EXPO Sustainability
Signage For several years, ESUMS has partnered with a sign printing company that produces and designs large scale Mylar banners for large corporations and events in the Los Angeles area. Our banners were printed using the remnants and leftover materials from the sizeable products at about 7-10% of the retail price for banners with hems and grommets.
LED Displays: Every asset developed by gHIVe is digital in nature. The booth will incorporate two 50” screens currently used in the ESUMS Technology Department: one to exhibit the digital models, informational videos, the PSA and documentaries, while the other will be used for the student developed video game titled HIVEMIND.
Miscellaneous items: The red rug was borrowed from a classroom, and the branded IKEA blanket was donated ($6) by our embroiderer, Custom Tees in New Haven. The students were responsible for purchasing their branded and embroidered polo shirts, which will also serve as uniform items in accordance with ESUMS dress code.
Giveaways:
Pens: Quality Bic pens were printed with our logo that are 100% recyclable. Quality writing utensils have an intrinsic value in that virtually all students, educators and professions use pens everyday. Laurie Amigo, brand-merchandising specialist at HALO Branded Solutions, commented, “never underestimate the power of a pen.” In alignment with business the give staff will work to create an opening with attendees and judges by gifting them with these small self-promos. EMC Advertising Gifts, the London-based specialist in promotional gifts, has observed that bulk campaigns using low-cost items are still popular as an outbound marketing tool, but pens are just one aspect of our multi tiered marketing strategy at EXPO.
Rings: The gHIVe team chose to purchase silicone rings to increase the impact of our marketing campaign and increase the overall awareness to HIV/AIDS. These items are non-branded and can be worn in support of the overall push to eradicate HIV/AIDS. The cost of these items were extremely low ($20 for 100), and replace some traditional branded silicone bracelet giveaways that use significantly more material in production, and have ended up as waste after the EXPO event. The bracelets are debossed the HIV/AIDS and the words “live, life and love.”
Necklaces: The gHIVe team worked hard to develop a giveaway strategy that incorporated non-branded items that have the potential of reaching far beyond EXPO and gHIVe. We purchased assorted red ribbon charms in bulk with leather necklaces and assembled them in house. People that are genuinely in support of HIV/AIDS will want to wear the item beyond the event because the quality of the enamel and metal charm and leather necklace. These necklaces will be distributed strategically based on an individual’s interest in the project and over arching international theme.
T-Shirts: The gHIVe staff will conduct a raffle at the booth during the final hour of exhibition for high-quality screen-printed t-shirts. Custom Ink donated these shirts through an online Pear campaign. They were designed, printed and delivered at no cost to the team.
