Great gift ideas for the iPad or Tablet Owner

I've been busy training getting ready for the Warrior Dash on September 11th. The warrior dash is a 5k obstacle course where you get to leap over fire pits, climb over walls, crawl through the mud under barb wire and a host of other fun adventures.  I like the excitement of trying something new and testing my body to see if I have what it takes and mostly competing against myself.

I love a good challenge and as most of you know I love anything new and exciting.  I was especially glad when Lisa (one of my favorite suppliers) brought in the new Gemline Fall/Holiday catalogs yesterday.  I am a technophile.  I love gadgets whether I know what to do with them or not (usually not but that's why I have a teenager to teach me).

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Gemline has a couple great new accessories for the tech-savvy professional to hold their tablets or e-readers.  I love the new Tablet Keyboard Stand.  I think this is going to be a great gift idea for the tech lover.  It can be used as a carrying case or presentation stand. It adjusts to three different positions to find best display angle.  The deluxe keyboard charges from computer and the bluetooth keyboard pairs with various tablet devices.

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On a slightly more basic level (but also more affordable) they have introduced the Deluxe Tablet Stand.  It has all the features of the Keyboard stand minus the keyboard.  This product will make a great tech gift for as little as $14.98.

Holiday Gifts in August?

Wow its August already.  Been a little negligent on the blog for the last couple weeks working on a couple big client events.  Can't believe we are into the last 5 months of the year already.  I just finished signing up for the 5k Warrior Dash Obstacle course in September and the "Run Like Hell" 10k in October both of which should keep me busy training for the next couple months.  After that it is holiday season.

Speaking of holiday season I just received my first batch of Holiday catalogs from one of my favorite suppliers Logomark.  Many of my clients like to get there holiday gift shopping done early so they have less to worry about the closer we get to December.  An extra added bonus some of these gifts are great for events and current promotions.  In fact Logomark currently has a number of their holiday products on a sale.

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Just in case anybody is wondering what to get me I've picked out a couple gifts that I wouldn't mind receiving. First is the Erasable Memo Pad and Solar Calculator.  I'm always looking to jot down a quick note someplace where I will see it and pretty much use a calculator all day long.  Tie it in with something catchy like "Take Note!"

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Those of you who know how much I love exercise will know that I recently started going to yoga along with my spin classes, running and bootcamp.  So the new Yoga Mat would make a great gift for any Spa or Fitness related program or gift.   Also perfect for wellness programs.

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Finally, maybe because it's August or maybe because I can't seem to find just the right temperature in my office I love the Chrome USB Oscillating Desk Fan.  Plug it in and prepare to be blown away (sorry couldn't resist the pun).

Best Way to Submit Art for Your Projects

Just finished up an incredible weekend of fun after the sun decided to come out here in Oregon.  I managed to pack in a couple concerts, a wedding and a friend's birthday party all into 2 days.  Since it was one of my bootcamp friends getting married we even managed to get a group photo with the bride and 5 of us other bootcampers doing a side plank across a bridge in formal wear.

Sometimes you are just glad to get back to work so you can rest a little bit.  However, now that I'm back I have several clients rush projects sitting on my desk this morning.  Several of those projects are going to require that I have my graphics department redo art that was provided.

Today I thought we would take a moment and talk about the best way to submit art to ensure your project flies right through production (especially if you are dealing with a quick turn date or need to waive a proof).

I get a lot of art files that we can't work. Jpegs are the worst as we can manipulate or resize them. Almost as hard to work with are bmp's (bitmap art very grainy), gifs, and png files.  All of these mean we have to convert and clean up art which takes time.

If you want to speed your order and project along without any additional costs or delays the best file you can provide your promotional products distributor is an Adobe Illustrator eps file in vector art with all fonts converted to outline.  The less anybody has to touch up your art the less likely there is to be a mistake.

Before You Throw in the Towel Autograph It.

My bootcamp instructor watched a Navy Seal training show on TV which inspired our class last night.  She had us run down the hill in teams of 2 holding an 8' divider over our heads and then do lunges all the way back up the  hill carrying the barrier.  Then for fun a little crab walking up the hill feet first to get the blood pumping. Anyway those were just two of the many exercises last night.  I won't even get into the pushups, burpees, mountain climbers, planks and running lines.  It was what I call a two towel night at the Y.

Speaking of towels when it comes to fitness towels, beach towels or golf towels there is only one towel manufacturer I use.  Towel Specialties has several unique products and exceptional customer service.  One of their products I like in particular is the Autograph Towel.  This towel is perfect for any event or fundraiser. It allows you collect the signatures of all the participants or donors and have them imprinted along with your logo on the towels.  To make the presentation of the gift even better take a look at the many packaging options provided by Towel Specialties.

Ready for S'More Great Promotions

It's summer time (not that you can tell right not here in Oregon thanks to the rain) and with that comes all the fun activities.  Camping, picnics and kayaking trips just to name a few fun things to do this summer.  I'm going on my first kayaking trip in a couple of weeks and I'm sure there will something to blog about after that adventure.

As most of you know I'm always looking for those promotional products that are unique or different.  Just in time for all those summer BBQ's and picnics Wildline has come out with the Reel Roaster a hand crank marshmallow and hot dog roaster.  I'm still working on the perfect slogan to go with it maybe "Reel in the savings" or maybe "A toast to you" (toasted marshmallows).  Oh well, I'll come up with something.  Anyway, this is a fun different product that with the right message and promotion could certainly raise eyebrows and awareness of your product or promotion.  Also, I'm suddenly really craving a good messy s'more.

Use it or Lose it!

I had my first 5A.M. spin class in two weeks this morning.  My trainer Katie has been gone two weeks competing for Team USA in the World Masters Race Walking Competition in Sacramento where she brought home the silver in the 5k, and gold in both the 10k and 20k.  A pretty impressive feat and one of the many reasons she is my trainer, friend and mentor.  This morning was difficult to get back into the swing of things and left me extra sore (and I still have two bootcamps with her this afternoon).

I think the lesson I take from this is that if you aren't constantly honing your skills and practicing them they will suffer from lack of use.  Even though I exercised several times in the last two weeks it wasn't at the same intensity as when I'm accountable to Katie.

Sales is the same way.  If you aren't constantly practicing your skills prospecting, getting referrals, closing sales you will suffer from the inactivity. Never stop practicing your skills and just like in exercise find someone who will hold you accountable to your goals and push you when you need it.

Performance Fabrics with Style

Since I've started doing 6 bootcamps, 2 spin classes and at least one long run a week I'm getting really used to sweating and laundry.  I really love the fabrics that wick away the moisture and dry fast.  Shirts that  have the antimicrobial feature and UV protection are even better.  Especially with the rising price of cotton new performance fabrics are becoming more readily available and priced competitively.

When I first got into the apparel business I couldn't wait for December and January for my suppliers to come out with their new styles for the next year.  Since then each year the new catalogs come out faster and faster.  One of my favorite apparel providers, Ash City, just launched their 2012 catalog effective August 1st.

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Today I thought we would look at a couple of their new performance fabric pieces.  I have a lot of clients who are tired of the same old solid polo's and want something with more flair and style.  The new Performance Polyester Pique color-block Polo provides the necessary performance with its moisture wicking, antimicrobial and UV resistance.  It is available in 5 different color choices and has a stylishly cut open placket ladies' companion piece.

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I am also a fan of their new North End Sport Polyester Pique Polo.  Available in 4 different color options this ladies piece comes with a johnny collar neckline, and a lot of contrast piping.  This will make an excellent tradeshow or event shirt with its comfort, functionality and fun color.  This shirt is also available in a men's companion piece.

Don't forget to check out all of the other new pieces at Ash City.