S2:E3: The People You Need To Meet | Sponsored By MOQ1


What’s the real ROI of The PPAI Expo? The people.
In this episode of Voice & Force: Season 2, Josh and Stacy show how relationships are the Expo’s superpower – from spontaneous aisle chats to executive-level conversations in the booth to late-night mixers where partnerships take shape. You’ll hear how face-to-face moments turn into long-term collaboration, career opportunities and real business growth.
Featuring insights from Vera Minot (Southwest Solutions), Kate Nash (Raining Rose Promos), Kevin Walsh (Showdown Displays), Jade Crider (Hasseman Marketing), and Brian Swift (Swift Sourcing), this episode makes the case that products matter – but people come first.
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Key Takeaways from This Episode:

Why people > products (at least at first): Vera Minot explains how shifting focus to education, products, and people – in that order turned Expo into a must-attend every year.
Your storefront, IRL: Kate Nash shares how suppliers use The PPAI Expo like a retail experience – bringing brand, senses and strategy to life in the booth.
Meet the decision-makers: Kevin Walsh highlights why executives are on the floor – and the one question distributors should ask (“What’s something people don’t know you do?”).
The social side is strategic: From The PPAI Expo Party to Promo & Pints and pop-ups, off-floor moments accelerate trust, ideas and opportunity.
Community compounds: Jade Crider shows how in-person connections extend to social media — creating a rolling portfolio of ideas your clients can discover all year.
Show up, leave space: Brian Swift’s veteran tip — don’t overschedule. Build in time for serendipity; that’s where the magic (and deals) happen.
For introverts, intention wins: Vera’s playbook — define the connections you’re seeking, shrink big rooms into small moments, and let real conversations lead to real outcomes.

Whether you’re a born networker or still finding your footing, this episode proves that being there — in the aisles, at the mixer, on the dance floor — is how relationships turn into results.
Register today: Visit PPAI.org/expo.

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