With 2024 fast coming to a close, there’s no better time to check in with Impressions Expo show director Kayla McGarry to get the latest on what to expect at the first Impressions Expo of 2025, taking place in Long Beach, Californian, January 23-25.
Impressions Magazine: With a little over a month to go until the start of Impressions Expo Long Beach, how are things shaping up at this point?
Kayla McGarry: Building on what was already a great 2024, Impressions Expo Long Beach is on track to be the biggest show in literally decades, with an incredible 308 exhibitors having already reserved over 124,000-square-feet of floor space. The show is for all intents and purposes sold out. We continue trying to find space for any last-minute arrivals, but it’s tough! Attendee registrations are also tracking well, as are the numbers for our professional education conference sessions. It really is incredible, a great start to the year.
IM: You mentioned this year’s Impressions Expo conference sessions, what kinds of sessions and topics will this year’s program include?
KM: As has been the case with expos past, this year’s conference program will cover everything from the basics of screen-printing, heat pressing and embroidery to the cutting edge in terms of everything from online marketing and social media to the role of AI. The first day of our conference series, which begins January 22, the day before the rest of the show opens, will include a series of hands-on sessions led by renowned screen printer Charlie Taublieb; the heat-press experts over at STAHLS’; and Katie Wubben, owner of Trouble Me Knot Embroidery. In the days that follow, attendees will be able to sit in on sessions covering everything from diagnosing and preventing embroidery digitizing disasters to the ins and outs of DTF, company branding and the use of automation and artificial intelligence.
The decorated apparel industry in 2025
IM: The last couple of years have been great ones, both for Impressions Expo and the decorated apparel industry as a whole. What are your thoughts on what 2025 might have in store?
KM: On the one hand, driving growth these days has been the increasing use of automation, e-commerce and generative AI—all things we’re seeing more and more of at our expos. On the other, the industry continues to benefit from the influx of new decorators, the result of the low barriers to entry to getting involved in the business. Whether it’s the latest screen-printing systems, today’s embroidery machines or the latest heat-pressing equipment, it’s never been easier to get started in decorated-apparel. It’s also great to see the growing emphasis on sustainability through everything from the use of recycled materials in blank apparel to the adoption of increasingly efficient decorating methods. The industry continues to evolve in more ways than one, ways in which every decorator should be proud.
IM: Anything special going on at the 2025 Impressions Expo in Long Beach, California, that attendees should be aware of?
KM: As always, we want attendees to have a great time from the moment they arrive to the moment they return back home to their businesses. Before they even enter the expo hall, they’ll be able to take advantage of some really run displays and activations being put together by a number of the show’s sponsors. Once inside attendees will have a live T-shirt screen-printing booth sponsored by Hanes, a live screen-printing poster station and the Shop Talk Stage (both sponsored by the Ink Kitchen) to check out as well. There will also be a free on-site happy hour the Thursday evening after the show. In other words, something for everyone. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone there!
For the latest news and updates on the 2025 Impressions Expo in Long Beach, California, click here.
