If there’s one thing we’ve learned in the first part of 2026, it’s this: the world of branded merchandise never stops rotating. New product categories emerge quickly, end-user customer expectations continue to evolve, and technology keeps changing the way business gets done. Amid trade shows, distributor visits, creative conversations, and long days on the road, we see evolution at the heart of the industry, guiding where the market is headed.
So rather than simply talking about Warwick, we thought it would be more interesting to share perspectives from a few of the people who help shape the company’s direction every day.
For Warwick CEO Alex Paschal, one moment stands above the rest this year: celebrating Warwick’s 100th anniversary in Las Vegas. Reaching a century in business is rare enough, but continuing to evolve and grow after 100 years is something else entirely.
So far this year, Alex has traveled to Las Vegas, Iowa, California, Colorado, Kentucky, and Chicago, spending time with distributors, industry partners, and the Warwick team. One of the biggest trends he’s noticed has been the excitement surrounding Warwick’s continued expansion into signage, displays, and other commodity-driven products. “We’re seeing a lot of enthusiasm around those categories,” Alex shared. “They allow distributors to solve more problems for their customers while still getting the service and reliability Warwick is known for.”
Internally, Alex is especially energized by Warwick’s sustained investment in technology to support both customers and the inside team. And when asked what excites, scares, or bores him about the rest of 2026, his answer was appropriately succinct and to the point: “AI…as if!” If you know Alex, this really could be the only answer.
For Michael Wickham, Strategic Sales Manager – Midwest, one of the year’s most memorable moments happened outside the trade show floor entirely. During the PPAI Expo after-party at Allegiant Stadium, Michael found himself lining up for a field goal attempt alongside the Raiders mascot, Rusher. The best part was he did this while wearing square-toe dress shoes after coming straight from Warwick’s 100th celebration. “Not exactly peak athletic gear,” he admitted. “But I got enough lift to make it all the way to the end zone, so I’m counting it as a win.”
Between Las Vegas, Schaumburg, and Duluth, Michael has already covered plenty of miles this year, and one product category continues to stand out: corrugated displays. “Corrugated boxes, standees, and display towers have really been stealing the show,” he said. “When you combine smart design with practical impact, even the simple things can generate a lot of buzz.
2026 has also represented a major professional milestone for Michael, with his promotion from Key Account Manager to Strategic Sales Manager just before heading to Sin City in January. As the year moves forward, he’s especially excited for ASI Chicago and continuing to build momentum in the Midwest territory.
Phil Martin, Warwick’s National Sales Manager, has also seen growing excitement around Warwick’s display offerings. After traveling to 12 locations already this year, including a hectic Southern Showcase tour through five Texas cities in five days, he’s seeing firsthand how strongly distributors are responding to Warwick’s newer large-format products. “Our standee table top displays and tower displays are priced right and provide a lot of exposure,” Phil shared.
Interestingly, some of Warwick’s biggest momentum this year came from products that weren’t originally expected to become breakout hits. Phil explained that the display towers were initially used in Warwick’s booth in Vegas simply as part of the exhibit setup. “We didn’t fully realize the potential they had,” he said. “Same thing with the standees. People really want and need these products.” That growing interest has Phil confident about the remainder of 2026, particularly as Warwick continues expanding its large-format capabilities.
What ties all of these perspectives together is a common theme: evolution.
While Warwick’s roots remain firmly planted in print, paper products, and nearly a century of craftsmanship, distributors are increasingly seeking partners who can deliver broader solutions, stronger visual impact, and dependable execution across multiple product categories. From signage and displays to corrugated packaging and standees, 2026 has already demonstrated Warwick’s evolution.
If you ask our team, there’s still plenty more ahead.