Vegas Show Roundup – Final Thoughts From a Successful Trip

Well the ‘big show’ is over. Each January the 4imprint team makes the trek to Las Vegas to take in the PPAI show – the largest display of products you can imprint in North America. I’ve walked so much show floor that I’m concerned my family might trade me in on a model with lower miles.

It really is an impressive show, filled with so many products and ideas it’s nearly overwhelming. As I look back, parting shots for you: 

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  If you can imagine it, you can imprint it! There are hundreds of thousands of combinations of product, imprinted method, color, and packaging available to you. It really is possible to find perfect product for anything you’re working on. 

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  When people use a promotional product they receive, they remember who gave it to them. Products that get used frequently really get remembered. Study after study back this up. It’s really one of the great things about a promotional product as compared to a sixty-second spot. And after returning from this show I can assure you that if you’re looking for something people will use, the product you’re looking for is out there!

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  The retail influence is real. Years ago promotional products seemed to lag behind the styles you’d see at the mall, in consumer catalogs or on TV. That’s no longer true. I saw vibrant, well-designed products that would stand out in any retail setting. That’s good news, because when people feel good about at product they’re likely to use it, and when they use it, they’ll remember who gave it to them (OK, I know I’m being redundant, but it really is an important point!).

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  Get more for your money with a ‘value added’ approach. Package multiple products. Include some coffee (or a coffee gift card) when you give out that mug. Include a coupon for a discount on repeat visit with that magnet or pen. Put a flyer in the bag you’re giving away. Put your product in a gift bag – maybe even an imprinted one.

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  Don’t forget the personal touch. It’s the ultimate value add! No matter how large or small, when a promotional product is attached to hand written thank you or verbal thank you and a genuine hand shake, the combination packs quite a punch.

Over the past couple of days I’ve used our new blog site, chatter.4imprint.com, to pass along my thoughts about what I’ve seen in the hope that you’d feel like you were getting an inside look at the show and some useful advice along the way (read the earlier blogs here). As this is my first attempt at this whole blog concept, I’d appreciate any feedback you have so that I can make this more valuable to you over time. I’ll continue to post here on a regular basis to share thoughts about marketing, selling, awareness, recognition, and anything else I can think of to help you build your business or strengthen your organization. If you don’t mind I may use it from time to time to keep you abreast of anything that’s happening here at 4imprint as well.

-klt