The trade show floor at The PPAI Expo 2012 opened at 10 a.m today to large crowds of distributors eager to see the latest promotional products offered by the industry’s top suppliers. The largest trade show in the promotional industry, the Las Vegas expo features new education sessions, networking events, sales advice and the newest items for 2012.
“So far we’ve had an outstanding day,” said Darel Cook, director of expositions and meetings for PPAI. “We are on pace to reach our goals. We’ve had outstanding education, and our attendees have told us the level of education has improved. … So things are going great right now.”
An estimated attendance of 20,000 are on hand viewing products from over 1,300 supplier companies on the 1,000,000 square foot trade show floor. Distributors also had access to 600 new products in the New Product Pavilion and the hottest branded merchandise in the .brand showcase.
“We’ve done a few different things this year,” Cook said. “One of those things is the Art of the Industry, which showcases original art from back in the early 1900s that was made into calendars back in the day. They’ve refurbished the art and now we have it displayed here. We’ve also upgraded our .brand section. We’re doing live demos there for the first time, and that’s going over very well. Everyone is excited to be here and is ready to get the year started.”
Attendance early in the day looked good and reactions from the floor were positive. “We’re excited about the show and excited to get back after the holiday,” said Margaret Crow, director of marketing for S&S Activewear, Bolingbrook, Ill. “It’s always good to jump in and see customers again. We’ve already got a good crowd so I think it’s going to be a great show.”
Nicole Parker, director of sales and marketing for Dri Duck, Overland Park, Kan., was also enthusiastic about the show. “It is a great opportunity for us to gather marketing concepts,” she said.
This year’s show is the first to incorporate the newest PPAI certification programs, the Trained Advertising Specialist (TAS) and the Master Advertising Specialist Plus (MAS+). Wednesday’s show also featured a morning keynote from U.S. Navy Captain Mark Kelly, “Endeavor to Succeed,” and a keynote luncheon from Jason Sadler, owner of www.iwearyourshirt.com, titled “Using Social Media to Build a Business.”
“Mark Kelly really taught us some life lessons, and was able to incorporate promotional products into those lessons,” Cook said. “As attendees left, some were crying, some were laughing. It really moved and touched most of our attendees.”
The PPAI Expo 2012 exhibits run today through Friday, January 6. Stay tuned to PromoMarketing.com all week for continued coverage live from the Las Vegas show floor.
