If you work in the promotional products industry, your business year doesn't start on January 1st. It starts at PSI Düsseldorf.

As the leading European trade show for the promotional product industry, PSI (Promotional Product Service Institute) is the trendsetter for the entire continent. It is where distributors, textile finishers, and agencies decide what the world will be printing its logos on for the next 12 months.

If you are heading to Germany this January, here is your essential briefing on the halls, the trends, and how to survive the week.

PSI 2026: Quick Facts

The 2026 Trends: "Sustainable & Tangible"

Based on the exhibitor lineup in Halls 9 and 10, PSI 2026 is focusing heavily on value over volume. The days of cheap plastic throwaways are ending.

1. Green is the Entry Price

Sustainability isn't a differentiator anymore; it’s a requirement. European regulations are pushing hard for circular economy products. Expect to see:

• •Upcycled Materials: Notebooks made from apple peel waste, pens from ocean plastic.
• •Supply Chain Transparency: Exhibitors won't just tell you what it's made of, but where it came from. "Made in Europe" is a huge selling point this year to reduce carbon footprints from shipping.

2. High-Quality "Haptics"

In an increasingly digital world, the physical touch (haptics) of a product matters more. The trend is moving toward high-grammage textiles, soft-touch coatings, and durable gifts that recipients actually keep on their desks for years, not days.

Navigating the "Full Hands" Problem

PSI is unique compared to IT or Software shows because it is a physical experience. You aren't just looking at screens; you are touching fabrics, testing pen mechanisms, and holding mugs.

The Challenge:

As an attendee or exhibitor, your hands are constantly full of samples, catalogs, and coffees. When you meet a new supplier or distributor, fumbling for a business card - and then finding a safe place to put it - is a logistical nightmare.

Many attendees return from PSI with a "mixed bag" of product samples and business cards jumbled together. This is usually where the lead data gets lost or damaged.

The Solution:

The smartest networkers at PSI keep their pockets empty. Instead of stuffing cards into your sample bag, use CardSync to digitize the contact instantly.

1. 1.Snap the card while you are still standing at the booth.
2. 2.Voice Note the context ("Supplier for recycled tote bags, MOQ 500, check pricing in March").

1. 3.Hand the card back.

You leave the booth with the data secured in the cloud, and your hands free for the next sample.

3 Survival Tips for Düsseldorf

1. The "Altbier" Networking

Networking in Düsseldorf doesn't end when the Messe closes at 6:00 PM. It moves to the "Altstadt" (Old Town). The local beer is Altbier. Even if you are tired, go out for one drink at places like Uerige or Füchschen. The biggest deals at PSI are often closed over a glass of Altbier at a standing table in a crowded pub.

2. Use the "Nord" Entrance

Messe Düsseldorf is massive. If you arrive at the wrong gate, you might walk 20 minutes before you even reach the PSI halls. Since PSI occupies Halls 9-11, the North Entrance (Eingang Nord) is your most direct point of entry. It connects directly to the U-Bahn (Subway) station.

3. Bring Your Own Power

With thousands of exhibitors showcasing light-up gadgets and tech accessories, power outlets are scarce on the floor. Bring a high-capacity power bank so your phone (and your scanning app) stays alive for the full 9-hour day.

Summary

PSI 2026 sets the tone for the entire year of European sales. The supplier relationships you build here will define your catalog for Q1 and Q2. Enjoy the innovation, respect the sustainability trends, and keep your hands free for the high-quality samples—not stacks of paper cards.

Heading to the Messe?

Get CardSync ready for free before you fly