As promotional products professionals, we have the best of both worlds: a new year for great sales and a chance to drive leads at the leading industry show—The PPAI Expo. Less than a week away, the PPAI Expo spotlights the industry's newest products, and delivers a chance to network with industry movers and shakers and to learn from the industry's top experts.

Are you ready to take advantage of this enormous event and get that extra mileage that will carry you through the year? Promotional Consultant Today shares these tips to get your Expo week started.

1. Do your homework. Before you set foot in Las Vegas for The PPAI Expo, do your homework. Contact your top clients and find out their priorities for the next six months. Understand what they've built into their marketing and promotional plans and create a wish list of needs. It will help to set your priorities during your limited time on the trade-show floor.

2. Get personal. Once you're armed with your clients' preferences, set up a system to communicate with them while you're on the trade-show floor. Let them see that you're working for them, thinking of them, sourcing for them. Send a live video blog, or at a minimum, share text messages with them about your latest finds. Make your presence memorable to them.

3. Pre-set appointments. Go to www.theppaiexpo.org and study the exhibit hall map. Learn where key exhibitors are located, and reach out to set up appointments. This way you're guaranteed time with key suppliers; then allow time to browse new sources and fill in the rest of your schedule with key education events.

4. Take advantage of the free education. Make the most of your time out of the office to reignite your love for this industry. With nine tracks and multiple sessions, you'll find the right topics to fit your needs. Plus, attending education sessions is a great way to network with other industry distributors. Chances are, if you are facing a challenge in your business, another distributor in a different part of the country is facing the same challenge. Meet those sitting around you and share your challenges and successes. One suggestion is the distributor roundtable session on Monday morning.

5. Plan to have fun! There is a reason why you chose this industry. Share your passion for promotional products with other attendees. Get excited about this business and carry this enthusiasm with you when you return home. Clients who see your passion for this business will feel confident in trusting you with their programs and budgets.

Ready for more? Read tomorrow's tips as we continue our countdown to The PPAI Expo, January 10-14, 2016 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

Source: Cassandra Johnson is a tech-savvy marketing communications consultant and freelance writer. She reports on the latest trends in the promotional products industry, public relations, direct marketing, e-marketing and more. She supports clients in a variety of industries, including promotional products, hospitality, financial services and technology.