Archive for the ‘Q&A’ Category

Golf travel bags

Monday, December 8th, 2008

Who makes the best golf travel bag? My family  and I have traveled with golf clubs internationally and in the US, but college players and professional golfers (PGA, LPGA etc) travel much more extensively. Who do they choose? Golf travel bags by Club Glove.

They are not paid to use this brand, they choose Club glove because they last, they can stuff them with what they need, and their precious golf clubs are protected.  Word of mouth has grown this brand among different golf professional groups for years and now you can buy them too.  If you want to buy a bag once, buy one made by Club Glove. You can personalize it with your name, initials, or other text. Companies can embroider their logo.

We offer all these options and custom travel bags with University of Miami and Florida Gators logos. Other colleges are available too- ready to ship.  It takes 1-5 days to custom embroider the bags. We specialize in custom travel bags with volume discounts for your tournament, company or team.

Golf Travel Bags

Corporations and individual buyers will want the LAST BAG by Club Glove, the perfect solution for your cart bag. Add a STIFF ARM for extra protection for your drivers.

College students will want the Burst Proof bag or Burst Proof with wheels which fit a carry bag.  Click these links to buy: golf travel bag for cart bag or golf travel bag with wheels for carry bag.

What shirts do you recommend for tour event gifts?

Sunday, November 30th, 2008

We’re running a tour qualifying event and always give shirts to all the executive players to wear the first day. What shirts do you recommend as gifts? We want something upscale, not the usual brands. We prefer a half zip shirt.

The half zip with collar is a unique alternative to the traditional polo shirt, certain to be different. When giving this as a gift, you need to understand your audience. The type of person to wear them is most likely to be under 50, and an aggressive golfer, a perfect fit for your event.

I recommend the Bugatchi ribbed half zip shirt.

half zip shirt

This is most requested fabric by executives in a sportswear style. It’s breathable and travels well without a lot of care. Choose a light color for hot climates such as Las Vegas, Scottsdale and Miami.

Because this is a ribbed fabric, we recommend light embroidery vs embroidering a large area. Tonal embroidery is popular, however, since this is a tour event, color logos are also acceptable. (Traditionally, executives don’t want logos that stand out because they don’t want to be billboards for others.)

Preparing for your celebrity golf tournament

Saturday, November 29th, 2008

What can you provide for our celebrity golf tournament? Our services include all aspects from gifts for goodie bags to custom trophies, logo tournament shirts and event signs.

Shirts with logos: premium events like these tend to fall into 2 categories:
1. The event is so fantastic, the celebrity event name is run on the left chest, usually a color logo.
The sponsors go on the sleeves- usually tonal text on each sleeve, or they are not on at all.
2.  The event is new or does not yet have the panache of an ‘NFL caliber’ event. Tonal becomes more popular.
Other factors – value and style of the shirt. A resort style (camp) shirt may be given instead of a golf shirt. Then it’s left chest only for logo embroidery.

How far in advance do I need to order promotional products? For shirts, definitely advance order to get enough color and sizes. You won’t know exactly what you need, but it can take up to 4 months to produce, depending on when you hit the production cycle and the brand. The time to choose a shirt style,  color, and qty is December for March delivery.  We can assist with product recommendations.

There is a limited amount of shirts on hand for any brand. The larger the tournament, the harder it is to get exactly what you need last minute, unless you happen to hit right after a production run arrives in the warehouse. You may also want to consider our private label solutions, minimum 1200, in which case you can advance order with your name imprinted in the label, plus custom hang tags. Then simply add event and sponsor embroidery as needed at a later date. Maybe the recipients don’t want to wear a shirt with your logo, because of the nature of your product. This is an easy way to get your brand on a top quality shirt, without having your logo visible to everyone all the time.

We have an excellent promotional product for celebrity tournaments- a tour quality towel by Club Glove. This is a very desirable item and a sponsor who doesn’t get on the shirt can own the sole logo on this towel. It’s microfiber, tour size, highly coveted, and has low penetration in the market so far.

Here’s what’s needed to put together your custom proposal:
- jpg of event logo for review
- logos of any sponsors that you are thinking of for shirts
- overall budget for gifts

- qty breakdown of support staff, players, and ‘friends of the tournament’ that you may offer gifts to

- signage needs – usually these encompass posters for cocktail parties as well as hole sponsor signs, and other outdoor promotional signs.

We can put together a spreadsheet of ideas, costs, and order deadlines. You can then use this as a masterplan for the tournament committee and sponsors. I’ve sat on golf tournament committees and the core gift ideas are frequently part of a coordinated effort involving the key sponsors, while other items are left entirely to the discretion of the participant marketing teams.

A celebrity destination tournament frequently includes golf and non-golf promotional products. The last local celebrity tournament I played included a $90 sweater, nice leather duffle bag with tournament logo, certificate for a free pair of golf shoes, logo shirt – with nth Annual ‘sponsor name’ event logo – nothing on the sleeves, and other goodies.

We have in-house production for signs. For tee box signs, One thing to consider is whether they will be reusable or one time only. Second, all too often there are last minute additions to hole sponsors. Depending on the design, you can have blanks made and drop in names after. Prices avg $13-18- prices driven by materials.
- Flags – take a look at some of the outdoor banners here. The spinning flagstand is popular if buying in bulk qty by one sponsor. (12 or more for price drops).  The mediascreen is popular to move around at different points of the event. The Expand Flagstand is new and great when you want to set up and leave it. Banners with grommets are usually $10/sq ft. or less.  Bring twine and hang them.

What is your role in event marketing?

Thursday, November 27th, 2008

CEOgolfshop does not take on the role of event planner, nor do we have any desire to expand into that field.  Our best customers are event planners, and we provide customized products for their events, traditionally upscale gift items.

We have no boundaries for our gift items, nor are we limited to strictly golf items.  We’ll create a one-off custom golf bag, create hand crafted crystal trophies,  or produce custom cashmere sweaters. The bulk of our business is related to golf tournaments and special corporate events, such as annual incentive programs and board member retreats.

Our experience and knowledge are an asset to the marketing staff that we work with. Because of our extensive background in every aspect of marketing- as a buyer, marketer, sponsor, advertiser, producer, and as a supplier, we can quickly assess your needs,  make recommendations, and streamline the production process. We’re your partners and will fulfill your requests with speed or get involved and help you with product choices.

Executive apparel

Monday, November 24th, 2008

Should executive apparel include logos? What is executive apparel these days? Why should I read this article? If you buy promotional products for your own company, you need to understand who your audience is in every area. If you buy promotional products for gifts, the same applies. 

First, let me preface and say this is about men’s apparel, since women’s is an entirely different answer. The first answer is yes, as long as it’s done tastefully. Consider the fabric, the logo, the brand and where the executive will be wearing the item. With respect to shirts, a nicely tailored button down microfiber shirt worn with a tie may look best with a tonal logo. In fact, ALL our microfiber shirts to date have been with tonal logos. I’ve been in boardrooms with senior executives coming in one after the other (word of mouth gets around fast) and all of them requested tonal logos. 

What is executive apparel? It’s whatever the executive is wearing and that varies business to business. In a typical corporate office, it’s shirt and tie nearly all the time, while a coat may be optional.  When the C-Level executive meets after hours, there’s a good chance he will still wear a button down shirt. But there’s also an equally good chance he will wear a crew neck or polo style shirt, with a jacket. For the shirts going under a jacket, if it’s short sleeve, I recommend the logo go on the left sleeve. If it’s a long sleeve shirt, the logo can go on the left chest, matching tonal colors only. 

Editors picks: 

men’s dress shirt

Bugatchi men’s modal rayon long sleeve mock neck shirt

Which white logo shirts should I buy?

Wednesday, October 8th, 2008

Q: We need white logo shirts for an event with the logo on the left sleeve. What do you recommend for 75+ shirts?

A: Consider these three options based budget and on the who your recipients are:

Red Rock Polo Shirt- 100% Pima Cotton Interlock, Short Sleeve. This is our own private label shirt and is far better than the typical shirts offered by promotional products companies. They are made in the same plant as other pricier brands.  Choose for tight budgets and when you have a cross mix of recipients ie sales, support staff, etc. It’s considered a mid-tier employee shirt.  However, t’s also given out at events with senior executive staff and they like it too. Priced at $26.50 each with logo.

Bugatchi Uomo Polo Shirt- (color- White & Asperine. 1525F57) 100% Egyptian cotton, double mercerized. This is a very light, very soft cotton and in white is somewhat see-through. For golf tournaments with executives this is a favorite. Alternatively, Fairway & Greene also has a mercerized polo, with a bit heavier cotton, though still lightweight. Priced at $42.50 each with logo. Call for specific quantity discounts.

Bugatchi Uomo Ribbed Shirt-  65% modal rayon, 35% polyester, sku 1643F57, 1643F50. This microfiber shirt is nice for both on and off the course. The ultimate in luxury feel is also a perfect look worn under your sport coat. As a golf shirt you’ll really like the way fabric breathes. If it gets wet, it quickly dries and still looks fresh. This shirt wears extremely well and looks like new over time. For golf tournaments with executives this is a favorite. Alternatively, Bugatchi has the same fabric in a CREW NECK. A lot of senior executives prefer the crew neck so we recommend you check with a few of the probably recipients to see what they wear.  Priced at $56.50 each with logo.

All of these short sleeve shirts are very soft, and stay that way wash after wash, without pilling or fading (if colored shirt). The collars don’t get all out of shape, though the Ribbed shirt will hold the original shape the best. Call for specific quantity discounts. We’ve included the dollar estimates above to help guide you to a budgeting decision, though prices may vary over time and by quantity ordered.

Bugatchi men’s shirts size chart updated

Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

The Bugatchi men’s shirts size chart has been updated. Please note that actual measurements are shown. This is to help you compare with other brands you may already own. You can measure the same points and determine the correct size for you. Customers tell us that Bugatchi sizes run true to what they normally wear.

Most size charts are for “fits size”. For example, the Bugatchi ACF1643 crew neck, long sleeve, in size large has an actual chest measurement of 49″. The Ian Poulter size chart size large “fits size 45″ chest”.

The 1525 Polo’s have a roomier fit than all other Bugatchi shirts. Short sleeve shirts will have a shorter length and slightly smaller measurements than long sleeve shirts.

promotional products

Monday, September 15th, 2008

What promotional items can I give away at a tradeshow/seminar? We market IT services to upper-level execs. I want them to keep it and I want it to be memorable.

ANSWER: Cheaper than a pen? Let’s take a different approach. You’ve got x number of prospects who are ready to buy, some in the sales cycle some not, and some who just want the free gift. All of but the last of them could have value to you at different times.
You need to know which ones will be valuable now or in the future. A great exhibit will draw them in long enough for you to interact and qualify them as to type of prospect or complete dud. Offer a grand prize that requires some work to get. That’s the hook. Have multiple people ready to talk to every one who’s standing so you can get that info. Everyone is a winner with the cheaper gift -a decent pen or one of my favorites- a magnet picture. Take photo and put head shot in a selection of super hero choices or a cartoon. You’d be surprised how many take home to their families and put on the fridge for years.

What is Tencel? How does it compare to other Bugatchi fabrics?

Friday, August 22nd, 2008

TENCEL® is Lenzing Fibers’ brand name for lyocell. A major break-through was made with the development of the unique nanofibril structure of this fiber. TENCEL®, made from wood pulp cellulose, offers a unique combination of the most desirable properties of man made and natural fibers: soft as silk, strong as polyester, cool as linen, warm as wool and as absorbent as cotton. Quite simply a “break-through” fiber.

The Bugatchi Tencel shirt introduced for the Fall/Winter 2008- 2009 season feels at least as soft as their high modal rayon content shirts, maybe even softer. It’s definitely a lightweight fabric. There is some stretchiness to the shirt, but minimal.

Lenzing calls Tencel® environmentally friendly and a good choice for people with sensitive skin. However, process of dying the fabric may include treatments with chemicals that could affect your skin. CEOgolfshop has never received any negative customer feedback about any Bugatchi shirts. In fact, most customers rave about how the shirts are the best they have ever worn,

Tencel garments are often recommended as good for travel because they pack light and retain their shape. Many Tencel® pieces are machine washable; though you should follow the label’s instructions for specific wear. If washed in cold water, Tencel® garments shrink about 3% with the first washing, but then won’t shrink in future washes. Tencel® also dries quickly, so drip-drying it may not take long.

The Tencel fabric compares favorably to silk shirts as well. Most people like silk for the hand feel. The Tencel shirts have a superb hand feel, but also are easier to care for and probably hold their shape better in varying weather, especially high humidity.