Canada Day 2014 - What to Do

With World Cup fever around every corner, you'll find cultural pride at a high. What a perfect pocket of time to celebrate Canada's 147th birthday with our fellow Canadians!

 

There are many things in this wonderful city that you can do this Canada Day / weekend to celebrate:

 

PAINT THE TOWN RED

Right around the corner from Insinc's office, Paint the Town Red will be in full effect on July 1st! Classic car show, parade, fireworks, live music - even a food drive!

  

 

 

HARBOURFRONT CENTRE'S CANADA DAY EXTRAVAGANZA

Bringing together an array of visionary artists, ideas, Canadiana and communities for a lavish weekend full of spectacle, fun and OLG Canada Eve Fireworks.

 

 

 

TASTY TOURS

On this tour of the Distillery District, you can expect to speak with local farmers, sample different grades of maple syrup, learn more about the issues surrounding the extinction of bees and honey, try goat cheese chocolate truffles and even request your own customized butter tart...among other experiences! To top it off, the tour ends with a savoury and boozy bonus. 



TORONTO RIBFEST

You will not miss the FIFA games here, this year, Ribfest will be playing the games on GIANT screens! Not to mention the ribs, live music and Kidz Zone.

 

 

CANADA'S WONDERLAND FIREWORK SHOW

Their show features over 6000 explosions and custom fireworks designed just for Canada’s Wonderland, set to a soundtrack of great music!

 

 

 

 DOMINION DAY REGATTA

One of the oldest mixed regattas in the world, with races alternating between canoeing, rowing, kayaking and dragon boat racing.

 

 

STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

Fun for the whole family! Enjoy local crafts, food, entertainment and more.

 

 

BLUE JAYS vs. MILWAUKEE BREWERS

Should be a good game this Canada Day - take advantage of the day off to enjoy a weekday game!

 

 

 Looking to do a last minute promotion? How about this awesome Canadian Proud umbrella that can be used ALL year round! Call us now to get started 905-990-9403

 

Rain or shine, this is the perfect Canada Day promotion

Whatever you do this Canada Day - be safe, have fun, and make lots of memories!

Sources:
 http://www.todocanada.ca/Canada-Day-in-Toronto-GTA

Plastic State of Mind

According to Globe and Mail, Canadians use 200 plastic bags per person - that's 2.86-billion bags used annually. We love this video promoting the ban of single use plastic items,  including bags. Social responsibility has gone viral and reusable tote bags are here to stay.

Revolutionary Umbrella

This is THE most revolutionary product that I've seen in awhile. The Blunt XS Umbrella. It's aerodynamic design means it is unflappable in the most demanding weather conditions. Its uniquely tensioned canopy, combined with a flatter aerodynamic profile, no sharp edges or weak points, eliminates the major flaw of conventional umbrella design.

By gifting your most valued clients with the Blunt XS Umbrella, you will be sure to leave a lasting impression. 

You have to see it to believe it!

Paying It Forward

One of the many reasons we are proud to be a part of the PPPC

The PPPC (an association which we are proud members of), has aligned itself with the Pay It Forward initiative. Paying It Forward (often termed PIF) is a simple way that you can make your community a more positive place.

The PPPC recommends the following ways to PIF:

• Pay for the order of someone behind you at a drive-through
• Send a dedicated employee home at noon for a paid afternoon off
• Let someone cut the line
• Donate your time to an organization in need (i.e. food banks)
• Put money in a meter that has expired
• Give your server a very generous tip
• Send a handwritten note of gratitude or appreciation to someone
• Write off a debt from a friend
• Buy lunch for a homeless person
• Mentor someone
• Sign up for a charitable walk, run or ride
• Smile and tell someone what is GREAT about them - and mean it!

Mention for the recipient of your generous action to Pay It Forward when possible/applicable so that this positivity will spread further than you can imagine.

This weekend, I will be paying it forward. Will you?

personalized mugs

What a nice treat when we opened up the box and these were inside! 

personalized mugs, etched

Do you love them

travel essentials

Another long weekend coming up! I'll take it :)

I'll be heading up to Buffalo for the long weekend to visit some friends. What am I packing?

Bugatti Travel Wallet (personalized with my name)

Amazing bottle to keep my water ice cold

This retro ladies travel bag from Starline (everybody asks me where I got it!)

This quinoa tabbouleh recipe that everybody asks me for

 

 

 

 

 

 

Potluck BBQ

I'm so excited for our potluck BBQ tomorrow! Alongside our neighbours, we will be celebrating a lovely Thursday afternoon (the sun has not yet RSVP'd, but I am crossing my fingers and toes).

Wait! Don't forget the potluck BBQ necessities:

Music: not everybody is going to like the same music but I find that you can't go wrong with a band like The Whitest Boy Alive (music everybody can tap their foot to)

Food: inspirations for you to bring / cook...burgers, veggie burgers, pasta salad, rice dish, salad, potato salad, buns, condiments, pop, chips, cookies, (ice cream, although a great thought, please don't bring it...)

Serving Utensils: whatever you brought, bring something to scoop it! There's nothing like passing around one large spoon I tell ya...

Cutlery, Plates, Cups! Let this be designated to the...not so experienced chefs! Ahem... I just want to point out that I have NOT been designated this job ;)

Don't forget your smile, a camera and a couple of stories to share along the way.

Canada Day 2012

The long weekend is upon us! Juuuust around the corner. While some of us are heading to the cottage or out of town, some of us are staying put and looking for something to do in our own backyards. 

Anywhere!

go geocaching! [a real world treasure hunt as you hike]

discover some new trails [click here]

tantalize your taste buds and take a break from the grill at [one of canada's best restaurants] 

Toronto

June 29 - Downsview Park [movies under the stars], hint: Dr. Suess: The Lorax will be playing!

June 29 to July 2 - Centennial Park [toronto ribfest]

June 29 to July 2 - Harbourfront Centre [canada day festival]

June 30 to July 2 - Exhibition Place [chin picnic]

July 1 - Mel Lastman Square [musical performances + fireworks]

July 1 - Downsview Park [fireworks at dusk]

B.C.

 June 29 to July 1 - Whistler Olympic Plaza [concerts, carnival, parade, fireworks]

 July 1 - Granville Island [canada day celebrations]

July 1 - The Waldorf Hotel [canada day block party + food cart festival]

 July 1- Steveson Salmon Festival [volleyball tournament] [festival]

Montreal

June 30 to August 3 - Parc Jean-Drapeau [l'international des feux loto-quebec] hint: Japan is on the June 30th!

July 1 - Ste. Catherine [canada day parade]

Send us your photos celebrating Canada Day to info@insincpro.com!

Source: About.com, brainstorming

Adidas 2012

We're loving what Adidas 2012 has brought to the table. Fashion forward cuts and colours ensure your clients will wear these spectacular pieces on and off the green.

Top Row (left to right): 

Men's Climacool Formotion Solid Polo (Coast Blue)

Women's Climacool Diagonal Solid Polo (White/Black)

Women's Climalite 3-Stripes Brushed Interlock Top (Hibiscus)

Men's Climaproof Storm Soft Shell Jacket (Cinder Silver)

Bottom Row (left to right):

Men's Climacool Diagonal Solid Polo (Coyote Silver Grey)

Women's Climaproof Wind Level 1 Jacket (Hibiscus)

Women's Climalite Textured Solid Polo (Black)

Men's Climalite Textured Solid Polo (Deep Sea)

Goal Setting

At the start of a new month, I like to set a list of 5 goals. These goals are both personal and work related.

Get out the pen and paper people! We're about to make SMART goals.

SPECIFIC
When you are specific, you are much more likely to accomplish your goals! So how about we start with the W's? 

Who: Does this goal involve anybody else besides yourself?
What: What do you want to accomplish? 
Where: Where do you need to be in order to make this happen?
When: Now? After you accomplish another goal? In 2 months?
Why: Why do you want to do this? What will you get from this?


MEASUREABLE
How will you know when your goal is accomplished? Is it a certain date that you need to meet? A certain amount of repetitions of a weight? An increase in sales? Whatever you are measuring - be specific! Eg. 25% increase, 2 minutes faster, 2 inches gained. 

ATTAINABLE 
Make sure your goals are attainable. Visualize yourself completing it. How does it feel? You'll get there!


RELEVANT
Is your goal relevant to your life? Will it better it? Does it fall into line with your priorities and dreams? Your goals should make you feel good about yourself and being efficient and doing what you love.



TIME BOUND
Set a date of completion so that these goals don't linger on, undone. Remember to give yourself a reasonable amount of time to complete these! Otherwise, you will be left feeling unaccomplished. Feeling accomplished will encourage you to make this happen and allow you to be more efficient in the future. 


We could all use a reminder on how to set SMART goals once in awhile. 


Happy uno de Mayo!

Transportation

The transport industry is important to each of our industries. Not only is it a huge driving force in the economy, it also enables us to do business on a larger scale, delivers care packages to our loves ones that are out of a hugs reach, and our jaws even drop when our shipments make it to Africa in a matter of days.

A couple of us attended Truckworld in Ontario and it was booming busy! Besides visiting our customers, our favourite thing at the show was meeting the Mack Truck mascot. The show comes every 2 years, so we can't wait until the next one to see what is new out there! 

True Blue Branded Products

True Blue Branded Products: Like a great pair of jeans, these products are versatile, popular and reliable.

Click to take a peek at the interactive guide!

spotlight on: Tommy Hilfiger

I'm so excited that Tommy Hilfiger has entered the corporate market. With the nautical flare they are known for, Tommy speaks loudly to both the modern and the traditional which are under your umbrella. It is their first year, and I think they've done an excellent job at selecting key pieces that will work for your market.

Tommy Hilfiger Ace Polo

Tommy Hilfiger Clinton Shirt

Tommy Hilfiger Linton Jacket

Tommy Hilfiger Lionel Vest

Recommended branding is subtle, meaning that your clients and employees will wear this both on and off the clock, day and day again.

Let's give Tommy a warm welcome to our wonderful corporate world!

What do you colours say? Part Deux

Colours draw me in, my eye just seems to gravitate towards them - I'm sure yours does too. Which can only mean your clients does! Ahh logic on a Friday morning, nothing beats it.

Let's play with colour today!

my favourite new product! the softspout water bottle w/ a silicone sipper!

inspire nostalgia w/ Lifesavers!

custom microfiber cleaning cloth that screams whatever message you'd like it to!

sticky spiral book, a must have for the desktop

can't wait to wash my car in the summer with this custom sublimated chamois

a brave colour choice, compliments of Fila

mmmmmmm...m&m's....

this toy watch can spruce up the greyest of days and the blackest of outfits!

Your turn! What are your favourite colourful items this season?

What do your colours say?

click to enlarge

Ask us how to incorporate more colours into your branding (without even changing your corporate colours)! Promise, you will love what we have to recommend.

Wellness Ideas

Wellness Ideas: These branded products are perfect for wellness, healthcare and stress relief initiatives.

Logo Board Game

Working in the branding industry has made us much more aware of logos, and we spot them from miles away (we're so proud when we see your logos out there!). They're not just a part of OUR daily living though, they're a part of consumers everywhere! There's actually a new game out there called the Logo Board Game:

A lot of these logos give a nostalgic feelings (like how excited you'd get as a kid to open up a pack of Sun-Maid Raisons) which made us think that your brand can pick up on the nostalgic vibe too! Giving warm and fuzzy feelings to your customers.

What DOESN'T the Magic Answer Ball know?!

Custom mmmmmm&m's

The song "You take a piece from the bottom and you put it on top!" comes to mind...

I've still never figured this one out...

Everyone loves a promo spring!

Getting back on track

Food is the way to my heart. I let Halloween in to my heart - rather, the chips, when I came into the office and opened my desk to a drawer FULL of Lay's! I let them in alright, I can own it. So now I'm trying to get back on track. There are quite a number of products in the industry that can help me! I've narrowed them down to my favourites.

Food jar for our famous homemade soups.

Drink more water by adding fruit and herbs to the infuser!

This actually filters your water - awesome for the days when all you have is a tap.

Shake shake shake your protein shakes and keep smoothies smoothe.

Just big enough to pack my breakfast, lunch and snacks.

Nice & Naughty Lists

Ever since I was little, I've been a catalogue shopper. Enter internet. I become an internet shopper. So yes, I'm familiar with the Brookstone line. It has recently been introduced to the promotional market, so you can gift your Nice List with these memorable gifts which will be valued.

This bad boy actually rotates automatically & steams for EASY grill cleaning!

A revolutionary new lever-pull design that allows for effortless corkscrew removal. 

Just push to remove the caps effortlessly! A must for every household.

This ultra-thin travel speaker works w/ your MP3 player, smartphone, laptop and more!

And for those with a Naughty List, we've got you covered too...

Marbled rock stress reliever... Marbled rock, that sounds better, right?

Eye Spy with my Little I

Something that is awesome!

The temperature at which wine is served can have a dramatic impact on its
taste. Our stainless steel wine thermometer makes sure that the serving
temperature for your wine will be correct. The thermometer clips around
any standard size 750ml wine bottle and displays the temperature on the
easy to read illuminated scale. Use the guide printed on the thermometer
to check champagne, sparkling wine, sweet white wine, aperitifs, rose,
chianti, dry white wine, very dry sherry, medium sherry, burgundy, cream
sherry, claret, and port.

Cheers to that.