From September 16-17, Promotional Products Professionals of Canada (PPPC) hosted Natcon Virtual, a cybernetic rendition of its annual Natcon event. For two days, professionals were invited to attend a variety of virtual education session, touching on everything from tactical communications to listening to clients’ feedback to better understand their needs, as well as walk the show floor, browse product and check out the Product Pavilion. The Product Pavilion provided an opportunity for attendees to take a look at suppliers’ new, bestselling and innovative products. Many of the products fell into the categories of loungewear or outerwear, eco-friendly and PPE, and though each item was unique and appealing on its own, here are a few that caught our eye.
The Brighter Days Plantable Encouragement Postcards by Winnipeg, Manitoba-based Botanical Paperworks offers an opportunity for distributors or companies to check-in with their clients or end users in a way that’s warm and, most importantly, feels genuine. The four-by-five-inch postcard comes with room for a custom message—with a default message of “Brighter days are ahead”—and can be planted under one-eighth inch of soil to grow a colorful and refreshing mix of wildflowers, including bird’s eye, clarkia, black-eyed Susan, sweet alyssum, catchfly and snapdragon.
The Discovery Hybrid Hooded Jacket by Cutter & Buck is sleek, stylish and warm—and something that employees would be proud to wear and happy to receive as a holiday gift, or end users would be pleased to buy with their favorite brand’s logo or messaging. The jacket is made from a blend of 50-percent polyester and 50-percent cotton, with two-layer bonded fabric and a Cutter & Buck pennant embroidery at the left sleeve. Conveniently, it’s machine-washable, and it’s also wind-resistant and water-resistant, complementing the wearer whether they’re walking into the mall or hiking in the woods. It’s available in sizes S-XL in black, soapstone and admiral (shown).
The Sharpie® S-Gel Pen from Newell Custom Writing Instruments is a great choice for companies to integrate into a mailer or to distribute with their logo. The gel pen doesn’t smear and features a contoured rubber grip for a comfortable writing experience. Made in a sleek design with a matte finish, it’s also available in three point sizes and three colors: blue, black and red. It’ll be recipients’ newest go-to during company meetings or virtual conferences, or even just to carry on their person for writing quick memos or jotting notes throughout the day.
For lovers of the great outdoors and those who partake in outdoor activities—whether that’s sports games, camping, fishing or trips to the beach or lake—the Orca® 20 Quart Cooler will come in handy time and time again, giving it a place in recipients’ treasured moments and memories. This 20-quart rugged roto-molded cooler is made in the USA and holds 18 cans, and features whale fin clips as accents on the cooler’s lid gaskets, and single flex-grip stainless steel handles for easy carry. It’s also backed by Orca’s lifetime warranty and is built to keep items cold for up to 10 days, and when it’s used with a padlock (not included), it’s certified bear-resistant. Customization includes a full-color top imprint, and the cooler comes in 11 colors, shown in blaze orange.
The Jerzees® Snow Heather Ladies’ Raglan Full-Zip Hood from Winnipeg, Manitoba-based supplier Toba Sportswear is the epitome of cozy winter wear. Made from a snuggle-worthy blend of 66-percent polyester and 34-percent ring-spun cotton, this pre-shrunk French terry fleece features a full-zip hood with raglan sleeves, side-entry pockets and a natural, flatwoven drawcord. Additional details include a tear-away label, gunmetal grommets, a natural back neck tape and spandex in the waistband and cuffs. Available in sizes S-2XL in nine colors, shown in red.
