While I am not that fond of running the farm on my own, I am happy to have Dh get some time off the farm and getting back to his roots on regards to work terms and the different conferences, he soaks up the knowledge and gets the buzz and to see old co-workers and friends who have moved and changed jobs thoughtout the country, all very good things. On his down time, he gets to spend some time in the northern cities, and also writes up a storm!
While hello’s are often sent my way from those that have meet me, which is nice and I like hearing the updates, who is dong what, and where, who is working where and for what company now, who has a little one or who’s little one is now at collage!, wow has time flown, since I first meet some of these folks.
But one of my favorite parts is getting to see the swag that is given out to the folks attending, this changes from year to year, in fact to a point, you can see track how flush a company or the overall industry feels by some of the choices they make in this area.
A couple years ago, there were alot more higher end items from select company’s, then a few years ago when had that really hard first Crunch, boy could you see it and it continues to be reflected in different ways, now don’t get me wrong, I am so frugal, I consider ever single pen a welcome thing, but as a example before the first hard crunch, it was common for them to get their welcome package in either a backpack or a really nice big laptop bag, now, they get really nice canvas totes.
So here is what came from the whole trip, which included a number of conferences..
- Winter Gloves-Thinsulate
- 2 Canvas Bags
- 2 Can Covers
- 3 wool Touqes
- 1 scarf
- 3 Ball Caps
- 1 travel alarm clock
- 2 small first aid kits
- 1 CD on making artic, leather, fur clothing
- 1 calander
- 2 USB cards
- 1 Thermometer
- 1 set of ear buds
- 2 micro flashlights key chains
- 1 lint brush
- Large metal clip with Compass
- Large Metal Clip with built in knife
- 2 Leather Daytimers for 2012
- 1 Note Book Big
- 1 Note Book Small
- 1 Clipboard holder, with fake leather covers
- 5 sticky note pads in different sizes and colors
- 1 sewing kit
- 2 rules of different sizes
- 20 normal higher quality pens
- 2 pens with built in flashlights
- 3 pens with highlighters
I have to admit that I feel quite blessed with all these wonderful little things and will repurpose a number of them into stocking stuffers and others in full presents and yet others will go into my storage kits or will be used thoughout the year in the house.
Just another Day on the Farm 
Okay, looks like I’m going to be the only one to ask…
When they’re all talking about “Efficiencies” and laying people off to increase profits, why is it that companies are still spending money on giving stuff away??
Years ago there was a certain really large Canadian company that was handing out things like “free” box seat tickets at NHL games, Cross pens and Roots Varsity jackets to name just a few; and I remember thinking “What a waste of money!” and darned if thinking about it again doesn’t tick me off just as much now as it did back then.
I know that this is “just the way things are done” but I don’t have to like it, right? We are surrounded by branding everywhere you look: on the boards at all levels of hockey, baseball, etc; on our shoes and clothing. Whatever happened to just being yourself instead of a walking billboard?
End of rant, sorry.
Dh’s says, I agree with you in principle however the mining industry is currently doing well because of all the high commodity prices and raither then laying alot of peaple right now, the industry estimates that over the next decade it will have to replace up to 50 to 75% of its workforce as the current folks retire. So prospects for new hires in this work section are pretty good for the coming future.
The swag is a lure to draw you in as you walk by the booth staff so you can connect, its considered a ice breaker. Its not the swag that offends me, its when the booth owner hires a bunch of nubile young ladies to man the booth because its draws in horny old miners, but embarasses everyone else to the point that they just walk by, even if the property or the mine itself is interesting. (they are called the booth bunnies) (FG note, I am offended by the number of So called High Class Call Girls at some of the conferances personally)
Farmgal say’s, nope you don’t have to like it at all and I am aware that most of the swag is indeed branded in some way, I am personally not going to say its right or wrong to judge if a company feels that they can afford to give away things to promote.. I have at times worked at farmers markets where I have given small samples (swag) of my products away for folks to try and to see if they like it, So I guess I can’t throw stones, as long as I am giving away samples myself.
Giving away sample tastings of your product is very important when you’re talking about food. Customers need to know they’ll eat what they’re buying… So unless the “swag” is a functioning sample, we’re talking advertising (or bribery; ) pure and simple.
Sorry to hear about the booth bunnies and camp-followers (though mining companies aren’t exactly known for being on the cutting edge of political correctness, eh?)