The promotional product industry is a multi-billion dollar industry that serves the largest corporation to smallest business. The Promotional Products Association International, or PPAI, holds an annual exposition that allows the industry leaders to show off their latest and greatest products. Although each company takes a different approach to their products, trends in product can be found throughout the industry. At the recent PPAI Expo, a few of these trends cropped up in this fast paced and every changing industry. The major themes of the trends included eco-friendly products that are made with sustainable materials, products for the kitchen and household gadgets, and multifunctional items.

As consumers learn more about global warming, the demand for products made with renewable resources grows. Environmentally friendly products are becoming more and more readily available for consumers and this trend has carried over to the promotional industry. With everyone going green, companies need to be able to show their customers that they are eco-friendly. Products that show a company’s concern for the environment are in high demand. These sustainable materials and eco-friendly products are more easily produced now and the cost for these products is not much more than other traditional materials. This makes going green cost effective as well, adding to the appeal of going green. Look for even more products like these in the future.

Kitchen gadgets and utensils have a long relationship with the promotional product industry and the trend is growing once again. Kitchen products allow businesses to have their brand on useful everyday items. A business can purchase products as simple as coffee mugs, rubber can openers, and magnets for the refrigerator. This trend extends beyond these things now and includes martini shakers, knives collections, and even plastic ice cubes. The possibilities are as limitless as the imagination when it comes to kitchen products.

Technological advancements are working to make everything multifunctional. A simple cell phone now includes a camera, video recorder, web browser, appointment reminder, email checker, and alarm clock in one small device. Consumers want more bang for their buck and the promotional product industry has caught on to this trend. A pen, for example, no longer has to be just a pen. It can also be a highlighter or even a jump stick for the computer. Key rings are also great promotional tools that are now multifunctional. Some have flashlights, whistles, bottle openers, and pens. As technology grows, the promotional industry will continue with this trend.

By: Chris S Work

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