The PPAI Expo Direct-2-You opened this morning, bringing trade show, education and networking opportunities directly to industry members’ homes and offices. Following the successful in-person return of The PPAI Expo to Las Vegas last month and building on the strengths of the inaugural Expo D2U in 2021, the live, virtual event shares their objectives of engaging members and facilitating their ability to do business.
Running Feb. 22-23, Expo D2U is a virtual experience that brings the Expo to those who could not join the show last month, or who want to follow up further with the exhibitors they met in Las Vegas. More than 4,000 distributors have registered to take part in the show and meet with more than 100 supplier companies taking part as exhibitors.
“In 2021, PPAI created D2U to give distributors and suppliers a national event to replace the unfortunate cancelation of our live Expo due to the pandemic—our goal for 2022 is to give the opportunity for those unable participate in the live event as well those that did the ability to once again interact with one another in a convenient manner,” says Alan Peterson, PPAI vice president of business development.
This morning at Expo D2U, PPAI President and CEO Dale Denham, MAS+, followed up with additional information on the first Promotional Products Work Expo. Introduced last month in Las Vegas, PPW Expo will be geared toward distributors and the clients they invite, and provide education based on PPAI’s research into why promotional products are effective marketing tools. In addition to the content and education, clients will be able to visit supplier booths and engage with their distributor hosts. The inaugural PPW Expo is slated to be held virtually on May 18.
Attendees browsing exhibitors’ booths can look at videos, see featured products, request samples, attend educational workshops and seminars and more. Additionally, Expo D2U lets exhibitors interact with attendees through highly engaging, video chat conversations. This year, PPAI has expanded its virtual Expo capabilities by giving exhibitors the ability to live stream from their Expo D2U booth, letting attendees see live product demos whenever they stop by the booth.
The PPAI Expo’s popular Product Pavilions are also only a click away. Attendees can examine the most sought-after and trending products in the show’s New Products, Green Products, Made In The USA Products and Healthpitality Products pavilions.
Education, a core element of The PPAI Expo experience, is also a fundamental part of Expo D2U, with attendees able to take advantage of a diverse education schedule featuring industry thought leaders and subject matter experts. Expo D2U’s education lineup features original content produced for the virtual event along with some of the most engaging sessions from The PPAI Expo 2022, Women’s Leadership Conference and the Product Responsibility Summit. Several sessions also include live Q&A components at the conclusion of the presentation.
Expo D2U’s schedule is also peppered with numerous PromoSnacks—quick education sessions designed to spark new ideas and insights, and delivered by some of the promotional products industry’s leading influencers. For Expo D2U’s full education schedule, click here.
Attendees can also connect with one another and unwind in one of Expo D2U’s several networking lounges. The schedule will also liven up with yoga and entertainment sessions throughout both days. Expo D2U’s full schedule is available here.
Expo Direct-2-You is open through Wednesday from 8 am – 10 pm CT and exhibits are open from 10 am – 4 pm CT. Distributors can register for the show here.
