Karen Gnaedinger had worked as a beautician for more than 20 years when her doctor recommended she quit. The Highland, Illinois, native was having health problems that her doctor believed were directly related to the chemicals she was using to style her clients’ hair.

She wasn’t sure what to do next until, in January 2006, she and her husband went to Las Vegas. They were attending a construction trade show for his job and happened upon a booth with a laser-manufacturing company. The lasers were engraving pictures onto marble.

APA’s International Personalization Expo for 2025 is fast approaching! Thousands attend this premier trade show each year to connect, learn, share ideas, support one another, and have fun. This year, the Expo will be held at the Horseshoe Las Vegas Feb. 4–7.

We think this is an essential event to attend in order to grow your business, connect with like-minded people, and stay competitive in the personalization industry. But don’t take our word for it! Check out what these APA members have to say about the Expo.

In today’s personalization industry, suppliers and retailers need online tools to meet the expectations of clients who are accustomed to seamless and efficient digital experiences.

Even businesses with successful brick-and-mortar shops stand to boost profits and stay competitive if they have a solid online presence and sell and promote their products in the digital marketplace.

A couple of years ago, Dennis and Sherryl Wilkinson decided it was time to sell their awards-and-recognition shop. A community staple in Santa Rosa, California since 1991, D&S Awards (which stands for Dennis and Sherryl) was their baby, but they were ready to move on.

General consumers and corporate clients may share a desire for unique and functional goods within the personalization industry, but the two types of customer personas are reaching for different products when gift-giving.

One of the hardest things for a businessperson, whether they are new or seasoned, is determining what to charge for their products and services. Pricing is a critical aspect of running a successful business, and getting it right can mean the difference between thriving or merely surviving.

Crystal products have long been known for their exquisite craftsmanship and timeless elegance. There’s a good reason why some of the most notable awards—such as the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the Global Recognition Awards—are commemorated with crystal. Organizations have long presented them for major milestones like years of service and sales goals, but now they’re shifting to also using them for smaller recognitions that highlight frequent, constant, and individual contributions.

Once considered more unconventional, equipment leasing has now become mainstream. In addition to being a cost-effective opportunity, the practice is helping to level a crowded playing field within the personalization industry by giving new and small business owners greater access to funding. And as persistent inflation and high interest rates continue to apply financial pressure on business owners, equipment leasing is likely to continue to rise in popularity.

As one of the largest online marketplaces for hand-made and unique goods, etsy.com offers artisans and creators a global audience of shoppers to showcase their products. In the first quarter of 2024, more than 91 million global buyers, including 5.7 million new buyers, shopped the Etsy marketplace. In 2023, the gross Etsy marketplace sales were $13.2 billion. Read that again: $13.2 billion!

The awards and personalization industry serves a variety of customers, ranging from sports teams to service clubs, local businesses to churches, and even kids to grandmothers. But one market segment heavily uses the products and services of our personalization professionals: schools.