Saturday, June 18, 2011
10 Things I Learned at Box Tops University
This morning I am recovering from my whirlwind trip to Minnesota for Box Tops University and a behind the scenes look at General Mills Headquarters. I was so excited to be chosen as one of the BTFE blogger ambassadors and had such an amazing trip. Not only did I learn a lot about the GM and Box Tops brands but I've gained a ton of inspiration from all of the coordinators that work hard each year to make sure that their schools earn extra money in 10 cent increments!
10 Things I Learned at Box Tops University:
1. Schools raised 59,000,000 million this year in 10 cent increments! Over 100,000 schools are enrolled in the program, 31 M households clip Box Tops and the average earned per school is $732.
It was amazing to listen to all the coordinators talk about ways to earn more money with Box Tops. From the most improved coordinator of the year saying she hit up funeral homes for Box Tops on empty Kleenex boxes to the coordinator that allowed her kids to play detective in neighbor's pantry's looking for Box Tops that would otherwise be thrown away. Another great idea I heard was getting on good terms with local recycling center so that they would collect them for local schools.
2. It was announced at Box Top University that now all Betty Crocker baking mixes have Box Tops! This includes the brand new Fun Da Middles which will hit store shelves this summer. They are easy to bake cupcakes with frosting in the middle. Perfect for this summer when the heat is sure to get anyone's frosting running.
3. Box Tops will be included very soon on Green Giant canned vegetables, Macaroni Grill Restaurant Favorites, Wanchai Ferry Restaurant Favorites, Progresso Soup and Broth New Flavors, Yoplait Smoothie, and Old El Paso (New Tortilla Stuffers and Original & Reduced Sodium Seasoning)
4. Box Tops are now included on Green Giant fresh produce. Products include romaine lettuce, broccoli, ice burg lettuce and cauliflower. While I don't have access to Green Giant Produce, I plan on asking for it at my local grocery store. Fingers crossed they stock it soon!
5. Someone counts each and every Box Top that is redeemed by hand. This job is handled by 16 full time employees regularly and up to 34 during peak times. After Box Tops are collected and redeemed, they are incinerated and turned into wind power.
6.It was announced that Boise paper products is the newest brand to partner with BoxTops! I was super excited to hear this as printer paper and colored printer paper is included on my kids school supply list every year!
7. Box Tops have a 4 year expiration date. Even if you don't get to turn them in during the month or even school year that you buy the products in - they are probably still good. Check the expiration date before throwing them away. Not sure what to do with them if you don't have kids in school? Why not set up a donation box at work, place of business or local library. You can contact the school to turn them in when it's full.
8. Hanes is now partnering with BoxTops in a new way for everyone to earn more Boxtops for their schools. When your school needs printed T-shirts, polo shirts or sweatshirts place your order with your favorite supplier. Be sure to request Hanes products, then send in your invoice along with a Hanes Redemption Form. In 4 - 6 weeks you will receive 1 Box Top for every Hanes T-shirt bought!
9. This year during the Back to School season all Ziploc brands will feature 2 boxtops. This would be a great time to show your support for local schools and earn even more money while getting your school supplies.
10. Over 100 popular retailers (including Target, JCPenny and Office Depot) give eBoxTops to your school when you start your online shopping trip at btfe.com/marketplace. Just click on your favorite retailers and eBoxTops will be donated directly to your school with your qualifying purchase. You can earn up to 15 eBoxTops per $10 you spend. Don't miss out on this easy way to earn even more for you school.
Not only was the General Mills brand excited about all the money that is raised yearly for schools - so are the participating brands as evidenced by all their great booths set up during the Box Tops Expo. It was so much fun to be able to connect with them all, get a few samples and see their excitement.
This experience really has changed the way that I will shop in the future. I will be showing some love to the brands that feature Box Tops more frequently. It's amazing to think the difference that can be made with just 10 cents.
I got to have lunch with Zack Ruderman, Director of Box Tops for Education at General Mills. It was really insightful to hear him talk about the value that consumers put on Box Tops making them far more valuable than the 10 cents that they can be redeemed for.
Thanks so much to all of those at GM who welcomed and shared so much information with us. It was great to be welcomed into their house after so many years of bringing their products into mine.
My beautiful room during Box Tops University. Thanks to the Marriott for a wonderful nights sleep in preparation for Box Tops University.
Kelly (our fantastic guide throughout our trip) in front of the boat that was charted for a welcoming dinner cruise for the blogger's attending Box Tops University.
I really want to say thank you to General Mills, Box Tops For Education and Coyne PR for being so warm and welcoming. I was so lucky to be one of the 14 bloggers chosen to attend Box Top University and to be able to connect with so many great people, brand ambassadors and bloggers. You all really went out of your way to make sure that this is an experience that I will never forget. It was such an exciting opportunity and I really gained so much inspiration, knowledge and ideas.
My travel arrangements, hotel accommodations and all the yummy food I ate were graciously paid for. I was also given free samples from brands at the Box Tops Expo but I was not compensated in any other way. All opinion expressed is mine and mine alone.
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Nice post! After reading yours it makes it hard to write mine :) So nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteVery cool and I loved the pictures here too!
ReplyDeleteYour idea for a donation box in #7 rocks! Had a blast with you, and so glad you came out of your shell enough to hang out with me some. ;) Hope to get to hang with you again soon!!!
ReplyDeleteHad a blast! It was great to meet you and work together! Great post!
ReplyDeleteHola, Nice to meet you!!
ReplyDelete