It isn’t just what you’ll see. It’s who you’ll meet.
At The PPAI Expo, relationships aren’t just made – they’re transformed. And if business is built on relationships, promo’s largest and longest-running trade show is where the strongest ones begin.
In the span of a few days, you’re in the same rooms and the same aisles with thousands of people who speak your language. The colleagues, partners and future collaborators who can shape your year, and maybe even your career.
Sure, deals can be closed over email. But friendships? Partnerships? Those are built face to face. And nowhere is there more opportunity to connect than in Las Vegas every January.
Kevin Walsh
President, Showdown Displays
“The PPAI Expo is the center of the promotional products universe,” says Kevin Walsh, president of Showdown Displays, PPAI 100’s No. 8 supplier, and former PPAI Board Chair. “If you’re an exec at a supplier, the best place for you to get information – and real context for it –from your customers is Expo.
“Those hours on the floor, talking them through existing products and new initiatives that we’ve launched is a great way to share the opportunity to help grow our business together. It never ceases to amaze me to hear ‘I didn’t know you did that.’ I would venture to guess every supplier can tell you that they’ve heard that from their distributors, and I’m talking about really good partners who you might be working with on a daily basis.”
Being Intentional
For some people, big events like The PPAI Expo are easy. They live for the crowds, the small talk, the late-night mixers. For others, it takes more planning – and more energy.
For example, Vera Minot, owner of Tucson, Arizona-based distributor Southwest Solutions and a 2025 PPAI Rising Star, is a self-professed huge introvert. But making the intentional choice to be at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center and open up to new experiences has led to some tremendous outcomes.
Vera Minot
Owner, Southwest Solutions
“Last year, I was only able to be at the show for The PPAI Expo Conference and half of the first show day,” Minot says. “I hardly got any product information, but in the 12 business hours that I spent at the show, I had high concentrations of cool conversations with people that then turned into follow-up Zooms and actual connections online and in person. That made the expenditure and high stress of like a ton of stuff to do within such a small amount of time more than worth it.”
Indeed, The PPAI Expo is more than just the hub for an unmatched array of new products – it fuels an immersive experience crucial for meeting client needs throughout the year.
“You have to give yourself time to interact,” says Brian Swift, president of Miami-based distributor Swift Sourcing. “I’ve learned to not schedule the time so tightly where I can’t be social because that’s a really big component of Expo. It’s not just about that new product or thing – it’s about the people and the energy that you always leave with.”
Networking Opportunities
The PPAI Expo Opening Reception, which will take place at Skyfall Panoramic Bar & Lounge on Monday, January 12, at 4:45 p.m., is the perfect way to kick off your Expo experience with networking, light bites, drinks and entertainment.
Promo & Pints, a beer garden located on the show floor, is the ideal location to meet with clients and network with colleagues. Seating is available anytime the show floor is open, and beer and wine will be available on Tuesday and Wednesday from noon to show close.
Brian Swift
President, Swift Sourcing
On Tuesday, January 13, from 2:30-3:30 p.m., the Inclusive Impact Meetup will be held at Promo & Pints on the show floor, with a cash bar available. The topic of the gathering will be how to drive diversity, equity and inclusion forward in the promo industry.
Also on Tuesday, January 13, from 4-5 p.m., the Women in Promo Meetup will be held at Promo & Pints, with a cash bar available. An offshoot of the popular PPAI Women’s Leadership Conference, this meetup brings together women working in the promo industry.
On Wednesday, January 14, from 8:30-9:30 a.m., the Meet Your Regional Meetup is an opportunity for members to connect with representatives of their local regional association for coffee and collaboration. This will take place in the Level 2 Foyer.
ICYMI: The PPAI Expo 2026 Preview
On Wednesday, January 14, from 2:30-3:30 p.m., the Technology Meetup is an opportunity for like-minded promo industry IT professionals, decision-makers and executives who are leading their organizations’ technological health to mingle and discuss the issues relevant to the promo field. It will be held at Promo & Pints, with a cash bar available.
Also on Wednesday, January 14, from 4-5 p.m., the Young Professionals Meetup will be held at Promo & Pints, with a cash bar available. An offshoot of the PPAI Leadership Development Conference, this meetup brings together the 2025 PPAI Rising Stars and other young industry leaders.
- Preregistration is recommended for all meetups at Promo & Pints. If you already registered for Expo, use the link in your confirmation email under “Modify Your Registration.” On the registration page, select the registrant to modify, click the green check mark, then the plus sign next to your name to add items. From there, choose the events you want to add.
The Association is also planning a PPEF Meetup on Wednesday where attendees can come to the PPAI booth to learn more about the Promotional Products Education Foundation – and if they donate a certain amount, they’ll receive a drink.
Speaking of which, you can participate in the Glen Holt & Fran Ford Memorial Golf Tournament on Monday, January 12, at Bali Hai Golf Club in Las Vegas. A hundred golfers from dozens of promo firms raised $47,000 for PPEF’s college scholarship program this past year.
Ashley Van Der Stuyf
Sr. Manager of Events & Expositions, PPAI
Don’t forget about The PPAI Expo Party! On Wednesday night, Jan. 14, the promo industry will take over Allegiant Stadium for food, drinks, music and games all on the field. Attendees can expect to take part in “Punt, Pass, Kick” competitions, cornhole and plenty of space to network, unwind and keep the energy going after the show floor closes.
“Where week-long connections turn into celebrations – we’re so excited to have The PPAI Expo Party hosted at Allegiant Stadium,” says Ashley Van Der Stuyf, senior manager of events and expositions at PPAI. “Set right on the field, we’re bringing the vision of a classic tailgate to life.”
Register Now
Don’t wait any longer – register and book your trip to The PPAI Expo 2026 right now.
PPAI member distributors may have their registration fees waived based on their membership tier. It’s $50 per person for additional registrants.
Qualified nonmember distributors may access the exhibits and conference for $350 per person. Members of industry regional associations but not PPAI can receive a code from their executive director for a discounted rate.
Suppliers and business services providers who are members but not exhibiting will be charged $750 per person for access to the exhibit hall but may attend The PPAI Expo Conference for no additional cost.
Nonmember, nonexhibiting suppliers/business services providers are not permitted to attend The PPAI Expo.
