The PPAI Expo is the promotional products industry’s Super Bowl – minus the halftime show and questionable commercials. It’s where thousands of us gather to share ideas, show off products and spark new opportunities.
But with big gatherings come the potential for big footprints, and that’s where awareness and advance planning come in. Whether you’re behind the booth or just walking the floor, we all have a role to play in reducing waste, lowering emissions and having a positive impact.
Don’t worry, it’s not all about forgoing – being sustainable doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort, fun or success. In fact, it often saves money, makes your life easier and earns you brownie points with both your peers and the planet.
Here are 24 ways PPAI, Mandalay Bay Convention Center and attendees from around the world are working together to make the show more sustainable than ever.
On The Way
How you get to Vegas and what you bring all add up.
Fly smarter. Many flight search engines now display carbon emissions, so pick the lowest-impact option. Pro tip: Direct flights are usually greener because takeoff and landing are the most fuel-intensive parts of flying.
Pack light. Airlines burn more fuel when they carry more weight. Every unnecessary pair of shoes adds up, so consider traveling like a minimalist influencer.
Bring reusables. A refillable water bottle and a tote bag or two will keep you hydrated and ready without adding waste.
Elizabeth Wimbush, CAS
Director of Sustainability & Responsibility, PPAI
Booth Materials & Strategy (For Exhibitors)
Your booth is your stage. Make sure it reflects not just your brand but your values.
Choose smarter materials. Recycled, recyclable or reusable booth materials are the way to go. You’ll save money in the long run and avoid post-show disposal headaches.
Rent or buy locally. Freeman, the show’s general contractor, offers booth rentals, or you can source materials locally to reduce shipping costs. Shipping less also means fewer emissions and less stress.
Go local with staffing. Flying in a big team racks up costs and greenhouse gases. Use nearby reps when possible.
Cut the paper. Attendees don’t want to haul bags of brochures. Use QR codes for digital content. If you print, choose recycled or FSC-certified paper and a local printer.
Plan ahead. For exhibitors, rush shipping often means costly air freight, which produces up to 20 times more emissions than ground shipping. Build in extra time.
Consolidate containers. Whether you’re shipping booth crates or mailing samples, bigger consolidated shipments beat lots of small ones.
Skip single-use packaging. Styrofoam may protect your product, but it will also outlive us all and doesn’t just go away – it becomes microplastic that ends up in living tissue. Yuck. Reusable or recyclable options are better for everyone.
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On-site Choices (For Everyone)
Once you’re at the show, every small action counts.
Power wisely. If you’re plugging in lights or screens at your booth, go with EnergyStar-rated equipment. Efficient doesn’t have to mean dim.
Donate lanyards. Both attendees and exhibitors can drop lanyards in bins around the floor so they can be reused.
Use water refill stations. Hydrate with your reusable water bottle at the many free water stations available on the show floor.
Ship smarter. If you’re an exhibitor using FedEx onsite, maximize package space and consolidate shipping. Attendees sending product samples home? Do the same. Fewer boxes means fewer emissions.
Recycle leftovers. Mandalay Bay’s Recycling Manager can help exhibitors with leftover materials, and attendees can recycle unwanted handouts.
RELATED: Suppliers Show ‘Sustainable Future For Trade Shows’ With Cardboard Booths
Around Town (For Everyone)
Vegas may be known for excess, but you can still make low-impact choices while you’re there.
Ride smart. Use the free PPAI shuttles (from Excalibur and Luxor), hop on the monorail or share rides with colleagues. You’ll save emissions and avoid the eternal taxi line.
Save hotel energy. Turn off lights and reduce AC when you’re not in your room.
Skip daily housekeeping. Hanging up the “Do Not Disturb” sign saves water, energy and chemicals. Plus, you’ll always know exactly where you left your stuff.
Dine thoughtfully. Choose restaurants with locally sourced or plant-forward menus. Supporting local food also supports the local economy.
RELATED: MGM Gives Behind-The-Scenes Sustainability Tour Of The PPAI Expo 2025
What PPAI & Mandalay Bay Are Doing
You’re not in this alone. PPAI and our host venue are walking the sustainability talk, too.
Enhanced waste sorting. From recycling to food donation to composting, Mandalay Bay ensures that as little as possible heads to a landfill.
Powered by solar. During the day, the property runs on renewable energy from MGM’s massive solar array.
Water recycling. All water on property flows into Las Vegas’s citywide reuse program, a critical step in the desert.
Energy efficiency. Lighting, heating and cooling systems have all been retrofitted to reduce energy use.
Certified green. Mandalay Bay holds the highest Green Key Eco-Rating, a global sustainability certification for hotels.
Sustainability at The PPAI Expo isn’t about being perfect – it’s about making better choices, one step (or one refillable water bottle) at a time. Exhibitors can cut waste and costs with smarter booths and shipping, and all attendees can lighten their travel footprint and make greener choices around town.
Together, those little actions add up to a big impact.
In an industry built on lasting impressions, none matters more than the one we leave on our planet.
Wimbush, CAS, is the director of sustainability and responsibility at PPAI.
