“Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Positioning your company as a leader in the promotional products industry starts with the power of education. That’s why attending The PPAI Expo Conference is an absolute must for those serious about driving growth. As Dr. King put it, education is about developing intelligence plus character. That’s why this year’s conference will feature sessions to help you:
Hone your critical thinking skills to drive success in 2024 by attending The PPAI Expo Conference on Monday, January 15. Plus, join us in honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during this extra-special MLK Day. Stay tuned for additional details as the show approaches.
Speakers: Dale Denham, MAS+, President and CEO, PPAI; Kevin Walsh, CAS, PPAI Board Chair, President, Showdown Displays
Location: Oceanside D
Session Title: The Next Great Transformation
Session Description: The past few years have taught us that life can change in an instant. We learned that we could adapt to changing circumstances thanks to the technology tools that keep us connected. But are we ready for the exponential changes heading our way? After all, Artificial intelligence (AI), robots, biotech, and digital media are already transforming work, culture, and our social lives. We are at the forefront of a profound paradigm shift. In her interactive presentation, futurist and consumer expert Anat Baron will focus on the intersection between technology, the empowered consumer, the multi-generational workforce, and the constant disruption around us. She will discuss the challenges and opportunities impacting our professional and personal lives and show you what success looks like in our fast-moving, hyper connected digital first world. All the while making the case that our humanity will matter more than ever as technology becomes a ubiquitous part of our daily existence. Anat will help you understand what’s next so you can create change even when change is hard.
Speaker: Anat Baron, Founder & CEO, StashWall
Designation: MAS 1.0
Location: Oceanside D
Sponsored By: 
Session Title: How To Market To – Sell To – And Service People Not Like You
Session Description: If you could grow your business simply by marketing to your existing clients and raking in more referrals, making money would be a cakewalk. But to generate new revenue, you have to win over the customers and prospects you’re not getting but could be. And typically, the customers you’re not getting are ones who are “not like you”.
When working with diverse customers and prospects, you need to be able to break through barriers to connect in a meaningful way, build trust and tap into values. You need tactics that are crafted specifically for diverse groups of people and their cultural preferences.
Using consumer insights and real-world, relatable examples, “How to Market to, Sell to & Serve People Not Like You” shows you how to grow your business with simple, effective, and proven tactics that don’t cost a dime or take weeks to get off the ground.
In This Info-Packed Session, You’ll Learn:
Speaker: Kelly McDonald, Speaker and Author, McDonald Marketing
Designation: MAS 1.0
Location: Lagoon L
Session Title: How To Use Creativity And Merchandising To Set Yourself Apart
Session Description: You have delivered the product. Now what? This is just the beginning of the process, and now is the time to show your clients what sets you apart from the others. Creativity, design and execution will help both you and your client succeed.
Speaker: Jessica Gibbons-Rauch, MBA, CAS, Manager, Professional Development Learning Programs, PPAI; Quinn Bui, CAS; Samantha Fullerton, Senior Account Executive, BAMKO
Designation: CAS 1.0
Location: Lagoon H
Session Title: Technology Tools To Maximize Profits
Session Description: Digital transformation isn’t one thing. It is multifaceted, with each unique branch resulting in a better experience for your customers, allowing you to increase your value and revenue. Hear where digital transformation is headed in 2024 and beyond, what you need to know and the different factors that affect your customers’ experience.
Speakers: Moderator, Nick DiNicola, MAS, Digital Transformation Manager, PPAI; CW Karstens, Director, Digital Transformation, PPAI; Rose Arendarczyk, Sr. Vice President, Transformation; HALO Branded Solutions; Joe Hoffmann, Sr. Vice President, Operations, iPROMOTEu; Shawn Reed, Director of IT, Showdown Displays
Designation: MAS 1.0
Location: Reef B
Session Title: Creating Wild Business Growth By Embracing Your Standard
Session Description: Standing out in a crowded marketplace is one of the most challenging hurdles to overcome. In this session, Bill Petrie will explain why standardizing every aspect of a promotional products business is the key to growing and scaling a business. Using specific examples that can be implemented immediately, this session will show each attendee how to use standards – and hold firm to those standards – as a point of differentiation that will lead to wild success.
Speaker: Bill Petrie, Founder & Creative Director, brandivate
Designation: MAS 1.0
Location: Breakers B
Session Title: Finding Your Knowledge Network
Session Description: We all have questions, but don’t always know where to go to find the answers. In this session, hear about the different industry communities that are available to you, a place where you can post your questions and get answers from those in the promotional products industry.
Speakers: Moderator, Brenda Speirs, CEO, Buzztag; Blake Bozeman, MAS, Vice President of Sales, SAGE; Kate Plummer, Director of Sales, HPG; Lisa Bibb, MAS, Executive Director, GAPPP
Designation: CAS 1.0
Location: Breakers E
Session Title: Greenprint For Success: Lessons From Sustainable Corporate Pioneers
Session Description: Sustainability-related practices are not just product-focused, they also involve internal processes and policies, all of which will affect your bottom line. Find out what you need to focus on and how it gets the sale. Hear how the pioneers built their roadmaps to reach sustainable sales success.
Speakers: Moderator, Elizabeth Wimbush, Director of Sustainability & Responsibility, PPAI; Denise Taschereau, PPAI Board Member, CEO & Co-Founder, Fairware; Teresa Fudenberg, CEO, Storm Creek
Designation: MAS 1.0
Location: Reef B
Session Title: Navigating Uncertainty: 10 Proven Marketing Tactics For Uncertain Times
Session Description: Running and marketing a business over the past three years has been a wild ride! Everything seems uncertain. But despite challenges with inventory, supply chain, civil unrest, difficult economies and so much more, some businesses continue to thrive. In this session, you will get 10 tactics to help you improve your marketing… and your business. It’s time for some marketing certainty during these uncertain times.
Speaker: Kirby Hasseman, CEO, Hasseman Marketing & Communications
Designation: CAS 1.0
Location: Breakers B
Session Title: Leveraging AI In Tomorrow’s Business World
Session Description: Instead of fearing new technology, we should be looking at increasing Human and AI collaboration. After all, in order to succeed in today’s complex world, companies must be able to connect, predict and adapt in real time to meet their customers’ needs. Futurist Anat Baron will explore how emerging technologies will reshape customer-business interactions. She’ll share the transformative power of AI, robotics and communication technologies and you’ll hear why you should embrace integrating AI technology with human decision-making. This session will bring to life a future where AI handles tedious tasks, allowing humans more time for meaningful interactions.
Speaker: Anat Baron, Founder & CEO, StashWall
Designation: MAS 1.0
Location: Lagoon L
Session Title: Building A Culture Employees Love
Session Description: Companies across the promotional product industry are seeking new and creative ways to connect, engage, and inspire employees in the workplace. The secret ingredient to making this possible? Culture. As companies look for ways to improve retention and attract top talent in a competitive market, it’s increasingly important to create a company culture that your employees love and love to talk about.
Speakers: Moderator, Danny Rosin, CAS, Co-President, Brand Fuel; Mykayla Goodwin, Vice President of Strategy, OrderMyGear; Andrea Kramer, President, City Apparel + Merch, Charles Duggan II, MAS+, Vice President of Sales, North America, Goldstar
Designation: MAS 1.0
Location: Breakers E
Session Title: Unlock Sales Excellence With Insights From Top Producers
Session Description: Hear a panel of industry experts talk about their sales journeys, from getting started to continued growth. Being in sales means never being satisfied with your last sale, but always maintaining the drive and desire to find your next customer. Secure clear takeaways that will allow you to rise to the next level, gain the next customer and create the partnership with the clients you desire.
Speakers: Moderator, Joshua White, PPAI Board Member, Head of Strategy and General Counsel, BAMKO, Joseph Sommer, President, Whitestone Branding, Nenette Gray, Chief Lemonade Maker, Lemonade Creative Marketing, LLC; Sarah Whitaker, Owner, Williams Advertising
Designation: CAS 1.0
Location: Lagoon H
Session Title: Growing Your Diverse Supplier Programs
Session Description: There is a strong business case for building your diverse supplier programs. As consumer demand of utilizing diverse suppliers grows, so does the need for your knowledge. Hear the steps you can take to reach these goals from the experts in the industry.
Speakers: Moderator, Jamie Crump, President, The Richwell Group; Johanna Gottlieb, Vice President of Business Development, Genumark; Kathy Cheng, President, Redwood Classics Apparel; Jarid Taylor, Founder, Brandigenous
Designation: MAS 1.0
Location: Reef B
Session Title: Outlook 2024: Promo’s Present And Future
Session Description: PPAI Media unveils its first annual Outlook report – a research backed overview of the current and foreseeable future state of the industry. Discover how to capitalize on existing market trends and prepare for those poised to impact the industry. Insights from PPAI research will provide you essential information to guide your key decisions.
Speakers: Josh Ellis, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, PPAI; Alok Bhat, Market Economist and Senior Research Manager, PPAI
Designation: MAS 1.0
Location: Lagoon L
Session Title: Become A Sales & Marketing Superstar!
Session Description: If you are not differentiating, then you are blending in. What are clients and prospects looking for today? If you’re not differentiating it will certainly be price. However, what today’s clients really want is someone who understands their business and drives measurable success. Instead of merely dropping off catalogs, dive deeper to really understand their challenges and opportunities. This approach will set you apart and elevate you above the competition. Join this session to explore proven techniques that create loyal clients who become your advocates, spreading your reputation as a strategic partner to their business associates.
Speaker: Cliff Quicksell, CSP, MAS+, President & CEO, Cliff Quicksell Associates & QuicksellSpeaks
Designation: CAS 1.0
Location: Breakers E
Session Title: Crushing It In 2024
Session Description: What do you need to be aware of to crush it in 2024? Hear the top strategies that will help to propel you and your company to the next level in the new year.
Speaker: Charity Gibson, Chief Marketing Officer, Proforma
Designation: CAS 1.0
Location: Breakers B
Session Title: 2024 Trends To Kick-Start Your Sales
Session Description: Join us for an informative and energizing session where we uncover key trends for 2024. We’ll take a look at what PCNA is doing to support these trends, and you, this year.
Speaker: Liz Haesler, Global Chief Merchandising Officer, PCNA; Mary Furto, Vice President of Marketing, PCNA
Designation: MAS 1.0
Location: Lagoon H
Session Title: Starting Your (Realistic) Sustainability Journey
Session Description: Companies want to be sustainable, but getting from points A to Z can be overwhelming. What steps do you take to get started and what do you look for? Join this session to find out, hear about different resources to utilize and understand that small steps are still steps in the right direction.
Speakers: Moderator, Elizabeth Wimbush, Director of Sustainability & Responsibility, PPAI; Brianna Mazze, Vice President Compliance & Sustainability, St. Regis; Kate Nash, Director of Promotional Sales, Marketing, Raining Rose.
Designation: CAS 1.0
Location: Breakers B
Session Title: The Next Generation of Promo Trends
Session Description: This informative and interactive session will uncover valuable insights into the latest product and merchandising trends shaping 2024 and beyond. Learn effective strategies to identify and capitalize on these trends, tailor them to meet your business needs, and explore innovative ways to infuse them and creativity into your product marketing and sales efforts – from concept to consumer. Don’t miss the opportunity to revitalize your approach and to propel your business to new heights.
Speaker: Jason Lucash, Entrepreneur; Renya Nelson, CEO, Brand + Aid; Bryan Stevens, Thumbprint
Designation: CAS 1.0
Location: Breaker E
Session Title: Sales Resilience Blueprint
Session Description: Join us for this transformative session that will change the way you approach sales and life. In this powerful talk, you’ll hear the personal story of Jenna Quaranta – mass shooting survivor, Director of Sales Training & Development at HPG, and certified mental health ambassador and business consultant coach. We'll explore the core theme of resilience after tragedy and its relevance to the sales field. You'll uncover the importance of resilience, adaptability and mental fortitude, helping you bounce back from rejection, adapt to change, and manage stress effectively. Learn how personal growth and success can emerge from adversity, discover the incredible power of perspective in overcoming challenges, and gain actionable strategies for resilience in sales, including continuous learning and self-care. Don't miss this life-changing event; plan your PPAI schedule early and remember the motto: "STAY ALIVE."
Speaker: Jenna Quaranta, Director of Sales Training & Development, HPG
Designation: CAS 1.0
Location: Lagoon H
Session Title: A Conversation With PPAI 100 Leaders
Session Description: The inaugural PPAI 100 research project showed that companies leading the industry in key investments – such as technology, sustainability, and personnel – are also likely to be stronger financially. PPAI Media’s Josh Ellis will lead a discussion with ranking executives to help firms of all sizes understand why being well-rounded and doing things the right way makes a business stronger.
Speakers: Moderator, Josh Ellis, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief, PPAI; Mark Gammon, CEO, Cap America, Christine Puglisi, Chief Marketing Officer, ePromos Promotional Products; Daron Hines, President, Staples Promotional Products; Frank Carpenito, President & CEO, Gemline
Designation: MAS 1.0
Location: Lagoon L
Session Title: Educating Your New-To-The-Industry Employees
Session Description: New to the industry or just new to promo? We have you covered. In this session, we will do a brief overview of the industry and how to thrive in it. This is a great first step in your certification journey.
Speaker: Jessica Gibbons-Rauch, MBA, CAS, Manager, Professional Development Learning Programs, PPAI
Designation: CAS 1.0
Location: Reef B
Are you a fan of Shark Tank and The Voice? PPAI has put a promo twist on those popular TV shows with The Pitch. Attend The Pitch live and watch supplier participants give their best promotional product pitch to win over our judges and potential clients.
The four judges are Amanda Clay, MAS, president and co-owner of Walker-Clay; Danny Rosin, president and co-owner of Brand Fuel; Memo Kahan, CEO of PromoShop; and John Vo, MAS, owner of WHOOPLA.
8:15-9:30am
Session Title: The Unstoppable You
Speaker: Alex Weber, American Ninja Warrior, Award-Winning Leader &
Entertainer
Session Description: Looking to elevate your performance? You’re in the right place! Alex will inspire you to break through to your next level of achievement – a level that may seem daunting, discouraging, unrealistic or flat out impossible. There has never been a more pressure-filled time of comparison, distractions and judgements than right now. This causes people to fall into the trap of underperforming, burnout, delaying goals or not stepping up into opportunities altogether.
Alex offers empowering, actionable, positive steps to make your next level goals happen. Alex shows you how to focus on your unique journey, harness your true potential and channel your hidden strengths to be The Unstoppable YOU!
Sharing vulnerable, honest and hilarious stories of being the only person in the history of NBC’s American Ninja Warrior to go from Host to Competitor, Alex provides real-life tools to cultivate confidence, defy your internal limits, create positive mental health and realize your highest goals – even if you don’t fully believe you can just yet.
Designation: MAS 1.0
Location: Oceanside D
Every year at The PPAI Expo, the Association and its members celebrate the Icons that make the industry what it is today. This year, attendees of The PPAI Expo Conference held an opportunity to hear from the 2024 Icons directly at Monday’s networking luncheon.
Almost 400 industry professionals gathered for an introspective conversation on succeeding in the promotional products industry from professionals at very different points in their career. The secret to success that they all seemed to come back to: it’s people helping people.
If the Starbucks line outside of The PPAI Expo 2024 was a little too long for some attendees Tuesday morning, then Alex Weber, professional speaker and former contestant and host of NBC’s American Ninja Warrior, likely jolted them awake with his 8:30 am session.
The wealth of educational opportunities presented at The PPAI Expo 2024 and The PPAI Expo Conference serves as an indispensable resource for professionals within the promotional products industry. This year’s conference showcased a myriad of forward-thinking concepts, offering attendees beneficial and intriguing ideas that they can readily apply within their own companies.
