The week in Vegas at The PPAI Expo was a lot of things, but dull wasn’t one of them. A show floor that size with that many suppliers in one place, it was a treasure hunt from the get-go. This is one instance where what happened in Vegas was too good to stay in Vegas. Not everybody got to be there (such a shame), so we’re sharing the highlights (our perspective) here and inviting you to live vicariously.

Made-to-Order Screen Printing Meets Vintage Diner

One of the best ways to stand out at any trade show is to do something unique. 613 Originals did just that with their booth. To market their made-to-order, custom screen-printing services, they set the booth up like a diner, complete with a hostess stand, branded food trays, and menus. Shirts were packaged in to-go boxes and sealed with a direct-to-film (DTF) sticker printed right in front of you. 10/10 for creativity.

Golf Tally Tumbler

Ball Pro knocked it out of the park… er, down the fairway and onto the green… with this tumbler that doubles as a score card. Forget the tiny pencils that are impossible to keep up with and score cards that smudge in sweaty pockets. This tumbler helps you keep track of fairways, greens, strokes, and yes, even how many balls you’ve lost. The tumbler is built with rotating rings that lock into place to track your score up to 129. Shoot higher than that and you should probably just focus on the drink inside.

A Notebook Brand that Truly Understands Their Target Audience

Denik sells notebooks. Not your grandma’s spiral bound notebooks. These are notebooks with artist-made, beautifully embroidered covers that exhibit class, taste, and uniqueness. Each notebook sold helps to build schools and support artists. But the true show of the brand’s understanding of their target market was their booth setup. If there’s one thing someone who loves a good journal and art can get excited about, it’s a bookstore. That’s how Denik displayed the journals. We didn’t see anybody else with journals this unique or a setup this appealing.

The Modern-Day Picnic Basket

Picnic baskets are quaint, but they aren’t exactly practical for keeping items chilled en route to a picturesque locale. Enter the RovR KeepR Cooler Caddy. Dividers help you organize food or drinks while the interior ice bucket nestles in the center and keeps ice for up to 48 hours. Perhaps the best-selling point of all, the entire cooler can double as a cocktail caddy or mini bar, gaining appeal from an even broader audience.

How ‘Bout a Cuppa?

If the purpose of an exhibit booth is to draw attention in a crowded space, then Gildan’s strategy of free coffee was a bullseye. At an event known for long lines at the coffee shop, this apparel brand took things into their own hands to introduce Expo attendees to their attire. If you caffeinate them, they will come. Once you arrived, you could watch the live shirt pressing while your drink was being made.

Portable Spa on the Go

Whether it’s 20,000 steps in a day or seemingly endless Zoom meetings, there’s something that feels extra thoughtful about a branded gift that provides self-care. The Therabody Theragun Relief provides relief from daily aches, pains, tension, and stiffness. We can attest to it being effective. You know, from a product research standpoint and all.

Custom Engraved Chocolate

Edible promo will always have a spot on the list. Chocolate will always have a place on the list. Custom engraved chocolate at a promotional products expo seems very self-explanatory. Some decisions require careful thought and consideration. This is a no-brainer.

Portable Gaming Meets Vintage Arcade

Vintage stuff is hot! Especially when it’s modernized and miniature and can be branded with your logo. These Mini Joystick Players actually work and don’t feel like they came out of a vending machine. Would be great for gamers, an 80s-themed event, or just to add a sense of play to the office desk. Pac-Man was catching ‘em all before Pokemon was even born.

A Compartmentalized Lunch Box for Grown Ups

Kids aren’t the only people who don’t want their foods touching. These colorful Nayad Ellis ceramic lunch boxes with built-in separators are microwavable, making them perfect for adults who want a hot lunch without having to go out.

Hybrid Water Bottle: Mist & Hydration

We love anything that’s multifunctional. The GoMist Water Bottle serves as both a traditional water bottle and a mister. That’s hydration inside and out to keep users cool at sporting events, on long hikes, or at the park with the kids. It’s fancier than a spray bottle and the lid fits many other brands’ mouths, too.

Did you see something we missed? Let us know in the comments.