Glenna Fulks
Chief Connecting Officer & Partner
Kite Meeting Management
PPAI 733403, Standard-Base
Piqua, Ohio
Fulks frequently uses hand-held fans for summer promos. “These are great pieces for parades or events staged over Memorial Day or the Fourth of July,” she says. “The fans are quintessential Americana. I can remember that my grandmother always had several fans like this, one in every handbag.”
This Flag Inspired Expandable Hand Fan is made, assembled and decorated in the U.S., and the four-panel design folds together with grommets for easy storage. With 20-point high-density white paper board, lamination on both sides and full-color digital printing, these fans are built to last through a hot day. Each panel offers space for its own branded message or design. “There’s nothing about the design or style to fail, and they hit a price point no one ever complains about,” Fulks says.
Lion Circle / PPAI 112372, Silver / lioncircle.com
Fulks recommends stocking up on Star-Shaped Stress Balls when promo events fall close to a patriotic holiday. The design is simple and seasonal – an American flag motif printed on one side, with a solid red back that’s ready for a logo or message.
The foam is soft but durable, and the compact shape makes it a natural desk item or giveaway for trade shows. “Anytime a product is useful, there is a greater chance it will stay on top of your desk and be frequently used, ultimately reminding you of the company that gave it to you,” Fulks says.
Bel Promo / PPAI 362224, Gold / belpromo.com
For golf-related promo events, Fulks turns to Cleveland-based supplier Par One. She used the FootJoy Performance Nylon Shoe Bag for a co-sponsored tournament and said it was “beautifully imprinted.”
The bag includes a spacious main compartment, side vents to help shoes air out and a sturdy carrying handle for easy transport. The double zipper pull adds convenience, and the durable nylon material helps keep golf shoes fresh and clean.
Par One / PPAI 135556, Silver / par-one.com
Fulks also wants to try the Puma X Volition Eagle Polo shirt, calling it a “beautiful item for Americana-themed events,” and adding that “Puma is always a high-quality product that golfers will pull out, wear again and remember who gave it to them.”
This performance polo is made with durable cotton knit fabric and features a red-white-and-blue color palette along with an eagle graphic. It’s lightweight, breathable and rated UPF 40 for sun protection. The collection also supports the Folds of Honor Foundation, which makes the product a strong choice for brands looking to give back.
Par One / PPAI 135556, Silver / par-one.com
Kristina Newsom
Owner
Specialties Plus of NC
PPAI 103837, Silver
Sylva, North Carolina
Newsom uses products that are 100% American-made whenever possible, and she’s seen a shift in client requests that echo that preference. “It’s so gratifying when we have clients convert from the imported shirts to USA-made,” Newsom says. “When a client switches to these products, it reduces the carbon footprint, which in turn reduces environmental impacts.”
Newsom would like to try a Portable Table Tennis Game by New Jersey-based supplier AAA Innovations. “Nothing is more fun or Americana than a Fourth of July BBQ with a game,” she says. “We love to play ping-pong, and this one elevates the game.”
Lightweight and built with comfort grip handles, the table-top game is easy to collapse and transport. With a full-wrap option, the 3-by-6-foot game becomes a portable branding opportunity complete with two paddles, four balls and a net – everything you need to serve up some serious fun.
AAA Innovations / PPAI 110972, Standard-Plus / aaainnovations.com
The Epic Unisex Tee is crafted from 100% USA-grown cotton, into soft jersey fabric that’s preshrunk. The lightweight shirt features a ribbed collar and reinforced shoulder-to-shoulder neck tape for added durability. Complete with tear-away tag, the shirt comes in a wide range of sizes from XS to 5XL, as well as multiple color options.
Threadfast Apparel / PPAI 622344, Standard-Base / threadfast.com
Newsom says clients are increasingly looking for ways to avoid the tariffs they’re facing now and those likely to still be implemented. “The demand with increased tariffs is pushing the industry to source from within,” she says.
Newsom recommends Ceramic Source’s 100% American Ceramic Mug. The California-based company handles both manufacturing and decorating within the United States and finishes products with a “Made in USA” seal on the bottom. “Having that seal is such a solidifier, it completely changed the feeling of the mug,” she says.
Berney-Karp/Ceramic Source / PPAI 111427, Standard-Base / ceramic-source.com
Newsom also finds Gemline’s Pre-Game Aluminum Stadium Cup to be a necessity. The lightweight cup is made from aluminum, which can be endlessly recycled without losing quality. It’s designed to hold a full pint of your favorite beverage with a little extra room on top, keeping spills to a minimum and making it perfect for outdoor events, festivals, tailgates and more.
Intended for cold drinks only, the 18-oz. cup is BPA and PVC free and ships in a biodegradable bag, aligning with promo’s growing demand for sustainable products. The durable cup is easy to hand-wash and reuse, and when it’s finally time to toss it, it can be recycled like a standard aluminum can.
Gemline / PPAI 113948, Platinum / gemline.com
Sunny days and outdoor events call for Bubble Wands. “Bubble wands are easy entertainment for the kids – and the big kids, too,” Newsom says. Available in five translucent colors, the 14.5- inch wand blows bigger, better bubbles, making your brand pop. Perfect for parades, picnics and other celebrations, the branded bubble wand boosts company visibility in a joyful and positive way.
Jornik / PPAI 111065, Silver / jornik.com
Luna is a marketing copywriter at PPAI.
