You know by now that we love celebrating the wonderful suppliers who are part of the TAG (Travel Assignment Group) family.
Their pop-bys, check-ins, presentations and informative catch-ups bring us more than just a friendly hello. They bring new knowledge, fresh insights, industry updates and practical solutions that ultimately help us create better experiences for our guests – whether it’s their next holiday, conference, business trip or special event.
And then, more often than not, something else sneaks into the goodie bag…
The branded pen. 🖊️
You know the one.
The pen with the airline, hotel, DMC, tour operator or travel brand proudly displayed on it. And we’re willing to bet that on almost every agent’s desk, in a drawer, handbag or workspace, there are a few… or MANY… branded pens waiting for their next starring role! 😄
So, in this increasingly digital world, here’s our Tuesday #Chooseday question:
🖊️ ARE BRANDED PENS STILL RELEVANT?
At TAG, we think the answer is a resounding YES!
Because we have yet to see our agents or team members walk into a meeting without a pen.
They’re on the desk.
They’re in the meeting room.
They travel in handbags and laptop bags.
They make new friends at any Home Affairs Department!
They’re grabbed for a quick note, a phone message, a brilliant idea or that all-important booking detail.
And then there’s the favourite pen.
You know the one… the pen that somehow makes a regular guest appearance at every workshop, meeting and training session.
🙃 DID YOU KNOW?
We couldn’t leave you ‘hanging’ with no Tuesday Trivia …
The humble ballpoint pen became commercially successful in the 20th century, with Hungarian inventor László Bíró playing a major role in its development and popularisation.
And the phrase “the pen is mightier than the sword” dates back to English writer Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839 – a reminder that the written word can be a powerful tool for communication and influence.
Which brings us neatly back to our branded pens…
Because a pen isn’t just a pen.
It can be a little piece of brand communication.
It can represent appreciation.
It can spark a conversation.
It can remind you who supplied it.
It can keep a business quietly top-of-mind long after the supplier has left the building.
And let’s be honest… a useful promotional gift that gets used every day is never a bad marketing plan! 😉
🎯 THE #CHOOSEDAY TAKE-AWAY:
Stay versatile. Stay useful. Stay memorable.
Build a brand that shows appreciation, creates connection and leaves a lasting impression ~ sometimes with something as simple as a pen.
So, Taggers…
🖊️ Do you have a favourite pen?
🖊️ Is it branded?
🖊️ And do you know exactly where it came from?
Because sometimes the smallest things have a surprisingly long-lasting point.
➡️ Think Travel. Think TAG.
Jonathan Gerber Joelene Roberts Gavin Stevens Debbie Van Heerden Irene Van Aswegen Henry Annandale michelle powell