I just got back from Washington, D.C., where I joined nearly 100 fellow promo professionals from across the country for PPAI’s Legislative Education and Action Day (LEAD)—and let me tell you, it was more than just another trip to the Hill. For me, it was my ninth year participating in PPAI LEAD. This annual event is our chance to stand up for the branded merchandise industry and speak directly with lawmakers about the real impact promotional products have—not just on businesses, but on communities, jobs, and everyday lives.
At DBG Promotions, we believe your brand deserves more than a logo on a mug or a pen—it deserves advocacy, strategy, and intention behind every piece. That’s why we show up when it matters.
What We Fought For
This year, three key issues topped our agenda:
1. Standing Against the SWAG Act:
This proposed legislation would ban federal agencies from using promotional products—products that are often used to promote public health initiatives, safety awareness campaigns, and community outreach programs. The team from Iowa met directly with Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and her team to express how this bill could hurt not only our industry but also the federal agencies that count on swag to educate and engage the public.
“The SWAG Act is the most pressing threat to our industry—even more than tariffs. Our highly targeted form of communicating a message is the most cost effective manner to have an issue or cause remembered”
2. Supporting the Modern Worker Empowerment Act:
At DBG, we work with a wide network of independent talent who thrive in this space. They choose to be micro businesses with the ability to work where and when they want. But recent rule changes have put their independence at risk. This bill aims to protect independent workers by providing a clearer definition in labor law.
3. Backing the Trade Review Act of 2025:
Tariffs hit our industry hard, often adding unpredictable costs to the products we import and customize here in the U.S. This bipartisan bill would restore congressional oversight on tariffs and bring more stability to our trade policies. We made sure lawmakers knew:
“A little known fact is that every single order in our industry is custom. A single tumbler is often designed in the USA, marketed in the USA and decorated with USA labor. While it may be manufactured overseas, the fully completed piece of drinkware has 80% of its value associated with USA manpower.”
Why This Matters to You
If you’re a current or future client of DBG Promotions, you should know: we’re not just here to sell you products. We’re here to protect the power of your brand, your budget, and the supply chain that makes great merch possible. We advocate on behalf of your campaigns, your events, and the communities you serve with every custom order.
Being in D.C. reminded me that every item we produce isn’t just “stuff”—it’s messaging, it’s education, it’s connection. And when policies threaten the tools we use to make those connections? We speak up.
What’s Next
The day after we wrapped up our meetings on the Hill, the president announced a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs and dropped rates on most imports—a direct win for the conversations we’d just had. Tariffs on China were still raised significantly, but that’s why our work continues. Advocacy isn’t a one-time event—it’s an ongoing commitment. And we’re in it for the long haul.
Same goes for DBG.
If you want to work with a promo partner who’s thinking bigger, fighting smarter, and always putting your brand first—let’s talk. Let’s build something impactful, together.
— Carroll Hanley Goggin
Founder & Promo Strategist, DBG Promotions