Promotional products or items are also known in the industry as swag or schwag merchandise. This form of marketing is widely used by companies in putting their branding on various items and given away at trade shows, conferences or as targeted marketing campaigns. This form of marketing first started in during the election of George Washington in 1789 as commemorative buttons. In the early 19th century other items such as calendars and wooden specialties were used. The originator of the industry is Jasper Meeks who convinced a shoe store to supply book bags to local schools with the company’s name on them. Over the years the promotional product line has grown to over 1000’s of products from: