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Getting Back to Normal
We're seeing a return to pre-pandemic trophy ordering volume and we couldn't be happier! Over the last several weeks, we've filled many orders for soccer trophies and basketball trophies. And we know spring and summer baseball and softball leagues are beginning to get underway.
We really can't sugarcoat the fact that we've had to raise our prices. So, those trophies do cost more this year. Last year, our largest supplier raised prices on a wide array of their products six different times. In ordinary years, we see one price adjustment. Our wholesale prices increased more than 20% on some popular items. We can't continue to operate without adjusting our prices accordingly. You'll read a little later in this newsletter that we've added some people to our team. For that we are thrilled. However, we've also lost a few people. As a result, we are temporarily operating with a less-experienced team and we will require a bit longer time to complete some orders. At the present time we're asking customers to give us 12-14 days to complete orders.
We abided by the guidance of state and local health officials and removed the mask requirement for our team members and all visitors to our store earlier this month. We look forward to seeing your smiling faces in our store. Several of our team members feel more comfortable wearing masks and are continuing to do so for now.
 We're extending our 2022 promotional product campaign in March with printed containers of anti-bacterial wipes. These antibacterial wet wipes are the cleaning agent you need during spring cold and flu season, and they are perfect for quickly sanitizing everyday surfaces. Regarding promotional products, we learned that one of our long-time suppliers of professional sports schedule magnets no longer offers those items. Thankfully we know and use others who can produce the schedules but it's distressing to learn that a long-time industry supplier has made the difficult decision to eliminate those products.
One of the projects we've been pursuing for the last four months has been working with the licensing departments for each of the military services to become "officially licensed" vendors. We're delighted to announce that this month we received the official notification from the Department of the Air Force and the Department of the Navy granting us a license to produce items with authorized military insignia.
We hope 'll join us in welcoming our new team members. Ashlyn joined us earlier this month. She is assisting us in our production area. We can't wait for her to express her artistic flair with some of our awards and plaques.
Gabriella joined us as a graphic design and production intern from Pierce College. She will be not only setting up files for our laser engraver and UV printer, but has already jumped in to operate some of our equipment as well.
We have another new production team member joining us at the end of the month and we'll introduce her next month.
 If you follow us on social media you may have seen us post the conclusion of the story of the Emmy Award we had a hand in getting corrected for a gentleman who lives in our area. Our team loved being able to see, hold and "fix" an actual Emmy Award.
Next month, Judi will be attending a regional promotional product trade show. Are you wanting some new ideas to boost your marketing efforts? Contact Judi and let her know so she can look for items perfect for your business or industry.
Once again, we are supporting the fundraising efforts of Rebuilding Together South Sound. Plan now to join the fun May 8th through May 12th by viewing and bidding on some really remarkable auction items and a lively and fun live-streamed program on the evening of May 12th. Want to support Rebuilding Together with an event sponsorship? Contact Judi and she can get you all the details on the sponsorship opportunities. The organization is also accepting additional auction donations, virtual ambassadors for the event, as well as anyone interested in potentially volunteering with the various rebuilding projects the organization undertakes. Get more details on the event here.
Have you seen our virtual showroom tour? Wondering what we offer but can't make it to the showroom? This virtual tour allows you to visit from wherever you are. Please share it with others who may want to visit us.
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Burlap Totes
We frequently get asked about military flags, or guidons. We work with three vendors who produce custom flags, including guidons. Sometimes guidons are embroidered. Our vendors do not offer embroidered guidons except as special orders. However, they do produce single-sided and double-sided digitally printed guidons. Like most everything else, guidon prices have increased. The standard 20" X 27" guidon will run from $82 - $129. Our vendors need about two weeks to produce them and ship them back to us.
4am-focused, competitions. Earlier this month we worked with a high school coach to create "PR" pins he can award to a wide variety of athletes when they beat their own past times, scores or overall performance. These tokens can go a long way to boost any student's confidence, whether it's related to sports or anything else they are pursuing.
When a local nonprofit organization needed awards for some of its supporters, they decided to go with clear acrylic awards with frosted accents. Laser engraved acrylic remains a classic award style and, although it can scratch, acrylic is much easier to handle and display than glass and crystal. As a reminder, it's easy to see what we have in stock. Just look for the pink and green tags throughout our showroom.
This beautiful mixed material plaque features swirled aluminum and acrylic over black to create a truly remarkable award item. It's available in two sizes. Please allow plenty of time for ordering as this award comes to us from a supplier we don't use frequently.
sponsoring or participating in golf tournaments this summer. The kit comes with 3 plastic golf ball-shaped containers. One contains sunscreen. One contains lip balm and the final one is full of mints. The minimum order quantity is 144 pieces. The box is printed in full color. Each of the containers is printed with one color. Please allow plenty of time for production on this kit as it will take 30-40 days to get here once ordered.
