When the doors to the Atlantic City Convention Center closed on Wednesday at 3 pm, distributors were still strolling the aisles, taking care of last-minute business. An estimated 2,000 distributors were expected at the largest show on the East Coast, many driving in from nearby cities and surrounding states for the three-day event.
“Having a strong show in the Northeast region is valuable for all members,” says PPAI Board Chair Dale Denham, MAS+, chief information officer for Geiger. “I spoke to several exhibitors who shared the value of this show bringing distributors in a single location for meetings that would have otherwise cost them significant effort to visit the attendees at individual locations. All were pleased with the timing of the show returning to the summer and the quality of attendees that Expo East attracts.”
Although final attendance figures are not yet available, Darel Cook, PPAI director of exhibitions, says he is confident the show exceeded its 2017 attendance.
A continued emphasis on quality education also added to the show’s value. New this year were one-on-one sessions where attendees could get personal assistance with PPAI Certification, Promo Connect and online learning from PPAI’s professional development team. Attendees could also participate in Connections Corner, a series of interactive roundtable discussions on key topics and led by industry professionals. Professional development sessions designed within eight learning tracks were also offered Monday through Wednesday in session rooms and on the show floor.
Nancy Barr, sales and marketing coordinator for Reading, Pennsylvania-based distributor TSI Associates, Inc. (PPAI 304049), says, “We came for educational day, which was very helpful. We went to five different sessions, and all the presenters were great. We’re looking forward to sharing the information with the rest of the sales team. Meeting face to face with suppliers who you have projects with was time saving, and we got some new ideas through networking.”
Nicole Crowley, also with TSI, says, “This is my first year, and it was very informational. There was a varied product selection, and it was great to see and touch everything in person.”
The Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York (SAAGNY), the largest regional association on the East Coast, teamed up with PPAI again this year to produce Expo East.
As Cook experienced the final moments of the show on Wednesday afternoon, he reflected on the value and significant access the show brings to industry professionals on the East Coast. “The show continues to offer the best opportunity to see suppliers in the Northeast,” he says. “Since the move from March to June in 2017, Expo East continues to grow in distributor attendance. This show enjoyed an upbeat atmosphere with great supplier/distributor interactions.”
Read more of this week’s onsite show coverage:
Impressive Schedule Of Speakers And Events Mark Expo East Kickoff
Exhibits Open At Expo East As Education Initiatives Move To The Show Floor
Expo East Session Addresses Objections In The Sales Process
Bill McCormick Presents LinkedIn For Promo Product Sales At Expo East
SAAGNY Foundation Hosts Successful Lenore Goldberg Memorial Golf Outing
Expo East 2018 Finishes Strong
