Before the trade floor at The PPAI Expo 2025 truly opens for exhibitors and distributors, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas will be buzzing with industry professionals looking to soak up some of the year’s best educational sessions at The PPAI Expo Conference.

Meant to elevate promotional products businesses with actionable advice from leading professional speakers and industry experts, The PPAI Expo Conference is a day full of promo education in conference format. Most of its schedule will be held on Monday, January 13, with one final keynote session Tuesday morning, just before the doors open to The PPAI Expo trade floor.

  • This year, the Association included requests for proposals from the promo community in the curation of Expo Conference’s content. Panels and presentations are based in large part on what the marketplace is looking to learn more about and engage with.


“Our subjects go from strategy, sales, branding and marketing, responsibility and sustainability to tech tool, trends and research,” says Jessica Gibbons-Rauch, CAS, PPAI’s professional development lead. “Our keynotes hit the two major sides of promo: sales and marketing.

Every professional, regardless of their role or level of experience, will find something at Conference Day.”

Jessica Gibbons-Rauch

Professional Development Lead, PPAI

“Every professional, regardless of their role or level of experience, will find something at Conference Day.”

  • The keynote speakers for the PPAI Expo Conference are Tiffani Bova, former chief growth evangelist at SalesForce and Kristen Cavallo, former CEO of The Martin Agency and MullenLowe Global.
  • For a look at the full schedule of presentations and panels, click here.

A few examples of engaging content on The PPAI Expo Conference schedule includes:

Gen Z Speaks: Bridging the Gap for Authentic Connections
Speakers: Ben Drysdale, CAS, National Account Manager, Gold Bond; Halle Moore, Marketing Coordinator, PromoCorner; Jade Crider, Inside Sales & Social Media Coordinator, Hasseman Marketing & Communications; Moderator, Josh Pospisil, MAS, Vice President of Business Development, AIA Corporation
Mandalay Bay F, 11:00 a.m-11:50 a.m

Promo’s future lies in the hands of the next generation, and Gen Z has a unique vision to share. From buying habits to communication styles, workplace engagement and their expectations for inclusivity, these panelists are breaking down the barriers between established practices and the new wave of ideas.

How to Map the Boldest Merch Trends to a Killer Sales Strategy
Speaker: Bobby Lehew, Chief Content Officer, commonsku
Breakers J, 2:30 p.m.-3:20 p.m.

From the New York Times to Vogue, virtually every major media outlet highlights stories celebrating merch. Why? Merch madness has entered a new era where brand expression and personal identity combine to create bold opportunities for those who understand the zeitgeist and know how to use it effectively and boldly. This breakout is designed to help attendees use trends to think bolder, better and bigger for strategic sales in 2025.


Streamlining Success: Automation Solutions for Distributors
Speaker: Eric Granata, Founder, PromoPilot
Breakers J, 11:00 a.m.-11:50 a.m.

Every business handles tasks like sending welcome emails, managing leads and following up with clients. While essential, these tasks can drain your time and attention. In this session, attendees will discover how accessible automation tools can handle the busywork for them, simplifying complex processes and minimizing mistakes. Learn practical ways to take back your time, focus on what matters most and drive meaningful growth—no tech expertise needed.


‘Crucial to Professional Development’

As important as The PPAI Expo trade floor is to the branded merchandise marketplace, many careers have taken small and large strides on PPAI Expo Conference Day. Whether attendees go in with a plan of what they want to learn more about or discover an aspect of the business that had previously escaped them, these conversations plant seeds for the growth of the promo community.

“This day was crucial to my professional development,” says Gibbons-Rauch, who designed much of this year’s Expo Conference after having attended nearly every year since 2008. “I would take copious notes and refer to them throughout the year. Being able to lead the curation of curriculum to make this entire slate of speakers and topics hit home for each attendee is a dream come true.”

  • Don’t wait any longer – register and book your trip to The PPAI Expo 2025 right now.


PPAI member distributors may have their registration fees waived based on their membership tier. It’s $50 per person for additional registrants.

Qualified nonmember distributors may access the exhibits and conference for $350 per person. Members of industry regional associations but not PPAI can receive a code from their executive director for a discounted rate.

Suppliers and business services providers who are members but not exhibiting will be charged $750 per person for access to the exhibit hall but may attend The PPAI Expo Conference for no additional cost. Nonmember, nonexhibiting suppliers are not permitted to attend The PPAI Expo.