While product trends took center stage at this year’s trade shows, the real story was the people behind the booths.
From Las Vegas to Lyon, four Goldstar® team members shared what stood out most. Here’s what they experienced on the floor.
PPAI Expo – Las Vegas
Lane Hokanson, Sr. Global Marketing Manager
For Lane, the defining moment at PPAI 2026 wasn’t just a single product; it was the entire presence.
While the structure was similar to our 2025 rebrand booth, the way our 2026 product collections were merchandised made the entire space feel elevated, curated, and very retail-forward.
The revamped lounge area, designed to mirror our European sister booth, along with the addition of Dock & Bay onsite for live demonstrations, created a booth experience that felt intentional, polished, and home to genuine connections.
The most common question?
“What’s new?”
And this year, that question was especially exciting to answer. Nearly the entire booth featured brand-new launches, giving the team the opportunity to fully spotlight the 2026 collection.
It wasn’t all business, as Lane recalls a hilarious moment of “Regional Sales Manager Jaymie making a beeline for the Bissell Pet Foundation booth to get her puppy fix,” alongside a proud moment when Goldstar® was announced as iPromoteU’s Supplier of the Year.
When asked to sum up the mood in three words, Lane described it as:
Energized, proud, and connected.
PSI – Düsseldorf
Anna Purtseladze, Global Field Marketing Manager
At PSI, Anna saw strong engagement driven by impeccable booth design and layout.
Visitors consistently responded to its modern, sustainable look and feel, which clearly reflects our values and what we stand for as a brand.
The booth itself was the “wow” moment — clean, contemporary, and thoughtfully designed.
Like PPAI, the top question was:
“What’s new?”
But this year, the answer went beyond product. Goldstar®’s exclusive European partnerships with Dock & Bay and GROSCHE® added a layer of storytelling that created deeper conversations and stronger value.
Anna also noted continued enthusiasm for the Fidget Pen Collection...true proof that innovation in writing instruments remains a powerful, sought-after feature.
When asked about differences in what the crowd was looking for this year versus last year, Anna shared,
People want to understand the stories behind the products and not just see them. Our expanding collections allow us to develop and share those stories in a more meaningful way.
Her three-word(ish) recap?
Cold outside, warm and fun inside.
CTCO – Lyon
Mónica Lima, Field Sales Manager France
At CTCO, Mónica experienced high traffic and high energy from start to finish, with visitors actively looking for the latest trends.
Mónica agreed that the overall booth structure delivered the first “wow,” but added,
When the clients took their first peek at the mugs display, it immediately created the second ‘wow’ moment.
While the natural-inspired booth colors drew visitors in, it was the Ceram•X ceramic engraving on mugs that truly surprised attendees. The advanced laser process supports ultra-fine linework, intricate detail, and consistent results, even on curved surfaces, elevating what many assume is “just a mug” into something memorable.
The top question remained consistent across shows:
“Can you show me the novelties?”
Mónica emphasized how organizing products by collections made the experience simpler, clearer, and more appealing for customers.
Her honest recap of CTCO?
A damn success! 😃
Notably, beyond reconnecting with existing clients, she also welcomed new customers who were curious about Goldstar®’s evolving direction.
Merchandise World – Coventry, England
Annouchka “Nush” Birch, Country Manager – UK
At Merchandise World, Nush described the booth as nothing short of a premier, elevated experience.
The booth had a high-end retail boutique look with your very own personal shoppers waiting in the wings… we were definitely offering a VIP experience to our customers.
The atmosphere of luxury and exclusivity matched perfectly with Goldstar®’s premium, retail-forward evolution.
Once again, the most common question was:
“Show me what’s new!”
From licensed partnerships like Dock & Bay and GROSCHE® to standout drinkware such as the Norden (WJS) and Majesty collection, the response was overwhelmingly positive.
Nush summarized the mood as:
Inspiring, focused, and team-oriented.
The Bigger Takeaway…
Across four shows in four markets, the themes were unmistakable.
Visitors want what’s fresh and new, but they also want the story behind it.
Thoughtful design is expected, not optional.
Retail-inspired merchandising elevates the entire experience.
Confidence and team energy matter just as much as the products themselves.
The return on relationships is real…and it’s growing stronger with every show.
Discover all these new superstar products by clicking here.