PPB March 2020

The Best of The Expo | FEATURE T he PPAI Expo 2020 promised to be a feast for all five senses. It was that and so much more. Now in its 18th year in Las Vegas, The PPAI Expo is the world’s largest promotional products trade show, which, this year, drew almost 13,000 promotional products distributors from nearly 4,000 distributor companies and 33 countries to visit with 1,220 exhibiting companies on the sold-out trade show floor. It was one of the Association’s largest and best-attended shows in its history. Over the course of the show, January 12-16 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, attendees were treated to a full sensory experience anchored by pop-up events across the show floor. Among the showstoppers were puppies ready for cuddling, crowd-pleasing bacon, fresh donuts, strolling magicians, virtual-reality experiences, a roaming photobooth, live music and playful goats that guaranteed popular Instagram posts. In the convention center registration lobby, attendees could stop and take a breath at the oxygen bar and, for lucky folks who snagged a coveted spot, two of the mornings started off with rise-and-shine goat yoga sessions. Significantly moving the needle for a show as massive, as well-attended and as successful as the Expo is challenging, but PPAI leaders believe this year’s event moved it ever closer to the goal of achieving the extraordinary. The show floor was sprinkled with sensory experiences aimed at drawing traffic to different areas of the show floor. Some of the pop- ups included a life-size hash tag for ongoing photo opportunities, an oxygen bar to recharge and take a breath (literally) and sold-out morning goat yoga sessions. | MARCH 2020 | 17