Expanding into the Green Conference and Corporate Gift Marketplace

Corporations have limited marketing dollars to spend on swag gifts, corporate give aways or conference meeting bags.  In the past, big ticket and name brands were sought after.  However, the industry is changing.  Companies want to give something that represents not only their value system but also philanthropic efforts.  They are seeking eco friendly products and socially conscious messages.


We recently took our conference bag and iPad zip sleeve to the Green Meeting Marketing Conference in Chicago.  The organizers of the conference loved the uniqueness of of the material and message that the PR Team selected items to appear on the Chicago CBS Morning Show April 2013.  Here is a picture of the segment producer and the spokesperson for GMIC.




eco:
Our conference bags are made of recycled netting material formerly used in the industry of fishing and construction in Asia.  The net that does not meet industry standards is sold off as faulty at local markets.

fair trade:
As members of the Fair Trade Federation, we support over 100 artisans through our partnership with Smateria.  On average, five meals are provided through the sale of one product.

Now that is giving a meaningful gift that gives back.  An image that corporations are proud to support.

The cost of cheap labor

Do you know where your clothes are made?  How they are made?  If they are cheap....are they cheap at someone else's expense.

You might have heard of the building collapse last week that killed over 1,100 people in Bangladesh.  Did you also hear of a fire last fall that killed 112 workers.  This is from the NYTimes:

'The Nov. 24 fire at the Tazreen Fashions factory, where workers were making clothes for global retailers like Walmart and Sears, has focused attention on the unsafe work conditions and low wages at many garment factories in Bangladesh, the No. 2 exporter of apparel after China. The fire also has exposed flaws in the system that monitors the industry’s global supply chain: Walmart and Sears say they had no idea their apparel was being made there.'

Many factory workers would rather pay $1,200 per 'body' as a fine if a tragedy occurs than adhere to safety standards.  One reason why... large retailers push them down so much on price that they are forced to cut corners.  So think twice the next time you buy cheap.... is the product cheap at what cost.  

Buy fair trade... make a change.  


http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/18/world/asia/bangladesh-factory-fire-caused-by-gross-negligence.html?_r=0

Fashionable fair trade colors for 2013!

Looking for the fashionable color this spring.  Every year Pantone comes out with an accent color of the year.  In 2013 they picked Emerald Green.  Here are some selections of fair trade wallets, bags and purses from five ACCESSORIES that can help to accent your wardrobe.

Our classic messenger bag is a perfect unisex bag designed to carry a 13.5 inch computer.  

One of our best selling items is the wallet with key chain designed to carry your iPhone.  An easy way to accent with green.