The PPAI Expo Conference featured numerous panels and presentations about big picture sustainability issues and deep dives into specific ways that promo companies must become more responsible stewards of the planet. Pushing forward sustainable messaging and education has become a foundational part of PPAI’s mission to the industry.

But the Association aims to do more than advocate and educate when it comes to sustainability. The PPAI Expo 2025, the industry’s largest trade show, is an opportunity for PPAI to walk the walk. As such, the event is a partnership with MGM, which operates the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, in order to reduce waste and divert the maximum amount away from landfills.

  • Last year’s PPAI Expo 2024 managed to divert 88% of the waste created by the event into various sustainable outcomes rather than ending up in a landfill. With an increased investment in the mission by PPAI and advancements in MGM’s processes, The PPAI Expo 2025 expects to exceed 90% of the event’s waste.
  • On Monday, a select number of promo professionals were given a behind-the-curtain look at the massive efforts that go into making The PPAI Expo 2025 an ecologically responsible event.


The tour was led by Kristen Royal, director of sustainable operations at MGM Resort International across all global brands and locations. Attendees of the tour were taken behind the scenes to the areas of Mandalay Bay where all forms of waste are sorted through in order to designate where, how and which can be diverted away from ending up in a landfill.

  • Every piece of material or food that you place in a trash can while at The PPAI Expo 2025 is sorted by a staff member of MGM, something that tour attendees saw firsthand.
  • Even the plastic that exhibitors use to wrap much of their cargo during travel is collected and MGM sells it to companies interested in the material for repurposing. Royal points out that any promo company could be selling this plastic themselves if they were not discarding it, but Royal and MGM will gladly take it out of the trash to sell.


“From reducing the number of printed materials to providing digital alternatives and encouraging exhibitors to adopt environmentally responsible practices, The PPAI Expo has become a platform for demonstrating how the branded merchandise industry can be more sustainable,” says Elizabeth Wimbush, director of sustainability and responsibility at PPAI.

These efforts are not only something that PPAI is passionate about but Royal is quick to mention that they are good business. It’s even something that she often reminds to her company’s chief financial officer, often creating another important ally for her goals.

“Waste is always a sign of inefficient design,” Royal says. “It is not something you have the luxury of not focusing on.”

More Facts And Statistics

Minimizing waste requires resources, to some degree, but to make an impact, it takes knowledge and effort.

  • Wasted food causes 58% of methane emissions from municipal solid waste landfills.
  • MGM has calculated that 560 million pounds of food diverted from landfill since 2007 due to its efforts.


The food that is thrown away at any point during The PPAI Expo 2025, whether it’s on the trade floor or in individual meetings, is attempted to be salvaged. If the food has not been touched, then it is immediately donated. If it has been touched, and thus contaminated, it is sent to a pig farm.

  • Approximately 90% of Mandalay Bay’s power during daylight hours are sourced from their solar panels.


“In 2015, we became our own electricity provider and go down our own solar path, minimizing reliance on the grid,” Royal says.

Royal also tries to ensure that materials that MGM creates are easily recyclable. Oftentimes, the more decorative or colorful a product is, the more difficult it is to resell to someone trying to repurpose it.

Current goals for MGM with regard to sustainability include:

  • Reducing carbon emissions per square foot by 45%. This goal has already been achieved.
  • Reducing water square foot by 33%. This goal has already been achieved.
  • Reducing energy per square foot by 25%. This goal is on track to be achieved.