A wise man once said, “If you ain’t first, you’re last.”
Those words come to mind for me as we build out the agenda for The PPAI Expo Conference, the full day of industry-focused learning set for Monday, Jan. 12, a precursor to the trade show floor opening the next day. Those seats fill faster than Talladega Nights’ Ricky Bobby doing his “shake and bake” passing move.
So sign up now!
We’re closing in on the home stretch before The PPAI Expo 2026 – the biggest event in the industry. We have an incredible week planned for you in Las Vegas. But I really want to underscore how important it is for you and your teams to not miss out on the educational component through our conference day.
Drew Holmgreen
President & CEO, PPAI
As part of this industry, we’re here because we love creating, connecting and helping brands tell their stories through merch that sparks joy. But to keep doing that (and doing it better), we’ve got to keep growing ourselves, too.
That’s where professional development comes in. As a member of PPAI, you have invested in some of the best possible resources.
The Association’s education and events aren’t just “nice to have.” They’re our specialty and our focal point. Whether it’s a breakout in Vegas or an online course over your morning coffee, the quality is consistently top-tier. As curators of actionable content, the PPAI team has produced education – at our events and online – that is world-class.
Surprisingly though, our latest member survey revealed something I didn’t anticipate: Only 1 in 10 members are actually taking advantage of these professional development resources. That means 90% of this remarkable community is missing out on one of the biggest benefits of membership – one that you’re already paying to gain benefit from. As leaders, keep in mind a recent LinkedIn survey found that 94% of employees say they’d stay longer with a company that invests in their learning and growth.
Here’s the thing – regardless of your role, upskilling isn’t just about earning a few new letters after your name. When you invest in yourself, you’re also investing in this entire industry, helping us all elevate merch together. These skills aren’t just promotional – they’re transformational.
And there’s no shortage of ways to jump in:
- PPAI Events: From The PPAI Expo Conference to Responsibility Summit, NALC, WLC, LDC and ILS (yes, we love acronyms), our signature event series brings it all together with unparalleled education tied to remarkable experiences. The average net promoter score for these tops 60, which I can tell you from my background in the live events industry is incredible. Most conference organizers consider any NPS north of 50 to be excellent.
- PPAI Advance: We recently relaunched our premium online education platform, where newcomers can start from the beginning, veterans can upskill, and everyone can gain certifications that make a difference. The curriculum tracks are easier to follow than ever, and the content presentation is modern and genuinely next-level.
These resources provide unsurmountable depth and are actionable, meaningful and best-in-class. Pick one thing from our “Get Started” menu below to grow your skill set.
When you upskill, you uplift – not just yourself, but your business and this incredible community we share. Let’s keep learning and elevating merch together.
See you in Las Vegas! We can’t wait to hear how you’ve been growing.
