The annual PPAI Expo brings together thousands of industry professionals, suppliers, and distributors for an unparalleled experience of innovation, networking, and education.
This year, more than 16,000 industry professionals from across the globe visited the Las Vegas-based expo to meet more than 1,000 exhibiting companies and discover the latest trends and products set to reshape the promotional products landscape in 2024.
From cutting-edge technology solutions to sustainable and eco-friendly products, the Expo showcases emerging trends that reflect the ever-evolving needs and preferences of consumers.
As the biggest promotional products show in the world (and one of the first in the calendar year), the trends that emerge at PPAI Expo each year often set the tone for the rest of the year. If it’s big at PPAI Expo, you can bet it’s going to be big at home soon.
Exhibitors at this year’s show revealed several trends influencing the promo industry today, some of which were illuminated in colorful lights, while others were less easy to spot.
Sustainability and social responsibility were front and center at this year’s show.
While less than a quarter of the products sold by promotional product suppliers in 2023 were marketed as sustainable, this will likely increase in 2024, with stands of the biggest suppliers in the industry flush with eco-friendly and sustainably-sourced products. More suppliers than ever before spruiked products that not only had eco-friendly characteristics and features, but could prove said features with instantly recognisable eco-credentials.
The sustainability theme was also prevalent in the abundance of wow-inspiring, Instagram-worthy packaging innovations on display at the show, with a notable emphasis on reducing or eliminating packaging waste.
As pandemic-era travel hesitancy becomes a thing of the past, air travel has once again ignited in popularity and products designed to make traveling easier and more convenient for individuals were left, right and center at the Expo. Attendees were presented with a range of innovative solutions aimed at enhancing the travel experience, from travel accessories that optimize organisation and comfort to technology-driven devices that streamline the journey.
In the sphere of apparel, oversized offerings and heavyweight T-shirts appeared to be enjoying a moment, while unisex styles were also a staple in new collections from almost all of the big apparel suppliers on the show floor.
For the last six years, TurnKey Promotions’ supplier-partner Stencil has led the Australian apparel market with their production of high-quality, high-tech clothing.
Stencil is perhaps best known for its famous Cool Dry® fabric, an innovative moisture-wicking fabric that breathes like a cotton, is quick drying and has antibacterial properties, making it cool and comfortable to wear all year round.
Over the past few years, Stencil has invested extensively in new technology to bring to market a number of groundbreaking, eco-friendly fabrics that can be found in some of TurnKey Promotion’s new ranges of polo shirts and apparel. These fabrics include:
Stencil Clime-Ori® Stencil Clime-Ori® was developed by Stencil in partnership with DuPont, using DuPont’s new Sorona technology. Clime-Ori® mixes the excellence of Cool Dry® with the innovative spring-like structure of Sorona, giving Clime-Ori® a an impressive set of attributes including colourfastness and stain-resistance.
Stencil Nano-Gear® Produced in both 100% cotton and poly/cotton blends, Stencil Nano-Gear® uses nano-scale polymers (engineered to attach to the individual fibres) to leave the finished garments astoundingly stain-resistant and wrinkle-free.
Stencil Bio-Weave® Stencil’s newest natural fibre combines traditional techniques with high technology to create a fabric unlike any other. A close cousin of rayon and lyocell, Bio-Weave® utilizes revolutionary wood-pulp manufacturing techniques to produce a fabric that has longlasting colours, is wrinkle-free and kind to sensitive skin.
The Sorona Polo
This year, TurnKey Promotions introduces Stencil’s Sorona Polo– proving that scratchy, uncomfortable eco-friendly fabrics are a thing of the past.
Comprised of an ecologically responsible plant-origin fibre, the Sorona Polo not only offers unmatched wear characteristics, but also requires 30% less energy to produce than a comparative nylon shirt. Our new Sorona Polo is also manufactured using natural fermentation in place of chemical processing, reducing its environmental impact without sacrificing quality or performance.
The finished product is smooth, silky and available in a range of attractive colours that won’t fade with wash or wear thanks to the fabric’s inherently high UV resistance.
To enquire about the Sorona Polo or any of Stencil’s fabrics, please contact TurnKey Promotions on 1300 153 707.
On the 1st of November 2022, NSW will join the ACT, QLD, SA and WA at the forefront of the national sustainability movement by implementing a ban on single-use plastic items.
The ban follows the state-wide prohibition of lightweight single-use plastic bags (implemented in June) and includes straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates, bowls, cotton buds, polystyrene takeaway food containers and more.
The scale of damage inflicted by callous human disposal of plastic products throughout the past 50 years is simply immeasurable. Since regular production of plastic bags began in the 1970’s, scientists tragically estimate that mankind has effectively killed off 49% of all marine life species (Living Blue Planet Report 2015, WWF).
By banning harmful plastic products, we are reducing the shameful amount of plastic that currently pollutes our oceans and taking an important step towards a brighter, more sustainable future for us all.
“The ban is expected to stop 2.7 billion single-use items from ending up in our natural environment and waterways over the next 20 years.”
NSW Treasurer and Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean
A number of products are temporarily exempt from the ban. These exemptions extend to serving utensils (such as salad servers or tongs), packing seals for food and beverage items and items that are mechanically attached to or included within food packaging (such as a straw in a juicebox).
A two-year exemption for plastic-lined paper plates and bowls that are decorated with patterns and/or pictures has also been granted by the state government to give small businesses time to adjust to the new legislation.
These everyday products have been a part of our lives for decades- what do we use now?
There are so many great alternatives to these soon-to-be-banned plastic products- and TurnKey Promotions can help you get your hands on them in no time at all!
We pride ourselves on sourcing thoughtfully designed, clever alternatives to products comprised of toxic plastics or materials. Plus, we can customize any item we source with your company logo or brand message.
Some of our favourite eco-friendly, reuseable products include:
Ash Recycled Large Shopper Tote This durable shopper tote holds more than 30lbs. features a large open main compartment, 11.5″ drop handles and is made of RPET material.
Replaces: Single-use plastic bags
Harvest Produce Bags in Pouch Includes five mesh drawstring bags in a drawstring polyester pouch.
Replaces: Plastic produce bags
Newton Salad Shaker This shaker holds salad and dressing in separate compartments (710ml).
Replaces: Polystyrene takeaway food containers
Delish Eco Cutlery Set Includes full size fork, knife and spoon in a push-lid container. Made from a 50/50 blend of wheat fibre and BPA free polypropylene. Replaces: Disposable plastic cutlery
Reuseable Straw in Bottle Opener Case The flexible, reusable straw collapses to fit into a portable container equipped with a bottle opener.
Replaces: Plastic straws
Bendigo Enamel Bowl Durable stainless steel bowl which is BPA-free and has a stylish enamel finish.
Replaces: Paper bowls (takeaway food packaging)
To enquire about any of the products listed above, please call TurnKey Promotions on 1300 153 707. Alternatively, for more great eco-friendly promotional products, download and browse Turnkey Promotions’ Eco-Living Catalogue.
Welcome to plastic free July. What does that mean exactly? If you decide to take part you join other millions of people around the globe who are agreeing to reduce their plastic waste. The movement started was started in 2017 by Rebecca Prince-Ruiz (founder of the Plastic Free Foundation) and a small team in local government in Western Australia. It is now one of the most influential environmental campaigns in the world.
Whether you are a believer in Climate change or not, 18 billion pounds of plastic waste flowing into our oceans every year from coastal regions (published by National Geographic in May 2019) is not good in anyone’s standards. From my own personal experience, on a recent trip to Ireland I witnessed the exuberant level of pollution in their beaches and bays. Something I had never seen before. The locals told us this beautiful part of the world has become an ocean waste deposit.
Looking at our own home front, Australia (according to War on Waste statistics), Australia is one of the most wasteful countries in the developed world. We use over 10 million plastic bags a day. 85% of soft plastic from bags and packaging ends up in landfill.
It’s an interesting time for all of us. The choices we make in our lives, both personally and professionally. Recently Coles launched their latest ‘little shop’ campaign, ie, plastic toys … and have received backslash from the likes of change.org – who have started a petition which says – “Are you gobsmacked that Coles has brought out a new range of ‘little shop’ toys during Plastic-free July?”
This is something I have thought a lot about in our business. The promotional product industry produces a lot of plastic products. It is changing. Can it change faster ? Of course. I think it comes down to education, product availability and business/brand positioning. In the last 10 years, sustainable / eco-friendly products have evolved from novel / niche to being in high demand. This growing movement has been driven by:
Changing consumers attitudes: “25% of consumers are extremely concerned about plastic packaging, 42% think manufacturers should prioritise making packaging recyclable and 21% think the industry should work toward entirely plastic-free packaging” (Kantar).
Consumer purchase decisions are becoming more relationship / belief (2018 Edelman Earned Brand report) based than transactional.
Educational programs and the rise of influencers: David Attenborough, “The War on Waste”, Leonardo Dicaprico Save the Whales
Educational precincts – UTS is working on eliminating the most common single-use plastic items in their campus.
Businesses – Unilever’s ‘Sustainable Living’ brands accounted for 60% of growth in 2016 and grew 50% faster than the rest of the business. Lego has committed to building its toys entirely from plant-based or recycled materials by 2030. They are investing over $2.18 billion in this project.
Availability of environmentally friendly products.
Through my research over the years of environmentally friendly products, I see the trend of reverting back to ‘the way we were’. We sold ourselves the dream of fast and convenient, only to realise that it’s not good for us or the environment. So slowly, we are changing things and going back to basics. That’s why you will see promotional products that don’t feel necessarily new… but the sourcing, the materials, the logistics … has changed. Here are a few I would like to share with you:
WHEAT STRAW – Is the stalk left over of harvested wheat grains. Previously it was categorised as a waste product – where in some countries they would burn off the starch. The material is now reclaimed to make wheat products.
BAMBOO – The fastest growing plant. It can be easily substitute all known wood applications without having to cut down entire bamboo groves or plantations. It also continuously grows after harvest without having to re-plant it. Bamboo converts about 35% more CO2 into oxygen than a regular tree.
RICE HUSK – A waste product with little value, so recycling will not reduce air pollution and the amount of plastic used! Biodegradable and reusable.
GLASS – A natural choice for a clean, pure taste and offers a safe and eco-friendly alternative.
SILICON – Made from silica found in sand, lasts longer than plastic, both in respect to the environment and product usage. It’s high durability, makes it more ‘ocean friendly’. Silicone can take extreme variations in temperature (cold to hot) without cracking, melting or falling apart.
