The PPAI Expo Direct-2-You 2022 concluded its two-day run yesterday, having brought the breadth of the promotional products industry into attendees’ homes and offices. Introduced last year after the pandemic temporarily shuttered the in-person PPAI Expo, this year Expo D2U served as a companion to the Las Vegas show that extended its business opportunities to new audiences and reinforced connections made at the live event.

Running Feb. 22-23, more than 4,000 distributors registered to take part in the Expo D2U. They met with over 100 supplier companies exhibiting at the show, took advantage of the numerous education sessions available and enjoyed its networking events and lounges.

“I am attending my first Expo, and all of the speakers have been fantastic,” says Mark Jackowiak, CEO of Margate, Florida-based distributor Zelta Enterprises, LLC. “They are all passionate and get you motivated quickly.”

Exhibitors reported brisk traffic at their virtual booths. Attendees were able to look at videos, see featured products and request samples, and interact with exhibitors through video chat conversations. This year, PPAI expanded its virtual Expo capabilities to give exhibitors the ability to live stream from their Expo D2U booth, letting attendees see live product demos whenever they stop by the booth.

“Thanks to having PPAI Direct-2-You as a direct follow-up to the PPAI Expo in Vegas, we were able to reach an even wider audience than ever before,” says Joshua Pospisil, TAS, key accounts manager at Houston-based supplier Hirsch Gift. “We had a fantastic turnout in terms of visitors and chats in our virtual booth and closed out with several projects in the works along with many new leads to follow-up with after the show. All in all, I would deem it a success for not only myself, but Hirsch Gift as a whole.”

Brannon Craig, vice president at Hartwell, Georgia-based supplier Southern Plus, says, “If you didn't attend the PPAI Expo Direct-2-You virtual show, you missed out! Possibly the most productive and collaborative show day in my history in this industry!”

Expo D2U expanded on the opportunities exhibitors enjoyed at in-person show in Las Vegas. Trina Bicknell, CRO at Braintree, Massachusetts-headquartered supplier HPG, says, “HPG was at the PPAI Expo in Las Vegas, and we were very happy to see many customers in-person, but Expo D2U provided a great opportunity to see customers that didn’t go to Vegas. We had over 600 visits to our virtual booth. Customers were excited to see HPG’s new Storyboard+ tool and our new brand, Sugar Spot.”

Ben Drysdale, Western region account executive for Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based supplier Raining Rose Promos, says, “Expo D2U was a convenient way to connect with distributors. We’re living in a hybrid events world, so the ability to communicate with customers and build new relationships online and in-person is essential.”

Importantly, Expo D2U serves as a chance for those within the promotional products community unable to attend the PPAI Expo in Las Vegas to take advantage of much of what the in-person show offers industry professionals. While exacerbated by the pandemic, the need is an ongoing one.

“As a small distributor, I no longer feel left out by my industry because I don't travel to live shows,” says Erin Eberhardt, owner and president of West Haven, Connecticut, distributor West Shore Associates. “Thank you for offering PPAI Expo Direct-2-You! The content is amazing, and I am learning so much and feel so inspired to get back to work!"

The in-person PPAI Expo returns to Las Vegas Jan. 9-13, 2023. Click here to stay up to date on details. Later this year, PPAI’s inaugural Promotional Products Work Expo, first announced at the PPAI Expo in January, will serve distributors and the clients they invite, and provide education based on PPAI’s research into why promotional products are effective marketing tools, and give clients the opportunity to visit supplier booths and engage with their distributor hosts. The inaugural PPW Expo is slated to be held virtually on May 18.