If there’s one thing that brings promo pros together, it’s an engaging event. Great news: The industry calendar is filled to the brim with occasions that put the “fun” in function while serving as memorable opportunities for networking and learning.
Whether you’re looking for an educational conference or an excuse to break out your best golf clubs, keep reading to discover the coolest events in the promo world.
Coolest Reason To Head To The Great White North
What better way to spend spring than with a trip to our neighbors up north? Promotional Product Professionals of Canada is hosting Catalyst 2025 – Leading Change, a new event in Victoria, British Columbia. The conference isn’t just about learning; it’s about connecting with industry pros and sparking ideas. Prepare to lead with confidence and leave with a toolkit for success. Plus, with a view like that, it’ll be hard not to feel on top of the world!
Coolest Excuse To Let Loose
If you want an event that’s up to par, The PPAI Expo Party at Swingers Las Vegas is the place to be. After a week chock-full of learning sessions, great conversations and a lot of exciting new products, attendees got to cut loose and show off their mini-golf skills. The carnival-themed venue was the perfect backdrop for a night packed with fun.
Coolest Reason To Choose Your Own Adventure
The 2025 PromoKitchen Mixer at the House of Blues was a night to remember, as industry pros mingled and made connections. Before entering the packed-to-the-gills bar, you could “Choose Your Own Adventure,” sharing some fun facts about yourself that served as the ideal icebreaker.
Coolest Way To Test Out Your Tubing Skills
Here’s proof that business and play make a perfect pair: The Rocky Mountain Region Promotional Products Association’s Winter Field Test was snow much fun! After a cozy brunch and product demos, attendees zoomed down Echo Mountain’s inner tube hill. From solo spins to linked-up laughter, the day was packed with frosty thrills. And, of course, the swag bags were snow joke, filled with winter-ready promo to keep the memories (and hands) warm.
Coolest Breakfast Date
Houston Promotional Products Association’s breakfast brainstorming sessions were eggs-actly what the promo world needed. Industry pros sizzled up fresh ideas over coffee and croissants, proving that the best conversations happen before noon. From cracking creative challenges to buttering up new connections, these sessions were a sunny-side-up success. Because let’s be real – everything’s better with breakfast!
Coolest Adult Field Trip
How does the sausage get made? Attendees of the Specialty Advertising Association of California’s Factory Tour at Decorative Services found out with a behind-the-scenes exploration. Attendees got the inside scoop on cutting-edge decoration techniques before heading to Black Plague Brewery for a happy hour that was as smooth as the products they saw. With plenty of networking, laughs and a few drinks, it was a fun mix of work and play.
Coolest Reason To Dodge Some Lasers
The Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York’s Spyscape Networking Event was a mission impossible to miss. Attendees unleashed their inner spies as they cracked codes, dodged lasers and uncovered secrets – all while making top-secret connections. After a thrilling museum adventure, agents reconvened at McGee’s Pub for a “classified” happy hour. With the first round on SAAGNY, the only thing undercover was the bar tab.
Coolest Happy Hour
The Promotional Products Association of Chicago-Wisconsin’s Tips and Sips at Hagemeister Park Brewery was brewtiful, as industry pros poured into Green Bay for an evening of networking and laughter. Between brainstorming over beers and discovering regional association perks, attendees made connections that were on tap for success.
Coolest Cross-Border Collab
Get ready for the International Leadership Summit – a global gathering with a side of networking and leadership fun. Attendees will dive into topics like sustainability, digital trends and leadership skills while rubbing elbows with industry pros from across the world. Held this year in Brussels, this conference will be full of insightful talks and opportunities that will leave attendees feeling ready to conquer the promo world.
Johnson is a content manager at PPAI.
