The Advertising Specialty Institute announced this morning that the promotional product industry recorded revenues of $19.6 billion in 2007, a 5.4% increase over the $18.6 billion in sales in 2006. Increased political spending and an increase in marketing dollars flowing away from traditional advertising (TV, radio, newspapers, magazines) and also an increase in spending on nontraditional media (event marketing, online, mobile, video, etc.) were reasons for the increase in sales. “This is the highest industry sales we have recorded and shows continued growth of promotional products over the last 5 years,” says Timothy Andrews, president and CEO of ASI. “The growth reflects continued use of advertising specialties by marketers who want to deliver their brand in a powerful, memorable and cost-effective way.”

Sales figures for 2008 remain optimistic. “When the economy shuts off, we are the first thing (businesses) need. We’re an essential too to help build business,” says Dan Welborne, vice president of the promotional product division of WorkflowOne, a Top 40 distributor that grew its ad specialty business by 50% last year.

This report bodes well if you are using trade shows to promote your business:

“Trade Show Activity Indicator” (TSAI) Predicts Healthy Event Industry Market Conditions in the Face of Economic Factors

Trade Show News Network (tsnn.com), the world’s leading online resource for the trade show, exhibition and event industry, posted record increases in traffic to their website in the first quarter (compared to first Q1 07), as well as sharp rises in event bookings and attendance across several industries. The data was generated through the new Trade Show Activity Indicator (TSAI) developed by the parent company of TSNN.com, Caroo Media (the rapidly expanding online division of the Tarsus Group).

“We have the best indicator on trade show participation in the US because we have the best trade show database in the country,” said RD Whitney, CEO of Caroo Media.

Tsnn.com, whose portfolio includes 135,000 registered members, 16,000 event producers, meeting planners and trade show organizers and 42,000 exhibiting companies, reported a 21% increase in unique visitors; a 39% increase in the number of visits; a 117% increase in the number of impressions (i.e. pages visited); and another staggering increase of 123% hits (i.e. click thrus).

In addition, international traffic has grown significantly from Q1 07, with a 70% increase in impressions and a 100% rise in hits.

According to Whitney, these figures suggest a very robust trade show and conference market that, while seemingly is in sharp contrast to a very sluggish macro-economy, is actually in concert with current conditions. “We have our ear to the rail, and the industry is telling us it is time to get out of the office and make some rain,” said Whitney.

“From the headlines in the major media, you might assume interest in attending conferences is down – a canary in the coal mine for b2b activity and investment. However, the TSAI™ suggests just the opposite, and that more people are interested in participating in exhibitions and conferences because of the poor market conditions,” claims Whitney. “Professionals and organizations are simply looking to cut through the e-clutter and spend their business investments smarter — industry events that get you front and center with a multitude of prospects are still the most cost-effective way to maximize your resources.”

The TSAI™ formula combines TSNN.com website traffic and actual event attendance results with data from another Caroo Media company, CVBHotRates.com. The #1 resource for connecting event planners with convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) has a portfolio of over 50+ partner CVBs throughout the US and over 66,000 meeting planner profiles in their database. CVBHotRates.com averages 20,000 monthly meeting planner visits.

For the first quarter 2008, CVBHotRates.com reported 450 unique RFPs (Request for Proposals) by meeting planners, representing a 240% increase over first quarter 2007. The other key quarterly comparison includes an astonishing 370% increase in hotel room nights.

Steve Schuldenfrei, President of TSEA (Trade Show Exhibitors Association) agrees that the soft economy has not adversely impacted the trade show industry “in this particular downturn, and it is usually true of every recession. A trade show is still a place to do business. You don’t stop marketing now, you want to do more marketing. Of all the media, trade shows are the most resilient, and it’s easy to see why because the results are right in front of you… you’re still face-to-face with your prospective buyers. More than ever, those who now attend trade shows need the education or the products and services more than ever.”

Peter Conway, Vice President Business Development at SWK Technologies, Inc. in Livingston, NJ, claims that his company’s participation in industry events is reflective of what the TSAI™ reports.

“We are attending and exhibiting at more trade shows. We also find that there is no substitute for face to face meetings. Events provide an excellent opportunity to build relationships that endure. Once this connection is made more sales activities can be done on-line or by phone because the parties have a good reality of who they are dealing with.”

This could be a first. A totally green, USA made golf ball that plays like the most popular name brands. The Dixon Earth ball meets USGA standards in size and weight while having incredible feel and flight. “It makes no sense to compromise quality, feel or performance for the goal of producing an eco-sensitive ball - golfers would never go for it,” remarked Dixon owner Dane Platt. Dixon Earth, however, utilizes green raw materials, technologically sound design and innovative processes to produce a ball that performs with the most popular name brands but is also 100% green. To learn more, or to brand your logo on Dixon Earth balls, call me today at 888-959-9191

With the current state of the Real Estate market, experts say homeowners will stay where they are and renovate existing properties. This is a business opportunity for home improvement contractors, plumbers, roofers, painters and others to improve their market share and business.

The solution: House shaped LinderMints are a creative promotional product that connects to many different kinds of home-related businesses. Featuring mints that are USA made (ever wonder what’s in the Chinese made mints?) and a plastic container (also USA made) that is 20% recycled materials, the product comes in a mint-toothpick combination or mints only.

For a higher end, home related promotional product, check out their Domed House Key Tag, House Key Tag, Inlaid House Key Tag, the Duplex Key Tag and their Casa Desk Clock.

Looking to find a better way to market their brand, 75% of marketers said they will increase their experiential marketing budgets in 2008, according to a recent survey. Experiential covers many forms of face-to-face marketing including trade shows, special events and sampling efforts. Event marketing and promotional products go hand in hand. What better way to stand out from the competition and attract prospective customers to your booth or product than by marketing your brand with a useful promotional product. 70% of marketers said experiential marketing is extremely or very important to their organizations and 71% believed it would become more important in the years to come. The study, conducted by Jack Morton Worldwide, New York, asked 300 global Fortune 1000 marketers for their opinion on experiential marketing.

The findings are supported by another recent study, the “Branded Entertainment Marketing Forecast: 2008-2012,,” from PQ Media. It found spending on events, which it considers the largest segment of branded entertainment, surged 12.2% to $19.2 billion in 2007. Andrew Nisenhal, vice president of Jazz It Up says he has been hearing more recently from clients who regularly utilize events. “A lot of people don’t like the results they get from ads, they want to hand customers something to remember them by at the booth or do a mailer program to entice them to follow up with them. Plus, these programs are measurable. As long as you put together a good program, you cna show good resultys.” An increased focus on return-on-investment is one of the factors driving the trend, says Liz Bigham, director of marketing for Jack Morton. “People’s jobs are on the line if they spend money on the wrong things. We’re in an environment where there’s a lot of pressure to be efficient with their dollars.

For the latest in what’s hot in branded promotions, call me today at 888-959-9191 or 752-1200.

Last week, Reebok paid a $1 million fine for distributing a promotional charm bracelet which resulted in the death of a four-year-old boy from Minnesota.  The charm bracelet, which was distributed as a free gift with the purchase of Reebok children’s footwear, included a heart-shaped pendant containing toxic levels of lead which was swallowed by the boy.  The death resulted in a recall of 510,000 of the Chinese-made pendants that were distributed worldwide begining in May 2004.

Could this happen to you?  With the ever increasing Walmart Mentality of wanting the cheapest product out there (usually made in China), do you know what toxic chemicals might be in the product carrying your brand?  To ensure product safety, invest your branding dollars in products made right here in the USA.

One of the most popular products in the last few years are the silicone wrist bracelets (think Nike and Live Strong), 99% of which are manufactured overseas. You have the option of paying a few pennies more and buying from an American mfg’er.  Interested?  Call me today at 888-959-9191 (752-1200 local) for more information on how to buy American Made Promotional Products.  Help to stimulate the American economy by buing “local”.

I just received an email from my favorite mug and tumbler supplier, Litehouse Custom Printing (located in Idaho!), that they are closing out some items at fantastic, low prices. This sale is only while supplies last. Better order quick or the really nice, cool mugs and tumblers will be gone. You can see what they have on sale at Litehouse Custom Printing.

Call me today at 888-959-9191 or email steve@promoace.com if you want to save some serious money on your next mug promotion.

SUCCESS STORY

Business: Insurance Agency

Objection: Boost agent morale with great giveaways

Solution: The Messenger Zippered Padfolio made fantastic prizes at the annual company picnic. Large pockets hold policies, notes and collateral materials with ease - these handy companions were a huge hit.

Price: 48 @ $16.45ea., 144 @ $14.26ea. Price includes a one color print. Set-up charge is $60.00 for up to 6 square inches.

To place an order for this product, or to inquire about other promotional products, call 888-959-9191 or email steve@promoace.com

SUCCESS STORY

Business: A small, private University.

Objective: Garner awareness for the new Project Management Certificate program.

Solution: Give each student who registers for the program the perfect organizer - the Presidential Zippered Padfolio with Calculator. Durable, stylish and thoughtfully branded with the course name and school logo, this crowd pleaser draws attention.

Price: 12 @ $57.16ea., 48 @ $49.88ea. includes a one color print. The set-up charge is $60.00 for up to 6 square inches.

To order this promotion or more ideas for your custom branded promotional product, don’t hesitate to call me at 888-959-9191 or email steve@promoace.com

SUCCESS STORY:

Business: All-inclusive Resort.

Objective: To provide guests with more than just great memories.

Solution: Each guest who booked a week long stay received a branded Bon Voyage Traveler’s Wallet - a durable, handy helper - packed with awesome features. The resort’s logo now takes flight, along with their guests.

Price: 144+ @ $6.42ea. includes a one color print. Set-up charge is $45.00.

To order this product or inquire about other custom branded items call me today at 888-959-9191 or email steve@promoace.com