I had a wonderful time here at AAFES (Army and Air Force Exchange Service) Expo in Orlando, Florida. The purpose of this expo is to allow companies here in the United States to meet with the heads of stores like the Class Six on military installations around the world. It gives them the opportunity to provide goods to our service men and women of all branches. For me, stepping into this arena was more than just accepting a mission; it was embracing a passion. Teaming up with my friend, Mike Baldridge from Pabst Brewing, I felt truly honored to serve up ice-cold PBR and other refreshing beverages to the courageous men and women who stand in service of our extraordinary nation. And amidst the hustle and bustle, I seized the chance to delve deeper into the intricate workings of the business world. Anyone who knows me knows that my heart beats for all things beer and bar-inspired. I'm the one who sees potential in the seemingly mundane, envisioning it as part of a bar setup or even the bar itself. And if there's one constant in my life, it's Pabst Blue Ribbon, a staple in my beer fridge at home. You also know that this is a glimpse to a dream come true for me.

I’d love to talk about one of our newest machines that upgraded our production capabilities. The R2000 Printer stands as a testament to versatility and precision in the realm of fabrication. With the capacity to churn out thousands of yard signs daily, yet capable of rendering flawless, high-quality portraits on metal, its intricate design marries efficiency with excellence. What sets it apart is its seamless operation, easily managed by a single individual, thereby slashing labor costs typically associated with such endeavors. This streamlined approach is the cornerstone of our ability to offer premium products at affordable rates. I have a client whose main focus was turn around time. They like high quality products but they want it immediately no matter the cost. With the R2000 we were able to produce their high quantity order in a fraction of time the marketing company they were originally working with could do it in. Service is our motto. While anyone can sell “stuff”, we pride ourselves on going above and beyond. The R2000 represents this commitment, empowering us to deliver superior service while maintaining our prowess in custom fabrication. Its remarkable capabilities span a wide array of substrates, from glass and metal to wood, positioning us among the select few in North Carolina equipped with such cutting-edge technology. Moreover, utilizing water-based ink not only expedites the printing process but also prioritizes the safety of our team and the environment. This eco-friendly approach enables us to cater to projects in sensitive settings, such as schools or restaurants, without compromising on quality or safety. With zero off-gassing, we ensure peace of mind for our clients, knowing that their patrons are shielded from harmful toxins, setting us apart from competitors.

I attended an event called, Fedway Atlantic City with my manager John. We represented Brown-Forman and many of their brands at this tradeshow. Before we left, we built a new back wall, which we were excited to show the client. We thought it paired nicely with the bars we were bringing. Take a look at the pictures! Once we arrived in Atlantic City, the first objective was getting to the hotel. When we finally got to our room, we got ready for the long day ahead of us at the event. The next morning, we got up early to make our way to the loading dock. We unloaded all our items along the side of the van. Then we moved our vehicle before bringing everything inside. We set up the four bars, which was easy thanks to our amazing Fabrication Team back home in Pilot Mountain. Now that the bars were lined up in their place, we had space to work. Our new wall was the excitement of our trip. We started assembling each section with our greenery panels and our white shelf sets. Everything was lined up, bolted in, and squared away, now it was time for decorating. I put the shelves on the wall and put a bunch of bottles up to show off the Brown-Forman brands. Everything was set up, which means it was time for our appearance to match the greatness of this setup. We left to get dressed for the festivities. A lot of different brands attended this event hosted by The Fedway Beverage Group. Although you may call me biased, our setup was the best there. All other attendees had a fold out table, a tablecloth and maybe a pull-up banner. John and I got to enjoy ourselves after all our hard work. They had a great buffet, the bourbon ham matched the theme and was my favorite. After the event was over was when the real fun began, everyone trying to load out at the same time was madness. Thankfully we had planned ahead and parked the van near our exit door so that saved us a lot of time. While we were loading out Teremana was getting rid of their life size Dwayne Johnson cardboard cutout, I asked if I could have it and they said yes, it was the perfect way to prank my roommate. After loading, we headed home, thinking of all the compliments we received on our event setup.

Almost 20 years ago, I came upon a T-Shirt. It was from a company I had never even heard of. The shirt, however, was buttery soft, and fit perfectly. For the next 15 years I wore that shirt every time I could. The fit never changed, and the colors remained the same. If it came out of the dryer… I put it on. Now, 20 years later I do business with this company to the tune of about a quarter million dollars a year. Was it the shirt?...Certainly! So often when looking at SWAG or company promo items, price is king. But what good is a shirt that scratches, or shrinks? What good is a thick bulky shirt or one so thin it doesn’t fit right? Those shirts end up in yard sales, goodwill, or the garbage can. It is important to remember that the items with your name on it are a representation of your company and your brand. They give a prospective client an idea of your quality and style. In simple math, a shirt worn five times as much, has five times the value. Keep that in mind when comparing prices. Don’t let the image of your company be reduced to the bargain rack. Value is the key. And in this, quality beats cost every time.