Expo featured a 30-minute, productpacked program called Trends in Promo. Professionally produced, it featured segments on unboxing, customization and personalization, retail brands, sustainability, employee gifts and technology. In addition, several educational programs covered topics such as Prop 65, product safety and supply chain challenges, all of which were appropriate for buyers and encouraged collaboration with distributors to navigate the challenges that these issues sometimes present. “The Trends in Promo video was really fun and energetic, but more importantly, I loved the different Product Pavilions,” says Emily Codner, senior manager, affiliate services, at iPROMOTEu. “They were clean and organized and helped trigger some new ideas as we begin to delve into the gifting and recognition season.” The PPW Expo Strategy PPW Expo is one part of an overall buyer outreach initiative designed to deliver on PPAI’s vision to make promotional products essential to every brand. PPAI has also announced plans to offer two Promotional Products Work Expos in 2023 – one in the spring and one in the fall. “I’m extremely proud of the team and what they accomplished with this event,” says Dale Denham, MAS+, president and CEO of PPAI. “Creative ideas, solid planning and execution made this a unique and valuable experience. Now we will build upon the experience, making next year’s events even better as we continue to elevate promo.” Lindsey Davis, MAS, PPAI’s manager of Promotional Products Work, says, “We are so happy with the event we were able to put into the market. Our members seem to have really embraced it. I believe we have the blueprint for future Promotional Products Work Expos.” What We Saw On The ‘Show Floor’ The best business gifts are products that customers have always wanted and never knew they needed. That’s where promotional merchandise steps in. These items are innovative, unique and definitely useful, and products we wouldn’t necessarily buy for ourselves. And in that process, promotional products become essential elements of the brands that offer them. This is one of the key takeaways of PPW Expo. PPW Expo’s product pavilion showcased many of these coveted items, and PPAI Media was on the scene to check them out. This revolutionary lip kit goes beyond the typical by creating a unique experience for each and every user as they design their own lip balm. This kit includes everything needed to make five lip balm tins: ingredients (natural beeswax pellets, sunflower oil, peppermint essential oil and vanilla flavoring), utensils (plastic beaker, pipette and spatulas), empty lip balm tins and instructions. Raining Rose / PPAI 232508, S7 www.rainingrosepromos.com The HeatBank is a nine-hour rechargeable hand warmer that keeps you warm while also functioning as a power bank to keep your devices charged. With dual-sided heating, this power bank has six different settings. Recipients can stay warm and connected with this product. Compass Industries / PPAI 110923, S6 www.compasspromos.com PPW Expo | FEATURE | NOVEMBER 2022 | 25
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