Branded merch is international, and PPAI has recommitted to fostering the connectivity between promo on different sides of the globe. It’s right there in our new Strategic Plan, which lists “International Partnerships and Advocacy” as a Priority Lane.

During this year’s North American Leadership Conference, PPAI welcomed another association that brought with it an international delegation from “Down Under.” The Australasian Promotional Products Association organized what it called a U.S. Industry Tour, which consisted of 11 distributors and suppliers visiting from Australia and New Zealand.

  • The trip to America, which landed in Los Angeles and included stops at PPAI member firms, wrapped up with attendance to NALC in San Diego, where the group networked with leaders from some of the most prominent companies in branded merchandise.


“One of the things that has really blown us away has been how welcoming each of the PPAI members that we’ve visited has been and how willing to share information and talk openly about their businesses and what’s working and what’s not working,” says Mark Kindness, chief executive director of APPA. “There’s been a great level of engagement between our team and the teams that we’re visiting, which puts the overall industry in a really good place.”

One of the things that has really blown us away has been how welcoming each of the PPAI members that we’ve visited has been.”

Mark Kindness

Executive Director, Australasian Promotional Products Assosiation

As stated by APPA, the U.S. Industry Tour served six primary benefits for its attendees and the mission at-large:

  • Foster international partnerships between APPA and PPAI members.
  • Exchange valuable market insights such as customer trends and campaign success stories.
  • Benchmark best practices in operations, marketing and supply chain management.
  • Explore innovation and emerging technologies shaping the industry.
  • Explore the use of sustainable materials and eco-friendly product designs.
  • Learn about sustainable business practices.


Connecting With PPAI Members

The travelers landed in Los Angeles on May 10. Over the course of trip visit stateside, they made specific visits with the following PPAI-member companies, all members of the 2026 PPAI 100:


Those who are not here have no idea what they’re missing [back in Australia].”

John Whitaker

Owner, Branded Products

“Those who are not here have no idea what they’re missing,” says John Whitaker, owner of Branded Products, a distributor based out of Melbourne that was founded in 1999.

Don’t Miss A Thing: SUBSCRIBE To PPAI Newslink

The delegates from Australia and New Zealand spoke about the relentless and yet natural state of networking that occurs in the United States. During shared transportation, in lunch lines; a little business might take place. It’s particularly conducive to a short trip in which a lot has to be accomplished to justify traveling across the world.

“What’s been really critical is having the balance of talking to distributors and suppliers,” says Fiona Pointon, GM of Arid Zone, which has operated for 39 years and has headquarters in Melbourne. “There have been a couple validating points that we are all going through the same issues and opportunities.

There have been a couple validating points that we are all going through the same issues and opportunities.”

Fiona Pointon

GM, Arid Zone

“For instance, compliance is just as important in Australia as it is in the U.S., along with the generational youth and talent coming into our industry and our responsibility to push and empower that.”