PPB March 2018

Best Of Expo | FEATURE A Generous Industry Through onsite and online donations during the show, and the proceeds from a golf tournament held prior to the show’s opening, the Promotional Products Education Foundation raised more than $57,000 for its scholarship program. This year PPEF will award $200,000 in college scholarships to industry professionals and their college-bound sons and daughters. Expo exhibitors also donated nearly $50,000 worth of samples and promotional products after the show to the Kids In Need Foundation, which provides schools in lower-income areas with classroom incentives and supplies. PPAI and its members have supported the organization since 2008. Tina Berres Filipski is editor of PPB. WANT MORE? IT’S ALL HERE Relive your favorite moments from The PPAI Expo 2018 and check out what you missed. Find more photos, stories and videos from the show at expo.ppai.org and at pubs.ppai.org/media. ABOUT THE CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS OF EXPO “ e room is getting younger. ree years ago, I felt like the median age of people walking the oor was 45. is year it lookedmuch younger—there were a lot more young professionals, especially on the supplier side.” —Joseph Sommer, 28-year-old owner of Whitestone Branding, Brooklyn, New York FROM A LONG-TIME EXHIBITOR “Carlson Craft had a great show, and we are very pleased with the success we are having on our follow-up calls to the distributors we connected with in Vegas.” — Linda Hiniker, national sales manager, Carlson Craft, North Mankato, Minnesota Above: Showgoers examine some of the irresistible trends in apparel, including new fabrics and functional options, particularly in the performance wear category. Right: Some of the 3,120 booths took their cue from retail with consumer-inspired displays and furnishings. Far right: Wearing shirts provided by Hanes and CustomInk, Kids In Need Foundation volunteer Jake Mashburn and manager Mary Banghart help to collect more than 18 pallets of donated products and other goods. FROM A FIRST-TIME EXHIBITOR “ e Expo exceededmy expectations and delivered an abundance of new contacts and enlightening education, and based on feedback, we anticipate a substantial boost in sales.” —Richard Becker, president, Garland Writing Instruments, Coventry, Rhode Island ABOUT KEYNOTE SPEAKER ROY SPENCE “Awesome speaker, great presentation. It really changedmy thoughts onmy day -to-day at work and at home!” —Graeme Dawes, MAS, division manager, Elite Sportswear & Awards, Stony Plain, Alberta. | MARCH 2018 | 31