Outfitted For Adventure
Outdoor sports afficionados appreciate durable, portable and multi-functional promotional items.
A comfy camp chair, a snug sleeping bag, and a cooler that won’t quit on the hottest of days—these are just a few of the typical items that make the great outdoors even greater. And when coveted gear is gifted in the form of a promotional incentive, reward or thank-you gift, it becomes even more cherished.
The key to effective use of outdoor gear in promotions is, as with any other promotion, choosing the right product for the message. A lightweight, BPA-free water bottle may seem perfect for a mountain-biking group, but if it can’t be stored safely on long rides, that bottle may never make the trip.
You can’t overlook performance, either. In fact, outdoor gear is likely to be judged by how well it holds up to the elements and by how well it lives up to its intended purpose. The Coleman Company has been outfitting outdoorsy customers with lanterns, camp stoves and coolers since the early 1900s, turning the company into a household name.
Kevin Sephton works with Mason, Ohio-based supplier Vitronic (UPIC: ACHIEVER) to supply Coleman coolers to clients for a variety of programs. “We’ve sold a 28-quart cooler to a fishing tournament in the Florida Keys that was part of the gifts given to each tournament participant, and we’ve sold a number of them to marinas as a giveaway to fishing fleets,” says Sephton.
Sephton’s clients have also used Coleman products for aquariums to use in feeding programs; for seafood festival organizers, who sold branded coolers to customers; and for a utility company’s service award program.
The most unusual quote request Sephton says he has received for the coolers has been for an organ donor transfer program. “We didn’t get the order, but the fact that it was [for] organ transfer stayed with me,” he says.
Real World Solutions
Take inspiration for your next project from these industry case studies.
Suited For The Slopes
A popular ski resort was looking for an item to sell in its gift shop and to offer as a thank-you gift with the purchase of passes. It chose a Lycra running belt as an item that would be lightweight, and practical for skiers to carry personal items in.
The resort found that passholders appreciated the usefulness of the gift, and the gift shop has since reordered to refill its stock. The resort sees guests using the belts regularly and gets requests from new passholders specifically for them.
Source: Hit Promotional Products
Promo Kit Celebrates Springtime
In order to build business among current and new clients, distributor Sonic Promos in Gaithersburg, Maryland, developed a spring promotion featuring multiple items that supported the seasonal message. Items included trail mix in a four-color wrapper, a sound card that played sounds of birds chirping, sunglasses, insect repellent and seeded-paper gift tags. From the 135 kits sent to mid-level clients—regular customers who purchase less frequently than key accounts, Sonic Promo received a total of $500,000 worth of business. More than a quarter of that--$150,000—came from new clients.
Source: Sonic Promo
Outfit A Client With One Of These Adventure-Friendly Products
Bundle Up
Bundle up clients in a heavyweight hoody made of 11-ounce sueded 70/30 cotton-poly fleece. This relaxed-fit hoody features rib-knit side gussets, cuffs and bottom band. The pouch pocket features an interior security/smartphone pocket with an eyelet hole for a headphone cord. Choose from 15 colors and sizes ranging from XXS to 6XLT.
White Bear Clothing Co. UPIC: WHITEBEAR www.whitebearclothing.com
Recipients of the men’s Run Away jacket can explore the great outdoors in comfort. This water-resistant, woven full-zip jacket protects from the elements, while its secure side zipper pockets and headphone loophole offer additional convenience and functionality. Other features include a reflective zipper chest pocket, center back reflective elements for visibility in low light, and BodyFreshé antimicrobials. Available in sizes S-3XL, pair it with the women’s Run Away jacket for a complete promotion.
Expert Brand UPIC: Exper698 www.ExpertBrand.com
Add some style to a rugged promotion with the boar suede jean jacket in black, chocolate or café brown. The faux shearling collar and lining add extra comfort.
Scully Leather UPIC: S174962 www.scullyleather.com
Take A Seat
The camo foldable chair is a comfortable, portable seat with endless possibilities. The 600D polyester and steel piping ensure durability and can accommodate up to 350 pounds, and the oversized seat and arm rest take comfort up a notch. The chair also features a mesh seat, a zippered back pocket and its own storage bag for portability.
Starline USA, Inc. UPIC: STAR0009 www.starline.com
Take lounging to a new level with the mesh Adirondack chair, a folding two-position recliner and captain’s chair in one that accommodates up to 300 pounds. The chair features mesh backing, a removable footrest, two mesh can holders and a mesh magazine pocket. The included carrying bag with strap makes it totally totable.
BIC Graphic UPIC: BIC www.bicgraphic.com
Head Out
Keep your best hunting and fishing tricks under your hat with a medium-profile camouflage twill cap. The six-panel structured cap is adjustable with a fabric strap featuring a two-piece Velcro® brand hook and loop fastener. Choose from several Mossy Oak and Realtree patterns.
Cap America, Inc. UPIC: CAPAMRCA www.capamerica.com
Light up the night with a POWERCAP® LED Lighted beanie hat. The hat combines patent-pending ultra bright LED technology with a premium compression fleece beanie-style hat. Soft, moisture wicking lining pulls moisture away from the head, and four LEDs provide more than 48 Lumens. Four coin cell batteries hidden in the band provide up to 68 hours of light and are easy to replace.
Panther Vision UPIC: PantherV www.panthervision.com
Get great camo style with comfortable cotton twill in a structured cap with a mid-profile, six-panel design. It has a pre-curved visor and self-fabric Flex-Strap™ for a personalized fit. Choose from 19 patterns for this one-size-fits-all hat.
Kati Sportcap UPIC: KATI www.katisportcap.com
Keep cool and carry on with outdoor adventure in a cap with mesh crown lining and side crown vents, or throw some shade at the sun in a hat with a three-inch brim and leather chin cord.
Outdoor Cap Co, Inc. UPIC: OUTD1200 www.outdoorcap.com
Tools To Tote
Do more than write home about your outing with the HiTech Pocket Pro 6-in-1 pen. In addition to serving as a trusty writing instrument, the Pocket Pro is also a phone easel, LED flashlight, LaserSharp illuminated engraver, touchscreen stylus and carabiner.
ADG Promotional Products UPIC: ADGPROMO www.adgpromo.com
Carry arms safely and stylishly in a Pro Series shotgun case built from 600D Mossy Oak/black polyester. The case features a durable top-carry handle with wrap closure, two front zippered pockets and interior high-density foam.
Golden Pacific UPIC: GPACIFIC www.golden-pacific.com
Keep ammo at the ready in a full grain buffalo-hide shell bag with two, one-box compartments for live and spent shells. The heavy duty adjustable belt has a quick release buckle and extends from 32 inches to 60 inches for a comfortable fit. Choose from distressed tan and distressed brown.
Beacon Promotions UPIC: BEACONP www.beaconpromotions.com
Stay Cool
The KOOLGATOR Cooling Neck wrap lets sportsmen and women enjoy the outdoors longer on warm days. The super-absorbent polymers absorb hundreds of times their weight in water, which keeps the wearer cool as it evaporates.
Koolgator, LLC UPIC: KOOLGATR www.koolgator.com
Blend in for all the right reasons in a four-ounce, 100-percent polyester Code Five Performance camouflage t-shirt. The shirt is double-needle hemmed at the sleeves and bottom, and is taped shoulder to shoulder with an easy-tear label. Choose from the Green Woodland pattern or Realtree AP Xtra pattern in sizes small to 3X. A portion of Code Five product sales go to the Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund, Inc., and Fisher House™.
Heritage Sportswear/Virginia T’s UPIC: HERI0002 www.heritagesportswear.com
Take Only Memories, Leave Only Footprints
Big-game hunting has its fans—and its critics, which is why photo safaris are an amenable alternative. Guided tours led by eagle-eyed scouts take guests to where the wild things are for once-in-a-lifetime camera shots of native species in their natural habitats.
North And South America
Yellowstone National Park
Denali National Park
Costa Rica
Andean Cloud Forest
Africa
Tanzania
Madagascar
Namibia
Asia
Bandhavgarh National Park
Honshu
Europe
Iceland
Camargue
Australia
Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park
King Island
The Economic Impact Of Outdoor Recreation
The U.S. outdoor recreation industry generates $646 billion in consumer spending and supports more than six million direct jobs each year. Here are the 10 states making the biggest impact:
California - $85.4 billion in consumer spending
59 percent of California residents participate in outdoor recreation each year
Florida - $38.3 billion in consumer spending
51 percent of Florida residents participate in outdoor recreation each year
New York - $33.8 billion in consumer spending
53 percent of New York residents participate in outdoor recreation each year
Texas - $28.7 billion in consumer spending
51 percent of Texas residents participate in outdoor recreation each year
Georgia - $23.3 billion in consumer spending
53 percent of Georgia residents participate in outdoor recreation each year
Washington - $22.5 billion in consumer spending
63 percent of Washington residents participate in outdoor recreation each year
Illinois - $22 billion in consumer spending
60 percent of Illinois residents participate in outdoor recreation each year
Pennsylvania - $21.5 billion in consumer spending
53 percent of Pennsylvania residents participate in outdoor recreation each year.
North Carolina - $19.2 billion in consumer spending
48 percent of North Carolina residents participate in outdoor recreation each year
Michigan - $18.7 billion in consumer spending
63 percent of Michigan residents participate in outdoor recreation each year
Source: Outdoor Industry Association
Jen Alexander is associate editor of PPB.