PPB March 2018

Best Of Expo | FEATURE M oving the needle on The PPAI Expo 2018 from great to extraordinary was a collective goal and significant accomplishment for all those involved, including PPAI staff, the board of directors and other volunteer leadership, and the professional team at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, the longtime location of the January show. In its 16th year at the Mandalay Bay, Expo delivered an extraordinary experience on all fronts, including the highest distributor attendance in 10 years, with 12,400 distributor attendees representing 4,550 companies and 1,222 exhibiting companies displaying thousands of products in 3,120 booths. With an estimated 20,250 overall participants from the U.S. and 30 countries, the total economic impact of visitor spending during this year’s Expo was estimated at $40 million by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Dale Denham, MAS+, chief information officer for Geiger, who took office as PPAI 2018 board chair immediately following the show, was elated with the show’s outcome. “The PPAI board challenged the staff to take Expo from great to extraordinary; however, it appears staff is aiming for epic,” he says. “There is always something that can be better, and PPAI will find it. Yet, at this Expo, I heard only positive reactions from exhibitors and attendees alike. I experienced quality attendees, a well-designed show floor with excellent traffic, phenomenal speakers and great opportunities for learning as well as connecting on and off the show floor. Expo further solidified the show’s position as the place you have to be.” Distributor attendees got a close-up look at thousands of new and inventive promotional products, and firsthand insights on what’s trending in hard good and apparel design, decoration techniques and technology innovation. In addition, they were treated to new and upgraded amenities on the show floor, including free water refill stations, improved wi-fi throughout the hall and added features through SAGE Mobile to enhance and enrich their show experience. During the five-day event, Expo also offered more than 125 education events within eight different learning tracks, plus several general sessions featuring expert and real-world insights from business From Great To Extraordinary: The PPAI Expo 2018 Delivered On Its Promise by Tina Berres Filipski photography by Christine Bedell and Jann Hendry | MARCH 2018 | 25