For our industry, there is nothing better than the month of May. It isn't because of the lengthy Memorial Day Weekend or the exceptional weather. (although they also factor into it) Our big industry-wide trade show hits New York City and most of us get a chance to duck out of work to attend. See what Brandon had to say on it here.

Although not for another few days, I have spent my time (at work and at home) preparing for the 2 days of non-stop networking and marketing potentials. Here's just some of what I have done so far. Be sure to read carefully - it could come in handy for any trade shows you may have coming up.

1. Take Notes
Our ASI show gives us a chance to see new and trending product. I examine hundreds of products every time I go and choose the best ones to add to our website later on. Although we are often supplied a notebook and pen during the sign-in process, I find them to be too bulky to make quick notes. Instead, I use something similar to the Leeds Recycled Paper Jotter. This product is less than 3" x 3" and fits easily in my back pocket. In a matter of seconds, I can take out the pad, jot notes and put it back without any struggle.

2. Consider Using A Pen/Stylus
Complimenting piece of advice #1, I am bringing with me a miniature stylus/pen combo. Since getting it, I found that I can leave it concealed in my pocket and create notes very quickly - whether on a pad or on your tablet/smartphone. This also allows quick and easy switches between the old and new forms of note-taking.

3. Clean Yourself Up
Although it doesn't show now (I have a heavy 5 O'Clock Shadow going on) looking presentable at trade shows is a must. I will be ironing/washing my uniform beforehand and bringing mints/gum. As always, I will be doing my daily morning-time routine. (shower, brush teeth, etc.) Without all this, you'll be notorious for all the wrong reasons.

4. Read Your E-Mail
Since last week, I've noticed my Inbox at work filling up with requests to visit certain booths. Some promise for new products and opportunities to network while others create incentives (contests, giveaways, etc.) to bring you in. No matter what, research these companies/individuals. It gives you a chance to learn about what is being offered by the business/organization and can even help in creating a game-plan ahead of time.

5. Rest
Ignore the famous idiom "There's No Rest For The Weary" and take a few minute rest. Doing too much can cause you to crash and become far less resilient the next day or even during the latter end of that same day. A quick rest can allow you to organize some of your notes/business cards and even an opportunity to chew the fat with other potential clients/customers informally.

6. Keep Business Cards Safe
I had a problem last year where I didn't have a proper place for business cards. As a result, there were business cards that became so lost or unkept, that they showed up months after the trade show ended. This year, I will be removing my credit cards/business cards/discount cards from my wallet. This gives me ample business card space in something I am sure to check sooner than the bottom of a bag or the inside of a notebook. 

Preparation is key for a successful trade show run. Be sure to plan ahead, use the above advice and always think on your feet. Feel free to post your advice in our comments section.

Tired of impersonal e-mails that not only clutter e-mail accounts but can cause harm to your computer? You may not be the only one.

Despite a small decrease in letters transferred by snail mail each year, there is a small cult-following of people who prefer paper-cuts and stamps over passwords and attachment sizes. These letters tend to not only be more personal but give the recipient a more secure and binding document than an e-mail or text message.

For those who check their mailboxes outside more than their mailboxes inside, consider attending the National Stationary Show taking place at New York's famed Jacob Javits Center. It's going to be filled with national and international vendors who enjoy and work with paper tableware, custom calendars, greeting cards, invitations and much more.  

From May 19 (Sunday) to May 22 (Wednesday) be sure to grab your tote bag and fill it with the finest paper products. Registering is very easy (especially if you have a LinkedIN account) and there is even a "Newbie's Guide" to the National Stationary Show.

If you're a promotional products professional and you're located on the East Coast, you've got to attend the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI)'s massive industry trade show.

The ASI Show is scheduled for May 8 - 9, 2013 at the Javits Center in New York City. It's a top meeting place for suppliers and distributors. 

The schedule for ASI's New York tradeshow features education programs, Counselor magazine's "HOT Party" and, of course, exhibits and trade show giveaways from some of the industry's top suppliers.

For more information on ASI New York, visit the event page here.

As I mentioned briefly in passing over one month ago, this year's PPAI Expo East trade show is hitting the most beautiful adult playground on the eastern seaboard - Atlantic City.

Why mention the PPAI Expo East again? Simple: they sent me a reminder. It wasn't in the form of a letter, e-mail or pop-up ad. The organization did what it does best - used a promotional product - to advertise its event.

It is hard to keep up with the amount of trade shows and events with PPAI sponsorship or PPAI underwriting. The PPAI Expo East slipped my mind and the mind of many of our employees. We received this mailer which would normally have been tossed aside to be seen later or possibly lost in with other files and papers. What piqued my curiosity was not what was written on the outside but what was found on the inside.

The pamphlet opened to reveal a great travel accessory. In addition to being similar to Motivators' full-color luggage tag (which I recognized almost instantly) I loved that all the information on the pamphlet was summed up on the luggage tag (which is good because I accidently ripped part of the mailer opening it); the name of the event, the dates and website - all in stunning digital color. If that doesn't get your attention, nothing will.

The bottom of the luggage tag also features space advertising one of the many sponsors for the PPAI Expo East. If you've always been in the market for advertising this way but turned off by some product/mailing prices (trust me, it isn't as much as you think and is worth the extra money) you'll find that getting another sponsor will off-set the cost significantly. 

Start brainstorming with your marketing department and bring your ideas to our sales team - the experts in mailers and promotional products.

Over the last few years I have tried to visit a different part of the United States. I find that the United States is full of wonderous places to visit that aren't major cities. I love every town I have visited but one of my favorites was visiting Memphis, TN. 

I didn't get to see Graceland, visit the Stax Museum or walk down Beale Street. My trip to Memphis was a tad rushed and only happened because I was close-by for Bonnaroo. (if you could call 4 hours close-by) I did get a chance to go fishing in Memphis and although I have fished in various parts of the world, I found few unsurpass the Memphis region. 

Interested? Take a trip down to Memphis this summer. Interested but inexperienced? Take a trip down to Memphis this summer but visit the Mid-South Hunting & Fishing Extravaganza first. This expo brings hundreds of vendors supplying the best in advice and products under one roof. So whether you fish or you are anxiously awaiting a chance to dust off your hunter's license, you'll find something to do at the Mid-South Hunting & Fishing Extravaganza. 

The expo takes place from August 9th-August 11th. Visit the Mid-South Hunting & Fishing Extravaganza today for $1 off an already low admission. And be sure to print out your business connections on our custom imprinted fishing lures.

This past weekend, I celebrated turning 25 years old. I celebrated 25 years of successful accomplishments, learning and connections with friends and family.

But I'm not the only one that was expecting a 25th birthday.

This year marks the 25th Annual Meeting and Expo of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy. For twenty-five years, the AMCP has been bringing together the brightest and most talented pharmacy residents together. The premise behind the annual meeting is two-fold. First off, it is provide top-notch educational programs giving the residences in attendance an edge on others. Although being a pharmacy resident puts you ahead of those who just have a license to be a pharmacist, attending the annual AMCP meeting and expo lets you learn vital information in real-time. Secondly, it offers a chance to network with others in a new city. (just be sure to have several memorable promotional medical accessories on-hand)

You will also expect to find exhibits and product theatres. 

This year's annual expo and meeting is in San Diego from April 3 - April 5. Registration is still open for anyone who wishes to attend. Visit the AMCP website today to learn more. Start planning now and you could find yourself being on the cutting-edge of the industry for another 25 years.

It may be very hard to believe but I have seen trade show displays with incorrect information. Some banners had incorrect phone numbers while others mispelled simple English words.

The terror on the booth representatives' faces is always the same - the company representative mentally totals up the money that has been thrown away and the price for a replacement graphic. In comparison, the money can be the least of one's worries. An erroneous graphic or display puts your professional well-being at stake.

Motivators has plenty of replacement graphics and plenty of custom tradeshow packages that allow you to remove those old or mispelled graphics. These are great for any industry and any type of trade show event. You pick the package or the graphic, include your design, talk to our sales representatives and we take care of the rest.

Over the weekend, residents and visitors to the Tri-State area were treated to something very special - a unique culinary tasting that, until now, only Southerners had the honor of enjoying on a daily basis.

There is no mystery as to what you'll find at the Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival - there are dozens of Western and Southern recipes in practically every BBQ food one can think of. Additionally, there are unlimited beer and bourbon tastings. Your mouth is probably watering just thinking about it. But there is more to this festival than wolfing down delicious food. One can enjoy seminars from pit masters, distilleries, breweries and experts in the culinary field while at the BBB Festival. There is also a shop for BBQ accessories, hot sauces and much more. 

This year, the Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival is hitting the road and could be in a town close to you. The Manhattan Festival sold out in advance. Expect the other dates to do the same.

Those near Atlanta, Timonium, Charlotte, Richmond, National Harbor, Cary, Reston and Nashville should mark their calendars. Each ticket includes admission to a session with many tickets including a promotional pub glass for bourbon and beer tastings.

The NHL Lockout has come to an end with the first of 48 games played over the past weekend. Nassau Coliseum is once again buzzing with excitement over the return of their resident team, the Islanders. Come spring-time, Nassau Coliseum will be the home of another great American pastime - beer.

The annual Spring Craft Beer Festival will be in town on March 9, showcasing some of the finest tastes 50+ brewers have to offer. The event is sponsored by the beer experts at Draft Magazine, imbibe Magazine and Superstar Discount Beverage. The event is also sponsored by WBAB, yelp! and others.

Once inside, you'll find 60,000 sq. ft. of beer gardens, free samples, promotional giveaways, food and demonstrations. Your ticket into the beer festival also includes a keepsake custom imprinted glass. Designated drivers can purchase a ticket at a discount. (no glass or samples)

The Spring Craft Beer Festival offers two different 3.5 hour sessions for added convenience. The afternoon session runs from 12:30-4:00 while the evening session runs from 5:30-9:00. Tickets are available for both sessions.

No one under the age of 21 will be allowed into the trade show so be sure to bring your ID with you and to carry it on a custom ID holder.

We make our New Years Resolutions in the hopes to better ourselves. Some want to become more healthy, others want to donate time/money to causes they strongly believe in. For others, it is a chance to become something you want to be.

For those who want to strive to take their talents to the next level, you may want to start getting your portfolios together after New Year's Day. The Jacob Javits Center will be the home of FAME. FAME is a world-reknowned junior/young contemporary show with hundreds of retailers on site showcasing the new and innovative designs for the summer and spring. The exhibitor list is still open although you may want to carry your sketches and other designs in a fancy custom leather portfolio. Keep business cards on you and you could start connecting with the biggest names in the business in no time.

FAME provides shuttle service to various locations throughout Manhattan - including Penn Station, The piers on the West Side, the W Hotel in Times Square and the Candlewood Suites in Times Square South. The shuttle continues to run to those locations even after the show ends each night. The trade show also features amenities such as lunch, breakfast, cappuccino/coffee/tea, smoothies and complimentary totes. (while supplies last)

FAME takes place on January 6 and continues until January 8 from 9:00am-6:00pm. (4:00pm on January 8) For more information on attending or getting your company in, visit the Fame Winter 2013 website.