PPAI

Bridgeport, Connecticut-based Prime Line proudly announced it has been selected as a winner of the 2008 PPAI Web Award for the category of Functionality/Usability. The award recognized PPAI distributor and supplier members in five categories for creative and effective promotional products Web sites. “We are very pleased to be recognized for the improvements we’ve made on our Web site recently,” said Jeff Lederer, executive vice president. “Some new features we’ve added include live inventory check, instant order-status look up and shipment tracking, as well as fast-and-easy product searches,” he added. Prime Line will be honored at The PPAI Expo 2008 awards presentation

THE FACT IS, people enjoy taking care of themselves. And with this innate self-preservation quality of humankind, it comes as no surprise it would bring rise to a bustling promotional product category that proclaims: “It’s just me, myself and I,” as was so eloquently put by ’80’s hip-hip pioneers, De La Soul. Distributors looking to freshen up their bottom lines (and their sales pitches) should consider personal-care items. Manufacturers of these products say there are few other promotional product categories that offer the same repeat-order consistency. A 2005 survey conducted by PPAI showed personal-care products accounting for 1.58 percent of total industry sales. Just one

On Monday, January 14 and Tuesday, January 15 at the Las Vegas Expo 2008, the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) will bring together some of the nation’s foremost sales and marketing experts to help owners take their business to the next level. Ten different paid workshops will be offered this year. Each of these workshops is designed to allow time for an in-depth analysis of the subject matter. Topics will include guerrilla marketing, financial planning, effective referral generation, and niche marketing solutions and strategies for Web site success. In addition, luncheon sessions will allow distributors to take part in the following: Developing a

Chocolate Inn, Freeport, N.Y., has been voted by distributors as one of the 2008 Supplier Star Finalists in the S7 sales volume category. The company will be recognized at the 2008 PPAI Awards Night on Jan. 16, 2008, held during The PPAI Expo in Las Vegas. Company president, David Miller praised the “hard work and dedication of the entire Chocolate Inn team and multi-rep sales force” for the accomplishment. “I know that there are many suppliers to choose from in this industry and appreciate the loyalty of our distributor customers,” he said. For more information, call (800) 526-3437 or visit www.chocolateinn.com

FOOD SEEMS TO be a favorite topic in circles of every kind. It is discussed in boardrooms across the country and in bedrooms late at night. After reporting to work following a fun-filled weekend, one of the fondest memories is usually the dining experiences one had, or wished to have. It is precisely for these reasons edibles are stand-out promotional products. What better way to get people talking about one’s brand, products or services than by serving up irresistible food items? Distributors who take heed will have more than their fair share of the profits available with edible promotions. “Everyone loves food and candy,” observed

Crystal D, St. Paul, Minn., was recently selected as a winner in two categories for the 2008 Promotional Products Association International Supplier Achievement Awards. The categories are “Etching-Engraving” and “Two or More Distinct Processes to Produce a Specific Visual Effect”. Crystal D submitted its crystal Columbus Award for the “Etching-Engraving” category. The item was front- and reverse-etched to create a unique visual effect. For the “Two or More Distinct Processes to Produce a Specific Visual Effect” category, a crystal NASCAR Car was submitted. The creation of the NASCAR piece included modeling the award after Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s car. It was etched with each individual

Promotions East 2007 sets records and promotional product sales still on the rise

Should there be any reservations about the topic, the promotional products business is a thriving one. This assertion would be hard to dispute, given the impressive numbers the industry reported for 2006. According to an annual survey conducted for Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), total promotional product sales revenue in 2006 amounted to $18.8 billion, up 4.25 percent from 2005. This figure translates to an increase of $766 million in sales from the previous year. That’s a lot of promotional products! To put $18.8 billion into perspective, Promotional Marketing’s Top 50 Distributors brought in a total of $2.35 billion in promotional product sales

Calibre International, Irwindale, Calif., has purchased Alcraft, Pawtucket, R.I., one of the original suppliers in the industry. Calibre International will continue to operate Alcraft as a stand-alone company, but will broaden its product line. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Alcraft has been in the industry for more than 45 years. Company president, Michael Davis, called the acquisition “an excellent choice for both companies”. He said: “Today, suppliers need depth and breadth of product line in order to have the necessary market reach. It’s time for Alcraft to market on a larger stage and Calibre is the perfect venue to accomplish this.” Of the

Should there be any reservations about the topic, the promotional products business is a thriving one. This assertion would be hard to dispute, given the impressive numbers the industry reported for 2006. According to an annual survey conducted for Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), total promotional product sales revenue in 2006 amounted to $18.8 billion, up 4.25 percent from 2005. This figure translates to an increase of $766 million in sales from the previous year. That’s a lot of promotional products! To put $18.8 billion into perspective, Promotional Marketing’s Top 50 Distributors brought in a total of $2.35 billion in promotional product sales