Twelve senior leaders from the Australasian promotional products industry, joined by APPA CEO Mark Kindness, have completed a landmark five-day US Industry Tour as part of the APPA Global Connect program, and by all accounts, it exceeded every expectation.
The members-only experience brought together senior leaders from across the global promotional products sector for a packed week of site visits, industry conferences and networking, offering an unparalleled opportunity to connect, collaborate and learn from the very best in the business.
This year's tour group brought together a strong mix of APPA member distributors and suppliers, with participants including:
The tour kicked off with visits to three PPAI member organisations in the Los Angeles area: PromoShop, Nadel, and BELLA+CANVAS.
PromoShop offered a warm welcome and a genuine look into what makes their business tick. President Memo shared the company's growth story and the pivotal role that culture and people have played along the way. The group heard about their structured approach to developing young talent, including an apprenticeship-style pathway that sees new team members spend time learning operations before moving into sales roles, and a partnership with Loyola Marymount University to engage the next generation of industry professionals.
Nadel provided insight into how a strategic, program-led approach to merchandise sets them apart in a competitive market. The team shared their philosophy around building long-term client relationships through curated merchandise programs rather than transactional product sales and gave the group a sense of how consolidation is shaping the global promotional products landscape.
BELLA+CANVAS delivered a fascinating look at premium apparel manufacturing and vertical integration at scale. The group visited the production facility, gaining insight into the company's commitment to sustainability, with dyeing operations conducted in Los Angeles under some of the US's most stringent EPA environmental standards, and recycling processes integrated throughout their supply chain. The scale of their operation left a lasting impression on the group.
The generosity and hospitality extended by all three organisations made for an unforgettable first day and set the tone for the remarkable week ahead. The evening wrapped up with dinner, where the group reflected on the day's visits over great food and even better conversation.
Day 2 continued the momentum with visits to two more outstanding PPAI member businesses: Logomark and Evans Manufacturing | HPG.
Logomark showcased one of the most operationally advanced facilities visited during the entire tour. The group gained insight into their highly efficient warehouse management systems, their commitment to quality control — achieving an industry-leading reject rate well below the industry average — and their community initiatives including support programs for veterans and shelters. It was a compelling example of how operational excellence and social responsibility can go hand in hand.
Evans Manufacturing | HPG impressed with their EcoVadis Platinum sustainability rating and their sophisticated approach to balancing domestic and offshore production in response to shifting global trade conditions. The team also showcased their use of AI-powered presentation tools, giving the group a glimpse into how technology is transforming the client experience in the US market.
Following the visits, the group travelled to San Diego for the next stage of the experience: the PPAI North American Leadership Conference (NALC).
The conference delivered two days of high-calibre content, kicking off with an exclusive networking event and the unveiling of the 2026 PPAI 100 — the industry's definitive recognition of the top 100 leading distributors and suppliers in promotional products. The event was held at Snapdragon Stadium, the future home of two FIFA World Cup matches, adding an extra layer of excitement to the occasion. The evening's menu of lobster and tomahawk steaks also made quite an impression on the group.
Sessions across both days explored leadership, artificial intelligence, modern marketing, emerging industry trends and the future of branded merchandise. Standout moments included a presentation from Tyler Schulz, who shared his experience as a whistleblower challenging unethical practices at a major pharmaceutical company — a timely reminder of the importance of integrity in business. A futurist session on AI and the evolving nature of companies also generated strong engagement from the group.
One of the conference's most significant data points was the preliminary release of a global impact study estimating that USD $331 billion worth of branded merchandise was sold globally in 2025, underscoring the scale and opportunity of the industry on a worldwide stage.
On Thursday evening, the group was treated to a dinner hosted by Bryant Park Consulting, an APPA Service Provider. It was a relaxed and memorable evening filled with an excellent meal and great conversations, rounding out another outstanding day.
The final day of the tour saw the group check out of the iconic US Grant Hotel and visit two more impressive PPAI member businesses: Terry Town and OTTO CAP.
Terry Town offered valuable insight into textile manufacturing logistics and the advantages of proximity sourcing. The facility tour covered a wide range of decoration techniques including screen printing, sublimation, embroidery and direct-to-film, giving the group a thorough look at how a well-positioned operation makes the most of its location and capabilities.
OTTO CAP was a standout visit and a fitting way to close out the week. The group toured their large-scale warehousing operation and learned about their new automated warehouse facility, purpose-built for robotics integration. Their approach to global export, offshore decoration capability and strong freight logistics left a strong impression, as did the sheer breadth of their headwear range.
With the visits complete, attendees made their way to the airport, heading home or continuing their travels after an unforgettable week in the United States.
Across all visits, several consistent themes emerged that reflect the direction of the US promotional products market and offer valuable perspective for the Australasian industry:
Here is what some of the attendees had to say:
"If you want to truly understand the scale of the industry in the US, it needs to be seen to be believed. No amount of reading or research can prepare you for experiencing it firsthand. This tour is not just a trip, it's an education. I'd encourage anyone in the industry to make it a priority to attend."
Brian Super, Premier Collection
"You can never have too much education and the trip was very educational, from the process of scaling a business to understanding the way others who have faced the same challenges have solved them. It is an investment that I believe will pay back tenfold."
Peter Barblett, Headwear Australia
"We are going to implement a number of new initiatives and partner with technology partners as a result of this tour. I believe other APPA members who wish to grow and embrace future trends and opportunities cannot afford not to attend."
David Torelli, Promo Brands
"The professionalism and how open everyone is with information and collaboration, with both competitors and customers, is very enlightening. The entire trip was very well organised and executed."
Ryan Blesing, Aussie Pacific
"I will forever be grateful for the opportunity. I have gained confidence in my ideas, friendships from distributors and suppliers alike, and memories I will never forget."
Jacqueline Boyland, Branded Products
The success of the APPA Global Connect US Industry Tour was made possible by the extraordinary generosity, expertise and hospitality of all who supported it. APPA extends its deepest gratitude to PPAI and to every business that welcomed the group throughout the week:
Your insights, generosity and hospitality helped make this experience truly valuable for our members and a testament to the strength of the global promotional products community.
The APPA Global Connect program provides APPA members with exclusive, curated opportunities to engage with the global promotional products industry at the highest level. Members-only experiences such as the US Industry Tour offer unrivalled access to international peers, industry leaders and world-class businesses, helping to raise the bar for the Australasian sector as a whole.
To learn more about future networking opportunities, keep an eye on the Events tab on the APPA website.
