Exploring Innovation at the PPAI Expo & Inviting You to Join Us

January 19, 2025

Discover the Latest in Promotional Products and Be Our Guest at an Exclusive Showcase!

Last week, Matt and I had the incredible opportunity to attend the PPAI Expo in Las Vegas. For those unfamiliar, the PPAI Expo is the largest and longest-running trade show in the promotional products industry. This four-day event is packed with opportunities to learn, network, and explore the latest and greatest offerings from the industry’s leading suppliers.

The expo kicked off with a professional development conference, which provided invaluable classes and sessions designed to enhance our knowledge and skills. We participated in a variety of workshops that covered everything from innovative marketing strategies to emerging trends in promotional products. The insights we gained will undoubtedly help us continue to provide the best solutions for our clients.

View more

Once the show floor opened, the real excitement began. With thousands of exhibitor booths and hundreds of thousands of promotional products on display, it was like stepping into a creative wonderland. Suppliers from around the globe showcased their latest designs, products, and ideas, offering inspiration for campaigns and projects we can bring to our clients.

In addition to discovering new products, we took the opportunity to build relationships with both established and new suppliers. These connections are key to ensuring we have access to high-quality products and cutting-edge solutions that make a difference for the brands we work with.

Some highlights of the show included:

  • Innovative eco-friendly products that align with the growing demand for sustainable solutions.
  • Unique customization techniques that elevate branding to the next level.
  • Exploring international brands and gaining insight into global trends.

Attending the PPAI Expo is always an inspiring experience, and this year was no exception. We returned energized, with fresh ideas and a renewed passion for what we do. It’s exciting to think about how these learnings and connections will shape our projects in the year ahead.

Looking ahead, we’re thrilled to invite our clients to join us at one of three upcoming promotional product showcases. These events provide an incredible opportunity to see a wide range of products in person, brought together by our trusted suppliers. Pricing discussions are off the table, allowing you to focus entirely on exploring the latest ideas and innovations.


The three shows will be held during the work day on the following dates - Behind Your Design will cover your entry

  • May 15th in Grand Rapids at the Meijer Gardens
  • July 15th in Lansing at the Kellogg Center
  • September 17th in Detroit at the Lions Stadium


If you’d like to be our guest at one of these events, please reach out to let us know which date works best for you. We’d love to share this experience with you and help bring fresh inspiration to your promotional strategies.

Be Our Guest At A Promotional Product Expo - Meet our Suppliers

More Ways to Wear Your Brand With Custom Stores

September 9, 2026
Branded apparel doesn’t have to mean choosing one shirt, one color and hoping everyone likes it. A custom online store gives people more ways to find something that fits their personal style while still representing your brand. At Behind Your Design, we create custom pop-up stores year-round for businesses, organizations, teams, events and special campaigns. With more options for apparel styles, colors, sizes and decoration methods, a custom store can turn branded apparel into something people are genuinely excited to order and wear. A Fresh Take on Pure Barre Apparel We recently created custom stores for Pure Barre that show just how much personality you can bring to branded apparel. For our local Pure Barre studio, we created a collegiate-inspired collection featuring block chenille lettering reminiscent of classic game-day apparel. It gave the Pure Barre brand a completely different look while still feeling cohesive, recognizable and wearable. We also created a seasonal Halloween and Breast Cancer Awareness store that was made available to Pure Barre studios across the country. The collection combined a timely theme with a larger purpose, giving studios access to special apparel while also supporting a breast cancer fundraiser. These stores can be seasonal, tied to a fundraiser or event, or simply created to give your brand a fresh, creative twist.

Small Businesses, Big Impact at the 2026 Ally Challenge

By Chelsea Mills • September 9, 2026
From grassroots marketing and community impact to concerts, hospitality and championship golf, the 2026 tournament had it all.

Spartans, Come See Behind Your Design at the MSU Vendor Fair!

By Chelsea Mills • September 8, 2026
We’re Heading to Michigan State University!

A Smart Take on the Classic Reusable Bag

September 8, 2026
Reusable bags are one of those promotional products that just make sense. They’re practical, versatile and give your brand plenty of room to be seen. But there’s always one problem: remembering to actually bring them with you.  That’s what makes a foldable reusable bag such a smart option. Instead of taking up space when it’s not being used, it folds down into a compact size that’s easy to keep close by. Toss it in a purse, backpack, glove compartment or desk drawer, and it’s ready when you need it.

Celebrate It. Promote It. Put It on a Banner.

September 8, 2026
When you have something worth showing off, banners make it hard to miss. Custom banners are one of those marketing tools that can work for just about any occasion. Th ey’re big enough to get attention, flexible enough to work indoors or outdoors, and customizable to fit everything from a single celebration to a large event. Whether you’re building brand visibility, recognizing sponsors, celebrating an accomplishment or directing attention to an important message, a well-designed banner gives you plenty of space to make an impact.

Get Your Brand in the Halloween Spirit

September 8, 2026
Halloween isn’t just for costumes and candy. It’s also a fun opportunity to get your brand out into the community! From business trick-or-treating and trunk-or-treats to Witches Night Out events, fall festivals , and Halloween parties , there are plenty of ways to join in the fun with promotional products people will be excited to receive. Candy is always a crowd-pleaser, and custom packaging, treat bags, or branded sweets can turn a simple giveaway into a memorable touchpoint. But Halloween promo doesn’t have to stop at the candy bowl. Think glow sticks and safety lights for trick-or-treaters, reusable bags for collecting goodies, festive drinkware for adults, or other Halloween-themed giveaways that fit the occasion. Whether you’re planning something for kids, adults, or a little bit of both, there are plenty of ways to find something fun and useful. Getting your brand into the holiday spirit is an easy way to create a positive association with your business while increasing visibility in your community. A little Halloween fun can go a long way toward keeping your name top of mind. We’ve rounded up 12 Halloween promotional product ideas to help you get started. Take a look, find your favorites, and let Behind Your Design help you make them your own!
Show More