The PPAI Expo 2027
Important Information For Attendees Of The PPAI Expo
2027 REGISTRATION FEES
PPAI Member Distributors
Waived Registration Fees Based on Membership Tier
$50/person for additional registrants
Qualified Non-Member Distributors
$250/person through December 3, 2026
$350/person December 4, 2026 – January 14, 2027
Regionals
If you are a member of AzPPA, CAAMP, CASA, CPPA, GAPPP, GCPPA, HPPA, MiPPA, NEPPA, NWPMA, OPPA, PMANC, PPACW, PPAF, PPAMidwest, PPAMS, PPAS, RMRPPA, SAAC, SAAGNY, SPPA, TRASA, TSPPA, UMAPP, VAPPA, or PAPPA and are not a PPAI Member, you can reach out to your Executive Director for a discount code to receive 50% off your registration fee.
AVOID EVENT SCAMS, PPAI EXPO ATTENDEE LIST
At PPAI, we prioritize the security of our member, attendee and exhibitor contact information. PPAI does not share or sell any contact information to third parties. If you receive an e-mail claiming to sell The PPAI Expo attendee list, the PPAI member list or any list related to PPAI, it is a scam.
This type of scam is a known issue afflicting the exhibit and event industry. Scammers reach out to potential exhibitors and attendees fraudulently claiming to have and sell the show’s attendee list. Their goal is to deceive attendees and exhibitors into sharing personal and/or financial information for malicious purposes.
If you encounter one of these scam e-mails, do not engage with the sender. Responding, even to unsubscribe, can confirm to them that they have reached a valid e-mail address. We encourage you to follow your organization’s procedure for reporting spam and/or block the sender.
It is important to note that these types of scams are not specific to PPAI or our events; they unfortunately persist throughout the conference and trade show space.
QUALIFICATIONS
DISTRIBUTOR QUALIFICATION
Companies may attend The PPAI Expo if they are qualified branded merchandise resellers which includes PPAI members or qualified non-members, PPAI Regional Association members and SAGE subscribers.
If a company does not meet any of the above qualifying criteria, the company may attempt to qualify by the following:
- Provide invoice, not for samples, or self-promotion, from a PPAI Supplier dated within the last 12 months, no more than two (2) invoices from any one Supplier.
- Have a written sponsorship from a PPAI member. No more than one (1) sponsorship from any one PPAI member company, although multiple member companies may sponsor a distributor candidate.
- Have an active web presence clearly demonstrating intent to act as a promotional products Distributor.
Qualifying materials must be provided within the membership application. Once our review is complete, you will be notified of the decision usually within 10 business days. PPAI reserves the right to decline any request if the request is not in the best interest of The PPAI Expo as determined by PPAI. For questions, please email membershipemail@ppai.org
Importantly, The PPAI Expo is a trade-only event. End-buyers, such as corporate purchasers of branded merchandise, are not permitted to attend PPAI. The primary purpose of The PPAI Expo is to provide qualified distributors exposure to suppliers’ promotional products and to provide education to all who desire to participate. The secondary purpose is to provide exposure to business services, products, and equipment that enhance the supply chain.
Given the scope of go-to-market strategies of companies who may engage in some form of promotional products sales or re-sales (either inner-company or external), and given that The PPAI Expo is a key financial support mechanism for virtually all of PPAI’s operations and membership- and industry-focused programs, PPAI reserves the right to fairly evaluate applicants for attendee privileges so as to advance the primary purpose of The PPAI Expo and, more globally, the best interest of PPAI, present and future.
SUPPLIER/BUSINESS SERVICES QUALIFICATION
Supplier/Business Services must be exhibiting at The PPAI Expo or be members of PPAI in order to gain access to the show.
PPAI member Suppliers and Business Services who are not exhibiting at The PPAI Expo 2027 will be charged $750/per person for access to the exhibit hall but may attend PPAI Advance at Expo, on January 11, for no additional cost.
Nonmember non-exhibiting suppliers/Business Services are not permitted to attend The PPAI Expo.
MULTI-LINE REPS
Multi-Line Reps must be members of PPAI in order to register with their company name. Nonmember Multi-Line Rep’s must register under one or all of the companies they will be representing at The PPAI Expo.
EVENT POLICIES & CODE OF CONDUCT
The following Event Policies and Code of Conduct apply to all participants attending or participating in The PPAI Expo 2027, including attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, speakers, volunteers, guests, and staff (collectively "Participants"). By registering for, attending, or otherwise participating in The PPAI Expo 2027, Participants acknowledge and agree to comply with these policies, as amended from time to time. PPAI reserves the right to amend, revise, interpret, or supplement these policies as necessary to ensure the safe, orderly, and successful operation of The PPAI Expo.
VIOLATION OF RULES AND REGULATIONS
A Participant who violates any of these rules and regulations may be subject to immediate removal from The PPAI Expo and non-admittance into future PPAI events.
EVENT CODE OF CONDUCT
Our Commitment: The PPAI Expo exists to bring our community together to learn, connect, innovate, and grow. Every Participant plays a role in creating an environment where meaningful relationships, professional development, and business opportunities can thrive.
Consistent with PPAI’s values of Growth, Integrity, Community, and Joy, all Participants are expected to conduct themselves professionally, respectfully, and lawfully throughout the event.
The PPAI Expo is committed to providing an inclusive environment free from discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.
Harassment, discrimination, bullying, intimidation, threats, disruptive behavior, or unwanted physical contact will not be tolerated.
Any Participant who experiences or witnesses conduct inconsistent with our Event Code of Conduct is encouraged to notify PPAI Show Management, venue personnel, or security staff immediately.
BUSINESS MEETINGS, EVENTS & HOSPITALITY FUNCTIONS
To maximize participation in official PPAI Expo programming, Participants may not conduct meetings, receptions, hospitality events, entertainment functions, or other organized gatherings that conflict with the official exhibit hours, education sessions, networking events, or other scheduled PPAI Expo activities without prior written approval from PPAI Show Management. Only Exhibitors in good standing and authorized PPAI Distributor members will be considered for approval to host such functions. PPAI reserves the right to approve, deny, modify, or require the scheduling of any such event in PPAI’s sole discretion.
SAFETY & SECURITY
Participants must comply with all security, health, and safety instructions and requirements established by PPAI and/or the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Participants are expected to follow all directions provided by PPAI Show Management, venue personnel, and security staff.
PPAI and Mandalay Bay Convention Center reserve the right to implement and enforce additional safety and security measures as necessary to ensure the safe, orderly, and successful operation of the event.
BADGES & EVENT CREDENTIALS
All Participants must wear their event-issued credentials as required. Badges are non-transferable and may not be shared, sold, exchanged, or used by anyone other than the registered Participant. Misuse of event credentials may result in immediate revocation of access.
NO ONE UNDER AGE 16
No one under the age of 16 is allowed access to the show floor, education seminars or events of The PPAI Expo or other PPAI Events during installation/move-in, show days and dismantle/move-out periods. Evidence of age must be presented upon request. Violators of this policy may be required to leave the event or applicable area.
ESCORTED PPAI EXPO TOUR
Qualified representatives of non-member companies that qualify to exhibit under PPAI’s exhibitor eligibility requirements may be considered for an escorted tour of The PPAI Expo for the purpose of evaluating future exhibiting opportunities. All tours must be arranged in advance with PPAI and will be conducted by a member of the PPAI team. Unescorted access to the exhibit floor is not permitted. Participation is subject to PPAI approval and compliance with all Event Policies & Code of Conduct.
SOLICITATION OF GOODS & SERVICES
Only those firms registered at The PPAI Expo as Exhibitors (member and non-member) may solicit their goods and services. Specifically, non-exhibiting suppliers, guests and members of the press are prohibited from soliciting business during the Exposition. Violation of this rule can lead to immediate removal from The PPAI Expo and non-admittance into future PPAI events.
PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEO RECORDING & MEDIA CONSENT
By registration, attending, or participating in The PPAI Expo or any related event, Participants grant PPAI, a royalty-free, worldwide right to photograph, record, reproduce, publish, distribute, and otherwise use their image, likeness, voice, statements and appearance in photographs, video recordings, audio recordings, electronic reproductions, and other media for promotional, educational, archival, editorial, and business purposes, without compensation or further approval.
TAPING
All programs, meetings, sessions, seminars, trade shows and other events sponsored by PPAI are the exclusive property of PPAI and no one is permitted to record or reproduce such events, aurally or visually, by motion pictures, videotape recording, audio cassette recording or by any other means for commercial purposes without the express written consent of PPAI.
The rule does not prohibit videotaping or other visual or aural recordings by an Exhibitor of PPAI trade shows made entirely within the booth space leased by that Exhibitor. In order to not interfere with normal show proceedings, all recordings done outside an Exhibitor’s own booth shall be done prior to or after exhibit hours; any special expenses generated to be borne by the proponents/Exhibitors.
Photography and/or videotaping of any display or product other than an Exhibitor’s own is prohibited, unless written permission has been obtained from PPAI and the firm whose booth is being photographed/videotaped.
DRONES
Drones are prohibited at all times during The PPAI Expo, including during set-up, tear down and open exposition periods.
ATTENDEE INFORMATION & DATA PRIVACY
Participant contact information, attendee lists, directories, and event data may not be copied, distributed, or used for unauthorized marketing, commercial, or promotional purposes.
EVENTBIT – PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND “OPT-OUT” OPTION.
At The PPAI Expo 2027, PPAI, through its registration vendor, Maritz, may choose to utilize technology called eventBit. This technology will allow PPAI to better understand the needs and behaviors of show participants. Each participating attendee’s badge holder will contain a beacon chip to help PPAI monitor what areas draw attendance, which will help PPAI know what Exhibitor, product, or service may interest attendees.
PPAI will monitor attendee movements on the exhibit hall floor, Product Pavilion areas, convention center lobbies, ballrooms and meeting rooms. Through Maritz lead retrieval devices, Exhibitors of The PPAI Expo 2027 will have access to basic information about participating attendees such as demographics and company name, length of booth visits and booth pass-by, but Exhibitors will not have access to personal identifiable information such as your name or personal contact information. Only by an Exhibitor scanning an attendee badge will they have access to personal identifiable information.
PPAI is the sole owner of the eventBit data collected and participating attendee’s personal data will not be shared. If you do not want to participate for any reason, simply visit registration in Bayside B Hall, or the “Help Desk” located in the “Quick Print” registration area to be removed from the PPAI event analytics and eventBit technology.
SEGWAY SCOOTERS & TWO WHEELED MOTORIZED VEHICLES
Segway scooters (at walking speed only) are permitted in public areas of the hotel only when the operator represents that the equipment is a mobility assistance device for a disability condition. Other operators without reported disability should be advised that the equipment is not accepted for use in Mandalay Bay public areas, including, but not limited to the tradeshow halls at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Use of a Segway may be excluded in areas that are relatively high foot traffic venues. This includes the Casino, theaters, Event Center, restaurants and the Convention Center. In such cases of exclusion, a guest may be offered the use of a balanced wheeled mobility device such as a wheelchair or motorized scooter.
ACCOMMODATIONS
PPAI will provide, to the extent required by the Americans with Disabilities Act or other applicable state law, such auxiliary aids and services as may be reasonably requested by an attendee, provided the attendee gives PPAI reasonable advance written notice of such needs.
WHEELED VEHICLES
All attendees are welcome to utilize wheeled carts or cases to carry their catalogs and other materials collected at the show. The carts or cases may only have two wheels with a wheelbase of no more than 12” from outside wheel to outside wheel. Collection boxes on carts can be no wider than the cart, or larger than 15” in any dimension. PPAI reserves the right to remove any cart or case from the show floor at its discretion. Drums and barrels are not allowed on the show floor.
SMOKING POLICY
The Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act prohibits smoking in indoor public spaces. As a result, smoking is not permitted in meeting and convention spaces, this includes all e-cigarettes and vapor cigarettes. Additionally, smoking is not permitted in restaurants, lounges where food is served, hotel lobbies, elevators, guestroom hallways, theaters, arenas, arcades, retail stores and other indoor public spaces. The casino floor and certain lounges where food is not served are exempt. If there is evidence of smoking in your room, you will incur fees for cleaning.
CONTACT
For any questions about these Rules and Regulations, please notify PPAI at:
PPAI
3125 Skyway Circle N.
MEDIA GUIDELINES
Working media members are invited to cover exhibits and events of The PPAI Expo. Credentials must be requested in advance of attendance.