July is an active month for observances, with focuses on the great outdoors, the beauty of wildlife and celebratory cocktails as restaurants and bars open back up across the country. 

National Park & Recreation Month

This observance, established by the National Recreation and Park Association, encourages people to share stories of their favorite parks and their importance to communities as a place to relax and have fun.
PITCH: Local and state parks will appreciate swag to encourage visitors as well as efforts to keep the area clean and safe for humans and native wildlife. Think fleece picnic blankets, drinkware, totes, flying discs and junior park ranger badges for the kids. 

Picnic blanket with water-resistant backing (212-GS) from Picnic at Ascot (asi/78060); ascotpromotional.com 

July 1/American Zoo Day

America’s first zoo opened on this day in Philadelphia in 1874. Celebrate this observance by encouraging zoos and animal sanctuaries to have special events and discounts for visitors, as well as sessions on the history of zoos and why they’re important to preserve.
PITCH: There are countless fun items in the industry with zoo animal themes, from inflatables, to plush, to coloring books, drinkware and temporary tattoos. Any of them would make for ideal event giveaways or items for sale in zoo gift stores.

24” inflatable monkey (JK-9066) from Jornik Manufacturing (asi/63549); jornik.com 

July 14/Shark Awareness Day

Established by The Shark Trust, a U.K.-based advocacy organization, this event encourages education about these fascinating fish, including their role in maintaining healthy oceans and the importance of keeping oceans clean to protect them.
PITCH: Present themed items to aquariums, nature centers and schools to drive education about sharks. Consider keychains for backpacks, stress relievers and fin-shaped foam hats.

Shark-shaped phone holder/stress reliever (26669) from Alpi International (asi/34415); alpi.net 

July 24/National Tequila Day

With the vaccine rolling out and restaurants and bars getting ready to reopen, help them prepare to celebrate this day with tequila specials, house drinks and giveaways.
PITCH: Shot glasses, colorful signage and coasters make for perfect additions for this day. If clients still have remote workers, don’t forget DIY cocktail kits.

Silicone shot glass (46337) from Koozie Group (asi/40480); kooziegroup.com 

July 30/International Day of Friendship

Declared in 2011 by the United Nations, this observance asks governments and international organizations to host events and programs that encourage promising young leaders to take an interest in diplomacy and mutual respect among nations. The UN has a library of tools to launch events and educational sessions.
PITCH: Journal and pen sets, drinkware, T-shirts and silicone bracelets identify future leaders and encourage others to take an interest in global diplomacy.

Diplomat Junior journal gift set (ES3503-P1) from Logomark/Valumark (asi/67866); logomark.com