Hello and welcome to Snag Your Swag's semi-live blogging of the New Product Expo in Vegas. Every January, the industry's largest show takes place at the Mandalay. This is when we see all of the exciting new products, decorating methods, colors, and trends. We receive new products even before they hit the show from our supplier-partners, so we already have a pretty good idea of the best new products, and which trends may be taking hold. But there is no substitute for the miles of new products we walk every January.
I have to share with you that I'm not too crazy about flying. Which is to say that I am terrified of it. I fly often, and somehow, it's never gotten better for me. I'm not proud of it!
Once, just as we were taking off for Seattle, a woman across the aisle from me, as God is my witness, actually screamed "WHAT'S THAT NOISE?" Her screeching managed to break through my Xanax haze. I leaned over to the man directly across the aisle and asked:
"Is there a noise?"
He reassured me it was a completely normal noise, the falange or something. I wanted to throttle this woman. I stared at her for a long time, fantasizing all kinds of things, none of them good. But the problem is when you are on a plane, any false move can get you taken into custody or even, horror of horrors, force an emergency landing.
Sometimes I want to tremulously tell the flight attendant "I want my mom". But I am afraid they will hear "I have a bomb". And the next thing you know I'll be slammed on the floor with 3 people sitting on me, while the plane begins an emergency, almost straight down, landing, and I am screaming "MOM MOM MOM" and they claim I am screaming "BOMB BOMB BOMB"
You really have to keep your mouth shut and sit very still when flying so as to avoid any possible misunderstandings. So I had to let her get away with it. I still think about her though.
All of this is to say that yes, we, including me! will be in Vegas this week to bring you the newest trade show giveaway ideas, swag, and corporate gifts. When we get a break, or at the end of the day, we'll be posting our favs below. Click on pictures for further product details.
One of the things that is really striking us is color. So many awesome favorites available in gorgeous splashes of color this year. Just loving this new burgundy color from one of our favorite drinkware manufacturers:
As you may know, Pantone named Cloud Dancer as the color of the year. It's white. I am sure this choice will impact fashion, but I think white has always been a classic color signaling elegance (though I prefer cream for this). Including in swag. I still like some color! There is a time and place for everything though.
Another big trend we noticed right away? Magnetized swag! We were always headed here once wireless charging became so big. MagSafe became the standard and then the trend. Here are a few of our favorite new magnetized branded merch drops.
This new magnetic phone fan is going to be huge in 2026. Phone fans have been very popular since their introduction. The downside is they drain your phone battery. This rechargeable magnetized phone fan solves that issue, making it one of our top picks for best new trade show giveaways of the year.
And here is another item that is going to be very hot this year, and is also very hot on retail. The Magnetic Silicone Suction Cup Phone Mount.
Okay that's all for now! Come back for our continued live blogging of the new product expo, all next week!
And consider bookmarking our hottest trade show giveaways of 2026 showroom here. Updated all year long as new swag drops and new trends emerge.