Attendees of The PPAI Expo Conference on Monday had a number of opportunities to take in responsibly minded educational sessions and experiences. At one point, sustainably minded individuals were able to break away from the panels and speakers to take a behind-the-scenes sustainability tour of The PPAI Expo in collaboration with MGM.

  • Additionally, stay tuned in the coming week for the official report, which will hopefully qualify The PPAI Expo 2026 as zero waste. Last year, the event diverted 91% of waste from landfills.


To kick things off early on Monday, Nicole Rhooms, PPAI’s director of human resources and Elizabeth Wimbush, CAS, PPAI’s director of sustainability and responsibility, ran a session about inclusivity at the Association. Inclusive teams perform better. This session focused on the everyday interactions that strengthen or strain culture. The two PPAI leaders worked through practical scenarios, compared approaches with peers and discussed useful communication tools and PPAI’s DEI Playbook.

Laura Smith, the sustainability and compliance manager at Storm Creek, PPAI 100’s No. 33 supplier, hosted a session titled, “Green Flags: Vetting Suppliers for Sustainability.” Not all sustainability claims are created equal. This session helped distributors cut through the noise and identify who are truly committed to sustainable practices. As a supplier, Smith shared what authentic sustainability looks like from the inside – and how you can spot the difference between marketing fluff and meaningful action.

RELATED: Elizabeth Wimbush, CAS: 24 Ideas Making The PPAI Expo More Sustainable

2025 was also one of the wildest years in recent memory for government affairs impacting the promotional products industry, from regulatory surprises and tariff policy shifts to new labor rules, product safety debates and a rapidly changing political climate. What does it all mean for your business in 2026?

PPAI’s lobbyist, Chris Lamond (Thorn Run Partners), and PPAI Media publisher and editor-in-chief Josh Ellis hosted an unscripted, transparent and highly interactive town hall-style conversation breaking down the biggest developments from Washington and what’s on the horizon.

Running a one-person business can feel like a three-ring circus: you’re the CEO, marketing manager, salesperson, admin, and janitor – all while you’re trying to build a brand that truly stands out. Bill Petrie, founder and creative director of brandivate and longtime solopreneur, pulled back the curtain on what it takes to build a brand that matters without dropping all the balls you’re juggling. Through humor and real-life experiences, he showed firsthand how to make your brand anything you want it to be, and how to make that vision a reality.

In a fireside chat, “The Accountability Advantage,” Ashley Colautti, MAS, VP of sales at Spector & Co., PPAI 100’s No. 18 supplier, sat down with accountability partners Kelly Denes, director of business development at The Vernon Company, PPAI 100’s No. 26 distributor, and Jenny Straub, CAS, director of strategic partnerships, Outdoor Cap, PPAI 100’s No. 30 supplier, to explore how their simple but intentional system has helped them stay aligned, achieve milestones, and maintain clarity in a demanding environment.

Mykayla Goodwin, VP of Strategy and Marketing at OrderMyGear, debunked common marketing myths and shared specific tactics you can start using today to make your marketing more effective.

ICYMI: PPAI Advocacy Report Card: Expanded & Intensified Efforts In 2025

Amanda Carpenter, SAGE’s senior customer experience manager, led an insightful session on developing a strong, cohesive brand that drives business growth. Strategies for digital marketing, social media, and building lasting client loyalty require touchpoint, from your logo to your online presence, can strengthen your brand and enhance the overall client experience. Carpenter covered it all in “Brand Identity is More Than a Logo.”

PPAI’s Rising Stars took the stage for an unscripted, high-energy discussion about leadership, growth and the future of the promotional products industry. The panel featured Vera Minot, creative director and part owner, Southwest Solutions; Kate Murray, communications and public relations specialist, American Solutions for Business, PPAI 100’s No. 9 distributor; Eli Martin, sales manager at 5B’s; and Kristine Eng, director of marketing at Pop! Promos, PPAI 100’s No. 45 supplier.

Finally, the “Built to Engage: Crafting Immersive Brand Moments That Matter” session brought various leaders in immersive engagement together to explore how experiential moments, tactile personalization and thoughtful product storytelling can transform ordinary interactions into unforgettable brand experiences. The panel featured Jodie Schillinger, MAS, executive vice president of Maple Ridge Farms, PPAI 100’s No. 49 supplier; Rachel Hoskins, vice president of sales at Sock101, PPAI 100’s No. 92 supplier; Karie Cowden, MAS, president and founder of Connect the Dots Promotions; and Jayson Tompkins, founder and CDO of STAHLS’ Fulfill Engine.