It's been said that anyone who's anyone in the world of promotional products attends the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) Expo. That's because it's the largest, most-attended trade fair in the industry.

The 2013 show will take place Jan. 14 - 18, and will likely be the biggest yet. So what makes the PPAI Expo so popular? Let's go over some points:

1. It's Vegas, baby!

I've been told that the PPAI Expo is usually so busy that attendees hardly have any free time. Still, that the trade show takes place in Las Vegas each year is surely part of why it's so huge. Who doesn't love an excuse to visit Vegas?

2. Professional development

With both free and paid workshops available, industry professionals have many opportunities to learn at the PPAI Expo. Those earning MAS/CAS credits can even take their certification exams.

3. The exhibits

A big part of the PPAI Expo is obviously touring the exhibit floor. Attendees will get a look at top companies in "screen printing, embroidery and digital technology" and "demonstrations of the newest products and equipment." Nice!

Are you attending the 2013 PPAI Expo? If so, what makes it so important?

When you're prepping for a trade show, the last thing on your mind is how much garbage you'll leave behind. That is, unless you're aware of just how much waste conventions can create.

Trade shows are responsible more than 600,000 tons of trash each year. And, according to the Trade Show News Network (TSNN), expos in the U.S. and Middle East alone emit nearly 200,000 tons of carbon annually. And that's just from the production of exhibition booths!

If you exhibit at or attend at least one conference a year, you contribute to these alarming statistics. And that's why it's also your duty to help reduce the waste that's created.

TSNN recommends the following tips for reducing display waste:

1. Use recycled materials

If you're printing brochures, making signs or even passing out trade show giveaways, opt for ones made from eco-friendly materials. For example, your literature can be printed on recycled paper. Also look for eco-friendly promotional products that can be passed out to attendees.

2. Print with vegetable-based ink

Did you know that traditional ink can leak volatile organic compounds once the paper has been thrown out? TSNN suggests switching to soy-based ink, instead: "Such inks have dramatically less impact on the environment, and are easily removed." What an easy way to make a difference!

3. Avoid UV coated paper

Although some printers will argue that UV-coated paper protects the environment by "sealing in" any oil-based solvents, this type of material is also difficult to recycle. Paper that features an aqueous (water-based) coating will be much easier on the earth.

Did you know that trade shows reportedly create 600,000 tons of waste every year?

Expo Web reported that the combination of banners, booklets and more make the convention industry the second most wasteful. More than 1 billion lbs. of waste is generated from the 60 million people who visit trade fairs each year. If you're alarmed by these numbers, you should be. Here are three ways to help reduce the rubbish:

1. Do Things Digitally
   
   Why hand out flyers when you could instead pass out promotional flash drives that contain your marketing materials? Not only do digital versions save paper, but your imprinted product will help boost your brand well after the trade show's over. QR code technology can also help.
   
   
2. Use Eco-Friendly Products
   
   These days, you can find eco-friendly everything -- from cups and cutlery to bags and giveaways. When shopping for items to be used at your trade show, consciously look for ones that made from recycled or biodegradable materials.
   
   
   

   

   
   
   
3. Make Recycling Easy
   
   This is really as easy as setting up waste bins throughout your trade show floor. Creating color-coded bins is a great way to distinguish between different types of waste, like cans and paper.

 Making trade shows greener isn't as hard as it seems. Follow these three steps and together we can help reduce the waste this industry produces.

Exhibiting isn't an exact science. Every industry and every trade show is unique. But even with all of the variations, there are a few key must-haves any exhibitor should never be without:

1. Pre-Show Buzz... Before the event, take some time to get the word out about your expected presence. Use your own marketing outlets as well as the trade show's site to promote your attendance.

2. Killer Booth... Your set-up has to be eye-catching, welcoming and visually appealing. Don't overcrowd your display, but don't be stingy either. Find the balance and build a booth that will stand out from the rest.

3. Perfect Staff... Choose a staff that can read the crowd. Some people are more receptive to a hard sell and some just want to have a conversation. Your staff needs to be able to instantly tell the difference and give them what they want. More on the importance of staffing... 

4. Enticing Incentives... Sure your staff is out there drawing people in and your booth is absolutely beautiful, but for that little extra push give attendees more of an incentive to stop by your booth. Offer things like games and raffles with the opportunity to win prizes. Make it fun and spread the word.

5. Up-to-Date Technology... Don't fall behind the times. With all of the technology available today, there is no reason your company or organization shouldn't be up and running on social media posting updates throughout the event or engaging people with QR codes and mobile apps.

6. Fabulous Featured Products... People love going to trade shows for the hands-on experience and face-to-face interaction. Feature a good mix of products including the latest and greatest as well as historical best sellers.

7. Cameras... Keep a video camera at your booth for customer testimonials (or even just feedback). A still camera is also great for keeping followers updated on social media throughout the show. You can even show booth visitors product or service demos on your camera for things that were not practical to physically bring with you to the event.

8. Contact Capture... With so much traffic to your booth, having a plan in place for capturing leads is essential. Keep your contact list organized, but don't put it on display. You want the focus to be on your booth, not the list of names. And be sure to keep notes of conversations you've had with individuals to make your follow-up more memorable with references to those unique conversations.

9. Memorable Giveaways... Every exhibitor should be equipped with unique promotional products to send trade show attendees home with. Put your name, logo and even contact information on your giveaways so that people always remember you fondly.

10. Consistency... Across all of the above, make sure you are consistent in your branding and your message!

A deal struck earlier this week between the unions at McCormick Place and Navy Pier, two Chicago locations, will make it easier for trade shows to come to the windy city.

As of Tuesday, three trade shows, including a comics show and a book expo, have already committed to come through McCormick Place.  This is big news considering trade shows had almost completely backed out of Chicago all together.

"They had abandoned Chicago, basically, because they weren't getting the product they needed or the services they needed here," Jim Reilly, chief executive of the firm that owns McCormick Place and Navy Pier, told the Chicago Tribune.

The new agreement will allow for big clients like Microsoft to organize corporate gatherings in Chicago.  The Chicago Tribune explains: "...the labor break-through -- allowing stagehands, rather than show-floor electricians, to do audio-visual production work for presentations held outside the exhibit area -- should open the door to potential mega-clients..."

Hopefully the new work-rule will help bring in new business to Chicago soon!

The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) recently revealed the results from their 2011 Changing Environment of Exhibitions Study, which explores the industry's evolutions in providing key market insights. The results are astounding. The study found that exhibitions and trade shows are highly valued in achieving marketing and sales objectives in the B2B arena.

The CEIR surveyed marketing executives across the industry sectors in charge of marketing and promotions decisions. The response rate was 2.1 percent, totally 298 participating executives.

Study Highlights

*According to the study, 73 percent or more of executives polled rated exhibitions as highly valuable in helping their companies achieve the following marketing objective goals that they identified as a high priority:
    -Building or expanding brand awareness (83%)
    -New product or service promotions or launches (63%)
    -Reinforcing brand awareness (63%)
    -Promotions targeting specific business sectors (58%)
    -Existing product service promotions (45%)

*According to the study, 77 percent or more of executives polled rated exhibitions as highly valuable in helping their companies achieve the following sales objective goals that they identified as a high priority:
    -Existing customer relationship management/engagement (73%)
    -Relationship management/engagement with key accounts (67%)
    -Relationship management/engagement with prospective customers (64%)
    -Generating new sales order with existing customers (57%)
    -Generating new sales leads in general (56%)

*About 40 percent of executives indicate that they are participating in the same number of exhibitions today as they did several years ago. Looking to the future, 85 percent say they will maintain current levels or even increase the number of exhibitions they participate in.

This study is, of course, good news for the trade show industry, but the takeaway here is really for the business-to-business industry. Participating in trade shows and handing out promotional products not only helps with brand awareness, but also overall with key marketing and sales objectives.