entrenched in the highly athletic world of competitive cheerleading, death-defying stunts and all. In fact, my sister is now varsity coach at my old high school—a place where there are more championship trophies for cheerleading in the lobby display cases than there are for any other sport. By far. I know, it sounds weird. But believe me: As members of the only team that consistently won stuff, my teammates and I would become absolutely

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A Caring Industry

Staff Writer

As people have probably seen from both this week’s and last’s newsletter, there is no end to the compassion shown by the suppliers and distributors of this industry. With the two tragedies, the earthquake in China and the continuing flooding in the Midwest, came news of devastation that needs no elaboration. What also came was a true outpouring of support. Journalbooks, Norwood, PPAI amd Hub Pen are just a few of the companies and organizations providing support and relief efforts. I hope everyone will consider donating to help make their efforts a success. Below are links to articles from last week’s newsletter.
Journalbooks Aims

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