A Breath of Fresh Air

Unless you are a member of the Bikini Icefishing team (yes, there is such a thing), chances are you, your clients and their end-users have been in a deep hibernation over the last few months. Everyone has been waiting for warmer weather, and springtime sunshine is at long last about to emerge from behind those cold dark clouds.

At first strike of the sun's warm rays, we humanoid creatures begin our exodus back to the great outdoors. Whether it be to sandy beaches, mountain trails or a BBQ right in the back yard, there are promotional opportunities galore that will put your client's brand outside for all the world to see.

WHAT'S HOT UNDER THE SUN
Today, no matter what the market is, portability reigns supreme. End-users like to take their stuff with them, and today's technology has enabled this trend to grow. "With the growth and popularity of portable digital electronics, outdoor products that cater to these products have become all the rage," said Sunny Mehta, sales B2B markets for 365 Wholesale, Deer Park, N.Y. "Portable speaker systems for iPod and audio jacks in food coolers are now the norm."

Bill Lines, director of marketing for RoadPro, Palmyra, Pa., explained the most enduring of trends are those that are time-tested. He noted, "Name brand products are popular in the leisure products and camp gear arena, like Stanley drinkware, Igloo coolers and Esbit stoves. The rugged reputation of these brands are what end-buyers are looking for in outdoor products."

For those who like to camp out at home, the hottest trend hitting the marketplace is BBQ products. Mehta explained why this trend is popular right now. "In the past few years we've seen a big surge in the overall interest of barbecue cooking. Because of food shows like Boy Meets Grill, Rachel Ray and Bobby Flay, more people than ever are trying barbecue throughout the year, but especially in the warmer months," he said. The universal appeal of cooking on the grill makes BBQ products an easy sell. "BBQ sets are a perfect fit on every count," Mehta continued. "They are hard-wearing, used by nearly every household and primarily used in social settings." There is simply no better way for you to get your client increased brand exposure than when a product is used in front of a crowd.