FINAL NUMBERS CONFIRM: THE PPAI EXPO BREAKS ITS OWN RECORDS
Increase in Attendance Just One Indication of Continued Success
Irving, Texas, (February 1, 2006) It’s probably safe to assume that a “sure thing” in Las Vegas is rarely a sure thing. But once again this year, Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) bet the odds and continued a winning streak with The PPAI Expo at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. The verified numbers—which are audited by an outside vendor for accuracy—show that the event broke previous records, in more areas than just attendance.
According to the final registration figures, distributor attendance increased by 2.61 percent to 13,777 individuals representing 4,937 distributor companies, an increase of 7.53 percent over 2005. That number included more than 1,200 distributors and more than 700 companies who were not members of PPAI, but were qualified as industry subscribers, supplier invitees or members of a regional association.
Doing Business Was At The Forefront
The PPAI Expo 2006 offered distributor attendees the opportunity to see most every major supplier in the industry, with 3,778 booths and 1,603 exhibiting companies—a 5.53 percent increase in the number of exhibiting companies over 2005.
According to statistics gathered from lead retrieval units, the total number of verified distributors scanned at booths increased this year by more than 20,000. Lead retrieval units—electronic devices much like those at grocery checkouts—are used to record those who visits a booth and request a catalog or additional information.
People Want to Learn!
As always, education was an integral part in the overall program. This year, the education department offered more than 100 sessions throughout the week, covering a wide range of topics in the areas of business management, sales and marketing, technology and professional development. Attendance at education sessions increased by 10.2 percent over last year, while attendance at paid seminars (offered on Monday) increased by 175 percent. And according to the evaluations, education was a huge success, garnering an overall 91 percent approval rating by those who attended.
Another indication of the desire for professional development could be seen in the 15 percent increase in sales for the onsite PPAI bookstore. All five hundred copies of keynoter Cal Ripken’s book, Play Baseball the Ripken Way were sold during his book signing. The bookstore also saw brisk sales of Pantone products, especially the Pantone formula guides used for color matching, which sold out during the week. A recent release, The New Idea Source, a compilation of more than 1,800 award-winning promotional campaigns was also very popular with bookstore customers.
One Show Serving the Entire Industry
According to the final numbers, those who attended The PPAI Expo came from all over North America, as well as from other parts of the world—further indication that this is the premier event for the entire industry. Six percent of the overall attendance of this year’s event was composed of international distributors.
For more information on Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), The PPAI Expo or the proven power of promotional products, visit the PPAI Web site at www.ppa.org or contact PPAI at 972-258-3041 or PR@ppa.org.
NOTE: Upon request, we can also provide high resolution photographs of the show floor, booths, crowds, education, events and speakers. Interviews with and quotes from exhibitors and/or attendees can also be arranged with sufficient notice.
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According to PPAI, promotional products include useful or decorative articles of merchandise that are used in marketing and communication programs. Promotional products are a $17.3 billion industry, including such popular items as pens, pencils, desk accessories, calendars and wearables. The items are usually imprinted with a company’s name, logo or message. Research studies have shown the outstanding effectiveness of promotional products, especially in a tough economy.
PPAI—the promotional product industry’s only international not for profit trade association—offers education, mentoring, public relations, technology, trade shows and legislative support to its more than 7,000 global members. PPAI created and maintains the UPIC (Universal Promotional Identification Code), the industry's only free identification system and universal company database.