This week, more than 50,000 visitors—including 2,472 delegates representing all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and five U.S. territories; their alternates; and 15,000 members of the media—are in Cleveland, Ohio, for the Republican National Convention. And there to greet them are promotional products—from the ubiquitous t-shirts and hats, to pennants, pins and endless other options—a long-time fixture of the political convention landscape.
Political conventions attract the committed and the curious, many of whom are looking to take something home to remember the event. The Cleveland 2016 Host Committee named ASW Global, one of Ohio’s largest minority-owned firms led by former Cleveland Indian Andre Thornton, as its official merchandise firm. Working with the host committee, ASW Global has put together an extensive list of products including t-shirts, water bottles, pins and more, available either online or at a number of locations around Cleveland and the Quicken Loans Arena.
The Republican Party, the Trump campaign, and myriad supporting and affiliated organizations and companies have also brought their own lines of promotional products to Cleveland, honing their messages for attendees and constituents.
Some groups, including media members and convention delegates, have been targeted with gift bags. The RNC Host Committee’s bag for media members included a rain poncho, a USB port multiplier, an umbrella, a city guide, a free pass to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a commemorative pin shaped like a guitar, among other items.
Many state delegations also received gift bags provided by their state party featuring items provided by local or state-level politicians and campaigns. Ohio’s gift included cookies and a commemorative coin, as well as a collapsible cooler, hand sanitizer and a lanyard.
With the Republican National Convention wrapping up today, the attention shifts to Philadelphia next week for the Democratic National Convention. Watch PPB Newslink next week for product highlights from Philadelphia.
