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

As I readied myself for summer, I started thinking about all of the fun activities that come along with it. Immediately I thought of relaxing by the pool and of course not having to attend class… but my summer-associations-day-dreaming game also made me think of America’s favorite pastime: Baseball!

Going to baseball games with my friends and family has long been one of my favorite things to do during the summer, but games also make perfect company outings. In turn, games can be a great way to not only reward your employees with some free gear but to also promote your company to thousands united by a common interest!

Absorbent, Ink. (aka baseball central) offers perfect products to have a successful outing while promoting your company. This includes items that are perfect for during the game (namely caps, visors, and stadium seats) but also items perfect for before the game, when food is cooked, drinks are drank, games are played, and personal bonds are strengthened: Tailgating!

For some good ol’ barbecue, we offer aprons, barbecue sets and tools and paper plates/cups. For some good ol’ drinking, try sports balls, flying discs and extremely comfortable folding chairs.

Don’t miss an opportunity to take the day off or to get together with co-workers on the weekend. Look super-stylish during the game and get equipped for some serious tailgating while relaxing and enjoying a great day at the ballpark!

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.

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.

[If they can make up the word ‘Bracketology’ we can get creative too!]

College basketball teams are deep into their conference schedule and March Madness™ is just around the corner. Bars and restaurants can benefit from the excitement of March Madness™ by implementing marketing strategies that optimize their brand exposure and increase sales traffic. Traditional marketing strategies such as newspaper ads or radio spots can be effective, but including a sales promotion or premium product in a marketing plan has been proven to be even more successful. These ideas can be customized to fit your business and customers’ expectations to create a fun and exciting atmosphere for March Madness™.

Tournament Brackets: Spice up bracket contests by awarding participants who correctly complete a region or round of games on the bracket. Discounts on a product or service or imprinted products can be given away as prizes. Breaking down the bracket and prize pool increases the number of winners, which boosts traffic at the business. Display the grand prize at the business location to increase word-of-mouth or “buzz” marketing for the prize and brand.

Prize Drawings: Create a prize drawing for a March Madness™ watch party sponsored by your business. The winner can invite friends to watch a basketball game and enjoy snacks, refreshments and other special treatments provided by the business. Other prizes can be given away such as imprinted bottle coolers or tee shirts. Not only are drawings a great way to attract customers, they can also be used to survey participants. It gives your business an opportunity to ask customers about your product or service and how it can improve.

Promote Game Day or Night: Create a calendar and label featured games that will be broadcasted at your business. Place the calendar on dining tables or at a bar where customers can view the schedule. A great way to attract customers to game nights is to create a trivia game. Trivia questions can be general or customized for different themes. Get creative with prizes and include your brand name. Glassware imprinted with the brand logo or message is a great giveaway.