PPAI qualified nonmember companies may exhibit if they are in good standing with PPAI, have executed the nonmember exhibitor’s contract and paid all related nonmember fees. (Equipment, machinery, parts or materials used in the production or decoration of promotional products, and exhibited for the purposes of distribution, sale or resale, may only be exhibited in a specifically designated area. Such equipment, machinery, parts or materials are those typically used in the awards and recognition, decorated apparel and digital printing industries.) Any nonmember supplier’s product may be exhibited at not more than three shows in a time period not to exceed 18 months, after which the firm must apply for membership in PPAI and be accepted in order to have its products exhibited. (Non-Member exhibitors will pay a Non-Member fee for booths and other services.)
PPAI reserves the right to decline any request, including from an otherwise qualified Supplier or Business Services member, if the request to exhibit is not in the best interest of The PPAI Expo, PPAI DECORATE, PPAI brand. or other PPAI sponsored shows, as determined by PPAI.
The primary purpose of The PPAI Expo, PPAI DECORATE, PPAI brand. and PPAI sponsored shows is to provide distributors and qualified resellers exposure to suppliers’ promotional products, premiums and business gifts and to provide appropriate educational forums and opportunities.
The secondary purpose of The PPAI Expo, PPAI DECORATE, PPAI brand. and PPAI-sponsored shows is to provide distributors (and their qualified designees), other members and resellers exposure to business services, products and equipment that facilitate and enhance the supply chain of suppliers’ products through distributors to end buyers.
Exhibit locations within these areas are based on a priority point system.
Distributor member and non-member companies are not permitted to exhibit at The PPAI Expo. This extends to Business Service companies that are owned by or have common control with a Distributor company.
Business Service member and non-member companies constitute virtually any business that sells services, information or products (other than promotional products) that support the normal conduct of business. Given the scope of potential business services and go to market strategies of these business service companies, and given that The PPAI Expo is a key financial support mechanism for virtually all of PPAI’s operations and membership- and industry-focused programs, PPAI reserves the right to fairly evaluate applicants for Business Service exhibitor privileges so as to advance the primary purpose of The PPAI Expo and, more globally, the best interest of PPAI, present and future.
For example, but not by limitation, a Business Service member or non-member company that, as a core business component, leverages the company’s Distributor customers/client network to negotiate cost of goods, rebates, or other price-related matter with any third-party Supplier company is generally not permitted to exhibit at The PPAI Expo.
PPAI may have legitimate reasons for permitting a Business Services member or non-member company to exhibit at The PPAI Expo, even if the company may offer, as a non-core business component, a program that may otherwise disqualify the company for exhibitor privileges. In an ever-changing promotional products marketplace, PPAI’s determinations in this regard are, at times, not perfect for all involved. But, the determinations are reasoned and thoughtful, taking into consideration a multitude of present and future interests of The PPAI Expo and PPAI itself.
If PPAI discovers that a Business Service company should not be permitted exhibitor privileges but was unknowingly approved to exhibit, PPAI will refund only exhibitor booth fees paid to PPAI by the company.
PPAI strives to maintain a “big tent” philosophy for The PPAI Expo. PPAI puts forth tremendous effort—both financially and from a human resource perspective—to ensure there are numerous meaningful opportunities for Suppliers, Distributors, and Business Services companies alike—whether or not they are permitted exhibitor privileges. For more information on these additional opportunities, please contact expositions@ppai.org.
Equipment, machinery, parts or materials used in the production or decoration of promotional products, and exhibited for the purposes of distribution, sale or resale, may only be exhibited in a specifically designated area of The PPAI Expo. Such equipment, machinery, parts or materials are those typically used in the awards and recognition, decorated apparel and digital printing industries.