Digital Signage and Promotional Products: A Powerhouse Duo for 2026 Marketing Evolution

By Richard Berk Executive Producer for Utah Channel 3 Published: November 4, 2025

SALT LAKE CITY — As Utah businesses gear up for another year of navigating economic shifts and consumer demands—from the bustling trade hubs of Salt Lake to the resilient retail scenes in St. George—the synergy between digital signage and promotional products is proving indispensable for brand retention and growth. Building on our 2024 coverage of how digital signage revolutionized promotional marketing, the landscape in 2026 is set to amplify this partnership with AI-driven personalization and sustainable integrations. With the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) Expo returning to Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Convention Center from January 12-15, 2026, industry leaders will showcase how these tools not only introduce brands but also foster lasting customer loyalty, drawing over 10,000 distributors and 1,000 exhibitors to explore innovations that keep promotional items top-of-mind long after the initial exposure.

PPAI, the global authority connecting nearly 15,000 member companies in the $19.8 billion promotional products marketplace, continues to champion the industry’s collaborative model between suppliers and distributors. At the 2026 Expo—the largest and longest-running trade show for promo pros—attendees can expect immersive pavilions, live demonstrations, and educational sessions on emerging trends, including how digital signage serves as the perfect on-ramp for promotional products’ enduring impact. As someone who brings marketing insights to TechTalk discussions hosted by Scott Kraft, I’ve seen firsthand how these elements create measurable results: PPAI Research shows that 81% of consumers form a positive impression of a business when a promotional product accompanies customer service resolutions, while 73% are more likely to purchase from brands offering such items.

Elevating Engagement: Key Applications in 2026

The integration of digital signage with promotional products isn’t just additive—it’s transformative, especially as 2025 trends like AI personalization and touchless interactions mature. Here’s how they’re evolving:

1. AI-Powered Dynamic Showcases Digital signage in 2026 will leverage AI to analyze viewer demographics in real-time, tailoring content to highlight relevant promotional items. For instance, screens in retail lobbies could display a video of eco-friendly branded tote bags for sustainability-focused shoppers, with QR codes linking to instant customization. This builds on 2025’s hyper-personalization wave, where AI boosts conversion rates by up to 30%, per industry reports, making promo products feel bespoke and boosting recall by 88%.
2. Interactive and Touchless Experiences With motion sensors and AR overlays, signage enables hands-free exploration of promotional gear—like virtually “trying on” branded apparel or scanning for wellness kits tailored to Utah’s active lifestyles. At PPAI 2026, expect demos of these in the Novelty Expo section, where interactive kiosks let attendees visualize logos on drinkware or tech gadgets, driving 68% higher purchase intent among users influenced by digital displays.
3. Sustainability Storytelling As eco-conscious consumers demand green solutions, digital signage will narrate the lifecycle of sustainable promo products, from recycled-material pens to solar-powered chargers. PPAI’s 2025 State of Innovation report highlights a surge in such items, with signage amplifying their story via real-time updates on carbon footprints. This not only enhances trust but supports retention: 70% of recipients keep useful, branded items for over a year, per PPAI data, turning one-time exposure into ongoing advocacy.
4. Omnichannel Retention Boosters QR codes on signage now bridge physical and digital worlds, directing users to loyalty apps where they redeem promo rewards—like branded fitness trackers for gym check-ins. In Utah’s wellness boom, this fosters repeat business: Studies show promo recipients are 85% more likely to engage with the brand, with 52% of acquisitions happening at events where signage draws crowds.
5. Event-Driven Community Building At conferences or pop-ups, hybrid signage-promo setups create memorable touchpoints. Imagine a screen teasing event-exclusive swag, followed by giveaways of branded journals—perfect for PPAI’s own sessions on leadership and digital transformation. This combo lifts retention by 78% during challenges, as PPAI notes, by evoking gratitude and community.

Unique PPAI Innovations Spotlighted for 2026

PPAI isn’t just a trade show; it’s a catalyst for industry evolution, emphasizing education, networking, and ethical practices. Beyond core exhibits, the 2026 Expo will feature:

• PPAI 100 High Marks for Innovation Awards: Recognizing top distributors and suppliers for tech-forward contributions, like AR-enhanced promo previews—building on 2025’s doubled innovation weighting in rankings.
• Sustainability and Wellness Focus: Sessions on eco-materials and mental health promo items, aligning with Gen Z’s preferences (83% favor personalized branded merch, per PPAI Research), to drive long-term loyalty.
• The Pitch Competition: A Shark Tank-style showcase for emerging ideas, where startups pitch promo-digital hybrids, fostering collaborations that propel the $23 billion global market.
• Pyramid Awards Ceremony: Honoring creative excellence in campaigns blending signage with promo, inspiring attendees to innovate for client retention.

These elements underscore PPAI’s mission: Connecting pros to amplify promo’s ROI, where quality items yield 96% consumer recall and 52% event-based acquisitions.

In a world of fleeting ads, promotional products—paired with digital signage—offer tangible reminders of value, especially vital for Utah’s small businesses facing retention hurdles. As Mike Davis, CEO of a leading distributor, noted in our TechTalk panel, “It’s about creating connections that last.” With PPAI Expo registration opening soon, now’s the time to plan your Vegas visit. For Southern Utah marketers, this duo isn’t just strategy—it’s the edge for thriving in 2026.

Richard Berk is the Executive Producer for Utah Channel 3. Richard’s field of expertise is the medical field and covers medical conventions when he is not producing Utah Channel 3 content. Richard also shares the passion of outdoor sports as do all members of Utah Channel 3. Richard regularly appears on TechTalk, hosted by Scott Kraft, bringing his marketing/advertising expertise to topic discussions.

Millinda Johnson is a technology reporter and photographer for Utah Channel 3.  Millinda’s field of expertise is technology related to sporting events, aviation, and auto-racing.