PPB March 2020

FEATURE | The Best of The Expo cause. It joined five other pavilions: New Products, Express Ship, 1st-Time Exhibitors, Green Products and Made In The USA. Back by popular demand was the brand. pavilion, which showcased high-end, name-brand and incentive products, and the DECORATE pavilion, providing a hands-on learning experience into screen printing, embroidery and digital technology. A new fashion show on the Expo Live! stage also gave show attendees a look at the latest in promotional apparel and hard goods. Even the ever-popular Beer Garden was enhanced—the nearby backyard-themed concession area was upgraded with food truck facades and charging stations. In addition to serving as the industry’s annual kick-off for product introductions and professional development, the Expo is the undisputed hub for first-of-the-year business meetings and events. Many member companies scheduled their annual awards programs and meetings immediately preceding the show. PPAI also took the opportunity to provide its annual PPAI Association Update, held mid-week, where Bellantone reported on PPAI’s latest achievements and continued growth. He also announced that the Association had welcomed its 16,000th member company during this year’s Expo (see details on p. 109). PPAI award recipients were also recognized in various ways throughout the show. Banners, signage and other displays honored this year’s PPAI Pyramid winners; among themwere 46 Gold, 35 Silver, 11 Supplier Stars and 10 Supplier Awards of Merit winners. Early in the week, the annual Chair’s Leadership Dinner brought together the industry’s luminaries, dignitaries and leaders to celebrate the achievements of two industry legends, Carl Gerlach, MAS, of Gill Studios, Inc., and Roni Wright, MAS, of The Book Company, as they were inducted into the PPAI Hall of Fame. The dinner also honored this year’s winners of the Distinguished Service Award, Rick Brenner, MAS+, and Kippie Helzel, MAS, and the H. Ted Olson Humanitarian Award recipient, Rod Brown, CAS. Dates are set for next year’s Expo, January 10-14, 2021, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. This year's show floor featured innovative booth designs, up-to-the-minute products and inspired thousands upon thousands of conversations between suppliers and distributors from around the world. 20 | MARCH 2020 |