Did you know that The PPAI Expo 2025 was officially a waste-free event with 91% of potential waste diverted from landfills? For an event of that size – with that many people attending and that much product, food and sheer stuff entering the grounds – to avoid waste at such a high rate doesn’t happen by accident.
You likely don’t realize, for example, that amid the hustle and bustle of strolling the trade show and networking or sitting in on keynote speaker sessions, every piece of material or food that you place in a trash can while at The PPAI Expo is sorted by a staff member of MGM (which operates Mandalay Bay).
- This year, attendees can participate in a behind-the-scenes sustainability tour of The PPAI Expo in collaboration with MGM, hosted by Kristen Royal, director of sustainable operations at MGM Resorts.
- On Monday, January 12, there will be two slots for the guided walking tour (12 p.m.-1:10 p.m. & 1:15 p.m.-2 p.m.), which is free to attend but requires an RSVP.
To reserve your spot for the Sustainability Tour, click here.
Elizabeth Wimbush, PPAI’s director of sustainability and responsibility, says that attending the tour cleared up a lot of misconceptions that even she had about how waste was handled at the event, until she got a glimpse of everything that happens just beyond sight.
“I attended Expo twice as an attendee, prior to joining PPAI,” Wimbush says. “I was always bummed out by the lack of recycling bins, but it turns out MGM was just making smarter decisions; because events in Vegas attract attendees from people all over the world, they rarely have the same ideas on what should go in the garbage versus recycling bins.
Elizabeth Wimbush
Director of Sustainability & Responsibility, PPAI
“They were sorting so much to minimize what was sent to landfill that they decided to put their efforts there. It’s truly impressive to see all the enhanced waste sortation streams on their recycling dock to get a sense of the scale and scope of work they undertake.”
- Preceding the tour will be a short presentation led by Royal breaking down what goes into making a massive event like The PPAI Expo sustainable and the importance of these measures.
- Then attendees will see those measures put into action, walking the back halls and private rooms and outdoor areas where waste sorting, energy reduction and water management practices happen just out of sight.
PPAI and MGM debuted the tour at The PPAI Expo 2025 to give members a glimpse of everything that goes on to make the event as responsible as possible. This is more than the industry giving itself a pat on the pack. There’s an educational opportunity here (in fact, attendees will receive one CEU for attending). What you can witness on this tour is legitimately impressive, and it’s a showcase of a business and organization operating at maximum efficiency. It’s why Royal is also on the good side of her company’s chief financial officer.
“Waste is always a sign of inefficient design,” Royal says. “It is not something you have the luxury of not focusing on.”
Kristen Royal
Director of Sustainable Operations, MGM Resorts
Wimbush agrees that getting that perspective from outside the promo industry and, in fact, from the perspective of a massive hotel and resort industry, will be affirming to anyone who has believes sustainability is smart business.
“Hearing the business case behind so many of the sustainability initiatives from Kristen really underscores how this isn’t just a feel-good program – it’s driving innovative business decision,” says Wimbush.
More Sustainability At Expo
Of course, that isn’t the only sustainability measure that the Association is taking at The PPAI Expo 2026, and it certainly isn’t resting on its laurels with that 91% number. According to Wimbush, PPAI and MGM believe it’s possible for the event to divert more than 91% of the event’s potential waste away from landfills in 2026. This can be achieved through efforts such as:
- recycled materials
- food sorting
- selling plastic wrap and other materials to companies interested in repurposing
- free, refillable water bottles and water stations throughout the trade floor
RELATED: Elizabeth Wimbush, CAS: 24 Ideas Making The PPAI Expo More Sustainable
During the day, the property runs on renewable energy from MGM’s massive solar array.
Similarly, PPAI urges exhibitors and attendees to take their own actions that can contribute holistically to minimizing the ecological footprint of such a great event like Expo. These measures could include:
- Choosing smarter booth materials if you’re an exhibitor.
- Use the free PPAI shuttles with your colleagues to save on emissions.
- Skip daily housekeeping with a “Do Not Disturb” sign to save water, energy and chemicals.
- Find more ideas here.
In addition, during Monday’s PPAI Expo Conference, there will be a special session dedicated to sustainability claims.
- The session is titled: “Green Flags: Vetting Suppliers for Sustainability”
- The speaker will be Laura Smith, sustainability and compliance manager at Storm Creek, PPAI 100’s No. 33 supplier.
- Catch this session at Breakers D from 1:30 p.m.-2:20 p.m..
With sustainability claims coming in all shapes and sizes, Smith will help distributors cut through the noise and identify what it looks like to truly be committed to sustainable practices. Coming from the supplier perspective, she aims to show attendees what authentic sustainability looks like from the inside and how you can spot the difference between marketing fluff and meaningful action.
