As we reached the halfway point of 2010, we have noticed a few trends in the tradeshow industry which could hopefully have roll over affect into the future of our economy.
We have seen an upturn in conference and trade show attendance over the past 6 months.  And the trend is looking to continue into the second half of the year. The increasing numbers also reflect the purchasing of promotional items and giveaways, along with attendee gifts and speaker gifts, exhibitor apparel, conference bags and booth accessories. From our experience in working these shows and supplying our customers for these conferences, these numbers also affect the travel and hospitality business, the restaurant and entertainment industry along with many others.  It’s a chain reaction, all which starts from a single link….
Increase in Conference and Trade Show Attendance.

So if you are looking to make a footprint in the market and increase your business through networking and prospecting, attending and exhibiting at trade shows is back!

The year has brought many of us new surprises.  But one thing that was not a surprise here at Artina was the success of the Ideas in Promotion show in April.  Once again, we had a wonderful turnout at the Bridgewater Conference Center in Powell.  There were over 300 attendees and 50 manufacturers and suppliers along with good food, fun giveaways and great door prizes.  It was wonderful to see the support from our customers and friends again this year.

We’d like to know what you’d like to see us possibly do differently or better in the future.  For anyone that attended this year or has attended in the past, please offer us some feedback by leaving a comment below.  Please be as specific as possible but keeping it to the point. We look forward to hearing from and working with you in the future!

I can’t believe it’s that time again but the Ideas in Promotion Show is just around the corner.  The Ideas in Promotion Show is Artina’s premier event and brings 50+ of the top suppliers in the promotional products industry for our customers.  The trade show style event is a great opportunity for customers to see many new products in person and is a phenomenal tool for brainstorming for future needs.

Each year our customers look forward to this unique event…

“We had a blast checking out all of the amazing products your vendors carry. It was a wonderful opportunity to get some fresh ideas and reconsider some of our recognition practices.”
COSI

This year’s event is scheduled for April 22nd at the Bridgewater Conference Center.  Check out www.ideasinpromotion.com for more details and to RSVP.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Here we are a the beginning of another year. As always, the promotional products industry has a bevy of new product offerings that is more creative than last year. With so many new products, it’s hard to point all of them out, so over the next few weeks, we will be highlighting a few new products in our blog.
This first new product is called WalkSafe and it is brought to us by the creative minds of Shedrain. I am sure that some of you are familiar with this brand of umbrella through it’s retail outlets, but is also available in the promotional products industry.
So, here is a little bit about the product. These umbrellas are designed to be seen from every angle with 3M Scotchlite reflective material, the most important thought for these umbrellas was pedestrian safety. This patented material is located on each panel to give pedestrians enhanced 360 visibility. Based on a recent study nearly 5000 pedestrians are killed in traffic crashes, 71,000 are injured and 65% of pedestrian fatalities occur between 6pm and 6am. With these grim statistics these highly reflective umbrellas are a perfect solution.
The WalkSafe umbrella line includes a bented golf umbrella, a manual open compact and an auto open & close compact. They come in a wide range of colors too. All are availble with your logo on one or more panels.
Please call your Artina rep to get more information on this item for your safety programs and employee gifts as well as to learn more about the 2010 new products!
800-433-5587, www.artina.com

Artina Promotional Products would like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a very Happy Holiday season. Thank you for allowing us to serve you in 2009 and we look forward to working together in 2010. The new products are already starting to roll in, so be sure to contact your Artina representative to schedule a time to review the new items. Artina will also be hosting our Ideas in Promotion show again in April, look for more details in the coming months.

Artina will be closed December 24th, 25th and January 1st in observance of the holidays.

We are pleased to annouce that we have added a new feature to the Artina website. We have compiled some of our favorite case histories to help our clients when they are looking for creative ideas. Whether you are planning for a trade show or a safety incentive, we have provided some of the ways that our products can help meet your objectives. Case histories are successful promotions that were done in the past and they are a great way to spice up your marketing plans. They can help get the creative juices flowing and you can take it from there.
Feel free to ask you Artina rep for more case histories, there are just too many to put on the site Check out the link for the page and see what’s new….http://www.artina.com/dynamic/casestudies.jsp

With all of the discussion surrounding various flu types, the one thing that experts agree on is that you must keep your hands clean. Sometimes that is easier said than done, especially when you are in different business and social situations.
The promotional products industry has stepped up by offering various sizes and formulations of hand-sanitizers. From a pocket spray to desk top pumps, you can provide hand sanitizer to any of your clients and customers….keeping them safe and reminding them of your name.
The large majority of hand sanitizing products are alcohol-based. However, there is a new product on the market that is non-alcohol based. This new formula stays on hands and keeps working for up to 30 minutes after application, while traditional sanitizers stop working after 5 seconds. It is approved for food service, so you can apply the product and immediately prepare or serve food. Since it is alcohol free, it will not dry out your already winter-ravaged hands.
It has been tested and is FDA compliant. For more information and details including test results and data, call Artina at 800-433-5587 or visit us online at www.artina.com.

Artina Promotional Products is please to announce that we are hosting a Fall Product Showcase at our showroom in Powell, Ohio. The event is set for October 8th and there are two times available. Breakfast will be offered from 7:30-9:30 and lunch will be offered from 11:00-1:30. The event will feature new products for the Fall/Holiday season as well as giveaways and a free set-up coupon for those that attend. You can visit our website www.artina.com/rsvp/ for more details or to RSVP for the event. You may also call 800-433-5587 for more information.

We hope to see you there!

In April of 2009, the Healthy Workforce Act of 2009 was introduced to the Senate and House for consideration. This legislation would give a tax credit to employers who implement wellness programs. An employer would receive a 50% tax credit for the costs of providing employees with a qualified wellness program up to $200 for the first 200 employees and $100 for each employee above that. Wow, what an incentive, plus the employer will see the benefits when the cost of their insurance decreases and they see increased productivity from their energized employees.
However, what will motivate employees to participate in the program? Employers will need to provide incentives to join the program and recognize achievements for those who continue. These items can include anything from water bottles, towels and pedometers to bags and watches. Making a contest for the participants to strive for also offers the opportunity to recognize the participants with trophies and other awards. These are tangible things that can be kept at their desks to remind them and others of the achievements realized through the wellness program.
Ask your promotional products professional for other creative ideas that can help your employees reach their fitness goals. You can check out some ideas at www.artina.com or just give us a call at 800.433.5587.

The team at Artina Promotional Products recently visited a screenprinting/embroidery facility located in Ohio. The visit provided a unique opportunity for the team to get a firsthand look at how both screenprinting and embroidery are done, start to finish. The team toured the facility for the graphic design team to seeing how a screen is burned. We were able to see many jobs being printed, everything from one color imprint to multiple colors.
After the printing tour, it was on to the embroidery room to see how the embroidery is done. Take a look at some of the photos…http://artina.shutterfly.com/209
Do not hesitate to ask your Artina representative to explain the printing process to you further in depth. There are many unique printing techniques that can give your t-shirts a more retail look. Visit www.artina.com for apparel options or call 800.433.5587.