Can I just say that I love love love football season?! I’m a bit of a fanatic. Honestly, it’s kind of sad. But I just love the atmosphere. The slightly chilly weather, the cheer of the crowd - and of course, the tailgating festivities. How could you not love all that?

We all get a little college football crazy around the Absorbent, Ink. offices. We’re mostly Kansas Jayhawks fans, but there is at least one K-State Wildcat and one Nebraska Husker on staff who are fanatics for their own teams. The rivalries can be pretty intense – but we still love them, anyway!

I started this post because I just watched the promo video for my team’s 2009 season and I must say, it got me pumped. Not only because I think it’s gonna be a great year (Champs ‘09! Woot!) but also because it’s another season to show off my great Absorbent, Ink. items for tailgating and spirit wear.

Before any game, we will probably be eating, drinking and lounging at the tailgate with friends. If you’ve got a great group of friends or clients, you can personalize products to commemorate the season. It’s essential to have a lounge chair, a cooler, and depending on who’s grilling, an apron complete with grill utensils. A larger group of family, friends and clients could show their spirit in loud style with inflatable noise makers. Also, lanyards will show our spirit while making sure no one loses their keys in the stands. How sweet!

Now that I have all my Absorbent, Ink. spirit gear and tailgating props, I’m fully ready to cheer the ‘Hawks on! All these items can be printed to have any logo on them, so the options are limitless. With all this spirit, I hope your team will win a few games too!

Rock chalk!

Abby Ink

Summer speaks of many things but nothing brings more people together than a couple games of softball and a barbeque. Take advantage of the summertime by forming your own softball teams and having a company-wide tournament to make your employees more team oriented. As a nice gesture and a thank you to your employees, bring people together by inviting family and friends to a company barbeque. Give away corporate gifts at these and other summer employee events. In return you will find loyalty coming out of your ears.

Nothing comes in more useful in the summer time than a Beach Front Folding Chair. Usually, these are needed at outdoor sporting events, such as a community softball tournament, so think of all the great exposure your company is getting when your logo is printed in big letters on the back of a displayed chair. Give one to your employees’ spouse for double the exposure!

Why not setup up a large raffle for all attendees to enter, and give away Barbeque Sets, Picnic Sets, and Golf Bags. Pour beverages into logo-clad Plastic Stadium Cups for everyone to take as a party favor, just so no one goes home empty handed. Feeling generous? Send everyone home with their own Tumbler Sets, sure to last longer than plastic and far more memorable.

Whether it be the fear of gyms and health clubs, the boredom of the treadmill, or just lack of motivation, getting people to exercise can be difficult. Promote your business and promote healthy clients by jumpstarting a “Get Healthy, Get Outside” campaign for your business. To help your target audience get started, provide them with some practical and motivational tools that are sure to keep them on the right track.

Promote outdoor exercise by handing out Pedometers bearing your company’s logo and clad in its signature color. Pedometers can also be used to promote the local park and walking trails. This way, your clients can set goals for themselves and keep track of their daily activity while keeping your business in mind.

Everyone needs a little motivation so keep ‘em entertained! Offer a little motivation by providing an FM Radio that clips onto pants or a shirt. This gift will act as a quick jump start for someone who doesn’t typically spend time outdoors. When they are fit, they’ll have you to thank.

Hydration is a key, too! Brawny Water Bottles displaying your company’s name will not only be great exposure for you but will also greatly reduce the use of plastic water bottles, significantly impacting the environment.

Golf events are a great opportunity for businesses to increase brand exposure and goodwill. Golf events can range from local golf tournaments to corporate outings or benefit events. Businesses can sponsor an event by supplying golf equipment and essentials or by providing corporate gifts and prizes. Logos and promotional messages imprinted on items such as golf balls, visors and towels let all participants identify the stakeholders of the event. Absorbent, Ink. offers an extensive collection of golf products, from basic golf tees to high-end golf bags.

Promotional Products: Customized, factory-direct Golf Balls are great gifts for large benefit events. Golf Tees and Golf Ball Markers are small items that go the distance – brand logos will be spotted all throughout the golf course. Send a big message with a basic item such as an Umbrella. It’s a practical item that limits sun exposure but increases brand exposure.

Corporate Gifts: Personalized Golf Clubs and Executive Putter Kits are savvy gifts that are sure to create buzz at a corporate outing or fundraiser event. Custom Sport Watches are a popular item ideal for clients or employees. It’s great for businesses wishing to leave a lasting impression at golf events.

Drinkware: Sport Bottles, or Can and Bottle Coolers are fun promotional items perfect for any sporting event. Sponsors can personalize drinkware products to reach both golfers and spectators.