PPB March 2019

Long recognized as the industry’s largest show, Expo featured more than 1,220 exhibiting companies occupying nearly one million square feet at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Often referred to as the industry’s “big tent” where everyone who is serious about doing business in the promotional products industry is assembled, the show is the much-anticipated gathering place for meetings between industry leaders, their companies and sales teams, and vendors and their customers. It’s also the perennial showcase for new product introductions and best-sellers across a vast array of categories. Even more, an upbeat and busy Expo often indicates an upbeat and busy year ahead for the industry. “Therewas great energy at the showand educationwas packed. It was definitely the event to be at to kick off 2019,” says Brittany David, MAS, PPAI board chair. “The show floor was very busywith distributors looking for trends and projects. Its energywas a good indicator of sales for the year. Coupled with an optimistic attitude about end users’ marketing budgets, we are in for a good year.” Paul Bellantone, CAE, PPAI president and CEO, who has experienced more Right: Opening day at the PPAI Expo 2019, the world’s largest and longest-running promotional products industry trade show, was ripe with anticipation as attendees flooded in to see the thousands of products on exhibit. Right: Nik Saija (left) of Red Bridge Clothing, Inc., was one of the lucky audience members called on stage by Power Keynote presenter and humorist Connie Podesta. Below: Opening keynote speaker David Goggins, a retired Navy SEAL, former U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Control Party member and best-selling author, inspired listeners with his presentation on resilience and self-determination. FEATURE | Best Of Expo 28 | MARCH 2019 |