The branded merchandise industry is ramping up for its busiest season of the year as end users clamor for holiday gifting ideas.

It was top of mind for attendees of the Philadelphia Area Promotional Products Association’s Fall Promotions Client Expo on September 9 at The Drexelbrook in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, about 8 miles from the heart of Philadelphia.

Dozens of exhibitors fielded questions about their newest products, pricing, turnaround times and customization capabilities.

Here are some standout suppliers and products from the event.

Bon Appétit

The food gifting market has a new player: Wildgrain, a Somerville, Massachusetts-based provider of bake-at-home breads, pastas and pastries.

Having debuted at The PPAI Expo 2026, the company works with roughly 40 artisan bakeries around the United States who help produce its products.

“People gave our products as a gift, so we saw it as a good opportunity to [enter the market],” says Tim Walls, head of corporate gifting at Wildgrain.

Sometimes they want an experience, other times they want to do a gift. We meet both of those needs.”

Tim Walls

Head of Corporate Gifting, Wildgrain

No stranger to the branded merchandise industry, Walls spent nearly 14 years working for a Pennsylvania-based distributor before transitioning to the food space, managing sales at Insomnia Cookies and Alice’s Table. He joined Wildgrain in July and now finds himself baking sweet treats the morning of trade shows, so potential customers get a taste of what his company has to offer.

“Sometimes they want an experience, other times they want to do a gift,” Walls says. “We meet both of those needs.”

The chocolate truffles received rave reviews from Melissa H., owner of a social media consultancy. Attending her first end user show, she was invited by a distributor in her networking group.

Don’t Miss A Thing: SUBSCRIBE To PPAI Newslink

“I’m looking to get some ideas for promotional items to bring clients in or to thank them for their business,” Melissa says. “I’ve gotten so many ideas that I never would’ve thought of, including putting a logo on chocolate.”

Cool Kicks

Another table that looked unlike any other belonged to The Ave Customs, which specializes in customizing shoes. We’re talking high-profile footwear brands, such as Nike, Converse, HOKA and Vans.

“If we can get it, we can decorate it,” says Amy Yanick, director of operations at The Ave Customs. “We have no minimums and we do free mock-ups. There isn’t anybody doing our process. We can digitally print on canvas shoes – we have a patent on this process. Everything else is heat transfer.”

If we can get it, we can decorate it.”

Amy Yanick

Director of Operations, The Ave Customs

The Ave started as a brick-and-mortar shop in Venice Beach in 2010 before appearing on Shark Tank two years later. Although founder Nick Romero didn’t land a deal, someone from the branded merch industry watched the show, reached out and encouraged the company to enter the promotional market. As a result, the retail location shuttered and The Ave, currently located at the foothills of the Pocono Mountains, is fully focused on B2B.

  • The Ave won the audience vote during The Pitch at The PPAI Expo 2026.


“We want to let distributors know they can do this,” Yanick says. “People don’t want to wear random, no-name shoes. You can get your customers the shoes they see in the store and wear already. We’ll take care of all that. We have our niche and we do it well.”

Touch & Feel  

While Hauppauge, New York-based supplier Tekweld promoted custom hair clips and glass drinkware, its unique way to expand a message on a tiny surface resonated with at least one end user.

Tekweld’s Booklet with SPF15 Lip Balm includes imprinting on both sides of the card.

It gives you a little more branding space, so you can add a QR code, messaging or whatever you want.”

Tommy Peel

Regional Sales Manager, Tekweld

“One of the biggest problems with lip balms and sanitizers is the imprint area, so these give you a lot more space,” says Tommy Peel, regional sales manager at Tekweld. “I had a law enforcement agent say no one will pick up a piece of paper and read it, but they’ll pick up these. It gives you a little more branding space, so you can add a QR code, messaging or whatever you want.”

Another small item that had attendees buzzing was the Fidget Pen from Hit Promotional Products, PPAI 100’s No. 3 supplier.

“This fidget pen has been a hit at every meeting and trade show I bring it to,” says Makenzie Stritzinger, territory sales manager at Hit. “It’s nice and quiet and good for anybody with sensory issues. Every month we have a new fidget – [the trend] isn’t dying down.”  

Another first-time attendee, Christie K., director of retail at for a regional branch of a national nonprofit, was on the hunt for awards and premium gifts.

Every month we have a new fidget – [the trend] isn’t dying down.”  

Makenzie Stritzinger

Territory Sales Manager, Hit Promotional Products

“We have a golf event coming up and finding golf-themed gifts isn’t in my wheelhouse,” Christie says. “I’m here getting some great ideas from my distributor and seeing new things that I didn’t realize were on the market. It’s also great seeing the newest in apparel, especially getting to touch and feel it.

“The show is smaller than I expected, which is nice, so you’re not overwhelmed. I’m leaving with five or six new ideas.”