Spotlight On Stran
What Happened in Vegas
There’s nothing quite like the PPAI Expo. Every year thousands of industry pros gather at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas for the biggest tradeshow of the year, and it’s the perfect time to spend time with our network partners, make new connections, and get an inside look at what’s cutting edge in merch & promo.
Our team spent the week paying close attention to what people gravitated toward, where brands invested their energy, and how experiences were designed to attract attendees.
Click the + to learn more about what we saw! 👇
Merch For Life
Across the floor, merch felt more lifestyle-driven and experience-led than ever before. Products were designed to move with people, support real routines, and fit seamlessly into everyday life. Comfort-forward tones, retail-inspired styles, and subtle branding choices showed up again and again, signaling a shift toward merch that feels personal first and promotional second.
Experience-Driven
Experiential activations played a major role, too. Booths that drew crowds weren’t just handing out items, they were inviting attendees to create something of their own. Live personalization, hands-on decoration, and made-for-you moments turned waiting into part of the experience, giving brands more time to connect, educate, and build real interest.
Connection is Key
The common thread? People weren’t just collecting swag. They were engaging, customizing, and choosing pieces that felt relevant to their lives. It’s a strong signal that the future of merch is rooted in adaptability, emotional connection, and experiences that go beyond the giveaway.
More on all of this very soon! 👀
Product Picks:
Merch for Momentum 💪
Where January is all about fresh starts, February focuses on building habits and momentum. This month’s product picks are all about supporting routines, helping you stay energized, stay consistent, and keep that early-year energy going strong.
Click the + to check out the picks! 👇
Stanley Mini 10-Can Cooler
Small but mighty, this cooler hits the sweet spot between practical and premium. It's easy to carry, built to last, and useful well beyond a single moment.
Whether it’s for team outings, client gifting, or internal programs, it’s the kind of item that naturally fits into everyday life. And when merch becomes part of someone’s routine, brand visibility follows.
Oura Ring
Wellness continues to shift from trends to long-term behavior, and the Oura Ring reflects that evolution.
Subtle, personal, and deeply integrated into daily life, it supports rest, recovery, and self-awareness without feeling flashy or forced.
It’s a strong example of how merch can move beyond surface-level branding and align with how people actually want to feel.
Paired Together
Both products reinforce a big idea we’re seeing more often: momentum isn’t built through big gestures alone. It’s supported through thoughtful, well-chosen items that meet people where they are and stick around.
Industry News
Leading With Sustainability 🌎
Sustainability was a major talking point at PPAI Expo this year. It showed up at every stage, from how the event was designed to how products were used. The PPAI Expo 2026 officially achieved Zero Waste status, which is a meaningful milestone, particularly for an event of this size.
Click the + to learn more about how the zero-waste status was achieved, and what it illustrates for 2026 trends! 👇
Sustainable By Design
From waste diversion efforts behind the scenes to smarter material choices across the show floor, sustainability was baked into every part of the tradeshow experience.
That same thinking showed up in product moments, too. A reusable water bottle (sparked by a conversation at a previous Expo) was brought to life and used on-site this year. More and more, we see the industry leaning into sustainability as the standard; more products that are useful and reusable, and more intentionality around materials and waste.
Sustainably On Trend
This aligns with what we’ve been tracking in consumer trends, too. In our 2025 trend report, sustainability showed up as a shift toward better materials, longer-lasting products, and more thoughtful programs.
A Sustainable Standard
Based on what we saw at Expo, that momentum isn’t slowing down in 2026. PPAI’s Director of Sustainability and Responsibility Elizabeth Wimbush stated that she hopes the Zero Waste status is the new standard, and that PPAO will continue to find more ways to lean into sustainable efforts.
What's the takeaway? Sustainability is here to stay, and it works best when it’s integrated throughout a brand experience vs individual initiatives.
From The Blog
High-Impact Gifting for 2026 🎁
Promotional products work best when they’re chosen with intention. The right item, at the right moment, can drive awareness, reinforce culture, or deepen long-term engagement.
In our latest blog, we break down the top 10 categories of promotional products every business should have in their toolkit, along with guidance on how each one supports different goals.
Click to read the full blog! 👇
