"This was not our first time at the PPAI Expo in Las Vegas, but it was definitely the best," stated one of the exhibitors at the PPAI Expo in an international press release.
PPAI is the promotional products industry's only international not-for-profit trade association which offers education, tradeshows, business products and services, mentoring, technology and legislative support to its more than 7,500 global members. Promotional products are an $18 billion industry and include wearables, writing instruments, calendars, drink ware and many other items. With about 13,000 attendees, this expo was one of the largest audio rigs AVW-TELAV has ever prepared. The audio equipment included 32 JBL main full-range speakers, 8 JBL sub speakers, and 18 delay speakers, among a great deal of other audio gear. All this sound apparatus was necessary to distribute quality sound throughout the 392,100 square feet (to be exact!) of the arena at Mandalay Bay Convention Center. The sound system also had to accommodate a full-blown concert at the event, featuring Grammy award-winning band, Train.
As part of the entertainment, cirque-like performers enchanted the crowd with acrobatics. We installed high-speed motors to lift the truss for the entertainers; to allow for faster and quieter movement.
The show also featured keynote speakers Mick Fleetwood of the legendary band Fleetwood Mac, and Erin Gruwell, the subject of the new film Freedom Writers. And, believe it or not, the entertainment didn't stop there. PPAI also presented a fashion show with professional models showing off apparel and accessories provided by dozens of suppliers. AVW-TELAV built a custom stage that was 60' high and went from one side of the arena to the other.
Visuals included three 11'x21'screens, one for the center of stage and two wing screens. The outer (wing) screens were turned vertically (displayed length-wise), so the image magnification would present the fashion show models from head to toe. And all the screens displayed images in high definition.During the General Sessions, we inverted one of the outer screens so the figures on both outer screens would always face towards the center of the arena. This prevented one screen from displaying presenters that appeared to gaze off into the distance.
This year's PPAI Expo was "a year of records," according to the organization. Nearly 85 per cent of the largest distributor companies in the industry attended, which increased by 15 per cent from the prior year. PPAI pulled off a truly magnificent show, and AVW-TELAV made sure the event ran its course trouble-free.