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For most of us, cornhole is a tailgate or backyard activity while we’re killing time before the main event. But for the Roby Family of Companies, cornhole is serious fun with a mission and purpose. We caught up with Christian McCall, Roby Family of Companies Director of Marketing & PR after this year’s “Pitchin’ for Wishes” Cornhole Tournament.

Tell us a little about the event and why it’s so important

Pitchin’ for Wishes is an amazing event that supports Make-A-Wish® Central & Western NC. In addition to an NCAA bracket-style cornhole competition, the event includes food, drinks, music, appearances by local mascots, bounce houses, face painters, and more. It is very family-friendly and truly a community-wide effort to give back. We have a strong following of sponsors, donors, and players that return each year to give back and participate.

This year’s tourney was our 14^th annual. Thanks to generous sponsors, donors, and players, the event raised over $220,000 for the organization, which will help them grant the wishes of 29 local kids with critical illnesses. Every penny raised goes directly to the organization and all money stays local.

How does this fit into your brand’s mission, and how does it connect with future and current clients, partners, and team members? 

At the Roby Family of Companies, all our charitable giving is family and child-focused. The majority of our sponsors and donors are our subcontractors, industry partners, and clients. It is very fulfilling to see everyone come together to support a special mission and we love being on the cornhole field with everyone.

Tell us how branded merchandise from The Dunstan Group factors into the game plan, and your decision to choose them. 

The Dunstan Group provides us with our event t-shirts each year. They are very helpful in selecting high-quality shirts that people will actually wear, and wear for years to come. Before working with Dunstan, we used to base our shirt selections on price and, while saving a few bucks, would end up with a heavy, boxy shirt that no one would wear.

We now realize how important the shirts are for advertising the event, Make-A-Wish, and our company as a whole, and we really want people to like the shirts, feel comfortable in them, and wear them around town. The feedback we’ve received over the years from our guests is overwhelmingly positive! People LOVE them. And after the tourney, they make great giveaways or gifts for new clients. When giving shirts away to new friends or clients, they are a great conversation starter about the event and mission. And we always love to talk Pitchin’ for Make-A-Wish!

How long have you been working with The Dunstan Group, and what’s your experience been like?

Many, many years! Great customer service, quality apparel, and promotional pieces, and very knowledgeable staff. And in general, they are a great group of people and really fun to work with!

Find out more about Pitchin’ for Wishes here: https://pitchinforwishes.com

2022-holiday-gifting

The-Dunstan-Group-2022-Fall-Style-Guide

Whether you’re at the hardware store, the grocery aisle, or even checking your email; ads and displays for holiday décor and gift ideas feel like they arrive earlier every year. Pumpkin spice will pave the way for peppermint mocha, and we’ll all be singing Auld Lang Syne before we know it.

If you have plans for Q4 or holiday gifting, all the Christmas magic in the North Pole won’t replace this one essential ingredient: time. And not just because the holiday promotions seem earlier and earlier each year. With a little bit of planning and flexibility, your holidays can be merry, bright, and a lot less stressful. Here’s how!

Order early

We get it. It’s hard to think about holiday gifting when temps are still in the 80’s and 90’s. But getting your holiday gifting orders placed now will ensure you’ve got the most product selection, plenty of time for customization, and enough time to get your product delivered in advance of your event, holiday gifting, etc.

Consider your options

Got your heart set on a particular product, brand, or style? We get it. Sometimes it’s hard to look at other products once you’ve got something particular in mind. Especially when there are seemingly endless other products. Be open to looking at several different items to maximize the opportunity you’ll get what you want when you want it.

Act fast

You’ve found the product you want, add it to your order, only to find it’s gone before you can complete the transaction. It happens with our suppliers, too. Our recommendation is that once we’ve found what you’re looking for, confirm the order immediately. While the price quote may be good for days or weeks, someone else may swoop in and make their order before you’ve approved yours.

As always, the team here at The Dunstan Group is here to help. Make your holiday and Q4 plans less stressful – and a whole lot more creative! Connect with us now, and let’s get to work.

If you’re looking to make a real and personal connection with your with clients, teammates, and contacts, look no further than the health and wellness categories. At The Dunstan Group, we’re big on branded merchandise, apparel, and promotional products with function and utility. Products that focus on health and wellness really hit the mark.

Survey respondents listed it as THE single most powerful consumer force. Scroll through TikTok, Instagram reels, or other social feeds, and you’ll see fitness and health content dominates the platforms, particularly with Gen Zers and their younger counterparts – which hold significant buying power.

64% of surveyed Millennials and Generation Zers reported emotional wellbeing as most important to their overall health. (Source: Vice Media Group)

Here’s a selection of some of the hot products to support them – and your clients and contacts – along their wellness journey.

Hydro Flask Water Bottles – One of the most asked-about brands is now available for full customization from us here at The Dunstan Group! These iconic water bottles and tumblers come in a variety of colors to coordinate with your brand or promotion.

Reusable Forehead Thermometer – Here’s a portable and less invasive way of taking an accurate temperature reading. The liquid crystal display stops at the core temperature, giving you an easy and quick way of checking for a fever. This is great to use on kids or adults. Add your company name or logo for maximum visibility.

Wellness Journal – This passion and wellness journal from Moleskine is designed to grow into a permanent and uniquely customized record of your fitness, nutrition, and wellness journey. Loaded with nutrition tips, exercises, and practical fitness facts, while four dedicated and structured sections allow you to divide your progress between Personal Goals, Fitness, Diet, and Health & Care. Plain pages at the back make space for extra notes.

Yankee Candle – Did you know? You can get the world-famous Yankee Candles in a range of sizes and fragrances. Help them set the mood for relaxation and calm with these long-burning, time-tested candles. Each jar features high-grade paraffin wax and a 100% natural fiber wick. Premium quality ingredients create distinctive true-to-life scents. Customized for you by The Dunstan Group.

Bento Styled Stainless Steel Lunch Container – Support their healthy choices with these stainless steel bento-style containers. Three practical compartments are portioned perfectly for on-the-go meals and snacking. Easy to use, convenient, and for a super-simple cleanup, just toss your bento lunch box and lid in the dishwasher!

 

 

We’re willing to bet parachute pants and mullets don’t get an encore, but to say what’s old is new again isn’t far from the truth in many industries. Yes, that includes promotional products, branded merchandise and apparel. Whether its looks, styles, or trends from the 80’s, 90’s to early 2000’s, nostalgia is hot.

Nostalgic or throwback pop culture design is everywhere you look. And for good reason. For starters, it worked once, right? More importantly, it just makes us feel good. That’s particularly poignant in uncertain times.

“Uncertainty is the foundation of anxiety,” says Juliet Kuehnle, a licensed clinical therapist and founder of Sun Counseling and Wellness. “When we feel dysregulated, we often crave something that will soothe or ground us. This might be an object, a memory, or something sensorial that our brain and bodies hold as secure, safe, or joyful.”

Promotional products can help deliver on that feeling of security. From bucket hats to fanny packs, butterfly hair clips, and neon anything. Here are some of our favorites here at The Dunstan Group!

Fanny Packs – Talk about making a comeback! This particular fanny pack measures 12″ x 6″ and is available in black and royal blue. This handy bag is made of 420-denier coated nylon and features three zippered pockets (main, front, and rear). The waist strap is adjustable to a maximum size of 44″ to fit most body types. Customize with an imprint of your company name and logo to create a unique and useful gift or giveaway.

S’Mores Kit – The “to go” kit for campfire s’mores and more. The fun and joy of making s’mores over a campfire is possible anywhere thanks to this awesome kit! Each kit includes Graham Crackers, Milk Chocolate bars, Marshmallows, Toasting sticks, and Gel Fuel (the flame). The best part? This kit comes in a shipping-grade mailing box! Includes 2 Belgian Milk Chocolate Bars (2.25 oz.), 4 Graham Cracker Sheets, 4 Marshmallows, 1 Gel Fuel (the flame), 4 toasting sticks.

Classic Lunchbox – Nothing says “old school” like a metal lunchbox. Gain some ground with new customers and old ones alike with this throwback tin lunch box! This has everything customers need for taking a tasty meal along to work, school, or anywhere else. The design is exactly how they remember it, too. Add your company name or logo for maximum visibility.

Classic Shades – The style that’s always in, and a look they’re sure to love with these customizable shades! These adult-sized sunglasses feature colored lenses that elevate traditional promo sunglasses to the next level. The UV400 lenses provide UVA and UVC protection. They also come with black frames and different colored arms. Can be customized with a brand name or logo, too!

Vintage Speaker – Classic styling meets modern technology. Don’t let Campbells vintage-inspired appearance fool you. This compact wireless speaker with a passive subwoofer packs an entertainment punch! With its built-in microphone, FM radio and MSD card reader & USB slot, you can answer calls, find your favorite oldies station or play a selection of your own favorite tunes.