Turning Needs into Leads™

Welcome to the February NewsAlert from Promotional Merchandise USA: 11th Edition

Staying on Top of Industry Trends

Everyone enjoys electronics and gadgets, regardless of their age or occupation. Consumers continue to be fascinated with "techy" devices and their broad uses. Technical devices encompass a growing trend and are without a doubt becoming a necessity for us to organize our busy lives.

Looking for a practical way to become a technical junkie? Need a supplier that offers style and design? Try these USB drives – they're great items that can hold music files, pictures, work reports and even medical information in the palm of your hand. The latest and greatest are sporty yet made out of revolutionary materials. Some are so convenient they fit in your wallet like the credit card sized USB drives. Many executives are carrying slick cases capable of storing up to 8 flash memory cards that fit right into a pocket.

Economic Check-In

A Positive Sign?

ASI DALLAS SHOW ATTENDANCE UP 10%, NEW RECORD Education Day Hits 1,000; Total Distributor Attendance Above 3,900

Click here to read more.

Recession is No Time to Cut Promotional Apparel

The marketing industry may be struggling to find rays of light with regards to 2009, but it is more important than ever for businesses and brands to promote themselves and maintain awareness. Indeed, marketing wisdom dictates that those who continue to invest in a recession fare better than those who reach for the panic button and slash spend. For some in the promotional clothing business, there is no doubt that thoughts are focused on the present.

Click here to read more.

Real Life Success Stories

Medal Marvels

By: Audrey Sellers

If ever there was a Kodak-moment event in the promotional products industry, it was last month's PPAI Awards Dinner & Presentation during The PPAI Expo in Las Vegas. The Event Center of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center sparkled as gala-goers networked over a Vegas-worthy dinner and award winners claimed their trophies on stage.

Click here to see the creative winners of the gold, silver and bronze in each program category.

 

Get Smart & Network

Who said business cards have to be rectangles?

Look at this creative idea.

Trade Show Advice

7 Tips for Exhibitors

By Corey Smith

The top seven things to ask yourself when you prepare to exhibit at a trade show; classified into Pre-Show, At-Show or Post-Show activity.

Click here to learn more.

Fresh Solutions: A Whole New Way of Looking at Your Trade Show Promotions

Where the trade show attendees have changed in the last year, so have the "usual suspects" when it comes to trade show promotions. In the last year there has been a shift away from the typical trade show premiums (pens, candy etc.) towards something fresh and new...take a look:

Old: Cheap Pen - New: Hand Sanitizer
Pens have been a staple at trade shows forever, it seemed that nearly everyone at every booth had some sort of pen. While they are great and are effective - we've been noticing a trend of personal products cropping up in the booths...particularly hand sanitizers. Think about this: You are meeting and greeting hundreds of people all day long - shaking hands with them all - with a promotional hand sanitizer at the ready, your booth employees and visitors are going to be happy, healthy, and free from germs.

Old: Store Bought Candy - New: Branded Food and Chocolate
At trade shows there are less people buying store bought candies to use as handouts and more people going the way of imprinted candy instead. While the store-bought candy may be cheap, it gives off an unprofessional look and doesn't leave a lasting impression with your prospects. Your goal at these trade shows is to give information to your potential clients - you can make the greatest impression by giving out customized chocolate and candy.

Old: Non-woven Tote Bag - New: Imprinted Messenger Bags
Non-woven tote bags continue to be a popular giveaway at trade shows and other events, and why not - they are eco-friendly and perfect for carrying around a whole bunch of other trade show items. But there have been more and more exibitors switching out the totes for a product that has a much higher perceived value without a huge price tag - imprinted messenger bags. Tote bags are great for their functionality and versatility, but messenger bags give off a more professional feel and can be used for travel or as gifts.

With these fresh alternatives, your 2009 trade shows are sure to be a hit!

Best Practices

9 things you MUST know before you start any traffic-to-sale conversion rate optimization

By: Khalid Saleh

During a time when every visitor matters, every click is a potential loss or gain, the tide has shifted: everyone seems to be pondering ways to increase their conversion rates. The average e-commerce store converts less than 2% of its traffic to customers. Yet, some e-commerce sites report a double digit conversion rates. Read On.

Integrating Marketing Campaigns with Link Development

By: Justilien Gaspard, Search Engine Watch

Are you utilizing your marketing campaigns for link development? Companies can often make simple modifications to their promotions to develop links simultaneously. Other times, the links already exist from marketing campaigns, but they aren't being utilized for their full value.

Click here to explore a few examples.

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