Loading ...The PPAI Expo Tops 10,000 Distributor Attendees
The numbers are in on The PPAI Expo held January 2-6, 2012, in Las Vegas, as verified by ARI, Inc., a leading registration and lead retrieval provider for the tradeshow industry for 22 years. A total of 10,178 distributors from 3,800 companies came together under one roof for the five-day show at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. The PPAI Expo featured more than 1,340 exhibiting companies presenting more than 100,000 products in 1,000,000 square feet of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, the fifth largest convention center in the U.S. With a total of more than 18,350 participants, the overall non-gaming economic impact of The PPAI Expo 2012 is estimated at $19,500,000 by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Next year’s show is scheduled for January 14-18, 2013 in the same location.
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“Globally speaking, The PPAI Expo is the best show for the promotional products industry to bring its products and services to market every year,” says Paul Bellantone, CAE, president and CEO of PPAI. “Expo is truly the industry’s show; no other event delivers a higher quality of business engagement with well-qualified attendees, in one place at one time. The optimism and level of participation at this year’s show proves that the promotional products industry is resilient and well-positioned for renewed growth.”
Serving as the 2012 launch pad for both suppliers and distributors, The PPAI Expo provided a forum for all to connect, experience new products, network and conduct strategic business meetings. Engaging all stakeholders in one venue, it remains the single most important event of the year for the promotional products industry worldwide. As in years past, Expo attracted many new and innovative suppliers in addition to industry leaders such as Logomark, Gemline, Prime Resources, Leed’s, BIC / Norwood and SanMar.
The true value and quality of The Expo was expressed best by those in attendance, who took to their websites, blogs, social media and other platforms to share their enthusiasm:
“The PPAI Expo 2012 was a smash hit,” says Brett F. Hersh, president of Admints & Zagabor. “We had a great show this year, meeting with the top distributor principals and their sales teams, and we are confident that will turn into increased sales for our company in 2012. Great job and thank you to PPAI. So many people get caught up with the numbers of people registered. We measure our show success by the quality of distributors that attend our meetings and stop by our booth, and the resulting conversations we have about real business opportunities and sales. Quite frankly, scans are irrelevant. Who cares if a bunch of part-time, sample-grabbing distributors fill the aisles and artificially make us feel like it was busy?”
“This is the best show in the country, the best one of the year and we’re thrilled to be here,” remarked Sean Johnston of Proforma Johnston (UPIC: Johnston). “We saw a lot of really interesting stuff today, learned a lot of very interesting things from one speaker, in particular, about ‘What is a brand?’ …a brand is a promise, a brand is a collection of ideas held by your customers, and I think we are much better prepared to work on that having been here at PPAI Expo 2012.”
“Great show this year,” posted National Premium (UPIC: NATIONAL). “We second that,” posted Prime Line (UPIC: PRIME).
“Record-breaking attendance at the AnaJet booth; thanks to everyone who visited our booth at The PPAI Expo 2012 in Las Vegas,” blogged AnaJet. “It was a huge success, and we experienced unprecedented traffic. We’re excited about supporting PPAI with more joint efforts and attending Expo next year.”
“I’m finding the floor to be wonderfully optimistic,” said Damian Want, COO of 99CentPromos.com (UPIC: 99cent). “The fourth quarter was strong and people are going into 2012 with a real belief that it’s going to be a strong year for the industry. Marketing budgets are beginning to expand and we have a lot to look forward to in 2012.”
Watch for a full recap of The PPAI Expo coming soon in the March issue of PPB magazine.
3 Responses to The PPAI Expo Tops 10,000 Distributor Attendees
I have commented before and will continue to do so even though it seems to go to deaf ears. The PPAI show is very user UNFRIENDLY. I have a bad back and need to sit for only a short time frequently and there is no place to do so. There is room at many places by the support beams where a few chairs could be placed but none are ever put out. Is it a cost thing or just no one gives a damn? Every ASI show I attend is much more user friendly-maybe take a close look at how ASI runs a show and make notes! It is sad to see so many people having to sit on the floor in the lobby or inside the show area just to have a place to make a note or look in the directory or whatever. I have spoke with various supplier friends and all seem to agree that ASI shows are much better run, for numerous reasons. Just my ramblings, but it sure would be nice to see a few things changed and improved. If it weren’t for the economic advantage to attend a show in Vegas instead of other more expensive venues I personally would have no reason to return. That and the fact that our annual sales meeting is held at the show is the only reason I come.
I love the energy at this show! So professionally charged with outstanding educational opportunities and amazing suppliers – I’m sorry if I ever have to miss it. Keep up the great work!!!
I have been attending The Expo since it was moved to Vegas. Every year I find something/someone new to use for my business. Yes, there is a lot to see. Yes, it gets tiring. But the energy and excitement is great and inspiring. Besides, if I knew I was going to be walking in such a large venue, I would bring a collapsible chair to rest. There was plenty of helpful and courteous people. Keep up the great job.