PPAI Expo: Key Trends, Insights, and What to Expect

What is the PPAI Expo?

The PPAI Expo is the promotional products industry’s largest and most influential annual event, organized by the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI). Held every January in Las Vegas, it serves as the global meeting point for suppliers, distributors, agencies, and brands looking to explore the newest innovations in promotional merchandise.

Recognized as the industry’s premier launchpad for new products, trends, and manufacturing advancements, the Expo combines:

• a massive multi-day trade show

• a curated Product Pavilion showcasing the latest and most creative merchandise

• The PPAI Expo Conference with expert-led education sessions

• extensive networking opportunities with global suppliers and partners

For companies like ODM, the PPAI Expo is where trend forecasting meets practical sourcing. It allows us to connect directly with suppliers, discover new materials and technologies, and gather insights that help us design and manufacture better promotional products for our clients worldwide.

What Happens at the PPAI Expo?

Across four days, attendees can explore the expansive show floor, attend high-level education sessions, meet global suppliers, and experience firsthand the innovations that will influence the year’s promotional strategies. From sustainable materials and retail-inspired merchandise to advanced production techniques and packaging trends, the Expo serves as the industry’s launchpad for what’s new and what’s next.

For ODM, this event is an essential touchpoint, where we reconnect with suppliers, evaluate new capabilities, and bring home practical insights that help our clients build smarter, more engaging promotional campaigns.

Here’s what you can expect from the 2026 PPAI Expo:

1. The Expo Hall 

The heart of the event is its expansive show floor. Exhibitors from around the world showcase:

• New product launches

• Sustainable material innovations

• Technology-driven merchandise

• Packaging and presentation trends

• Customizable and limited-edition items

• Retail-inspired promotional products

This is where we identify what’s new, what’s scalable, and what can realistically work for our clients’ upcoming campaigns.

2. The Product Pavilion 

The Product Pavilion (formerly Product Showcase) highlights the industry’s newest and most creative merchandise solutions. Categories include:

• Tech products

• Eco-friendly gifts

• Lifestyle and home items

• Drinkware and F&B gifts

• Apparel

• Premium packaging

This gives us a quick overview of which product categories are gaining traction—insights we then translate into new ideas and refined sourcing strategies.

3. Education Sessions & Keynotes

PPAI organizes a week of seminars led by global experts in marketing, supply chain, design, and sustainability.  These sessions allow our team to stay ahead of regulatory changes, global trends, and new technologies affecting our production hubs in China and Vietnam.

4. Networking & Supplier Meetings

The Expo provides a rare opportunity for ODM to meet face-to-face with:

• Long-term manufacturing partners

• New suppliers and technology innovators

• Global distributors and creative agencies

• Packaging and materials specialists

Strengthening these relationships helps us negotiate better lead times, improve quality standards, and secure new materials or production methods ahead of the wider market.

Here’s a glimpse from the past PPAI Expo:

Here’s a look at some moments from previous PPAI Expos, where the show floor comes alive with creativity, new product launches, and dynamic brand activations. From lifestyle accessories and tech innovations to home and retail-inspired displays, each booth reflects the energy and diversity of the promotional products industry. These past events continue to inspire how we develop, source, and refine product ideas for our clients year after year.

What has ODM tracked So Far for the PPAI Expo?

Even before the event started, people on Twitter were tweeting about it. There were a variety of tweets with the #ppaiexpo hashtag. Vendors have announced their attendance, and excited people have tweeted about the event. Therefore, this proves the buzz surrounding the event.

For example:

For those who attended the expo, we hope you enjoyed your day and found the event beneficial to your company.

Be sure to let us know which products caught your eye at the expo and your personal highlights. Tweet us @ODMGroup with all your #PPAIExpo thoughts, and we’ll feature your Tweets in this post. 

What Could We Gather from the Promotional Products Report?

For the duration of the expo, we gathered information based on the tweets with #ppaiexpo and created the following word cloud.  The number of mentions is represented by the size of the word.

Based on the word cloud, the focus was rather balanced, and some words that stood out to us were “Promoproducts” and “Branding”. This is expected, as the expo is heavily focused on promotional products, and product branding has certainly become more important.

Why Is It A Privilege To Attend The PPAI Expo?

Attending the PPAI Expo holds various importance for professionals in this industry. Here are some key reasons:

The PPAI Expo brings together professionals from all facets of the promotional product industry, including suppliers, distributors, and manufacturers. This creates an excellent opportunity for networking with industry peers, establishing new business relationships, and strengthening existing ones.

The expo serves as a platform for suppliers to showcase their latest products, innovations, and trends. Attendees can explore a wide range of promotional items, allowing distributors to discover new and unique products to offer their clients.

PPAI Expo often features educational sessions, seminars, and workshops conducted by industry experts. These sessions cover a variety of topics, including marketing strategies, industry trends, regulatory compliance, and best practices.

Attendees can gain valuable insights and knowledge to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving promotional product landscape.

By attending the expo, professionals can stay informed about the latest market trends, consumer preferences, and emerging technologies within the promotional product industry. This information is crucial for making informed business decisions and staying ahead of the competition.

The promotional product industry is subject to various regulations, and staying compliant is essential. PPAI Expo often includes sessions that provide updates on regulatory changes, ensuring that industry professionals are aware of and adhere to the necessary guidelines.

The expo provides a platform for professionals to collaborate on projects, share ideas, and explore potential partnerships. This collaborative environment can lead to mutually beneficial business arrangements and innovative solutions.

For exhibitors, the PPAI Expo offers an opportunity to showcase their brands and products to a targeted audience. This exposure can help in building brand awareness, generating leads, and expanding market reach.

This is not the first time for ODM Group to participate in this amazing event. We’ve taken part in the PPAI Expo 2011 and 2019, which opened big opportunities and a strong network for our business. 

PPAI Expo is indeed one of the big events that promotional product businesses should not miss out on. However, here are other trade shows and events to watch out for:

Global Sourcing Fair: A Promising One-Stop Shop for Businesses

Visiting Shenzhen Gift Fair 2021 for the Perfect Gift Marketing Strategy

Vietnam Trade Fair – Garment and Textiles Industry Exhibition

Vietnam Trade Shows for Sourcing Merchandise

Product Sourcing: 25 Promotional Products from 125th Canton Fair

Bottomline

PPAI Expo is definitely a gateway for businesses in the promotional product industry to build connections and get new insights and ideas. Thus, it’s important to note that specific details about this event, such as its schedule, featured speakers, and exhibitors, may change from year to year.

Get connected with us to keep you updated with the latest events and trending promotional products!

All you need to know about PPAI Expo!

When and where will PPAI Expo 2026 take place?

PPAI Expo 2026 will be held from January 12–15, 2026 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. The Expo Conference takes place on January 12, while the show floor is open from January 13–15.

Who attends the PPAI Expo?

The Expo attracts suppliers, distributors, agencies, designers, and brand marketers from around the world. Anyone involved in promotional merchandise, corporate gifting, or brand activation can benefit from attending.

What can brands expect to see at the Expo?

Brands will see thousands of new promotional products, including lifestyle items, tech accessories, drinkware, apparel, sustainable materials, retail-inspired merchandise, and premium packaging solutions.

How does PPAI Expo benefit ODM clients?

Clients gain access to early insights, stronger supplier partnerships, better material options, and improved production capabilities. We also return with trend reports and sourcing recommendations that help brands plan campaigns more effectively.

Does ODM exhibit at the PPAI Expo?

ODM attends the Expo annually, but we participate as visitors rather than exhibitors. This allows us to explore the full show floor, meet suppliers across all categories, and evaluate new production possibilities for our clients.