Blog

Inspiration eXploration Vol 4: Display Enhancers and Creative Branded Merchandise

Jan 10

Happy 2025! With the new year comes new inspiration to eXplore and share! ICYMI: Every Thursday morning our eXperts gather to share all of the things that have inspired them - whether it be in p...

Inspiration eXploration Vol 3: Un-Branded Merch and More Cool Merchandising Ideas

Dec 20, 2024

In this volume of our eXpert Inspiration eXploration, we dug deeper into 'un'branded merchandise - something we encourage our clients to do when less is more. When strategically executed, un-brande...

Top 5 Trade Marketing Challenges Solved with Custom Displays and Branded Merchandise

Dec 17, 2024

Trade marketing managers: we feel your pain! Competing in the retail arena is like starring in your own personal episode of Survivor-except instead of building fires, you're fighting to keep your p...

Inspiration eXploration Vol 2: Holiday Branded Merchandise and POS Displays

Dec 12, 2024

Every Thursday morning our eXperts gather to share all of the things that have inspired them - whether it be in person, online or on social. Some are projects we are working on, some are a head nod...

Inspiration eXploration Vol 1: Trade Marketing & Branded Merchandise

Nov 21, 2024

Every Thursday morning our eXperts gather to share all of the things that have inspired them - whether it be in person, online or on social. Some of this stuff is so cool, we thought we you'd like ...

Top 5 Traits of a Perfect Trade Marketing Supplier

Nov 9, 2024

Choosing a trade marketing supplier can feel a bit like shopping for the perfect pair of shoes. You need style, comfort, and durability-and preferably something that won't pinch when things get tig...

Branded Merchandise in Your Camp Store, Part One: 4 Common Mistakes to Avoid

Aug 26, 2024

As a group of outdoor enthusiasts who are obsessed with our jobs, we know a thing or two about creating successful camp stores that boost revenue and enhance guest experiences. Our passion for the ...

The Value of Custom Packaging

Jan 21, 2023

When you advertise your business or organization with promotional products, you want those items to be unique, interesting, and memorable. So, shouldn't that same principle apply to the packaging f...

The History of Promotional Products

Dec 24, 2022

If you've ever been to a music festival or convention and walked away with a bag full of freebies, then you know that promotional products work! But did you know that those quirky logoed products h...

Imprint Everything: A Guide to Printing Methods

Dec 9, 2022

Once you've found the perfect promotional product for your business or organization, the next step is to emblazon it with your logo or message. Depending on the item, there may be multiple decorati...

7 Camping Promotional Products for the Great Outdoors

Jul 18, 2022

Whether you're looking to relax and recharge or seeking adventure, getting out into nature provides everyone some peace and quiet from our regular lives. Help your customers enjoy the great outd...

How Promo Products Can Tell Your Brand's Story

Jul 4, 2022

Stories are powerful. From sharing stories around the campfire to writing fictional novels, storytelling has connected people together for thousands of years. But, have you ever considered storyte...

Case Study: Time for a Rebrand

Apr 24, 2022

Objective: A university had just completed a major rebrand complete with a new logo and wanted to make sure they had all the necessary branded items for functions throughout the year. They had prev...

Sustainability & Environmental Responsibility: Why it Matters

Mar 26, 2022

As the reality of our planet's changing climate is becoming more and more apparent, being committed to sustainability has become a business imperative in the eyes of consumers. According to a 2018 ...

Case Study: Good Deeds for Kids in Need

Oct 26, 2021

Item: Landscape Mesh Tote Purpose: Fundraising Gala gift bag Audience: Kids in Need Foundation supporters The Kids in Need Foundation Gala is one of the organization's largest fundraising eve...

6 Reasons You Need a Company Store

May 25, 2021

As more and more companies turn towards e-commerce, shopping online has never been easier or more enjoyable. Ordering branded products is no exception! Company stores give you a convenient and comp...

Top 5 Things to Include in a Virtual Event Swag Kit / Mailer

Mar 30, 2021

What are the Top 5 things to send to virtual event attendees? If you attend an event in person, you can expect to collect a few cool things throughout the day, such as the inevitable tote bag, bra...

Case Study: Vodka on the Rocks, Branding on the Mind

Feb 28, 2021

Vodka on the Rocks, Branding on the Mind Organization Vodka Company Product Featured Custom Flavored Lip Balm Goal of Promotion Promoting their new flavor of vodka Description of Case ...

We know how to ROCK YOUR BRAND!

Feb 26, 2021

Case Study: Rock Legends Cruise, Native American Heritage Association, Feb 2017 & Ongoing Our eXperts have the honor of doing much of the branding and merch for this annual fundraiser festival...

Cheers! Let’s Sell More Beer!

Jan 31, 2021

Description: Custom Wave Table Tent Industry: Hospitality What it was purchased for: A local brewery wanted an eye-catching promotional item to place on tables that would boost their alcohol sale...

No more bagels in the breakroom..

Dec 9, 2020

There're are no more bagels in the break room! …or social interaction, team building, motivation, appreciation…. Working from home was initially about trying to function and surv...

3 Ways to Keep Your WFH Team Engaged

Oct 29, 2020

While so many people are working from home these days it's important to continue to keep your staff engaged, motivated, and connected to your company, but how do you do that when everyone is so ...

Branding 101: What Makes a Brand Powerful

Oct 9, 2020

A powerful brand is more than just a great logo and a mission statement (although those certainly lay the groundwork for any brand.) We live in a time where competition rises up on every corner, an...

Customer Experience + Branding: The Relationship Goals of Marketing

Sep 11, 2020

Customer experience can make or break your company. How you and your employees treat customers directly reflects your brand's values. But the truth is, positive customer experiences can be difficul...

COVID Protection at a Farmer's Market

May 8, 2020

As the nation begins to open back up, outdoor events such as Farmer's Markets will be among the first to welcome customers. Whether you are running a market or are there as a vendor, there are a bu...

Case Study: Happy to Hang Around

Mar 17, 2020

Description: Standard Door Hangers Industry: Automotive What it was purchased for: A collision center wanted to increase the number of customer satisfaction survey responses and boost online appo...

6 Tradeshow Staples That are Made in the USA

Dec 23, 2019

Tradeshows offer important opportunities for your company to connect with customers and prospects face-to-face and make lasting impressions. Make sure you're prepared with the proper supplies to en...

Your Brand Is Your Business - Market It!

Dec 9, 2019

As a marketing professional, you understand better than anyone the importance of establishing a distinct brand presence for your company. People gravitate to those they identify with and can trust ...

7 Promo Products That Will Get the Party Started

Nov 10, 2019

Do you remember the birthday parties you went to when you were a kid? And the party favors you received at the end of the festivities? Sometimes, those parting gifts were the highlight of the party...

6 USA-Made Products Especially for Kids

Oct 27, 2019

Who didn't enjoy getting to dig through the prize basket after a trip to the dentist or the bank? It's a fact – children love giveaways. Get your brand, school, or organization in front of bo...

Why You Should Be Having More Fun at Work

Oct 13, 2019

In the past, the words “work” and “fun” were two very different concepts that could never be caught in the same sentence. The old school rationale taught us that if you are ...

5 Everyday Carry Pieces That Are Perfect for Your Customers' Pockets

Sep 29, 2019

Practitioners of everyday carry (also known as EDC) are on a constant quest to find the perfect products to fill their pockets. Search #EDC or #everydaycarry on Instagram and you'll find million...

How can I save money on my branded promotions?

Sep 29, 2019

How much money are you actually saving by going online and sourcing your own branded promos and trade show displays? In our experience, most companies actually lose money by taking this on themselv...

5 Out of the Box Promotional Products We Love…and You Will Too!

Sep 15, 2019

We've all been stuck in the same rut while trying to come up with some original ideas to appeal to customers. Are you in need of some extra product inspiration? That's what eXpo Branders is all ...

How to Survive a Rush Order (While Eating Chocolate..)

Sep 9, 2019

It happens - you plan and plan for an event or promotion, and you forget one of the most important things: the back wall for the booth, or the giveaways to put in the swag bag...

The Fall's Top Tech-Savvy Promotional Products

Aug 31, 2019

Technology advances exponentially. By the time you finish reading this article, you might be actually be reading it in some virtual reality café where Elvis is serving you a strawberry daiqu...

Promotional Golf Products That Are Made in the USA

Aug 3, 2019

These golf-themed promotional products are a hole-in-one! Add your logo to take your company's golf tournament or event to the next level. Treat golfers to custom golf balls, umbrellas, bag tags...

How to Gain Inspiration in 5 Minutes

Jul 20, 2019

People demand a lot of creativity from professionals these days. We live in the era of media overload, where viral video marketing and colorful infographics have become accepted means of engaging a...

Case Study: Sharper Students

Jul 6, 2019

Description: Pencil Sharpener Industry: Construction What it was purchased for: A shipyard in a major city harbor has advocates who go out to local schools to promote shipbuilding. These advocate...

8 Promo Products That Will Kick Start Your Goals

May 24, 2019

We all want to live healthier, sleep deeper, and work better. These motivational promotional products will help kickstart goals and increase your brand visibility! Exercise Band Let's get physi...

Case Study: This Event Needs More Cowbell

May 13, 2019

Description: Cow Bell Industry: Trade Show / Convention / Events What it was purchased for: A charity marathon coordinator wanted a giveaway that spectators could use to cheer on their runner...

Case Study: The Big Picture

May 10, 2019

Description: Coupon Photo Folder Industry: Hospitality What it was purchased for: A restaurant was looking for a unique way to deliver custom printed coupons to their guests to attract more repea...

Case Study: Attract New Customers

Apr 26, 2019

As part of their new corporate wellness program, the company wanted to stress the importance of healthy nutrition to its employees. Along with literature, discount memberships at a local health clu...

6 Promotional Products That Put Safety First

Apr 12, 2019

Whether it's on a construction site, warehouse, or a laboratory, it's always important to help your workers stay safe. Encourage your employees to make safe choices all year long with these safety-...

Case Study: A Gift to Build a Dream On

Mar 28, 2019

Description: Medium Pillow Box Industry: Healthcare Personalization The pillow box was modeled after designs used at a charity golf tournament benefitting the hospital. Because children at th...

5 Men's Wearable Promotional Products for the Office and Beyond

Mar 14, 2019

It's fun giving out promotional products like fidget spinners and stress balls, but sometimes you need an option for the guy that likes to keep it a bit more professional. These business casual ...

5 Easy Ways to Achieve a Positive Outlook

Feb 28, 2019

One of the most powerful things you can do to set yourself up for success is practice the art of positive thinking. It's easy to let the struggles of everyday life control your attitude. But by pra...

The Best Promotional Products for Sports Fanatics

Feb 14, 2019

With football season right around the corner, people are gearing up to support their favorite teams. Whether they're grilling hot dogs at a tailgate or cheering in the stands, fans love wearing al...

10 Promotional Products for Healthy Living

Jan 31, 2019

We all strive to be our best selves, but sometimes it's easier said than done. We can all make excuses to make unhealthy choices. Your niece has a birthday and it would seem rude to turn down that ...

Case Study: A Hole in One Promotion

Jan 17, 2019

Product: Jumbo Cooler Bag Industry: Agriculture What it was purchased for: These bags were given out to participants in a company golf tournament. How it was distributed: All participants receiv...

Case Study: Let the Games Begin!

Jan 2, 2019

Product: Custom Malibu Sunglasses Industry: Automotive/Banking What it was purchased for: A car company wanted to find a product that would promote their brand at a local college BCS Bowl Games. ...

Advice for Getting the Most Out of a Business Trip

Dec 19, 2018

Traveling for business can be a hectic experience if you approach your upcoming trip without any preparation. As with everything else in the world, there is an art to getting the most out of busine...

The Who What When Where and Why of Promotional Products

Dec 5, 2018

In a world of ever-changing advertisement trends, there is one marketing solution that never grows old – custom made promotional products. Studies show promotional products were ranked as the...

16 Facts You Didn't Know About Color and Marketing

Nov 21, 2018

At Expo Branders, color plays a huge role in our day to day work! Creating a custom logo product that fits your brand's color scheme is crucial. These 16 facts give you a glimpse into how you can u...

A 1-Minute Case Study

Nov 7, 2018

A 1-Minute Case Study Recently, one of our clients, a local winery, asked us a way to boost sales on their take-home bottles of wine at an annual festival. We decided that the best way to encou...

Game On: 10 Promo Product Games We Love!

Oct 24, 2018

Stand out at any outdoor event, tailgate, or trade show with personalized games completed with your logo. These custom games are also the best way to have a little fun in the office. We all need a ...

5 Invaluable Marketing Books to Help Grow Your Brand

Oct 10, 2018

In the world of business, marketing trends are always evolving and it's easy to be overwhelmed. Sometimes you take one step forward only to be knocked two steps back. Luckily, there are endless res...

Aim Higher With These 5 Cannabis Products

Jul 3, 2018

Did you know the marijuana industry made $9 billion in sales in 2017? As more states legalize the recreational use of marijuana, the market is estimated to grow to $11 billion in 2018. The ever-gro...

Top 5 Games to Attract People to Your Booth

Jun 22, 2018

Let's face it - people come to a trade show, not just to get information, but to be entertained! They expect you to try to sell them with some creativity, whether it be video interaction or an acti...

Success on Campus

Jun 19, 2018

A large university needed a useful tool to promote its school app to students and faculty because it wanted to use the app to communicate important college news and upcoming events. Since most stud...

The Anatomy of a Successful Trade Show Booth

Oct 11, 2017

Just like humans and animals, trade show booths have their own anatomy. Each part of the booth, no matter how small, is vital to the overall success of your show! We are giving you an inside loo...

30 Engaging Trade Show Ideas to Get Your Creativity Flowing

Sep 13, 2017

30 Engaging Trade Show Ideas to Get Your Creative Gears Grinding Sometimes, coming up with a trade show marketing tactic that will be fun and engaging is harder than it sounds. You may begin to...

10 Promotional Items That Cost Under A Dollar

Aug 30, 2017

As much as you would love to give out mini drones or VR headsets at trade shows, let's face it; your company simply does not have the budget. No worries, even just a small gift will be enough to...

Lighten Your Trade Show Travel Load

May 15, 2017

As you're developing your budget for the 2017 trade show season, you might be looking at your current display and realizing that it's time for an update. Say goodbye to the days of the difficult mu...

5 Trade Shows That Have Left Their Mark in History

May 10, 2017

Imagine having a trade show booth or display so impactful that people remember it for years, or even centuries after you exhibit it. Trade shows have been around since consumerism itself. Think ab...

Trade Show Design Elements to Take Away from Award Winning Booths

Mar 8, 2017

Trade show design is a lot more intricate than it looks, with every detail having to be analyzed prior to ordering. The design is so important, in fact, that there are awards given to companies th...

5 Inexpensive Trade Show Giveaways That Will Have A Positive ROI

Feb 23, 2017

At trade shows, we always advise you give away a small promo item of some sort. Doing so not only thanks your attendees for their time, but also gets your brand name out there. The first step in an...

Top 10 Promotional Product Ideas for the Construction Industry

Jun 21, 2019

Whether you're working in the construction industry, cater to outdoor enthusiasts, or simply want to lead a company-wide safety session, having an array of timely, yet practical promotional product...

Work Hard, Play Harder: 6 Promotional Products to Promote a Healthy Lifestyle

Jun 7, 2019

Whether you're playing a team sport, working out, running a marathon, or going to the game, these promotional products are built to fit any active lifestyle! Add your logo to any of these promot...