Truth:  When I was anticipating writing this commentary on the Specialty Advertising Association of California (SAAC) Expo, I wasn't sure what I would write. While I love trade shows, I did not think anything meaningful would come from this Southern California Regional Show that has been declining in past years.
I was wrong.

SAAC is my Regional Association. I've seen its glory days. We had perhaps one of the most vibrant regional trade shows in the...

Wow! What a compelling and inviting title! Some may feel it's depressing, but the reality is that it's true. The key is to make the most of your time while you are living. Living, of course, is everything we do before death. Most of us hate the thought of death and dying. What's worse is considering the circumstances that lead up to death. Sorry, I know this sound depressing, but we can control how we live.

These days, my writings come out of what...

There are times I can be a jerk. Yes, it’s true. I can be impatient, insensitive, judgmental, and selfish. My family will concur.

Times are changing though. In recent writings, I’ve been referring to “Jeff 2.0” Whether it’s age, maturity, spiritual awakening, or something unknown, I’m different. Those are close to me prefer Jeff 2.0. And why not? A 2.0 upgrade is usually better than 1.0.

2.0 impacts my personal and professional life. I think differ...

For as long as I can remember I've gotten up early to secure MY spot in front of the Canyon Theater Guild for our community 4th of July Parade. This spot has shade when the sun comes up and is a block away from the classic Rotary Pancake Breakfast. Even though we are less than 30 minutes from Los Angeles, the City of Santa Clarita, where I have lived for over 30 years, still has a small hometown feel. 

This year, I knew I’d be missing the thrilling...

Of course, we all know money will buy some cool stuff…BUT…

I don’t know about the BUT to that line, but I’ll figure that out through this rant from my ADD world. If these musings are of interest to you, I invite you to read on.

Waiting for our car to be serviced, I foot cruised around the sprawling Galpin Motor Sports campus. This dealership offers several high-end luxury brands and serious customizations, along with the cars that most of us drive a...

For years, I’ve written business-focused articles. When I created our Promotional Product Association International (PPAI) Award Winning FreePromoTips.com program back in 2006, there was not much business-building content being published in the promotional marketing industry. Now, there are many outstanding sources for written content, podcasts, and video.

While I still have plenty to say on business matters, I’m cutting back on that content in exc...

Most of you are familiar with the words to this classic Beatles tune:
 

I get by with a little help from my friends

I get high with a little help from my friends

Gonna try with a little help from my friends

I’ve appreciated my family, friends, and business colleagues lately. Not that I didn't enjoy them before, but this is a new season for me. We all learn much from our relationships and experiencing life.  

This commentary was birthed from the random...

There were many high points to the 2019 PPAI Expo, but who knew that one of the most talked about things was puppies and bacon. The tagline for the Expo was Experience Extraordinary.

And many experienced Extraordinary at Vegas Expo Week.

PPAI President and CEO Paul Bellantone shared with me that they are always looking for ways to enhance the show and create traffic in various areas. The idea of pop-ups on the show floor were new this year and very...

When I conceived of the idea to visit supplier’s businesses in the Minneapolis area, it was also a good reason for my son and I go to a Vikings game. As it turned out, he was too busy with college and couldn’t go on this trip, but I proceeded because this really was a trip to see suppliers on their home turf.

The Vikings have a deep history, and at its core is the Viking Spirit that can’t be explained in words. You would have to experience it for y...

As a seasoned industry veteran (think old), and a writer, I am blessed to be able to put my thoughts, for whatever they are worth into words.

In this commentary, I’m going to touch on a couple of things that bug me, and maybe they bug you. These things are common in the industry, and it’s not likely that anything I write, or you think that will change things, but maybe it opens up some eyes to how certain practices are perceived.

At our recent regio...