The PPAI Expo 2024 is all about making connections with peers, colleagues and potential customers.

“I always look forward to building relationships with suppliers and learning about new additions to their capabilities,” says Rama Beerfas, MAS, owner of Santee, California-based distributor Lev Promotions (PPAI 218331, D1). “More so in the realm of new or expanded imprint methods than new products, but seeing truly new products is always a plus.”

Hillary Feder, MAS, president of Hopkins, Minnesota-based Hillary’s (PPAI 238444, D2), says she wouldn’t dare miss the largest and longest-running trade show in the promotional products industry.

“The things I love and appreciate most about Expo are connecting in person with colleagues, always learning something new from education sessions and talking with suppliers, getting new ideas and finding common threads to be trend conscious when making suggestions to clients,” Feder says.

Networking Opportunities

PPAI Expo’s Opening Reception, which will take place Monday afternoon on Level 2 in the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, will be the perfect way to kick off your Expo experience with networking, hors d’oeuvres, drinks and entertainment. Tickets are required and are available on site for $30.

Plus, PPAI will honor the recipients of its 2024 Icon Awards: PPAI Hall of Fame inductee Dave DeGreeff, MAS, and PPAI Distinguished Service Award recipient Bill Petrie.

  • These awards celebrate the accomplishments of those who have gone above and beyond in service to the promotional products industry, the Association and their communities.

Traditionally, recipients of the Association’s most prestigious awards have been recognized at the Chair’s Leadership Dinner at The PPAI Expo. Beginning in 2024, Icon Award recipients will be recognized with two distinctly special events to bring more significant awareness to their accomplishments.

As part of The PPAI Expo Conference, Icon Award recipients will receive official on-stage recognition and be guests of honor during a networking luncheon Monday in Oceanside D at noon. Additionally, each recipient will be part of a panel discussion during the luncheon, allowing them to share stories and wisdom with the audience.

  • Those who have already registered for The PPAI Expo 2024 can return to their confirmation page and add a ticket to the luncheon.
  • Tickets are $25 on site.

This evening, the Chair’s Leadership Dinner will be held as a private, invitation-only experience at an extremely memorable location: Rivea, atop the Delano Hotel overlooking the Las Vegas Strip.

  • The night will kick off with a reception, followed by dinner, as recipients enjoy a high-end, unique experience for themselves and their guests.


Promo & Pints

Promo & Pints – a beer garden located on the show floor – is the ideal location to meet with clients and network with colleagues. Seating is available anytime the show floor is open, and beer and wine will be available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from noon to show close.

On Tuesday, January 16, from 3-4 p.m., the Diversity Networking Event brings together members of the PPAI DEI task force, as well as diverse suppliers and distributors to build connections to help further supplier diversity, DEI and corporate social responsibility in the industry. It will be held in the beer garden on the show floor. Interested guests can add the free-to-attend event while registering for The PPAI Expo 2024.

Also on Tuesday, from 4-5 p.m., the annual Women’s Leadership Conference Social – an offshoot of the popular PPAI Women’s Leadership Conference – brings together women working in the promotional products industry. It will be held in the beer garden on the show floor, with a cash bar available. Interested guests can add the free-to-attend event while registering for The PPAI Expo 2024.

On Wednesday, January 17, from 4-5 p.m., the Technology Leaders Networking Event is an opportunity for like-minded promo industry IT professionals, decision-makers and executives who are leading their organizations’ technological health to mingle and discuss the issues relevant to the promo field. It will be held in the Beer Garden on the show floor, with a cash bar available. Interested guests can add the free-to-attend event while registering for The PPAI Expo 2024.

New Traditions

Joseph Sommer, founder and president of fully remote distributorship Whitestone (PPAI 666851, D4), is facilitating a meeting with 20 fellow distributors on Monday to talk shop, share opinions about where they see the industry heading and help other owners grow their network with like-minded professionals. His hope is that this becomes an annual meeting of the minds of eight-figure executives and leaders in the industry. 

“I find that talking to other people like me helps me learn about things others are doing well, which I can then apply to my business,” Sommer says. “I’m also always eager to get to the brand pavilion and see which brands are entering the space. Through the years, we’ve had a lot of success helping customers access name-brand products with or without logos. Being able to share suggestions of products our customers are seeing at retail keeps us current and on trend as a business.”

And, don’t forget another new event for you to mingle with fellow promo pros:

The PPAI Expo Party – being held on campus at Mandalay Bay on Wednesday, January 17 – will feature amazing food, an open bar and even more dazzling live entertainment than in years past.

  • Ticket prices are $75 at the door.