You may have noticed it. There has been a definite reduction in the amount of sweaty hands and sweaty faces in recent months. Scientists are working around the clock to determine the cause of this and I am quite sure that the recent Budget is investing several million dollars of research grants to answering the riddle, but we can save you all the trouble. AAC have cracked it, and we didn’t even break a sweat doing it! Without a doubt, sweatbands and headbands are taking Australia by storm and becoming prevalent in Australia. Here at AAC we’ve noticed a tremendous increase in orders for custom sweatbands as well as plain sweatbands. In our humble opinion, this is explained by several factors, outlined below:
Australia’s Love of Outdoor Fitness
Australia is a country literally filled with people doing burpees, planks and star jumps, and more and more, these strange activities are taking place in outdoor groups, providing a very entertaining show for many onlookers. But the laugh is on you Mr Onlooker! The health nut you’re watching do squats, and lunges and push ups is keeping fit and part of a growing number of people who are choosing to abandon gyms and traditional fitness centres and instead join outdoor fitness classes and boot camps.
Many local city councils are providing these sessions for free also as a service to the community, including the Oxenford Community Centre on the Gold Coast which puts on general fitness classes and boxercise sessions Tuesday to Saturday, and also offers low cost child minding services. A great initiative.
One of the fastest growing sectors in Australia, and an area where there has been a clear increase in qualifications being gained, is that of personal fitness trainers. This drive goes hand in hand with the increase in these outdoor fitness sessions.
Corporate Participation in Charity Fun Runs and Walks
Another reason for the popularity of sweatbands is the increase in organisations taking place in charity runs and fun runs as part of their social responsibility activities but also has a motivator for their teams. Inevitably, a company entering a team, or series of teams into a fun run or mud course event, will want to dress the part – and often sweatbands and headbands prove to be the easiest option. Certainly easier than ordering t-shirts in various sizes and shapes!
Social responsibility is something that drives a large amount of promotional product purchases in Australia. More and more organisations and signing up for charitable activities home and abroad, with social tourism, or eco-tourism, also driving many international incentive trips, especially to SE Asia, where the chance to work as a team on a community project not only provides ample opportunities for team building but also positions the employer as an ’employer of choice’ amongst the work force.
Increased Accessibility to Quality Sweatbands
It wasn’t long ago that the quality of sweatbands available to Australian companies was actually quite poor. In recent years, the quality has risen dramatically, driven by the demand from organisations as well as the continued drive of suppliers like AAC ID Solutions to provide quality products.
Custom embroidery on sweatbands is crucial, and this can now take the form of logos, messages and imagery consisting of numerous colours and more complex designs, with capabilities increasing along with technology.
The Versatility of Sweatbands as a Promotional Product
To really determine the value and versatility of sweatbands as a promotional product, the easiest method is to compare them with other promotional products of a similar type, which really comes down to perhaps hats and t-shirts, and possibly silicone wristbands. The reason, we’d class these together is because they serve the same purpose as a sweatband depending on the use.
Sweatbands & headbands vs custom hats
For this comparison, we’re assuming that the purpose of the purchase is to advertise or promote a brand via headwear, so the focus is more on sweat headbands, than sweat wristbands. A headband is, of course, a one size fits all product, whereas custom hats can come in so many different sizes and styles, that it makes it difficult to determine what choice to make. Especially if your team itself comes in a variety of different shapes and sizes also! This is also relevant because the more you breakdown an order of promotional products in to different sizes, the more cost you’ll be adding in set-up charges and artwork fees. A custom printed promotional hat also doesn’t make you look quite as cool as a sweat headband does, but that may a little subjective! Winner: sweatbands & headbands!
Sweatbands & headbands vs custom shirts
For this comparison we’re comparing sweatbands and headbands to custom shirts, assuming that the purpose of the purchase is to promote a brand at an event. For this comparison it really comes down to the type of event, because a more upmarket event would clearly benefit more from custom t-shirts whilst a more fun, outdoor event may benefit more from custom sweatbands. Winner: honourable draw!
Sweatbands vs silicone wristbands
Now here is an interesting battle! Silicone wristbands, as we call them on this website, are a promotional powerhouse, and are ordered throughout Australia in their millions for a wide variety of events and purposes. How could a sweatband compete with that? We’ll tell you because the answer is three fold: 1) because they provide a point of different vs a silicone wristband, which everyone has been receiving and utilising for years, 2) they allow a far larger image or logo to be promoted, covering a wider area and therefore enhancing the exposure of the desired message and then 3) as an item of merchandise they offer exceptional ROI, often 300-400% in many venues. Winner: sweatbands!
And there you have it, with a split decision, sweatbands has knocked off three competing items from the promotional product range! Sweatbands taking Australia by store, so hop on board and make the humble 80’s icon a fashionable addition.
For more information on sweatbands and the possibility of utilising them in your next promotion, charity day, corporate event or as a promotional tool, contact AAC for the best quality and value in Australia.
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This entry was posted in Promotional Products, on May 30, 2014 by AAC Wristbands and Promotional Products.
