Some 10,000 distributors flooded the aisles of the trade floor at The PPAI Expo 2026 – the largest and longest-running trade show in the promotional products industry.
Covering roughly 1 million square feet in scope, the trade floor featured more than 2,500 booths and nearly 1,000 exhibitors, offering the latest products in every category.
A few distributors stopped to tell PPAI Media about their favorite products they saw on the show floor.
RiteLine (PPAI 622626, Silver), PPAI 100’s No. 78 supplier – Plainview Pens
Molly Halpin, senior account manager at HALO, PPAI 100’s No. 2 distributor, has been raving about RiteLine’s Plainview Pens: the Plainview Prime B160A (white barrel with color grip and clip) and Plainview Vivid B160D (color barrel and grip with white clip).
“The surprise extra logo location on the RiteLine pen was fun and something I haven’t seen before,” Halpin says. “It was a very smart design on a simple pen. The other samples at the booth incorporated QR codes into the third imprint space.”
California Tattoos (PPAI 111028, Standard-Plus) – Reveal Tattoo
Halpin was also dazzled by California Tattoos’ newest offering: custom temporary tattoos that reveal a different design once you apply them. “It seemed really fun and would be great for a company rebrand, revealing the new logo,” Halpin says.
Numo (PPAI 112597, Gold) – Pen Bar Experience In A Box
As anyone can tell from the lines just to get to the booths, the exhibitors who present an experience draw far more attention than those just telling you about their products, according to Cathy Valenzuela, owner and manager of Colorado-based distributor Tuxedo Ranch, which Valenzuela says became a HALO affiliate on January 1, 2026.
“That’s why a build-your-own-pen box that I can show to my clients is a win-win,” Valenzuela says. “Whether it’s something I can share with a university admission team that goes to college fairs or a tire manufacturer that wants to attract new distributors to their trade show booth, the pen box looks like it could be a big deal in the coming year.”
ANYROPE by Strike (PPAI 667009, Standard-Plus) – One Hat, Any Rope
Of all the headwear suppliers at The PPAI Expo 2026, ANYROPE by Strike, which offers 500 stock hat and rope combinations, stood out to Brandon Kennedy, CEO of California-based distributor BrandCo Marketing. “The ANYROPE customization will allow for users who want that extra level of branding to really customize their hats,” Kennedy says. “And for those of us who aren’t exactly fans of the ropes, it’s removeable, which is a nice option to provide.”
PARKIT (PPAI 827363, Standard-Base) – Eclipse Recliner Outdoor Chair
Kennedy has been a big fan of outdoor chair supplier PARKIT. “I like the ability to really customize these chairs with the client’s colors as opposed to just an imprint color to match,” he says. “Plus, the quality is really good with a retail presence.”
Twintech Industry (PPAI 261545, Silver) – Cinemaflex Retro Digital Camera
Twintech’s new tech items were all spot on for trends and popularity, says Kennedy, who loved the nostalgic vibe of the retro digital camera. “It’s all the rage right now,” he says. “Plus, pricing is incredible for the quality of the decoration and products themselves.”
City Bonfires (PPAI 814515, Standard-Base) – The Chair Blanket
The Chair Blanket, which now also comes in the form of full-color, dye-sublimated beach towels, caught the eye of Kathy Coley-Ryan, branding specialist at Alabama-based distributor LogoBranders.
“Its price point targets many of my clients and reimagines a familiar giveaway in a more unique, premium, functional way while combining comfort portability and long-term ROI,” Coley-Ryan says. “It’s what we need in the industry to represent a branding piece that recipients will keep, use and remember.”
HPG (PPAI 110772, Platinum), PPAI 100’s No. 4 supplier – The Snackle Box
Another product targeted for her customers is The Snackle Box, which is a fishing tackle box converted for carrying an assortment of treats. “This one is totally on trend,” Coley-Ryan says. “It’s clever, practical and reuseable, making it a high impact branded piece perfect for a variety of uses.”
Hit Promotional Products (PPAI 113910, Platinum), PPAI 100’s No. 3 supplier – Farm Stand 14 Oz. Cotton Canvas Dual Handle Tote Bag
Distributors are always seeking out the latest bags, which remain a staple of the branded merchandise market. Coley-Ryan says that Hit’s Farm Stand Cotton Canvas Tote Bag is “durable and stylish with retail quality while still being practical for everyday use. It’s a long-lasting promo piece with high perceived value.”
Sock Club (PPAI 692671, Silver), PPAI 100’s No. 58 supplier – Custom Decorated Socks
“Custom decorated socks seem to be a hit,” says Ken Karcher, director of vendor relations for the United Franchise Group, the parent company of Fully Promoted, PPAI 100’s No. 51 distributor.
- Fully Promoted’s preferred vendor partner for custom socks is Sock Club, which SAGE, PPAI’s technology partner, says ranked No. 1 in distributor searches for “socks” in 2024.
During The PPAI Expo 2026, visitors to Sock Club’s booth could design custom socks in person, explore a wide range of samples and play with a prize wheel and claw machine.
