Important strides for the Ad Specialty Industry were made in the last minutes of Florida’s 2012 legislative session last month.  An amendment to the Health Care Gift Ban provides an exemption for promotional products individually valued $15 or less given to any doctor, nurse or referral source in the health care sector.

The win resulted from over three years of work to raise awareness in the value of promotional products. According to Wayne Greenberg, the legislative chairman for PPAF (Promotional Products Association of Florida), “the main message was that promotional products are not ‘gifts’. Promotional products are the most cost-effective advertising vehicle there is for small businesses.”

Exemptions are specifically listed to include “a plaque, a certificate, a trophy, or a novelty item that is intended solely for presentation or is customarily given away solely for promotional, recognition, or advertising purposes.”

The hope is that this amended bill will be a model for legislative changes in other states’ laws around the country.

We wanted to congratulate Tim O’Boyle, for his promotion last week to president at one of the vendor partners we work with. Looking forward to continuing our great relationship!

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones

KC shares his love:

“As an artist, my atmosphere plays such a huge part in my creative posturing. Inspiration can come from anywhere, so it serves me best to have a working environment rich with character. Of course in the corporate/business world where office space is more, let’s say… “sterile” in nature, the creative person can often find themselves sitting in a dull cubicle. To completely surround myself with things that inspire is simply not always an option.

The one part of my environment I have complete control over without affecting those around me is sound. What I’m listening to while designing is a huge part of what I ultimately create. I had previously owned two tremendous pairs of headphones: the Bose AE2 on ear, as well as the IE2 inner ear headphones.

About two months ago though… my environment as it relates to sound was changed forever.

My boss handed me a pair of Bose Quiet Comfort 2 noise canceling headphones, and they transformed my world. Just putting them on is a treat because they are lightweight and very comfortable. My ears fit into the cups sealing out background noise. Then I hit the noise canceling switch. It was as if someone had just closed the latch of a sensory depravation chamber. I’ve never experienced anything like it. Sitting at my desk in the middle of a bustling office in complete and total silence. I turn to my playlist, pick one of the newer Alice In Chains tracks. Just as I have come to expect from Bose… the music is as deep, rich and as full as I have ever heard it.  It’s such a rare experience for me to try a product as common as headphones and find something that is just so far beyond anything else out there. The QC2′s are now as important to my creative process as the tablet I use to draw or even the applications I design from. My boss still hasn’t asked for them back… or maybe he did, but I just never heard him cause I had headphones on!”

Various models available, the newer style Bose QuietComfort3, Retail: $349. Contact your account team today or fill out the Start A Project form here.

We’re asking our employees to share stories of a favorite product they love and can't live without.

To Brian, the Cross Tech3 is more than just a writing instrument. For him it's the ultimate multi-tasker:

"The Cross Tech3 has changed my life; writing with an ordinary pen will never be the same. You’ve probably heard the saying, “Variety is the spice of life…”  Well, the Tech3 turned me into a believer. I write a fair amount on a daily basis between taking notes, writing price quotes, and doodling during meetings. I always have my Tech3 on hand. The greatest thing about the Tech3 is that with a simple twist of the barrel, I can switch from black ink, to red ink, to a mechanical pencil. Smoothly. Effortlessly. Stylishly.

I love this pen so much that I often need to hide mine from my boss. By sheer chance, we use the same pen, so when he misplaces his Tech3, I conveniently misplace mine too – just so he can't steal it."

Available in multiple colors. Estimated pricing is around $45 each with a one-location laser engraving. 

Contact your account team today or fill out the Start A Project form here.

Call me crazy, but I am in love with my new Fleece…. It's the new Columbia Crescent Valley Half-Zip Pullover and was delivered to me yesterday.

At first glance I wondered if the super lightweight material might feel cheap. Considering that Columbia is such a trusted brand it didn't seem likely, but I was going to decide for myself anyway.

Now normally I would've tried it on right away, but the button-up shirt I was wearing had a double ruffled collar. Enough said. So I brought it home and after putting away the groceries, I ritualistically changed out of work clothes, threw on some comfy pants, a t-shirt, my new Fleece, and BOOM! Instant love connection.

I was impressed with how soft if felt inside, the flattering fit, and the wonderful warmth this featherweight microfleece was providing on such a crisp fall New England night. I hugged it; I cuddled it; and I wanted to sleep in it. I considered how great it would be as a Christmas gift (too soon?). And how I want it in all the other colors now too….

See how happy I am? Don't go another day being sad without this great new Columbia fleece. Available in Men's and Women's companions, order them for your team starting at around $39.50 each with a one location logo embroidery and you'll be the office hero.

Contact your account team today or fill out the Start A Project form here. 

Download the newest product picks from our Senior Merchandiser Antonietta Palladino. She's got a little something for everyone in there. Enjoy.

We recently sent a talented team of SwervePeeps to Vegas to find the latest and greatest in merchandise and to meet with our key supplier partners.

We left for Vegas with a lot on the merchandising docket, including significantly more than a fistful of projects to work on, thanks to our Bright Lights, Big City post that featured a new project form and chance to win an iPad.

We'll be announcing the big winner here at the blog in the coming days or when the snow stops falling.

We'd like to give a big BOOM! +1 shout out to our friends at Sanmar, Nike, Prime Line, Chameleon Like, ETS Express, Greg Norman, Ball Pro, and Spector for being so awesome to us.

We're working on our Visions of Vegas collection that will feature roughly 2 dozen of the best of show products to send to you asap.

Stay tuned.

RuMe reusable shopping bags are popping up all over the place!

 In recent news, the functionality and sustainability of RuMe bags were highlighted in magazines and photographed in the hands of celebrities such as Jessica Alba, Nicole Richie, and Joel Madden, just to name a few.

These roll-up tote bags are not only great for Saturday’s trip to the local food market, but are also ideal for use at tradeshows. Because they’re so compact, they’re easy to stash just about anywhere: in your backpack, laptop bag, and even your pocket! Even better, these RuMe totes are machine washable; it can’t get much better than that. Or can it? RuMe stocks patterns to fit your every want and need! Get noticed! We have.