The first known promotional products in the United States are commemorative buttons dating back to the election Site of George Washington in 1789. During the premier 1800s there were some advertising calendars, rulers and slab specialties, but there wasn’t an organized business for the establishment and dispersion of promotional ego goods until later in the 19th century.

In 1904, twelve manufacturers of promotional assets got together to found the first contract association for the industry. That organization is now known as Promotional Products Association International, which currently has deeper than 7,500 global members.