This past weekend was a very tiring and sad one for me. It was my grandparents last few days in America and we had lots to do. We were invited for dinner by framily friends on Friday and Saturday night, which meant that we were not able to accept guests that wanted to say goodbye to my grandparents. Of course nothing like last minute, everyone decided to come on Sunday because their flight Monday 12:50 p.m.

Saturday morning we went out to breakfast all together. Most of the day was spent running last minute errands and packing. My mom is super crazy with sending all the kids something so she packed four huge bags for my grandparents to take back.

Yesterday I had requested to be off in the morning so I can go to the airport with my grandparents. When we got to the airport, we were greeted by Kobe Bryant and Leo Messi ...well not them actually but a cardboard image of them that advertised Turkish Airlines which read "Fly with the Best". Of course I had to take a picture of this awesome promotional product and show you all-- see below! Seriously though, I truly do believe Turkish Airlines is the best!

It's odd to see that large hot yellow thing in the sky after these countless months of cold, but it's finally here!  It's finally time to put away the coats and get out the t-shirts and shorts.  Bye bye pale skin and welcome bronze back!

I think one of the worst things about winter is, it's hard to go places.  Who wants to trek anywhere in a foot of snow?  It's so much easier to curl up on the couch and stay in the warmth.  But now that the heat is back, so are the frequenting of all your favorites summer places.  Of course ALL of these places have promotional items.  Whether it's a ball game with promotional t-shirts, hats and cups or the beach with promo sunglasses and tanning oils.  They are everywhere.  So whatever business you own or field that you are in, promotional products are the way to get you name to the public.  Associate yourself with summer and fun and let the business roll in!

This Saturday, March 9th at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, is the 7th annual 2013 Spring Craft Beer Festival. In the event center's 60,000 square foot area, there will be over 50 brewers from all over the country, pouring their selected brews.  There will be tons of food and a beer garden to enjoy. 

Now what is the point of brewers from all over the country, to come do this for almost no profit? ADVERTISING! That's what. They will hand out t-shirts and mugs and necklaces, all featuring their brewery's name and information.

When this event is over, their name will be on your apparel or kitchen water cup for a long time to come. They realize how important it is to get their product out there. Almost as important as name recognition and this event will ensure that.  So grab your promotional glass mug and support some small company breweries.  I forgot to mention, it's a blast!

The main goal of advertising is obviously to get people to remember your brand, to try and stand out.  Everyone has the fancy letters with a quirky catch phrase.

Just take a look at the Super Bowl commercials, for example. Which ones do you remember? I know I still can't get the one of Bar Rafali kissing that, umm, teen out of my head. It was kind of gross, but that's exactly the point. Good, bad, gross or pretty, it doesn't matter. Make sure you are remembered!

The other day I was on my way to work and a new billboard caught my eye. Now, in hindsight, the piece is actually kind of dangerous. It's for Pearle Vision Eye Care, and it is out of focus. I thought it was me for a second but as I stared, it didn't get any clearer.

It did such a wonderful job of staying on my mind that when I needed to order new contacts, I gave them a call.  I am not impressed with advertising campaigns very often, being in the promotional products industry. But this one did a great job!

So my girlfriend is a big Harry Potter fan, (I call her a nerd, every chance I get!) and there is some sort of exhibit at the Discovery zone Times square in New York city currently running.  This of course means, that Saturday afternoon, we will be taking the train ride into the city to see it.  I'm sure they will be plenty about hogwarts and quiddich and WOAHHHH have I been listening??  Am I actually somewhat excited to see props from the actual movie?!  To see the great hall and Hagrid's hut and the common room??  To see Harrys original wand and glasses?!?!  There is even a quiddich area where you can toss a quaffle!  But let me digress, she is the nerd not me!  I'm not even that excited about all the promotional products - wands and hats and costumes in the gift shop!!  Ok maybe I'm looking forward to it a little but don't tell her!!!  I'll make sure to keep you posted on how it goes!  Check out some of the reviews:

Yesterday, after a long day of searching, testing and selling promotional products,  I went to a Long Island Ducks baseball game.  It was a beautiful evening for a ball game, and with ex-Mets Armando Benitez and Timo Perez on the team I was excited.  We got there a little before the first pitch and almost immediately the wave of promotional summer giveaways hit me.  It started at the front gate, where we were handed a promotional Bud Harrelson (for those who don't know, he is an ex met and current owner of the Ducks) bobble head.  Next was a promotion spin wheel of items donated from local companies to bring interested fans to their establishments.  On to the concessions where local breweries sold their beer with promotional cups and t-shirts.  Ok, now the advertising has to be over right?  WRONG!  Even in the restroom, there were promotional hand towels for port-a-potty companies!

Finally at the seats, the entire outfield wall looks like something out of the movie Major League.  Every space of wall is covered in advertisements.  In-between every half inning is a sponsored game or giveaway!  Even the mascot Quackerjack participates in these events and interacts with the crowd (my brother, girlfriend and I might of taken a picture with him, see below).  Even though the ducks lost, all in all it was a great night, and gave me even more appreciation for what promotional products can do for your company.

Every year around this time, a bunch of us get together to celebrate Christmas in July.  I'm not sure how this tradition began, but it's a blast none the less.  The preparation begins about a month ahead of time.  We order Christmas themed promotional productions such as apparel, decorations, drink ware, light up green and red hair (not for me obviously!) and whatever other ridiculous items we can find.  One year was a battery powered reindeer that, blew up on its own and, could be worn over one's head.  One year was skittle infused vodka that took about a month of infusing....Let's just say that didn't work out too well...  This year is a make your own Italian ice station, with whatever flavor you can think of, this one should be interesting.  So hopefully the weather is nice and this year is as much fun as years past!

Tablets are the hottest selling commodity right now. No wonder every manufacturer is trying to get a slice of the pie. Microsoft on monday annouced it has developed a windows tablet of its own. It features a 10.6 inch high-definition touchscreen and front and rear facing cameras. The biggest innovation however, is the device cover. It flips open into a full keyboard with a pen that clicks into the tablet. It also has a built-in kickstand which is neat. Let's just see if Microsoft can compete with Apple and Samsung. For people who already own a tablet, protection from scratches should be your top priority. We have some great Promotional Products to help shield your tablet.

Today, I was lucky to share my lunch time with one of my co-workers Samantha at Motivators Promotional Products since we are doing late days together on Wednesdays. After we ate, Samantha took out black and red thread that she was knotting together. I asked her what she was doing and she said she was making a birthday gift. She was making a friendship bracelet that read "Mancester United" on it for a good friend of hers in Australia (whom is a soccer fanatic). It seemed so easy when I was watching Sam do it but when I attempted, it wasn't so. It requires alot of patience to sit there and go backand forth. I was so proud of Samantha when I saw the end result and how fast she complered it. Hoping to recieve mine with my name soon!

Or should I say "happy promotional products day"?  Cinco de Mayo is a day of Mexican heritage, pride and to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy during the first years of the American civil war.  ORRRR better known as the day where we eat lots of Mexican food and drink sangria, tequila and coronas.  Everywhere you go on Cinco de Mayo there are promotional products.  From beer companies to restaurants (including my favorite place, MOES, see below) even local radio stations get in on the action.  There are hats and beads and cups and any other promotional item you can think of being passed out on this extremely fun day.  Plus this year, it's on a Saturday!!  Have fun, be safe and enjoy all the swag!!