There might still be snow on the ground in many areas, but it won’t be long before golfers start dusting off their clubs and hitting links. And golf season means opportunities for companies to host or sponsor tournaments, whether to raise money for charity or attract new prospects and customers.

No matter the reason, there is a lot to consider when participating in a golf tournament. Like any outdoor event, tournaments must be treated differently than the typical indoor trade show or seminar. Signage must be designed to withstand the elements. Giveaways should be tailored to the event and activity. Golf tournaments also generate a high level of energy and friendly competition, all of which present unique and memorable branding opportunities for a highly targeted audience.

At the recent Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) Expo, held in January in Las Vegas, we got a peak at the popular trends experts believe will influence purchasing decisions by marketing organizations and fulfillment vendors for the year to come.

Summer is over. Fall has just begun. The days are getting shorter, and the temps are dropping off—well, a little bit at least. We all know what that means: it’s time to start thinking about the holidays.

Before you say it’s still too early—Halloween is still a month away, after all—it’s important to point out the benefits of getting an early start. This is especially true for businesses looking to order corporate-branded holidays gifts for their customers and employees.

As we all know, the holidays are synonymous with inventory shortages and inconsistent quality. The closer we get to December, the harder it will be to guarantee targeted items will be available, at least in the quantities required. Replenishments will be available—eventually—but likely not until sometime in the new year due to growing demand. Popular brands and “must have” products will be even harder to come by if not ordered early.

Your company is celebrating a major milestone, and you’ve been asked to find a nice brand-name gift for employees. Unfortunately, the budget doesn’t cover the projected costs.

Or imagine your department is hosting a large meeting and you’d like to present attendees with a high-quality branded polo shirt, but the price tag for a recognized brand means you’d have to cut corners elsewhere.

Or you want to find a memorable giveaway for an upcoming event, but don’t want to break the bank. What do you do?

It’s time to consider dupes.

This will understandably sound a bit biased, but I’m convinced that here at OnFulfillment, we have the most talented, dedicated, and hardworking employees in the marketing and event fulfillment industry. Just ask our customers. This team makes me proud every day.

What’s even more impressive is the fact that this talent, dedication, and work ethic extends beyond the workplace. Many of our employees dedicate a good portion of their free time to improve and enhance their respective communities through various volunteer organizations.

To recognize these remarkable people, we are launching a new blog series called OnFulfillment Gives Back—our small effort to bring some positive attention to the good deeds our employees are doing to make the world a better place.