Tuesday morning, the promotional products industry’s largest and longest-running trade show opens the doors to its show floor. For the next three days at The PPAI Expo, attendees will have access to tens of thousands of the latest and greatest products the promo field has to offer, countless exciting new ideas and face time with hundreds of supplier companies from across the industry.

The PPAI Expo Kicks Off

“My favorite thing about The PPAI Expo are the people, hands down,” says Amanda Delaney, MAS, marketing manager at HIRSCH. “Seeing old friends and colleagues and meeting new customers always fuels my creative energy and sparks my motivation to be better than I was last year – both personally and professionally – and every year Expo reminds me why I love being a part of the promotional products industry as much as I do.”

The PPAI Expo 2023 show floor opens 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Right now across the one million square feet of the show, exhibitors are unpacking new product samples, putting the final touches on their booths and prepping their staffs for the show floor to open.

David Glenn, president of CoasterStone, says, “I'm looking forward to connecting with old and new friends and distributors. (The) PPAI Expo relights that fire that tends to get low at the end of the year.”

Attendees can make the most of their time on the show floor with SAGE Mobile, the official show-planning app of The PPAI Expo. It allows users to find the most efficient show-floor routes, plan a walk list, view an interactive floor plan, connect with fellow attendees in real-time, add notes and photos, and search by product categories.

“I always leave feeling inspired to coach and consult differently. I also walk away with entrepreneurial ideas,” says Jenna Quaranta, vice president of sales and business innovation at supplier KNOSS Apparel, of her time at The PPAI Expo. “I am looking to see what business tools my fellow competitors are equipping our customers with to boost their sales in 2023.”

More Than Just A Trade Show

The show floor is a bustling place, and along with new products and fresh ideas on how to use them, attendees will find plenty of opportunities to expand their professional education, connect with peers and be inspired.

“During my scarce but valued free time, I am looking forward to walking the show floor to explore new products, new ideas and innovative solutions for corporate gifting,” says Andy Hudson, director of marketing at Incentive Concepts. “I am also excited to see Incentive Concepts’ name on the wall recognizing PPAI Pyramid Award Winners!”

Glenn says, “Showing off our new products and capabilities is my favorite thing at The PPAI Expo. Face-to-face conversations and physically showing the new products is fun.”

Before the show floor officially opens tomorrow, attendees can take part in the Product Pavilion Sneak Peek. The Sneak Peek kicks off Tuesday morning from 8-9 a.m. in Hall F, adjacent to aisle 500. Open throughout the show, The PPAI Expo’s specialty product pavilions feature the best in New Products, Green Products, Made In The USA Products and 1st-Time Exhibitor Products all in one place. Each year, thousands of attendees stream through the specialty product pavilions, taking notes and making plans.

The brand. pavilion, in aisles 500-900, is a one-stop-shop for the latest in branded and incentive products, and attendees can check out what’s trending in screen printing, embroidery and digital technology for decorating promotional products at DECORATE in aisles 5100-5300.

Throughout The PPAI Expo, industry software and service provider and PPAI technology partner SAGE is hosting The SAGE Experience on the show floor. Located toward the back of the hall between aisles 3100 and 3300, each day experts from SAGE will detail the company’s products and services and how to make the most of them.

Just outside the show floor in The PPAI Expo lobby, the Association is hosting Expo Live. Each day of the show, PPAI will host live interviews with industry experts, compelling TedTalk-style presentations by leading industry professionals and more airing live in multiple locations onsite.

Mingle On The Show Floor

The PPAI Expo is where attendees and exhibitors alike connect with old friends and meet with like-minded colleagues.

“I can't wait to feel the energy on the show floor with everyone back together again,” says Delaney. “We haven't had a ‘real Expo’ experience since 2020, and I can't wait to see the innovation in new products from other suppliers and have the collaborative conversations with distributors now that we can all finally look forward to a (hopefully) bright and prosperous year in promo again.”

Hudson says, “My favorite part about PPAI Expo is meeting so many distributors from around the country and world: reconnecting with attendees from past shows and making new connections and friends.”

Attending The PPAI Expo means a lot of walking. It’s a huge show and there’s a lot to see, and PPAI recognizes attendees may want to rest their feet for a moment while they take it all in. The Beer Garden, at the back of the 3400 aisle, is also the ideal location to meet with clients and network with colleagues. Seating is available anytime the show floor is open, and beer and wine will be available on Tuesday and Wednesday after noon.

The Beer Garden is also where PPAI is hosting several events throughout the show.

  • The PPAI Media Meet Up will be held Tuesday, January 10, 3-4 p.m. Free to attend, this is an opportunity to meet PPAI’s media staff and pitch stories and ideas to cover in the Association’s publications.
  • The Women's Leadership Conference Social will be held Tuesday, January 10, 4-5 p.m. It is free to attend but pre-registration is required.
  • The SPARK Networking Reception will be held Wednesday, January 11, 3-4 p.m. It is free to attend with pre-registration but the event is currently fully booked.
  • The Technology Leaders Networking Event will be held Wednesday, January 11, 4-5 p.m. It is free to attend by pre-registration is required.