This year has been rough on just about everybody in the promo space. Sales for the ad specialty industry are projected to be down nearly 35% in 2020 with both distributors and suppliers reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic.

But our industry isn’t the only one suffering.

In this jam-packed Social Angle podcast, ASI’s Vinnie Driscoll talks with Glenn Closson, a small-biz owner from one of the hardest-hit industries during the coronavirus: bars and restaurants. Closson, who owns Ivanhoe Park Brewing in Orlando, Fl, opens up about the effect COVID’s had on his business in 2020, his use of promo products and whether they’ve helped his bottom line, and how he uses social media to promote his brand. Glenn even took some time to talk shop with Vinnie, a self-proclaimed beer geek himself.

"Luckily we were able to pivot — I think that's the key term of the year. —Glenn Closson, Ivanhoe Park Brewing

Glenn Closson, owner of Ivanhoe Park Brewing in Orlando, Fl, added a food license and curbside pick-up to his business once the pandemic started in March.

Want to know what the hottest promo item is at Glenn’s brewery and the social network that works best for him? We have it all covered right here!

Podcast Chapters
1:22 Origins of Ivanhoe Park Brewing
2:48 How COVID has affected business
7:40 Most popular promo item at Ivanhoe Park Brewing
14:11 The power of social media
25:20 Let's talk beer!

Watch the interview on YouTube

It's not every day I get to talk beer 🍻 (and sip it) while I work, but today was an exception as I interviewed Glenn at @IvanhoeParkBrew. Can't wait to share the latest #SocialAngle pod where we talk #PromoProducts, social media, and the impact of COVID on a smallbiz brewery. pic.twitter.com/nhyyAuzd8C

— ASICentral (@asicentral) September 24, 2020

Vinnie dons a pair of branded sunglasses and samples a brew from Glenn's Ivanhoe Park Brewing during the recorded podcast.

These are the socks Vinnie won during an Ivanhoe Park Brewing Twitter giveaway.