The PPAI Expo, the 53rd-largest trade show in the U.S., held Jan. 13 to 17 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, generated growth in both attendee and exhibitor participation in 2014. At a million square feet of exhibition and education space, PPAI Expo is the largest single gathering of suppliers, decorators, technology providers and distributors in the industry dedicated to showcasing new, “green” and made-in-the-USA products, decorating technology, motivational strategies, professional development and leadership and global access to the promotional products marketplace.
The Expo attracted a five-year high of nearly 11,500 attendees from all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and 34 countries, representing the fourth consecutive year of growth. Professional development and education session attendance also experienced significant increases. Zappos.com CEO Tony Hsieh’s general session had one of the largest crowds ever measured, with an overflow attendance of more than double the previous year.
“The PPAI Expo is widely recognized as the premier event in the promotional products industry,” said PPAI president and CEO Paul Bellantone, CAE. “More than just the industry’s largest, longest-running and most successful trade show, it is the annual convention where tens of thousands of industry professionals come for professional development, volunteer leadership, networking, product sourcing, market growing and relationship building. The 2014 Expo met the mark and delivered an exceptional experience. Attendees and exhibitors displayed an enthusiasm and optimism that I believe will propel our industry forward in 2014.”
“The PPAI Expo 2014 was the best in the last five years,” added Darel Cook, PPAI’s director of exhibitions. “With overall attendance up, standing-room only sessions, the most highly attended PPAI and SAGE Power Of Two party and the strong energy and buzz generated by the attendees, it was a great way to kick off the year.”
This year, significant growth was generated through an increase in promotional products suppliers, decorators and distributors, as well as the co-location of the Recognition Professionals International conference with PPAI’s brand. pavilion, a showcase of innovative products from well-known brands and newcomers alike. With the additional growth, exhibit and education space totaled more than 1.1 million square feet, more than 1,400 exhibiting companies in more than 3,250 booths.
The business- and community-building focus of the PPAI Expo was punctuated by Tony Hsieh’s keynote address, where he explained the Zappos model of creating community, co-learning and collisions. The Zappos model is based on a commitment to accelerate collisions between co-workers and their communities through organic growth generated as a result of strategic design, location and traffic flow—promoting interaction, collaboration and commerce. Based on the Zappos.com formula for creating “collisionable” hours, the PPAI Expo week generated more than 800,000 collisions.
The general session and keynote lineup also included remarks from The Mark of a Leader’s CEO and chief storyteller Doug Keeley. Valorie Burton discussed how to be better, not bitter. And Mark Graham of RIGHTSLEEVE and Bobby Lehew of Robyn Promotions walked the audience through the three important models to consider in business and how to market a business to not merely survive turbulent times but to stay alive and thrive.
As the promotional products industry’s leading professional development and advocacy organization, PPAI launched Product Safety Aware, a program designed to enhance an industry-wide commitment and culture where companies are not only aware of product safety but are leading the discussion at every level in the promotional products channel.
More than 120 professional development and certification sessions drew standing-room-only attendance to education tracks highlighting business management, product responsibility, marketing, sales and service and technology.
Also during the Expo, PPAI awards and recognition events honored the most progressive, cutting-edge advancements, accomplishments, milestones, innovations and campaigns in the promotional products industry:
- The PPAI Awards Presentation and Reception recognized more than 160 companies and individuals with Suppliers Achievement, Pyramid, Image, Technology and Supplier Star awards.
- The PPAI Chairman’s Leadership Dinner recognized Don Lafferre as the 2014 PPAI Hall of Fame inductee, Mike Schenker, MAS, as the recipient of the 2014 PPAI Distinguished Service Award, and Peter Geiger as the recipient of the 2014 H. Ted Olson Humanitarian Award.
PPAI Expo 2015 will be held Jan. 11 to 15, 2015 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
For more information, visit www.ppai.org or www.expo.ppai.org.
