The industry’s biggest U.S. show, The PPAI Expo, lands in Las Vegas next week. Like many of you, I’ll be in Sin City for five days of education, networking and new products.
This will be my sixth (or seventh—who can keep track) time in Nevada for the expo, but something about this year feels different. Bigger. Not just in terms of the show size—there’s a sense that this will be larger, grander and more important year for all of us.
For the first time since the market crash, voices carry the distinct sounds of optimism. As PPAI president Paul Bellantone noted in his end-of-year wrap-up, the industry experienced small but significant increases in 2013, with sales volume possibly topping $19 billion; if those numbers bear out, it will be the second highest selling year in the industry’s history, just under 2007’s $19.44 billion volume. My own conversations with many of you have mirrored those signs of growth, and shown enthusiasm and hope for a big year ahead.
Maybe I’m have rose-colored glasses—we expect 2014 to be a big year for us. We’ve got exciting news to announce soon and all around we have big plans for all aspects of Promo Marketing. Stay tuned over the next few weeks for some big changes.
It’s fitting that we begin the year in Las Vegas. Everything there is so over the top, it creates bombastic start to 2014, and it’s always exciting to see what suppliers are rolling out. Fingers crossed that this trend toward bigger and better extends to my luck at the casinos this year. This is my biggest win ever at the slots. Here’s hoping I can double it.
What are your expectations for the new year? Do you have big hopes and plans for 2014? Email me or leave a comment below and let me know.
