The Best of the PPAI Expo: Day One

It's impossible to soak in everything from the PPAI Expo show floor in one day, but we did see a few things that caught our eye. Maybe they were cool displays, interesting products, or the sweet aroma of grilled meat. Maybe they were continuing trends and new innovations from suppliers and decorators. The show floor has a bit of everything, and we'll do our best to document it.

Read on for some of our key takeaways from day one on the show floor.

1. Starting Off with a Bang

Jet lag? No problem. Nothing wakes you up on the first day of a trade show like a drum line.

2. Action-Packed Demonstrations

What better way to show off your decorating techniques, your product's ability or how good your steak tastes than showing it off? We got our initials on a leather keychain, we watched a branded vacuum cleaner suck up some gunk off the carpet, we watched some very futuristic laser engraving, and we had some really killer steak.

3. Adorable Miniatures

Who doesn't love a smaller version of something? It's why people buy toy dog breeds or teacup pigs. We'd love a little Solo Stove for our office when the air conditioning is too strong.

4. The Future of Health Products

The health and wellness sector of the promotional products industry goes far beyond just workout apparel or resistance bands. If you're looking for a trendy, high-perceived-value product, something like the Theragun is an impressive choice that will no doubt get end-users talking. It also works for physical therapy facilities, gyms, school sports programs and more. (PS - Sorry TCU fans. This is unfortunate timing.)

5. Eco-Friendliness Beyond Apparel and Drinkware

The apparel and drinkware sides of the promotional products industry are all about environmentalism, with recycled materials and things of that nature. But, there are other ways to reduce waste, like this reusable golf tee from Yatta Golf that survives up to 300 swings.

6. The Kit is Still King

The world is opening back up, but end-users still have an appetite for branded kits shipped directly to them. A good branded kit is an effective way to create a lasting first impression, and complements the items inside nicely.

7. The Expanding PopSocket Ecosystem

It's hard to believe that something as simple as a PopGrip became one of the must-have promotional items. After stopping over at the iClick booth, we were blown away by how far the line has grown, with things like drink sleeves so no one knocks your coffee out of your hands. It's pretty genius, actually.