Your clients will make a sustainable statement at trade shows, retail stores or in the office with these top-searched bags.
Reusable totes have long been an industry staple, with bags making up more than $2 billion in promo sales last year, according to ASI’s annual State of the Industry Report. What’s become more important over the years is sustainability, with more promo suppliers and distributors going after sustainability certifications and more clients asking for eco-friendly products. Feed those growing interests while meeting demand for a classic category with these top-searched ESP+ picks.
Made from renewable, compostable jute fabric, this eco-friendly tote bag features leather handles, a zippered main compartment and an interior pocket. Ideal for hospitality venues or beach resorts.
Make a difference with the FEED convention tote – proceeds from sales help provide meals for kids worldwide without access to food. Made from 100% GOTS certified organic cotton, it’s perfect for sustainability-focused trade shows.
Every Out of the Ocean lunch shopper tote is made from 100% ocean plastic and removes the equivalent of three plastic water bottles from the ocean. Featuring vibrant ocean photography, it’s ideal for any eco-friendly client.
Crafted from 100% natural jute – a vegetable fiber – this bag features colors created with azo-free dye. With long cotton webbing handles, it’s great for farmers' markets or upscale retail shopping.
This wine tote carries bottles in style. Made from 100% jute, it holds two bottles, features dividers for protection, windows to showcase the bottle’s label, and has a water-resistant PVC coating inside. It’s ideal for weddings, vineyards or wine retailers hoping to focus on sustainability.
Made from eco-friendly recycled PET, this folding reusable tote is a strong pick for grocery stores or gift shops to sell at checkout. It features 8-inch handles and packs into a mini attached bag.
Appeal to spas, fitness centers or companies with employee wellness programs with these health-focused items.
According to the Kaeser Family Foundation, more than half of companies offer some kind of health and wellness program to encourage employees to engage in a healthier lifestyle. For those companies, there’s opportunity to incorporate promo into those programs – whether it’s a wellness journal for attending lifestyle coaching or a sunscreen kit for attending a health screening – as an added incentive for employees.
Help clients encourage yoga on the go with this roll-up mat with secure carrying strap. Available in royal blue or black, and ideal for wellness programs, gyms or fitness studios.
Gear up community recreation centers or local pickleball leagues with the Smasher Pickleball Set. Featuring two paddles and two high-visibility indoor pickleballs in a mesh sling bag, this set is suitable for all ages and skill levels. Full-color decoration included.
Protect against UVA and UVB rays with this pocket-sized double-sided stick, featuring a SPF 15 lip balm on one side and SPF 30 sunscreen on the other. Think spas, wellness centers and outdoor summertime events.
These 7-foot colorful jump ropes come in three bright colors and feature easy-to-grip white handles. Perfect for school sports programs, physical education classes or fitness conventions.
Employees can track their fitness, nutrition and wellness journeys with this Moleskine® Passion Journal. With intro pages for nutrition tips and muscle-building exercises, plus sections to cover personal goals, fitness, diet and health & care, it’s also well-suited for personal trainers and dietitians to give out to clients.
Lightweight and strong, the Marcus Mini Massage Gun features a sleek, ergonomic design to soothe muscles and relieve tension. Features a padded silicone cover, two speed levels and a 3.5-hour battery capacity. Great for university athletic departments or physical therapists.
These drinkware picks are great for sports teams, fitness centers or campaigns centered around the great outdoors.
Drinkware brands like Nalgene and YETI first rose to popularity through their associations with outdoorsy activities like hiking and camping. While the promo market for top drinkware items has exploded to every market sector since then – making up nearly 11% of industry sales in 2023, according to ASI’s most recent State of the Industry Report – there’s also still demand for durable bottles built for the great outdoors and people on the go. These six sport bottles will keep your employees or customers hydrated all year long.
Stay hydrated and active with this 28-oz. Tritan water bottle. It features a flip-up drinking spout and a screw-on lid with a carrying handle. BPA-free and top rack dishwasher-safe, it fits most vehicle cup holders. Ideal for hiking or outdoor centers.
This 20-oz. aluminum sports bottle features a screw-on and spill-resistant lid, easy-carry handle and wide-mouth opening. Also meets FDA requirements and is BPA-free. Hand wash recommended. Perfect for sports leagues or recreation organizations.
Well suited for fitness centers, this 23-oz. Houston Water Bottle boasts a carry loop handle, screw-on cap and a wide mouth for easy filling and cleaning. Made of single-wall stainless steel, it comes in four colors.
Promote your client’s brand on the go with this 20-oz. aluminum bottle, featuring a matching screw-top cap and a silicone carrying strap for easy transport. Attach it to a bag or carabiner hook for convenience. Great for travel agencies or airlines.
Make a bright statement with a 20-oz. flexi-grip bottle. With easy squeeze action, a rigid cap and an easy-flow push-pull lid, it comes in various vibrant colors to match company or school branding.
Perfect for corporate gifting, the 18-oz. YETI Rambler is dishwasher-safe and features double-wall vacuum insulation to keep water cold on the go. Available in two finishes and multiple colors.
Cater to end-buyers on the go with these top-searched travel products.
Americans are back to traveling. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, 2024 was one of the biggest years for U.S. air travel on record, with nearly 17 million flights taking off throughout 2024 – an increase of about 500,000. With hundreds of millions of people taking to the skies – including a significant number traveling for business – there’s serious market opportunity for branded products that make traveling easier. Here are six great travel products that can carry your company’s branding in style.
Ideal for corporate travel promotions, this cosmetics kit includes everything travelers need on the go. The branded bag contains a 1-oz. hand sanitizer in a silicone holder, travel toothbrush in a folding case, round pill holder and vinyl manicure set.
Osprey’s Ultralight Packing Cube Set simplifies organization to make travel easier. Includes three cubes with zipper closures and side grab handles, plus a garment folder to keep shirts fresh and crisp. Perfect for travel agencies or destination hotels.
This ABS plastic travel adapter includes components for use in the U.S., U.K., EU and Australia, all in a compact case. Supporting 110-225 volts, it’s great for international business travelers in need of versatile tech support.
Event attendees will appreciate a tablet holder/organizer, featuring a padded sleeve for a 10.5” tablet, pockets for business cards, pens and cords, and the Large Book of Awesome notebook. Ideal for tech conferences or business meetings.
This travel-sized brushing set ensures bright smiles while traveling. Includes 5 grams of Colgate toothpaste, a mini toothbrush and a carrying case that takes direct imprint. FDA registered and approved. Perfect for dental clinics or hospitality venues.
This versatile travel pillow unzips to reveal a cozy blanket. Measuring 10.5” x 13”, it’s perfect for napping on the go. Well suited for airports, travel agencies and outdoor equipment stores.
The industry’s most widely purchased item is a classic for a reason.
T-shirt sales accounted for more than $4.5 billion in industry revenue in 2023, according to ASI’s most recent State of the Industry report, making it the biggest product category by a wide margin. And for good reason – companies from every vertical use branded T-shirts to stock company stores, give away at events and show off branding on a larger canvas than a pen. Here are six of the most popular tees in the branded-merch industry.
The Comfort Colors Adult Heavyweight T-Shirt is made from 6.1 oz. 100% ringspun preshrunk USA cotton. With Comfort Colors’ brand support for environmental and humanitarian causes through the Gildan Community Investment Program, it’s a great tee for community events or school fundraisers.
Ideal as an elevated event T-shirt, the District Very Important Tee offers ultimate comfort with 4.3 oz. 100% combed ringspun cotton. With a slim fit body and rib-knit neck, it’s available in dozens of colors to match company or project branding.
Crafted from 4.5 oz. 100% ringspun preshrunk USA cotton, the Tultex Fine Jersey T-Shirt offers durability and long-lasting color through reactive dying. Available in sizes up to 5XL and manufactured in a SMETA-certified facility. Perfect for the restaurant and hospitality industries.
The Gildan SoftStyle Adult T-Shirt is semi-fitted with a high stitch density for smooth printing on a variety of color options. Made from a ringspun cotton jersey knit and quarter-turned to eliminate a center crease. A great pick for sports team merchandise.
With a large 12” x 12” imprint area, this Bella Canvas Unisex Half Sleeve T-Shirt offers extreme softness from its 4.2 oz. 100% combed and ringspun cotton fabric. Think sports and outdoor activities as spring approaches.
Combining the comfort of a tee with the protection of a hoodie, this versatile long-sleeve hoodie tee is made from 100% microfiber performance polyester. It offers UPF50+ sun protection and a sublimation-friendly fabric that’s well-suited for coastal brands or college giveaways.
As suppliers unveiled new products at ASI Orlando to kick off 2025, distributors had the chance to vote on their favorites.
As the first industry trade show of the year, ASI Show Orlando was a way for suppliers to kick-start the year by revealing their unique new offerings for 2025, and for distributors to scope out what could be the hot new item of the new year. At the show, attending distributors had the chance to vote on some of their favorite products advertised in the ASI Orlando Product Showcase in six categories, from “most unique” to “most fashion-forward.” Here are the winners.
Make a statement at your next corporate golf outing or charity tournament with the Fast Eddie belt buckle. The beveled buckle unsnaps to reveal a hidden ball marker and divot tool/bottle opener, customizable with your logo. Each includes leather belt strap.
Spot hidden cameras effortlessly with this camera detector. When its light hits a miniature camera, a red-light reflection is visible through the filter window or eyeglass. Perfect for use in hotel rooms and rentals, and an ideal promo item for security firms or travel agencies.
Step up your golf game with customizable golf shoes that blend style and performance. Personalize three panels with your favorite colors or a unique logo, and choose between sleek black and red or modern clear bottoms. Great for pro shops, sports apparel stores or golf teams.
The 30-oz. silicone SiliH2O water bottle is made from 100% food-grade silicone, making it durable and versatile. Features include a snap-down, leak-proof top and a keyring notch, plus it’s dishwasher, microwave and freezer safe. Ideal for fitness centers or schools.
This 60" x 72" blanket is made from 100% polyester and features a quilted Polar Sunset design. It rolls up into a self-carrying case with a water-repellent hunter green lining and a beige flap with hook and loop attachment. Perfect for outdoor events or camping trips.
Head to the pickleball court with the Court Sling bag from OGIO, the official bag of the Professional Pickleball Association. Made from 600D recycled rPET poly, it features padded pockets for two paddles or tech devices, making it ideal for clubs or tournaments.
Gift practical promo from one of the industry’s top categories.
With the rise of “it brands” like YETI, Hydro Flask and Stanley, drinkware has become a must-have promo item for end-buyers across markets. And industry sales show it; the category made up 10.7% of promo sales in 2023, according to ASI’s annual State of the Industry report – more than double its percentage in 2011. These water bottles are functional and fashionable picks for your next promo drinkware campaign.
Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, this 32 oz. Basecamp bottle is ideal for camping, backpacking, hiking and more. Crafted from Tritan BPA-free plastic, it features a wide mouth and screw-on cap.
The Ringo magnetic insulated water bottle not only keeps beverages at the perfect temperature but also holds a phone magnetically. Whether empty or full, users enjoy a complete 90-degree range to capture content, follow workouts or make video calls. Dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
Featuring a sleek stainless-steel base and cap, this 22 oz. Tritan water bottle is designed for convenience. It includes a handy loop for easy carrying or strapping to a bag. Available in trendy colors, this bottle is the perfect hydration solution for those out and about.
Crafted from durable stainless steel, the 32 oz. Dri Duck Rover water bottle is designed to keep both the user and their furry friends hydrated – simply detach the base to reveal a pet dish, ensuring water is always within reach.
Featuring double-wall insulation to keep drinks at the ideal temperature, the Tervis Venture bottle offers a versatile two-in-one Versa lid with both a drink-thru spout and a straw spout. Designed for convenience, it includes a push-button opening for one-handed operation and a safety lock to prevent spills.
A sleek and functional masterpiece, this 18 oz. double-wall stainless-steel bottle keeps hot drinks warm for up to 12 hours and cold drinks chilled for up to 24 hours. Crafted from recycled stainless steel with a matte finish, it features bamboo and gunmetal-finished accents.
The Rivers bottle combines style and functionality with its beveled silhouette and powder-coated finish, offering a sleek look despite its large 32 oz. capacity. Features an easy-to-carry handle and a button-push pop spout that locks. Made from double-wall 18/8 stainless steel.
Perfect for use in the office, gym or any destination, this 40 oz. double-wall bottle features a twist-off lid and preserves ice for hours, ensuring drinks stay refreshingly cold. Its smooth, sleek design provides an elegant canvas to showcase any logo.
Where innovation meets convenience, the 30 oz. SiliH2O water bottle is unique for its 100% silicone material. Includes a snap-down, leak-proof top and convenient notch for keyring attachment. It’s BPA-free; nontoxic; and dishwasher-, microwave-, oven- and freezer-safe. Great for education campaigns.
Constructed with double-walled, vacuum-insulated 18/8 stainless steel, this 30 oz. bottle keeps beverages at the perfect temperature. Featuring a screw-on lid with a convenient rotating carrying handle and built-in straw, it offers ultimate ease of use.
The earthy brown hue gives off cozy vibes.
Goodbye, “Brat Green.” Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year dredges up a different summer hit – the rich brown hue an echo of Sabrina Carpenter’s blockbuster “Espresso.”
What once dominated the airwaves will now saturate our sight lines, with Pantone’s selection of Mocha Mousse, a hue that the global color authority says appeals to a desire for comfort and evokes the delectable quality of cacao, chocolate and coffee.
Pantone has chosen Mocha Mousse as its 2025 Color of the Year. (Pantone Color Institute)
“Underpinned by our desire for everyday pleasures, [Mocha Mousse] expresses a level of thoughtful indulgence,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. She went on to call the shade “sophisticated and lush, yet at the same time an unpretentious classic” and noted that it presents a “tasteful touch of glamour” while it “envelops us with its sensorial warmth.”
The color institute also pointed to the need for harmony as inspiration for its color pick. For the 2025 Color of the Year, “we look to a color that reaches into our desire for comfort and wellness, and the indulgence of simple pleasures that we can gift and share with others,” said Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute.
Pantone is selling limited-edition merch featuring the Color of the Year. (Pantone Color Institute)
Indeed, the Pantone Color Institute is selling limited-edition branded merch featuring its 2025 pick, including coffee mugs, keychains and notebooks. Pantone also has an array of brand partners touting Mocha Mousse in home décor, makeup and apparel. Makeup membership service IPSY is offering a collection of limited-edition products in the shade. Society6, an artist-driven e-commerce retailer, also has a Mocha Mousse collection, available on a variety of products that include art prints, phone cases and more.
This is the 26th year that Pantone has been declaring a Color of the Year. Back in 1999, the institute declared Cerulean Blue its 2000 Color of the Year. For 2024, it chose the pastel neutral Peach Fuzz. Other recent picks include 2023’s Viva Magenta and 2022’s Very Peri.
1. Employee Appreciation Gifts Lean into the coziness of the shade with soft blankets or fuzzy socks.
2. Fitness Studios Help boutique gyms and other fitness studios build up an apparel line with fleece hoodies in earthy brown hues.
3. Company Stores Add a cotton cap, perhaps with an embroidered or faux leather patch, to give employees ample options to rep their company.
This year’s gift bag is a real bag that uses trendy branding and even finds space for print.
The “swag bags” for major award ceremonies like the Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Golden Globes are known for their eye-watering monetary value. This year’s Golden Globes bag continues the tradition and is reportedly the highest-value gift bag in the ceremony’s history, with more than $1 million in luxury gifts and getaways nestled neatly into the bag itself.
That’s all well and good for the celebrities, but let’s talk about that bag itself for a second, shall we?
Sometimes, it seems like the term “swag bag” is a bit of a misnomer. There might not be a bag at all. That’s why some shows have started using phrases like “gift suite.” However, the Golden Globes bag really is an honest to goodness bag, and there are plenty of lessons that we can draw from it for promotional products distributors.
It might be a coincidence, since we’re only a few days from Pantone announcing the 2025 Color of the Year “Mocha Mousse,” but the bag designed by Atlas Bespoke uses a shade of brown that looks an awful lot like the it-color for next year.
Part of that is because brown works well as a neutral shade and is often used alongside other neutrals like black and white for luxury goods.
When your gift is supposed to say “opulence” and “award,” you want something that fits the narrative, and Mocha Mousse – or whatever specific shade of brown this bag is – works well here, making the bag elegant and on trend.
“We’re super excited about this chic chocolate brown,” a spokesperson from Atlas Bespoke told Hello! Magazine. “It’s timeless yet on trend.”
Though a marketer or distributor’s first instinct may be to plaster a big loud logo all over a product for maximum visibility, there are times when restraint is appropriate. Many upscale or designer products, even when the logo is what creates the high perceived value, err on the side of minimalism.
The Golden Globes bag does this well with its two main logo signifiers. The first is a small luggage tag that looks like a golden medallion that attaches to the handle with a simple engraved “Golden Globes.” The other is a small embossed Atlas logo on the front of the bag.
This way, recipients can use the bag without it being too obvious that it was a freebie (a relative term), though it has that “if you know, you know” exclusivity factor.
“This bag isn’t something you’ll see anyone else carrying unless they’re a winner or presenter,” the Atlas Bespoke spokesperson said. “If you spot someone at the airport with it, you know you’re in the presence of a Golden Globe honoree.”
Promo pros can create a similarly high-end retail vibe for clients whose brands align with such elements by leveraging minimalist/subtle decoration.
Since the Golden Globes and Atlas Bespoke did go the route of a physical bag rather than a “gift suite,” they needed a way to convey all of the actual gifts, many of which are immaterial, like vacations or experiences.
That’s where a small matching booklet came in handy. The booklet is the same fabric as the bag and includes a list of the redeemable gifts.
“We didn’t want to create waste,” the spokesperson told Hello! “This booklet allows recipients to select their own adventure – whether it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, a luxury fashion consultation or a far-flung travel getaway.”
That also continues the trend within the promotional products industry of allowing end-users to choose their own gift. Some end-buyers will create e-commerce platforms where end-users can redeem a code or select their own gift from a list. That way, there’s a smaller chance of an unwanted product ending up in a landfill.
A good promotional gift should be something the recipient desires and wants to use. This bag takes the idea of the over-the-top awards show gift suite and condenses it into a minimal, stylish and functional package. The bag is not only the representative of the Golden Globes and Atlas Bespoke; it represents the $1 million worth of gifts “inside,” and will continue on as a regular bag that recipients can use as a subtle flex wherever they may roam.
This bag hits the sweet spot: stylish color and fabric choices, minimal-yet-visible branding where there’s no denying who’s marketing the product and space for eco-friendliness.
Shine a light on your client’s brand, logo or message with these light-up promo items.
The market for light-up wristbands is valued at a whopping $168 million, largely driven by concerts and music festivals where they’re given out to fans and attendees. But opportunities for light-up promo items extend far beyond just the music space. From speakers to displays, there’s space to light up the room in a variety of industries, from trade shows to bar and restaurant events. These picks are a bright place to start.
Transform any wall plug into a combination charging station and night-light with this LED light-up adapter. Supports both USB-C and USB-A cords. Customize with a company logo or message for a standout giveaway at tech-savvy activities and events.
Light up the mood and any party with this Bluetooth speaker. Its transparent dome showcases multiple color-changing lights that flash to the beat of the music. Offers seamless pairing with compatible devices and a portable design that doesn’t compromise on sound quality.
Made in the USA from clear styrene plastic, this 32 oz. shaker features three super-bright LED lights in red, blue and green. BPA-free and recyclable, making it perfect for lighting up any bar or nightclub event with one of six dazzling lighting effects.
This backlit LED badge necklace can light up any horizontal or vertical design, making it an effective way to advertise at concerts, trade shows or corporate events. Featuring one bright white LED, it illuminates artwork with three different flash settings: fast flash, slow flash and steady on.
Exhibitors will draw a crowd at their next trade show with the backlit Illuminator InstaStand. Featuring pneumatic hardware that sets up in three seconds or less, this counter can hold up to 35 lbs. Perfect for any event, it includes a carry case.
Featuring a full-color, light-up logo print in the center of its charging pad, the Chi Charge Bright charger ensures a brand gets noticed. This 15 W wireless pad combines eco-friendly bamboo with quick-charging technology. Includes 6-foot USB-C cable.
The versatile Brilla Travel Adapter works to keep laptops and mobile devices plugged in and charged up in over 150 countries. This essential travel companion features a LED top panel that lights up a logo in full color when plugged in. Great for employees who travel frequently.
Employees will brighten up their workspace and stay organized with the Note Brite. Set includes an acrylic dry-erase board, white dry-erase marker, cleaning cloth and beechwood stand with LED lights controlled via a built-in USB plug. Can be placed vertically or horizontally in the stand.