Part 1: Tradeshow fun
Part 2: Festival fun
Part 3: What bloggers and the newspapers are saying about the Pocket Disc
Part 4: What’s next

We started out the year with a calendar stuffed full of tradeshows. Before 2.5 years ago, I’d never even known what a tradeshow was, so if you don’t here’s a quick and dirty:

Yeah, that says it better than I can. Of all the ones we do, my favorite is the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake. It’s loaded with all the cutting edge stuff you’d find in Eastern Mountain Sports, Great Outdoor Provision Company and all the smaller outdoor stores. The people there are great: fun-loving, earth conscious, business minding, and beer drinking. That’s my combination of character traits and our mission at this show and all the others like the New York International Toy Fair, Surf Expo, and all the others we did this year is to convince them to sell our Pocket Discs in the few seconds we have as they walk past our booth. We are one little 10×10 square foot booth among thousands, so how on earth do we get their attention?

The simplicity and color explosion of our booth helps, but really it is by chucking Pocket Discs all day long at whoever makes the slightest eye contact with us. Then we have less than 2 seconds to convince them to stop and hear the spiel. Then we have 10 seconds max to convince them they want to hear the rest. Then perhaps a minute to convince them they will sell the lights out of our Pocket Discs in their stores.

Lots of people don’t even look. Even more catch it and throw it back with a smile and keep on surging forward on their path. Some stop. Of those, only a 1/4 at most write orders with us to put the Pocket Disc in their store. What’s neat to watch though is every time we come back, people who the first time caught it and threw it back and kept walking, and then the second show, stopped and listened are now buying at the third show. Just getting there each show demonstrates that we are for real. What’s even cooler is when we are selling a deal to a new store owner and a current store owner of ours happens by and says to my listener, “Buy these! They are great sellers.” And the best part is seeing the store owners and buyers who have had success and who are becoming friends of ours. Good hearted people helping us do our good thing. And of course drinking beer with them after the show ends for the day and having fun.

At the end of each day at the Outdoor Retailer a big Pocket Disc frenzy ensues. Random folks stop by and generally 10 or more discs are zooming up and down the exhibit hallway with more and more people stopping to join in the fun. That is the best part of the show for us. Just playing and having fun.

We are happy to say that these efforts are paying off. We are now in over 1500 stores in 6 countries.

It is always great to have this kind of feedback. Thanks a lot Sheryl! We are glad that the Pocket Disc can make a small difference in your student’s lives.

“Hey There,

I just wanted to tell you how much I love the pocket disc. I have nicknamed it the “hippie frisbee”. I am a physical education teacher in Rochester, NY and I work with students with disabilities. I am an all out frisbee fan. I love disc golf and Kan Jam!!! I bought your disc out of curiosity for myself and was impressed by the results.

I started using it with my students. I work with a boy with autism who shys away from any equipment I have tried using when working on throwing and catching. He doesn’t dodge the pocket disc at all. Sometimes he catches it. I’m going to buy a couple for going away gifts for my 2 boys with autism, so their families can play with them through the Summer. I already emailed your link to their parents and the director of Health and Wellness for Greece Central School district. I’ve shared it with colleagues and friends. I think every k-5 physical education staff should have them in their equipment rooms. Best of luck with your company. I hope I sparked interest in others to buy your wonderful disc! Thanks! Sheryl R.”

Pocket Disc Friends and Customers

As most of you heard, this was a very difficult weekend in Central America with tropical storm Agatha pounding Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. The storm caused extensive damage including flooding and mud slides.

We are keenly aware of the situation because it has directly impacted the Mayan Indians that we work with to produce the Pocket Discs and other products. We are still awaiting word on how all of the weavers and their communities fared.

In looking for a way to help, we have connected with the US lead group Mayan Families, which is a 501(c)3 organization set up to help the Mayans in Guatemala. We encourage you to support those who are most vulnerable to natural disasters, and Mayan Families is a great vehicle to do it. Check them out online at www.MayanFamilies.org where you can also donate via PayPal.

You already know the amazing artistry the Mayas are capable of, so please join us in lending a hand in these hard times.

Best,

The Phd Team

P.S. For retailers concerned about shipment status, we will be contacting stores individually if storm-related delays will impact your shipments.

Phd Productions, LLC

919-732-5723

contact@pocketdisc.com

www.pocketdisc.com

www.facebook.com/pocketdisc

We are watching the tragedy with the oil spill closely. The Hangout website is saying the show will go on, but we will keep you posted. I will stay off my environmental soapbox and not discuss the spill other than to say that it is horribly sad and we are all hoping they contain this as soon as possible. Ultimately, I hope it proves to be another strong push towards getting away from fossil fuels. It seems that the earth is sending us some pretty clear messages. Let’s hope our leaders listen.

If you’ve never been on a shoot, there are simply so many things to keep in mind so the final stitched together product is seamless and consistent. It truly was a fascinating experience that everyone involved enjoyed immensely.

Special thanks to Vernon and Kevin to lend their expertise to the project. If you need any great video work, let us know and we’ll get you in touch with these guys. And if you need some actors, just let me know. I’m sure Sam, Talita, Shannon, Chris, and the girls: Ellie, Hannah, and Avonlea would be happy to help you. Great job folks.

Happy Holidays!

We started our weekend Saturday morning in Tuscaloosa to help our friends at Tide Treasures promote the Pocket Disc and to have some fun tailgating before the Crimson tide went on to put LSU in the books. We were treated to a secret Coke and Brown Sugar rub on some of the most tender, tasty ribs I’ve ever had. Thanks to Carol and Randy for all their kind southern hospitality.

Next morning we were up bright and early to help Chris, Brandy, and the rest of the Mountain High Outfitters crew at the Moss Rock Festival just outside Birmingham. D’s were flying all over the place after families passed the Mountain High booth and discovered the Pocket Disc. “I can’t believe how good they fly!” and “Oh honey, look at these!” were some of the common exclamations we overheard. Lots of beautiful artwork, good music and food rounded out the day for us and the many visitors enjoying the sunny weather at the festival. This is one we’ll surely want to return to next year. Big thanks to Chris Groom of Mountain High for inviting us out and making us feel at home.