PPB March 2021

D2U Attendee Reactions Say It All “The Expo impressed me this year. It’s a nice platform that is user-friendly. We are able to see all the resources and download them and/or bookmark them. This ‘virtual Expo’ has allowed me to attend and pause [as I need to] during the day. I really like the flexibility!” —Jessica Pozo, Warehouse Uniform & Embroidery “To be honest, I am learning more about some of the companies [from] watching their videos than if I was walking the show floor. And being able to see info on products in the Product Pavilion is great and with no one blocking your view.” Jay Shaplin, MAS, Sonic Promos “I’ve been having great success. Considering all the traffic being funneled through here, I’m very impressed with what I’ve been able to see. Great job, PPAI!” —Janie Gaunce, Grapevine Designs “I absolutely love the convenience and ease of the entire virtual show. All the new product information is really helpful, and I love that you can request catalogs and samples with a click of a button. It’s just super cool!” —Amy Ehl, ROBYN Promotions “Of course, we would all prefer to be in-person and most certainly there will always be technical difficulties but the thought, time and execution put into making this happen for thousands of individuals to learn, network and grow in so many ways for a successful 2021 is just beyond amazing! Thank you!” —Jamie-Shelli Grimmelsman, Shell Yeah! And Company “As a one-person company who was never able to take the time off or expense to attend a trade show across the country, I really appreciate the virtual show, and you have done an amazing job with the format. I can still work and at the same time take advantage of education and product information. In my previous career, I attended and exhibited at trade shows, so I know what they are like and was a bit burned out on them anyway. In the future, I hope you will consider continuing some sort of online event for small distributors like me.” —Erin Eberhardt, West Shore Promotions “Expo Direct-2-You made a way for many of us to connect this year in a safe and unique way. I’m not going to sugar-coat how weird it felt at first but the more I hopped around and explored, I quickly realized how much I was seeing and learning that will be very useful in the near future. Great work, and your efforts are appreciated.” —Chris Wachowiak, North Star Identity, LLC “Thanks all! It was a great show. Where else can you speak with hundreds of suppliers, have tons of great education, enjoy a virtual piano bar and walk away with a both a caricature and a signed photo of Beach Victim #1 from Sharknado? I look forward to Vegas but hope to see more of this virtual component as well.” —Cindy Wooten, Universal Creative Concepts “I was jumping on and off today as I was not able to clear my schedule to attend 100 percent [of the time]. I am so excited and optimistic for 2021/22. The industry is going to explode once things really open up.” —Christine Padgett Petre, Jersey Girl Promo “I am happy to be among the many attendees to the PPAI Expo who are loving the show. Education sessions, supplier booth visits, instant communication with reps via chat and download of featured products and programs, all literally with the click of a button! I am already wishing these features would remain for convenience when we move back to in-person shows as well. Kudos to PPAI and participating suppliers! Fabulous job!” —Susan Heneson Kornblatt, HALO Branded Solutions “Thank you. This show was better than I expected. Quality connections with suppliers. Great education series. Engaged with groups that I would not normally have because of the accessibility. I still miss being around the sights and sounds at the in-person floor and the networking events. It’s a different kind of fun. Thank you to everyone for putting this together.” —Raziel Arcega, MAS, LNR Promotions “The virtual show isn’t anywhere close to the same experience as the PPAI Expo that happens in person, but there have been a lot of positives for me with this year’s virtual experience. For one thing, I definitely wouldn’t have attended the in-person event at all with eight-month-old twins at home! And I’ve still found the same excitement and renewed passion for my job that I’ve gotten from previous visits to the Expo.” —Sara Gundell, Jag Forms FEATURE | PPAI Expo Direct-2-You 28 | MARCH 2021 |