The United States is gearing up for a monumental celebration in 2026: the Semiquincentennial, marking 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It arrives at a time when our nation is bitterly divided and the future feels uncertain. Ironically, this milestone offers a rare window - however small - to bring Americans together again. And you, yes you, can play an active role in that challenge.
Over the past decade, branded merchandise has taken on a powerful role in American culture. There’s no denying that the red “Make America Great Again” baseball cap revolutionized the perceived value of promotional apparel. No administration has embraced promotional products more than Trump. There was a time when members of Congress - and even a First Lady - dismissed branded items as frivolous expenses. Not anymore.
The Trump administration, and Donald Trump himself, leaned heavily into promotional products, turning political identity into a merchandising empire. Some of the most notable items include:
Apparel: Hoodies, polos, T-shirts
Drinkware: Tumblers, mugs, barware with Trump logos or Mar-a-Lago branding
Luxury items: Watches, sneakers, fragrances
Lifestyle branding: “Trump Social Club” rope hats, Mar-a-Lago floral dresses
Much of this merchandise is sold through the Trump online store and Amazon.
The Market Is Ready. With momentum behind branded “bling” and “swag,” the buying market for America’s 250th birthday is primed. Thousands of celebrations will kick off on January 1, 2026, peaking on July 4th. Promotional products will be everywhere - limited only by your imagination.
Stay informed through: America.org, the Official Commission for the Semiquincentennial. White House America 250 and Smithsonian 350.
Living in South Carolina, I took a surface dive into what our state is planning. The SC250 Commission (SouthCarolina250.com) is celebrating South Carolina’s Revolutionary War legacy by educating, engaging, and inspiring residents and visitors. While national distributors may find opportunities, small-town USA will be deeply involved.
Now is the time to dig into your city, town, county, and state. Communities in all 50 states are planning parades, concerts, reenactments, and fireworks. Expect everything from Revolutionary War tributes to modern cultural showcases.
Your Role as a Consultant
Promotional products can do more than sell - they can heal. Forget left, right, red, blue. We, the promotional product industry, can help unite our nation through branded merchandise that celebrates and connects.
Imagine:
A “uniting” message on apparel, drinkware, and educational materials
An annual calendar that celebrates shared values
Coop programs where local retailers contribute to a T-shirt giveaway with an inspiring unification message.
Educational tools for schools and professional development for educators restoring faith in our systems and an understanding of civics.
Even though there’s official America250 merchandise from government, there’s usually is no ownership of a logo or theme. That means you and your clients can develop your own.
Build Your Portfolio Now
If this resonates with you, don’t wait. Start building a proactive portfolio of themes. Hire an artist - or use AI. Here’s my “old man card”: when I sold promotional products as a distributor in the 1960s, I was a peddler. I think I was a good one. But “dem daz” are gone. Today, superstores like 4Imprint are the peddlers. You, every one of you, are consultants.
The more you brand yourself that way, the more visible your value becomes. You’re not just selling stuff - you’re creating marketing campaigns through wisdom and strategy.
So:
Build your idea portfolio
Host an online presentation for your client base
Talk it up at networking meetings
Order a few self-promo items to showcase your creativity
Here’s my commercial pitch: consider items like Soundline’s combo 250th holiday card wall calendar - perfect for mailing out at Christmas.
Get aggressive. The rewards will follow.
Joel D. Schaffer, MAS is CEO and Founder of Soundline, LLC, the pioneering supplier to the promotional products industry of audio products. Joel has 48 years of promotional product industry experience and proudly heralds “I was a distributor.” He has been on the advisory panel of the business and marketing department of St. John’s University in New York and is a frequent speaker at Rutgers Graduate School of Business. He is an industry Advocate and has appeared before the American Bankers Association, American Marketing Association, National Premium Sales Executives, American Booksellers Association and several other major groups. He has been a management consultant to organizations such as The College Board and helped many suppliers enter this industry. He is a frequent contributor to PPB and Counselor magazines. He has facilitated over 200 classes sharing his industry knowledge nationwide. He is known for his cutting humor and enthusiasm in presenting provocative and motivating programs. He is the only person to have received both the Marvin Spike Industry Lifetime Achievement Award (2002) and PPAI’s Distinguished Service Award (2011). He is a past director of PPAI and has chaired several PPAI committees and task forces. He is a past Chair of the SAAGNY Foundation, Past President of SAAGNY and a SAAGNY Hall of Fame member. He was cited by ASI as one of the 50 most influential people in the industry.