PPB March 2018

FEATURE | Best Of Expo speakers including Roy Spence, president and CEO of GSD&M, the creative mind behind classic and highly successful ad campaigns such as the “Don’t Mess With Texas” anti-litter program. Expo has come to be known as the industry’s annual gathering place or “big tent” for many member companies and other industry organizations that schedule events around the show. This year, Expo was the co-location for the SAGE Conference, iPROMOTEu’s A Woman’s View, commonsku’s skucon conference, and PromoKitchen and PromoStandards workshops, and it was the setting for more than 20 national sales group meetings held throughout the week for companies such as AIMastermind, Jack Nadel International, HALO Branded Solutions, iPROMOTEu, Geiger, Proforma, AIA Corporation and American Solutions for Business. “The PPAI Expo is so much more than a trade show,” says Paul Bellantone, CAE, PPAI president and CEO. “It is the industry’s convention where relationships are built and strengthened, and community is nurtured. Distributor and Above: On Expo’s first opening morning, early birds were eligible to win door prizes ranging from Bluetooth speakers, charging stations and Apple watches to 100 custom ice pops and trendy apparel. Right: PPAI’s Paul Bellantone introduces Rita Davenport, one of three Power Keynote speakers. Keynote speaker, ad exec and innovator extraordinaire Roy Spence inspires his audience with his presentation about the power of purpose. 26 | MARCH 2018 |