What an experience!

Its less than 24 hours since we wrapped up the 2010 Olympic games. I have so many thoughts and emotions about the experience.

As a spectator I sure was lucky to have attended ski cross and the Canada USA hockey game (the not so happy one) and ski jumping. I also had the opportunity to meet a couple of amazing athletes in person. The experience of sponsoring an athlete was very positive for us. When the Ghana ski team requested a quote on pins, I jumped at the opportunity to help this man achieve his goal. Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong - The Snow Leopard is definitely one of my games highlights.

The other man I met was Indian luger Shiva Keshavan. Also known as the fastest man in Asia!

These two underdog athletes were at the games for all the right reasons. For the love of sport and humanity.

I was constantly in awe of their commitment to excellence and their ability to focus on a goal and achieve it. Long story short, the games exceeded my expectations and gave me a whole new sense of patriotism for my country.

As a business person, it was also an amazing experience. One of my goals has been realized. I moved to Squamish and started this company in this location so that I could be at the center of the action. I've watched my community grow and respond to the games as well as my company. Opportunities will continue to abound for us post games as the venues will continue to host events that will require products we sell.

I will be shutting down this blog shortly. Now that the games are over, I'll have to find a new forum for sharing. Thanks for reading.

Pin Mania has me jumpin'!

There just hasn't been enough hours in a day this past couple months. I think the count for trading pin orders has topped 40 and is still growing!


Last Sunday and Monday, CTV news aired a piece on Olympic pin trading. It was a great experience having a TV crew show up, interview me and then shoot some 'b roll' to make the story happen. If you want to watch the news cast, click here and look for the December 13th archived newscast. Its around 22 minutes in.

Dozens of business owners are taking advantage of "pin mania". And many still don't realize how big pin trading is going to be. Even if you think pins are like the 8-track of promotional products, chances are you'll get it once the games hit. EVERYONE will be wearing a pin and it will be the coolest way to connect with visitors to your locale during games time.


We have just completed two very interesting projects. The first was for the Whistler Question. We commissioned West Vancouver artist Xwalactun to create 4 images: a Thunderbird, salmon, bear and wolf. The Question has teamed up with the Pacific Pin Trading club to create a trading area in the Whistler village. These gorgeous pins will be given away for FREE during the games. Watch the Question newspaper for details!
The second project of note was for West Vancouver 2010 office. They held a district wide design contest for students to come up with 18 designs. We utilized a different type of pin called "Hybrid". Basically you can have any design you want printed and then covered with clear epoxy and mounted on a pin. THis process is awesome for detailed designs or photographs.

I've also developed a new twist on trading pins. If we imprint a distinct URL on the back of your pin, you can drive traffic to your web site and present special offers or even count how many people visit as a result of your marketing efforts. I've been advertising heavily in the Sea to Sky area in a couple of newspapers. But the thing I've always hated about print is this: you never know how effective it is. That is unless, you offer people free pins in your add and send them to a URL that can only be tracked back to your newspaper ad. This way, I can look at my google analytics (nerd talk for web stats) and I can tell you than nearly 90 people have stopped at this page in response to my advertising. Heck you can even take advantage of my free pin offer http://www.ultipromo.com/freepins

And finally, I want you to know that we have other ways to make your brand stick out during the games. We have sold cowbells, keychains, temporary tattoos and toques. Sorry it took so long to update. Hopefully I'll have more exciting 2010 related news for you shortly.

The momentum is building!!!

Since September, I've felt the 2010 momentum building. The call volumes have increased, particularity for lapel pins. I have a long history in creating lapel pins so this Olympics kind of feels like I'm competing at the top of my game not only as a sales person but as a graphic designer.

Recently we were selected by the West Vancouver 2010 office to produce a line of lapel pins that are designed by school children. Earlier this year the 2010 Integrated Security Unit gave us the nod to create some commemorative coins. And right now we are in discussions with an international pavilion as well as about a dozen businesses in Vancouver, Whistler and Squamish to create trading pins for them. Its important to note that none of the work we do has no 2010 branding or Olympic rings and we abide by the guidelines set out by VANOC.

And today I was able to purchase a couple tickets to the Mens Long Hill Ski Jumping medal round. Ski jumping has a special place in my heart. As a youth I attended the Calgary 88 games. My father and I watched Eddie the Eagle complete his world famous jump. It was quite a moment. So maybe I'll be able to witness some Olympic moments in my own back yard?

The torch relay starts next week so after several years of living in a construction zone, I'm excited to see all the venues done and the inkling of games fever starting to hit.

Yesterday I attended a presentation by VANOC which discussed the future of the athletes village in Whistler. This legacy venue will be able to host events in the summer and the winter which is great for my business and this community.

Photo Credit: BBC

The Torch and The Test

We are getting into the games in our own way around here.

The Olympic movement definitely inspires the inner athlete in all of us to reach high and achieve. This year I signed up for the Test of Metal mountain bike race and the Squamish triathlon! The "test" is the stuff of local legend around here. This epic 67km mountain bike race boasts 1200m of hill climbs. I started training in October and this past weekend I completed my race in 5 hours and 20 minutes. I have to say I broke a chain and had a serious cramping fit about 4:30 into the event so that definitely gives me something to work on for next year! We also provide all the merchandise for this event and have done so for 8 years. This is the first year I was actually able to ride thanks to my wife and her parents for helping me achieve my own personal "gold medal"



In other news, my wife recently attended a pre-2010 event in Squamish and got to hold the torch! She also moonlights as a volunteer mascot on occasion. We can't tell you which one though as we are sworn to secrecy.

We have both completed our volunteer screening process for the games. Courtney has applied to be a part of the opening and closing ceramonies as a performer. I've applied to assist at the media centre in Whistler.

The best news is the Sea to Sky Highway project is nearly finished. We've been living in a construction zone for 4 years now.

Olympic Legacy for my home town!

Our local community received a nice shot in the arm from VANOC, organizers of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic winter games for Vancouver and Whistler. This past weekend, a $750,000 legacy fund was granted to our community for the creation of recreation facilities of infastructure.

“The Sport Legacy Trust Fund is an investment in the future health of this community and an opportunity to build on its growing reputation as the “Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada."

Squamish is home to world class mountain biking, kite boarding, rock climbing as plays host to several triathlons, bike races, adventure races and soccer, hockey and baseball tournaments.

Ideally located between Whistler and Vancouver, Squamish will host several thousand volunteers and games staff.

I'm getting into the spirit by racing in the Test of Metal and the Squamish Triathlon this summer! -Craig

2010 Volunteering

Slowly but surely, the games fever is taking over our area. Recently I completed a 3 hour volunteer training session in Squamish. I completed a detailed application form online and during the orientation session I was assigned to the media centre in Whistler next February.

Why did I choose to volunteer? Probably because I remember being 15 years old and dancing on the tables at the Calgary 88 games after Eddie "The Eagle" made his first ski jump off the big ramp at Calgary Olympic park. The energy in that place was something I'll never forget. Growing up in a small town 2 hours away meant that I was awestruck by the international crowd and the shear number of people attending the games. Volunteering for these games will give me an opportunity to get in the thick of the action once again and meet media from all over the world. I used to own a video production company and did a stint in radio, so that is where my media interest comes from.

Meanwhile Mrs. Idea Guy (Courtney) is volunteering as a mascot! Although I can't really tell you which one due to VANOCs rules. But lets just say that she is busy attending events and trying not to trip over her own feet in the huge mascot suit!

Our Charity of Choice

Although this isn't really a 2010 related post, I figure its ok to get off topic once and a while!

I often get asked to donate to charities or fundraisers. Its hard to support them all so a few years ago we decided to focus on one group in our community and try to make a real difference. My chosen charity is the Howe Sound Womens centre in Squamish, BC.

They focus on six areas of assistance for women and children that include a transition house and career and counseling support for women of all walks of life.

Recently we donated lapel pins so they could help riase money during an upcoming womens day event. If you wish to purchase a pin or make a donation, please email tfranz@hswc.ca.

I also help organize a fundraiser in conjunction with Trinity Romance that has to date, raised nearly $25,000 cash for this organization.

We also support other charities or non-profits in different ways. Typically what we look for is a tie-in with our own personal values prior to supporting a charity group with a discount of offer of free goods.