For all the awesome giveaways that one can boast at a trade show, none may be as effective as the classic promotional t-shirt. Every year studies are done to determine the most effective and most popular promotional products and every year one category tops the list: promotional apparel. Of course, promotional t-shirts fall under that category. So what is so great about promotional t-shirts?

Well for one thing, as cheap as they are, they seem to come across as an item of value. Recipients clamor after them like Henry the VIII after a chicken leg. They absolutely have to have them. When you put two booths next to each other, one giving away pens and one giving away t-shirts, you can bet that the booth giving away t-shirts will be out first. In all honesty, the booth handing out the pens might very well have paid more for their giveaway, but there just is no stopping people when it comes to a free t-shirt. Whether or not they'll wear it usually depends on the design of the shirt itself, but you can bet they'll want it and chances are they probably will wear it. Whether they wear it to the gym to work out or to bed at night, it's more exposure for your logo. So while you're debating the next trade show giveaway, consider going for the most popular of all: the classic promotional t-shirt.

It's true Halloween hasn't even hit yet and already the holiday season is quickly approaching. I can't go two steps in our office without hearing someone say the words corporate gifts. It's common for this time of year though. Where I once heard stress relievers, I know hear electronic gift sets. And whle there's still talk of promotional t-shirts, there's much more discussion of executive apparel. It's my favorite time of year. I just need the Egg Nog Latte to come back at Starbucks and all will be well.

I always love seeing the new tech products that come out, but there's nothing quite like being a kid at the holidays. I miss it. I remember my uncle putting together my little red wagon one Christmas morning. And playing with my Fisher Price little people town, and by little people, I mean like choking hazard little people. There is NOTHING like opening toys at the holidays. It's the only time I wish I were a kid.

Now I can spoil my god daughter, but she's only going to be 11 months this Christmas so it won't be that much fun. Either way, I'd still really love to go to the Javits Center on October 7th for the Toy Wishes Holiday preview. This is THE show to be at. All the hot holiday toys will be there. What will be the next Tickle Me Elmo? Will Hannah Montana and High School Musical merchandise trump everything else and become the must have holiday gifts? I don't know and I can't answer these questions, solely for the fact that I'm not a mind reader and I'm not going. I'll be a grown-up and be working that day. But it doesn't mean that I won't be dreaming of the days when a shiny new pogo stick was under my tree rather than an iPod touch. And if anyone who buys me presents is reading this blog, don't take that to mean that I don't want the iPod Touch, because I do.

New York City is about to get a whole lot more animated. On September 26, 2008 the Javits Center will be host to the New York Anime Festival. The event is open to any and all anime fans, and is about more than what some people would deemto be "cartoons." The festival will showcase a variety of booths and will provide information about any and all things anime. According to the Javits center website:

"The festival will span the complete breadth of anime pop culture including exclusive and extensive screenings, a gala cosplay masquerade, and sessions with the biggest names in anime from Japan, Asia, and America. The event will also explore the Japanese cultural experience with a showcase of both traditional and cutting-edge Japanese cuisine, apparel, and lifestyles. The NYAF will also feature the latest in manga, toys, costumes, video games, trading card games, DVDs, music, and much more on the show floor."

Going to a show such as this is great for true fans, but it can be exciting for just about anyone who has a minimal interest in anime. But don't expect to see your typical promotional giveaways at this one. While there maybe the classics, like promotional pens or promotional apparel, I'd guess that giveaways will be far less standard.

This past Sunday, I was lucky enough to attend the annual NY Bar Show and it really made me think. The majority of the show was liquor distributors giving out free samples, but there weren't many promotional products to be had. I got a small sampling of them, but you would think that anyone giving out alcohol might give you something other than a card to remember it by. After all, alcohol does impair judgement and far too often people have too much. Plus, with a trade show where every other booth is a different liquor, you would think it might be a good idea to distinguish one from another. Clearly there were some people in attendance who did not remember what they drank, judging by their actions. To be honest, the one thing that I remember most was a magic trick done with promotional cards for Hub International. The unique trick (done by Marco the Magician) stayed with me because who would think that an insurance company would be advertising at the Bar Show? I began to wonder if being unique with your giveaways really matters at bars and clubs. So I simply had to ask...what's the best promotional product for bars and clubs?

While Marco's magic stuck out in my mind, the people have spoken. Promotional t-shirts are by fat the best giveaways for bars and clubs.