Back in January, at The PPAI Expo, we discovered some first-time exhibitors. To welcome them to the industry and introduce them to our readers, we’re giving eight brands a shoutout here. Newcomers are not sponsors and appear here in no particular order.

Wildgrain

SAGE #53638

Edible promotional items are always crowd pleasers. Wildgrain gave out samples from their custom bakery boxes on the show floor, and we can vouch for the freshness and yum. (Carbs are the way to our hearts.) Choose pre-themed bakery boxes or build your own box choosing from over 50+ artisanal bake-from-frozen breads, pastas, and pastries. They also have protein waffles and gluten free items to reach a broad range of dietary needs.

CordBrick LLC

SAGE #53586

At the CordBrick booth, we met CordBrick Nick doing demos of their weighted silicone cable organizers. The premise behind the product is that it solves a problem almost everybody experiences: fallen and tangled cords. These silicone bricks are high-quality, functional, and take up minimal space while keeping cords organized and accessible. Some glow in the dark, too. These nifty contraptions also double as phone stands and pen holders. Add a logo to the brick to make it a useful, helpful, potentially glow-in-the-dark promo item your customers don’t yet know they need.

FattyPack LLC

SAGE #53602

You’ve heard of fanny packs. These are totally different. Whereas a fanny pack was designed to be a trunk for your backside, FattyPacks are much smaller and provide a space for carrying small items when you don’t have secure pockets (ahem, women’s wear makers). Marketed as a fanny pack for your hat, the small, versatile, foldable pouch attaches to sports bras, hats, leashes, etc. It’s not meant to replace a wallet, but it’s a great way to carry a little cash, your bike/house key, medication, etc. when you don’t want to carry a bag. Essentially, it’s a portable pocket just waiting to promote the right brand.

Fire & Pine

SAGE #53609

Newcomer Fire & Pine offers custom-engraved cutting boards and maps. That means you could use their skills to engrave a brand message on a cutting board or to create a custom map of over 5,000 different cities, all made to order in the USA. The custom engravers will also do candles, magnets, ornaments, patents, etc.

Seeded Promotions

SAGE #53614

If you’re looking for eco-conscious products, look to Seeded Promotions. They provide eco-friendly promo that grows. Their seed grow kits, packets, and paper are assembled in the USA and guaranteed to grow. When we talk about planting a seed with great promo, we didn’t know someone would take it literally. Honestly, it’s a brilliant option that sprouts possibilities.

Branded Originals

SAGE #52974

Custom apparel is all the rage. Unlike other suppliers, Branded Originals doesn’t just decorate stock items; they build apparel from scratch for true customization and real results. They consider themselves manufacturers first and suppliers second. That’s saying a lot coming from a company that started in a garage.

Stanley & Stella

You’d never know Stanley & Stella were first-time exhibitors by looking at their booth. It was a showstopper, pristinely set up to look like a retail store. Their sustainable clothing is high-quality with great design that makes a fashion statement to go alongside the environmental statement.

Stand 4 Socks

Branded socks are practical, have longevity, and in this case, give back. Stand4 Socks sells branded socks with purpose. For every pair of socks purchased, they donate a thick, antibacterial pair to a vulnerable person in need. While they may be first-time exhibitors at The PPAI Expo, they have already donated over 800,000 pairs of socks to people across the UK, Europe, Ukraine, and the United States.

Welcome to the industry conversation, everyone. All the best as you help brands get their names out there.