“The Pitch” is returning to Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

The most talked about experience from The PPAI Expo 2023, promo’s version of The Voice will be retuning in January for The PPAI Expo 2024.

  • This year, The Pitch will change days, now being held Monday, January 15 from 3:30-4:30.
  • All four of last year’s industry judges – Amanda Clay, vice president of sales at Walker-Clay; Danny Rosin, CAS.president and co-owner of Brand Fuel; Memo Kahan, CEO of PromoShop; and John Vo, MAS, owner of WHOOPLA – will return for year two of the event.
  • All of this year’s contestants will be facing the judges for the first time.

With a year of experience under their belt, look for the judges to take off the kid gloves and really grill this year’s contestants in order to determine one true winner.

“I am so thrilled to be a returning judge on The Pitch,” says Vo. “Last year’s debut was a blast, and I can’t wait to see the cool products this year’s contestants will showcase.”

Shark Tank + The Voice + Promo = The Pitch

Last year, PPAI debuted its newest attraction to The PPAI Expo experience when it brought a reality show-type twist to the promo world.

  • The Pitch features seven supplier participants trying to win over a respected panel of industry judges in front of an audience of Expo attendees.

The rules are simple and probably vaguely familiar to anyone whose guilty pleasure is binge watching a handful of episodes of Shark Tank or The Voice.

  • Seven presenters, representing both newer and established suppliers, will have up to three minutes to make their pitch.

“The Pitch is an imaginative way to reward Expo attendees with live, and likely honest and hilarious, reactions to new products our industry has to offer,” Rosin says. “There is no doubt in my mind that attendees will leave the event feeling inspired, as well as with big smiles.”

  • Last year S&S Activewear was the inaugural winner.
  • The Illinois-based supplier took first place with its Quickflip Apparel line product the Hero Hoodie, an easily reversible hoodie and backpack.

“Last year, The Pitch was an immediate success and seemed to add a little extra buzz to the trade show floor,” says Begun. “We’re excited that all four industry judges will return to the panel for The PPAI Expo 2024. I can’t think of a more fun way to showcase the creativity and breadth of diverse products that are possible in the promo world.”

  • There will be a cash bar available for audience members of the event.

A New Day And Time

This year, The Pitch will be held on Monday, January 15, the same day as The PPAI Expo Conference and the day before the trade floor opens up.

It will take place after the day’s final breakout sessions and before The PPAI Expo Opening Reception (ticket required).

  • The contest will be held from 3:30-4:30.
  • It will take place at Oceanside Ballroom at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

There’s still time to register for The PPAI Expo 2024, scheduled for January 15-18