Lee

current mood: absolutely losing it over these pics of bad panoramas of dogs pic.twitter.com/bnUpLztGbH

— jocy (@jocelynseip) March 27, 2019

While we’re at it, here are a couple
branded dog-themed products:

While 2020 is well in our rearview mirror (good riddance), the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic are going to shape our world for years to come. Here are three trends that we’re seeing so far in 2021.

1. Decline of PPE

A big surprise to nobody, the most popular promotional product in 2020 was the branded face mask. Once thought of as solely a promotional item for the healthcare industry, in the early days of the pandemic, face masks became so in-demand that people were having a hard time finding a place to purchase them. Brands were able to take advantage of this sudden popularity, and instead of giving out custom t-shirts or drinkware, they gave out promotional masks. Ultimately though, as masks became commonplace, the feverous demand decreased and in 2021, as consumers grew tired of PPE (plus had amassed a lot of it), they began to favor more traditional promotional products again.

2. Antibacterial Products

If there’s one thing that the pandemic brought attention to, it’s the importance of cleanliness. Even as we begin to see the light at the end of the covid tunnel, proper hygiene is here to stay and companies are taking full advantage of that with their promotional products. Custom hand sanitizer is always a favorite, but new products have been making a splash with customers as well. The antibacterial touch tool was released in 2020, but continues to remain popular well into 2021. While we once thought nothing of pushing an elevator button or hitting the keys on an ATM, now we see them as potentially germ-ridden surfaces that we don’t want to go anywhere near. Purchasing products with antibacterial additives can add a layer of protection to high-touch items like pens or keychains too.

3. Catering Toward Hybrid Work Environments

The pandemic forced many companies to close their physical offices and let their employees work from home. As people start to get vaccinated and the chances of catching the virus diminish, they are asking, “What now?” and many companies have answered by choosing to shift to a hybrid work environment. This means that employees have the opportunity to choose whether they come into the office or not – and many are choosing to remain working remotely. This brings a shift in what promotional products recipients find useful. There’s been a decrease in embroidered dress shirts and an increase in comfortable apparel like branded t-shirts or hoodies. Since the pandemic began, we’ve seen a huge increase in overall hoodie sales – so we’ve compiled a list of the best custom hoodies to help you find your new favorite. While keeping your devices charged remains a top priority, people have been relying less on power banks and car chargers and more on wireless charging pads that they can set next to their computers. Salespeople have shifted from going on calls with a logoed padfolio, to hosting Zoom meetings with a ring light and a custom background.

Unfortunately, we don’t have a crystal ball that will tell us when the pandemic will end. Some say a return to normalcy is just around the corner and some say that Covid will be with us for years to come. No matter what the future holds, it’s clear that the world has changed, and with change comes new beginnings, new ends, and new trends for everything in between.

Shelter-in-place, social distancing, contact tracing – these are all words that we weren’t familiar with, much less used in every day conversation, six months ago. COVID-19 has changed the way we behave in our personal and work lives and there’s no protocol for how to continue while the virus is still wreaking havoc. However, businesses have started to reopen and it’s up to business owners and managers to establish guidelines on how to keep their employees safe.

Here are 10 tips for returning to the office safely.

1. Encourage remote working when possible.
If the job allows, let your employees continue to work remotely even if the office is opened. The fewer people in the office, the easier it is to maintain distance from one another.

2. Consider a staggered schedule.
For your employees who do come into the office, consider a staggered schedule. Some employees work on-site Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays, while others are Tuesdays and Thursdays.

3. Practice and enforce social distancing.
By design, an office environment is anything but socially distant. Take steps to mitigate the amount of exposure that employees get to one another. If you have an office with a door, close it. If you are in a cubicle, build some sort of distancing barrier to separate you from your neighbors. Do not allow visitors in the office.

4. Change break room policies.
If you have a break room or other area where employees congregate, close it temporarily, or only allow a certain number of people in at one time. Encourage employees to bring their own lunches and eat at their desks. If people need to go into a shared space, use social distancing signage that shows exactly how far they need to be from one another.

5. Stay safe in the elevator.
If your office building has elevators, only allow 2-3 people in at a time. Ensure that they are wearing masks and minimize conversation. Alternatively, use the stairs if you can.

6. Establish conference room protocol.
Only use conference rooms if you absolutely need to. Use virtual conferencing when at all possible. If you are in a conference room, be sure that you are not sitting directly next to or across from anyone.

7. Sanitize, sanitize, sanitize.
Be sure to have lots of hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes available. Employees should wipe down their workstation when they get to work, and once again before they leave – especially if there are areas where multiple people use the same equipment. Hand Sanitizer should be at least 62% alcohol to be effective at killing the virus.

8. Wash your hands
This one goes without saying, but wash your hands. Put up signs in all restrooms and by any sinks that educate employees on proper handwashing techniques.

Everyone’s heard that you’re supposed to sing the Happy Birthday song twice, but the website Wash Your Lyrics allows you to make posters of any song you’d like.

9. Decide on a mask policy and provide supplies.
Whether you have disposable masks by the front entrance, or you get reusable masks with your logo, having masks available will allow employees to protect themselves to their level of comfort.

10. Communicate with your employees.
The COVID-19 situation is a scary one. By properly commuincating the steps that are being taken to ensure that the officeplace is as safe as possible, you will be sending your employees the message that you care as well as giving them the confidence they need to do their jobs succesfully.

You’ve booked your exhibitor space, ordered your booth banners and gathered your giveaways. There’s just one element missing: You still need to put together the team who will staff your trade show. Choosing the right people to staff your booth—and training them properly—can make or break your trade show success. Here are the five main trade show booth staffing roles you need to know, plus tips for training your staff.

Trade Show Booth Staffing Roles

There are five main roles that every trade show booth staffing plan should have, though some people may be able to serve in multiple roles at a small booth. The five essential trade show staffing positions are:

Hosts

Hosts are usually the first people who interact with attendees when they visit your booth. Hosts welcome visitors, get them registered and (if the booth is large enough) give them the lay of the land and point out areas of interest. First impressions are very important, especially in a crowded and competitive trade show environment, so choose your hosts wisely!

Presenters

Presenters give live demonstrations of your product or service and make sure that any videos or slides in the exhibit keep running smoothly. While they may not be trained sales staff (that’s a separate role), they are knowledgeable about what your company has to offer and willing to answer questions that attendees may have.

Crowd Gatherers

Crowd gatherers act as hosts in their own way, but work outside the booth, welcoming people at aisles and corners and directing them to your booth. Many crowd gatherers also hand out informational flyers or small promotional giveaway items to help incentivize people to visit the booth.

Activity Coordinators

Activity coordinators oversee trade show booth games, manage raffles and contests and make sure that winners get their prizes. If your booth is small enough, another person on this list (likely a host) might also be able to serve as an activity coordinator, but larger booths need separate roles.

Salespeople

Salespeople are experts at pitching your products, qualifying attendees and gathering leads for follow-up (and sometimes closing a sale right on the trade show floor!). They often tag team with other roles listed here, so you might have an activity coordinator and a salesperson staffing a trade show booth game, for example.

Trade Show Booth Staffing Tips

Knowing the right trade show roles is only half the battle. You also have to train the people in those positions. Here are our top tips for training your trade show booth staff:

1. Start planning for your staffing needs at least three months in advance. Ask your top choices if they’d be willing to attend the event and have them block off their calendars so no one accidentally schedules a vacation during the trade show.
2. Even though your trade show staff should each have a designated role, they should all be cross-trained so one of them can step in if someone else needs to use the bathroom, eat lunch or take an important phone call. Everyone should be trained on basic sales skills as well as the products and services you’ll be selling at the booth.
3. No matter what roles they have, talk to staff about having an open and friendly demeanor. They shouldn’t walk around with their arms crossed or leave their backs turned to the aisle—that kind of body language is pretty unwelcoming. A simple smile and a polite “hello” go a long way in creating a welcoming trade show experience for attendees.
4. Set grooming standards for all of your trade show booth staff. Also communicate criteria for dressing. Do this in advance so people have time to shop for additional clothes if necessary. If you’re ordering custom apparel for staff to wear at the booth, involving them in the selection process is a nice way to get buy-in.
5. Role playing isn’t just for Dungeons & Dragons fans. It can be a really helpful training tool for your staff. Assign each person a role and have them act out common trade show scenarios, such as dealing with an unqualified visitor or a disruptive attendee.
6. Set goals for the team and each individual so expectations are clear. Talk about how many visitors you’d like to get, how many presentations you want to give, how many custom notebooks you need to give away—whatever criteria you use to judge the ROI of the event.

Now you’re equipped with the tools you need to staff your next trade show booth the right way. Good luck, and we wish you the best of success!

Over the last decade, technology has advanced rapidly with the widespread use of the internet, laptop computers and smartphones. It seems like every day there’s an announcement of a new tech gadget devised to make our lives easier. With so many new products on the market, it can be difficult to keep up with the latest trends in tech, so we’ve compiled some of our favorite inventions to make your life easier. Learn more about these great products and how you can use them to promote your business. 

Everyone appreciates receiving free gifts, so why not give away some of these awesome and useful products as promotional items? When you opt to order products that prospective clients will actually use, it’s much more likely that they’ll remember your brand and come to you when they require your products or services. Giving the gift of a valuable tech gadget will reflect back on your business, showing that you care about customers and helping your company to stand out.

Custom PopSockets

Everyone has experienced that moment when they’re using their cell phone in bed and they accidentally drop it. Or, maybe they’ve been in a public place trying to show friends or family members a video on their phone but not everyone can see the screen from where it’s placed in their hand. Though these aren’t major life issues, they can be small daily annoyances. To combat these problems, PopSockets were invented. 

These small circular objects can be attached to the back of your cell phone and pop out to help you grip your phone or to double as a phone stand, turning your mobile device into a mini TV. 

For a unique promotional product, your company can order custom PopSockets with your brand logo. People are sure to love your custom PopSockets because they’re an interesting item that stands out from other promotional products and solves a problem that everyone experiences. 

Here are a few of our favorite custom PopSockets to use to spread brand awareness:

PopSocket and Mount Retail Bundle

A standard custom PopSocket design, this promotional product is available in black with a blank white surface to provide plenty of room for your chosen logo design. You can opt to imprint just your logo over the white circle or overlay your logo onto another color to make the custom design pop. 

The included mount adds another great feature to these custom PopSockets, allowing users to attach the mount to their car dashboard or any other location where they’d like to mount their phone on a regular basis. Your clients will be able to drive handsfree with ease or watch television on their phones without having to prop it up or hold it for the entirety of the show. 

Aluminum PopSocket 

If you’re looking to order a different type of custom PopSocket to give away as a promotional item, try ordering these beautiful aluminum PopSockets available in space gray, rose gold, sapphire, ruby, gold or black. With this promotional product, you have a variety of options for customization. Upload your company’s logo to our site, and we’ll laser engrave your image onto these custom PopSockets, guaranteeing that your logo won’t fade or rub off over time. 

Custom flash drives

Whether they are used for work files, vacation photos or as a backup storage device, flash drives are popular with nearly every adult because they are such a useful method for storing and transporting important data. Gifting custom flash drives is the perfect way to capture your target audience’s attention, and because most people carry these devices around with them, there are even more opportunities for people to notice your brand on promotional flash drives and remember your business for future use.  

Check out some of our favorite custom flash drives: 

Norcross Promotional USB Drive

Our most popular custom flash drive, the Norcross Promotional USB Drive features an advantageous metal cap to protect the USB port from dirt and damage. A convenient clip also allows people to attach this custom flash drive to their keys, backpack or any other item used to transport work-related items. Available in more than 20 colors, these custom flash drives are easy to personalize with your own company logo.

Full Bleed Swivel USB

Piedmont USB Drive

The design of the Piedmont USB Drive is slightly different than these other two custom flash drive options because it features a plastic detachable covering. Screen print your logo onto these USB drives, which are finished with a durable, rubber coating and include a black lanyard for easy transportation.

Wall chargers

In our tech-centric world, chargers are a vital part of everyday life. Cell phones and computers are items most people engage with on a daily basis, so using promotional items that are associated with these objects can help expose your brand to future customers. Wall chargers are an item that most people own more than one of because they may need to charge their phones in multiple locations. Your customers will always appreciate receiving a backup wall charger. Try customizing some of these chargers and giving them out at your next trade show or company event.

All-In-One Retractable Charger

A unique type of wall charger, this All-In-One Retractable Charger is designed to compactly store the product’s wire in a circular plastic case, preventing the cable from getting tangled or damaged. Choose from six different colors: black, white, green, red or blue. Then, design your logo to be printed on the retractable compartment. 

Light Up Adapter

Designed for the tech-savvy users, this light-up adapter has the capability to charge up to three different devices at the same time. With one USB charger and three mini USB plugs, this wall charger is intended for people who own Android devices, though another adapter can be purchased to allow iPhone users to take advantage of this wall charger as well. When your devices are plugged in, the wall charger will light up, letting you know that the device is connected. 

MFi Lightning Cable

A traditional iPhone charger, this MFi Lightning cable has a simple design with a thin, white cord created to charge Apple devices. This item is a certified Apple product, but if you’re looking to customize a wall charger, you can add your logo to the USB end charging piece. 

Other helpful tech gadgets you can use as promotional products

Bluetooth keyboards

Anyone who uses a tablet device will love owning a Bluetooth keyboard. Connect your device to one of these keyboards, and you’ll be able to type wirelessly on any tablet or mobile product. Tablets are a great alternative to laptops when traveling, but it can be tough to type large blocks of text on the touch screen. Our Bluetooth keyboards help solve this problem. These products are still small enough to fit into any travel or work bag while allowing you to do more with your tablet. Though more expensive than other promotional products, Bluetooth keyboards may be a good giveaway option for promotional contests or as a fancy appreciation gift for new clients. 

Portable speaker

Portable speakers have revolutionized the way that we listen to music. Using a Bluetooth connection, these devices can connect to and play music from any smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer. The most convenient aspect of portable speakers is the fact that you can bring them anywhere—the beach, on vacation or to a friend’s house. Customize one of our portable speakers and offer these high-quality products during a company giveaway to attract new consumers. 

Selfie sticks

Developed as a response to people using the front-facing cameras on smartphones to take photos of themselves, selfie sticks help to capture these types of photos by extending your reach. With a selfie stick, users are able to include the background into their selfie, which is typically useful while visiting a unique location. This promotional item is a fun product that people will love using. Customize your selfie sticks and distribute them at your next event. 

Adapters

Thanks to the internet, people are able to take time off while still using their computers to finish work projects on-the-go. Most workers can identify with that feeling of panic when they’ve almost completed a task, but their battery is about to die and they don’t have the proper charger. With these adapters, your clients can keep multiple types of chargers on hand so they never have to worry about their computer shutting down before they’ve completed their tasks. 

Ear buds

Another tech gadget that current and prospective clients love are ear buds.  They make the perfect item to include in new hire welcome kits or to give away at events. If your company is involved in the music industry, ear buds are an even better option for promotional products as this is an item you know your target audience will actually use. Ear buds are available in bright colors and neutral tones so you can choose from dozens of options. If you’re looking for something a little more extravagant, you can opt to order wireless headphones.

Tips for ordering your promo gadgets

Place your order in advance

If you’re interested in giving away some of these promotional items like custom flash drives and wall chargers at a particular event, be sure to plan ahead! Placing your bulk order well in advance will ensure that there is enough time for our team to create the perfect promotional products for your business. Most of our products take between five to 10 days to produce, but if you’re in a bind and need promotional products quickly, we do have a selection of 24-rush items, including custom pens, coffee mugs and journals. 

Be sure to send in the correct art files

To avoid any delays in production or issues with printing your promotional products, download our art requirements and double check that your file meets our requirements. Files should be sent as vector art saved from Adobe Illustrator in an AI or EPS format. Do not try to send artwork that is less than 300 DPI resolution and avoid sending any files in the following formats: QuarkXpress, Pagemaker, CorelDraw, Publisher or Freehand as we are not able to accommodate these file types. 

Consider what type of imprint you want

Though some products are only available in one type of imprint due to the type of fabric or material it is made from, other items are available in multiple options. Research and determine which method will be best for the type of promotional product you’re looking for and check with our team to ensure this is the right option. 

Get the best quality promotional products from Pinnacle Promotions

Take your marketing efforts to the next level when you order some of these tech gadgets to be personalized as promotional products. Custom PopSockets will standout on potential customers’ cell phones. Wall chargers and custom flash drives are items that people can use every day, encouraging them to re-engage with your brand each time they see the logo. 

Once you’ve selected which items are the best choices for your business, you can upload your image to our site, and our promo experts will create beautiful products you can give out at any event, trade show or giveaway.

Choosing a theme for your trade show booth will make it easier to design and help attract more visitors with a consistent aesthetic. However, it can be hard to decide on a theme given all the options available, especially if you’re working with a small footprint. Here are eight of our favorite themes for trade show booth designs:

Visit a new location.

No matter how large or small it is, you can use your booth to transport your visitors to a location related to your brand. For example, poultry producers might base their design on a farm, while a surfboard company might recreate a beach. If your headquarters are located in an iconic city, that can also be a source of inspiration. And if the trade show draws a lot of local attendees, theming your booth around the host city isn’t a bad idea either.

Harness the power of nature.

A warehouse-like trade show floor, bathed in artificial lights, is pretty much the opposite of being outside—which is why bringing a bit of nature to your booth will really make you stand out. Brainstorm some ideas to see if you can make different natural settings (beaches, lakes, mountains, meadows, deserts, etc.) work for your brand. If you can, spacing real plants around your booth will add an extra dose of natural energy and help liven up your booth design.

Create your own café.

People are constantly hungry and thirsty at trade shows, so offering food and/or drink samples is a powerful motivator. Stage your booth to look like a real life store and hand out snacks, drinks and energy bars to visitors. Even if you can’t stock a full range of items, creating a hydration system where people can refill their water bottles will definitely encourage visitors to stop by—and give you a chance to hand them a custom branded water bottle, of course – but what would a café be without the classic branded mug? Serve those up too!

Gamify everything.

Booth games are a common activity at trade shows, so why not take things one step further and design your entire booth around a popular game? Popular game shows, board games and card games with large fan bases will definitely generate buzz on the trade show floor. If you’re feeling especially creative, you can customize a classic like Monopoly or Uno to tailor it to the product or service that you’re trying to market.

Take cues from Hollywood.

If taking inspiration from a game show isn’t your cup of tea, perhaps a TV show or movie will spark your ideas? Pick a show or movie that has widespread popularity to appeal to the largest possible audience, or go for a general Hollywood vibe (perhaps a movie theater or awards show concept?) to keep it from getting overly specific.

Highlight a charitable cause.

Companies both large and small often have charitable projects, whether it’s a simple annual donation or a comprehensive program spearheaded by employees. For example, plastic packaging companies usually have initiatives in place to encourage recycling, while a food manufacturer might partner with a nonprofit that donates meals to shelters. If your charitable cause is relevant to your business, highlighting it through your booth can differentiate you from other booths that go straight for the scale.

Turn your booth into charging central.

It wouldn’t be a trade show if everyone’s devices weren’t constantly running low on power. Help solve the problem by transforming your booth space into a charging station. This has two advantages: A charging station doesn’t take up a lot of floor space and visitors will likely hang around for a while as they wait for their devices to charge, giving you an opportunity to talk to them about your products and services. Bonus points if your business somehow relates to electricity or you can make a relevant pun about “charging ahead” in your industry.

Make everything in your booth from the same material.

Sometimes sameness can make you stand out. Constructing your booth entirely (or mostly) from the same material is sure to get people talking, if only to ask, “How did they do that?!” Cardboard is probably the most feasible and affordable material, but you can get more creative and try making your booth from wood, glass or even 3d printing.  Another perfect addition to creating your surroundings is to get a custom canopy  tent made for the occasion.

We can’t tell you which theme to pick, but we can help you realize your design vision. Shop our collection of trade show displays or contact us for assistance with your trade show order.