The Promotional Products Association International, which have over hundreds of vendors displaying all the latest and greatest items in the promotional industry. Every year, when I go I always bring a list of items that customers are particularly looking for as well as trying to keep my eye out for buzz worthy or popular items.
But enough self promotion, here is my list of the top promotional items. 
Custom Knit Gloves for the Masses
Custom Knit gloves, Toques and Scarves. These items have been around for a few years, but the minimums used to be in the thousands, which made them unreachable for most brands. This year however you can order a fully custom knit scarf with a minimum 100 piece order. This makes a truly custom piece within reach for just about everyone. The neat thing about this product is that you can make it as awesome as you want by using up to 7 yarn colors for 1 flat fee and using new “HD” knitting the images can be more sophisticated and vibrant than your traditional soccer scarf.
Custom Light Bulb
Origaudio launched a line of LED light bulbs. The bulbs are a set of interlocking panels with 3 LED bulbs each. The bulb is printed 4 color process on every panel, so the branding choices are endless. The bulb is said to last 28 years and consumes less power than a regular bulb. They are also dimmable without requiring a dimmer switch; all you need to install it is a standard light socket. This unique promotional product was so cool that I even bought a sample at the show. 
Wearable Technology
Wearable technology is a product I am really torn on. The retail market is dominated by Apple, Samsung and Fit Bit. Logo-branding those promotional items are not cheap at all, besides, they doesn’t leave much room for a distributor to make any money. Last year I didn’t see any fitness trackers at the show, but this year there were a bunch.
Hand Warmers
It is an electric hand warmer that is worn around your waist. You often see this type of promo product being worn by NFL quarter backs, but now it’s available and safe to use in industry. I tried one on at the show and would love to have this for the next time I’m shoveling my driveway on a blustery day. After all, they are useful and creative corporate gifts.
The Rag Bag
I was a little puzzled by this product at the very first beginning because it offers to much green potential! It is made with recycled t-shirts and it is made in the USA, plus it is designed to be reused after being a bag as a rag! They say one bag is 8 times more absorbent than a traditional paper towel and can be washed and reused over and over like a regular executive gifts dish rag. Therefore, the bag can be reused over and over or it can be recycled into a rag.
