Sunbelt Promotional Products Association upcoming events

Tuesday Learning Lab: "2026 State of the Industry from ASI" (08/11/2026)

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 16:30:00 GMT

This presentation on the 2026 State of the Industry report from ASI Research will provide a comprehensive overview of the U.S. and Canadian promo industries, including top end-buyer markets and products, ongoing supply chain and tariff concerns, trends in the labor market, and a Q4 sales outlook.

Learning Outcomes:

Issues impacting promo in the U.S. and Canada.
Recent sales, product and market trends.
Predictions for Q4 and beyond.

About Nate:

Nate Kucsma is ASI’s senior executive director of research. Nate earned his MBA in Marketing from Rutgers University in 2007 and has over 25 years of research experience across a variety of industries. Nate joined ASI in 2014 and has partnered with his colleagues on many of the promotional product’s industry’s most influential studies, such as the annual Counselor State of the Industry study, the Global Ad Impressions study, and the European Market Sizing study.

About Sara:

Sara Lavenduski is executive director of client education & content at ASI. She joined the company in 2014 and has since won multiple awards for her coverage of best sales practices and market trends. Sara oversees industry education for ASI members, leads ASI’s Canada coverage and regularly contributes to reporting for ASI Research’s annual studies.

Wild Wednesday Webinar: "The Industry Outlook: Insights, Trends and What’s Next" (08/26/2026)

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 16:30:00 GMT

From emerging market signals to broader industry developments, join us for a candid conversation about where the industry stands today, what deserves attention now and how the future of branded merchandise is being shaped. Through observations gathered from across the marketplace, we will share perspectives on the opportunities, challenges, and shifts influencing businesses throughout the industry.

This session will also provide an update on the direction of PPAI and the initiatives underway to strengthen, elevate, and advance the branded merchandise community. Hear about the broader forces shaping the industry's future and the role the association is playing in helping members navigate what comes next.

Key Take Aways:

Gain insight into the current state of the branded merchandise industry and the trends influencing growth and market performance.
Leave with a clearer view of what’s next and insights to help navigate the rest of 2026 and the industry’s future.
Receive an update on PPAI's strategic priorities and key initiatives for strengthening and advancing branded merchandise.

About the Presenter

Drew Holmgreen was announced as PPAI’s next president and CEO in December 2024. A dynamic, creative-minded leader, he brings more than two decades of experience in brand strategy, experiential innovation, and organizational growth. With a track record of delivering results across non-profit trade associations and for-profit sectors, Drew has earned recognition as a strategic thinker who drives growth and fosters an environment of collaboration and inclusivity. Most recently, he has served as Chief Experience Officer at Meeting Professionals International, where he oversaw seven core business units: marketing, creative strategy, membership, events, media, chapters, and volunteers.

Tuesday Learning Lab: "The Hidden Profit Formula" (09/08/2026)

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Most business owners are bleeding money they'll never see disappear. Not because of bad service or high prices. Because nobody ever showed them the hidden formula that separates businesses clients stay loyal to from businesses clients quietly abandon.

In this free training, Disney Business Consultant Vance Morris reveals the exact system he used inside Walt Disney World, and now uses across his own home service businesses, to turn ordinary clients into fiercely loyal fans who stay longer, pay more, and can't stop referring their friends.

Learning Outcomes:

Know exactly why your team's experience is silently sabotaging your client experience, and the shockingly simple fix most business owners never think to make.
Discover the ruthless truth about why "good service" is quietly killing your referrals, and the specific shift that transforms forgettable transactions into unforgettable, talked-about experiences.
Uncover the hidden systems breakdown draining your profits behind the scenes, and how to bulletproof your operations so your business runs flawlessly whether you're in the building or not.
Master the one marketing secret almost every business owner gets backwards, and walk away with a proven formula for turning the clients you already have into your most powerful, most profitable growth engine.

About the presenter:

Vance is a former Birth Control Factory Security Guard and turned that into a wild journey from Disney leader to bankrupt out-of-work executive to carpet cleaner to successful entrepreneur.

Today, he’s the guy businesses call when they’re bleeding profit and can’t figure out why. He delivers real-world systems that stop customers from quietly disappearing and stop money from leaking out the back door. He’s the only expert on the planet, who blends direct-response marketing with engineered customer loyalty and retention.

2026 SPPA Fall Showcase - Exhibitor (09/09/2026)

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 15:30:00 GMT

September 9-11, 2026

1 Show = $475
2 Shows = $525
3 Shows = $575

You can also upgrade to Premium for $100 which allows you to select your table location.

Sept 9, 2026 - Birmingham, AL

Finley Center @ Hoover Met Complex
5508 Stadium Trace Pkwy
Hoover, AL 35244 (map it)
7am-10:30am: Set Up*
10:30am-1:30pm: Show Hours

Sept 10, 2026 - Jackson, MS

Clyde Muse Center
515 Country Pl Pkwy
Pearl, MS 39208 (map it)
7am-10:30am: Set Up*
10:30am-1:30pm: Show Hours

Sept 11, 2026 - New Orleans / Metarie, LA

Sheraton Metairie/ New Orleans
Four Galleria Blvd
Metairie, LA 70001 (map it)
7am-10:30am: Set Up*
10:30am-1:30pm: Show Hours

*Set up schedule is subject to change. We will notify you if we are able to allow additional set up times or booth drop off the evening prior to each show.

By registering for this show, you acknowledge and agree to comply with all SPPA rules, policies, and procedures, as well as the terms and conditions outlined in the official show contract.

2026 SPPA Fall Showcase - Exhibitor (09/10/2026)

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 15:30:00 GMT

September 9-11, 2026

1 Show = $475
2 Shows = $525
3 Shows = $575

You can also upgrade to Premium for $100 which allows you to select your table location.

Sept 9, 2026 - Birmingham, AL

Finley Center @ Hoover Met Complex
5508 Stadium Trace Pkwy
Hoover, AL 35244 (map it)
7am-10:30am: Set Up*
10:30am-1:30pm: Show Hours

Sept 10, 2026 - Jackson, MS

Clyde Muse Center
515 Country Pl Pkwy
Pearl, MS 39208 (map it)
7am-10:30am: Set Up*
10:30am-1:30pm: Show Hours

Sept 11, 2026 - New Orleans / Metarie, LA

Sheraton Metairie/ New Orleans
Four Galleria Blvd
Metairie, LA 70001 (map it)
7am-10:30am: Set Up*
10:30am-1:30pm: Show Hours

*Set up schedule is subject to change. We will notify you if we are able to allow additional set up times or booth drop off the evening prior to each show.

By registering for this show, you acknowledge and agree to comply with all SPPA rules, policies, and procedures, as well as the terms and conditions outlined in the official show contract.

2026 SPPA Fall Showcase - Exhibitor (09/11/2026)

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 15:30:00 GMT

September 9-11, 2026

1 Show = $475
2 Shows = $525
3 Shows = $575

You can also upgrade to Premium for $100 which allows you to select your table location.

Sept 9, 2026 - Birmingham, AL

Finley Center @ Hoover Met Complex
5508 Stadium Trace Pkwy
Hoover, AL 35244 (map it)
7am-10:30am: Set Up*
10:30am-1:30pm: Show Hours

Sept 10, 2026 - Jackson, MS

Clyde Muse Center
515 Country Pl Pkwy
Pearl, MS 39208 (map it)
7am-10:30am: Set Up*
10:30am-1:30pm: Show Hours

Sept 11, 2026 - New Orleans / Metarie, LA

Sheraton Metairie/ New Orleans
Four Galleria Blvd
Metairie, LA 70001 (map it)
7am-10:30am: Set Up*
10:30am-1:30pm: Show Hours

*Set up schedule is subject to change. We will notify you if we are able to allow additional set up times or booth drop off the evening prior to each show.

By registering for this show, you acknowledge and agree to comply with all SPPA rules, policies, and procedures, as well as the terms and conditions outlined in the official show contract.

Wild Wednesday Webinar: "Win the Year Before it Begins. Strategic Planning that Turns Intentions into Results" (09/30/2026)

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Most professionals wait until January, if at all, to start planning the new year, and by then, they’ve already lost momentum. In this powerful session, Cliff Quicksell reveals why strategic planning before the year begins creates a competitive advantage. Learn how reflection, clear metrics, and intentional discipline position you to lead, not react.

Three Learning Outcomes:

Reflect Strategically on the Previous Year: Learn how to analyze what worked, what failed, and what opportunities were missed so you can build a smarter and more intentional plan for the year ahead.
Build a Clear, Measurable Strategic Plan: Understand how to translate goals into actionable metrics by reverse-engineering annual targets into monthly, weekly, and daily activities.
Create Momentum Before the New Year Begins: Discover why planning in advance provides a competitive edge, allowing you to enter the new year with clarity, confidence, and forward momentum while others are still trying to figure things out.

About the Presenter

Cliff Quicksell, CSP, MAS+, MASI, is a seasoned expert with over 40 years in promotional marketing. As a highly regarded speaker, trainer, and consultant, he has spent 40 years helping associations and national business groups enhance their marketing strategies, improve team motivation, and drive business growth.

Cliff holds the prestigious MAS+ professional designation and has worked with top-tier clients including Dixon Ticonderoga, Fruit of the Loom, and Geiger, among many others. He regularly speaks at industry events like PPAI EXPO and ASI Shows, earning accolades for his impactful presentations. A 48+ time PPAI Pyramid Award winner, Cliff has also garnered numerous honors, including PPAI’s Ambassador Speaker of the Year for six years and the Distinguished Service Award in 1997. In 2024, Cliff received his CSP, Certified Speaking Professional, designation. The CSP is held by less than 7% of all speakers globally.

2026 SPPA Holiday Showcase Exhibitor (10/29/2026)

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

We know you missed us last year so...WE'RE BACK!

October 28-29, 2026
Prices start at $525 for standard exhibit space.

Date & Location

Thursday, October 28-29, 2026 (Seminar & Show)

Perdido Beach Resort
27200 Perdido Beach
Orange Beach, AL 36561 (map it)

Full Schedule & Setup

Wednesday, October 28, 2026
6:00pm -8:00pm Welcome Reception

Thursday, October 29, 2026

7:00am – 11:00am Exhibitor Setup
10:00am - 11:00am Brunch Seminar

11:00am – 2:00pm Show Open to Distributors and Clients

Exhibit Information

This is an end-user show!

The SPPA Fall Showcase is a “table top” show. Each exhibitor will have a 6’ table with cloth. Some electricity is available, please specify on your booth contract if you need electricity ($75 charge). Please specify on your contract if you need space for a table, a rack or both. For example, if you purchase both a table and rack space you will have 12 feet of space with one table (6 feet for rack and a 6 foot table). If you only purchase one rack space, you will have 6 feet of space with no table. You must be a member of SPPA to exhibit at this show.

Host Hotel

CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR ROOM

Please read:

By registering for this event, you acknowledge and agree to abide by all the policies and conditions outlined in the 2026 SPPA Holiday Showcase Exhibit Space Contract.