Sunbelt Promotional Products Association upcoming events

Tuesday Learning Lab: "The Invisible Backpack: The Weight of Carrying What Others Don't See" (04/14/2026)

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:30:00 GMT

By the time most of us reach mid-life, we’ve already experienced dozens of losses… some obvious, like the death of a loved one or a pet, and others quieter, like moving away from a childhood home, losing a job, hitting a milestone birthday, ending a friendship, or letting go of a version of life we once imagined for ourselves. And guess what? Grief isn’t something we leave at the door when we walk into work. In the workplace, grief often shows up in subtle ways… changes in behavior, motivation, communication, and/or productivity. This session takes a thoughtful but lighthearted look at how grief can quietly influence the way we work and interact with others. And, rather than focusing on therapy or heavy solutions, we’ll simply explore how to recognize it, acknowledge it, and understand why awareness matters… for ourselves, our families, our teams, our present, and our future.

Learning Outcomes:
- Recognize common and often overlooked forms of grief and how they can show up in everyday workplace behaviors.
- Understand why acknowledging grief… without using it as an excuse… can lead to healthier communication, stronger teams, and more supportive work environments.
- Explore simple mindset shifts for leaders and individuals that empower

About the Presenter: Charity Gibson is an internationally recognized marketing strategist, innovator, and keynote speaker with more than two decades of leadership in the promotional products and branded merchandise industry. She is currently the Director of Strategic Accounts at Bold Promo, helping top organizations transform branded touchpoints into meaningful experiences that deepen connection and drive measurable growth.

Additionally, Charity is the founder of The Paper Plane Coaching Company, where she serves as a fractional CMO and trusted advisor to companies seeking clarity, creativity, and a more human approach to modern marketing. Known for her insight, adaptability, and ability to simplify complex brand challenges, she has become a well-respected educator and advocate.

Wild Wednesday Webinar: Solopreneur Circus: Branding, Tools, and Tactics, featuring Bill Petrie, CAS (04/29/2026)

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Running a one-person business can feel like a three-ring circus: you’re the CEO, marketing manager, salesperson, admin, and janitor – all while you’re trying to build a brand that truly stands out. Bill Petrie, Founder & Creative Director of brandivate and longtime solopreneur, will pull back the curtain on what it takes to build a brand that matters without dropping all the balls you’re juggling. Through humor and real-life experiences, you’ll see firsthand how to make your brand anything you want it to be, and how to make that vision a reality.

Learning Outcomes
- Reframe branding as an intentional act and not a visual exercise
- Identify the specific reasons solopreneurs struggle to build and sustain a strong brand
- Apply practical tools to build and protect a brand while doing everything within the business
- Define what each participant wants their brand to be and align systems to support that decision

About the Presenter: With over 25 years of experience in the branded merchandise industry, Bill Petrie has helped countless organizations grow through bold, strategic branding and marketing. As the founder and creative director of brandivate, he combines curiosity, creativity, and a bit of irreverence to challenge and inspire others to achieve their goals. A PPAMS Hall of Famer and a 2024 PPAI Icon Award honoree for Distinguished Service, please join me in welcoming Bill Petrie.

Tuesday Learning Lab: "Sales Feed Egos, Profits Feed Families. Why Selling at the Highest Possible Margins is Your First Responsibility" (05/12/2026)

Tue, 12 May 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Too many salespeople chase revenue while ignoring the one metric that truly sustains a business, that metric, profit. In this high-impact session, Cliff challenges the industry’s obsession with price and volume, revealing why protecting margin is a professional responsibility. Attendees will learn how to position value, defend pricing, and sell with confidence and purpose.

Learner Outcomes
• Understand the True Cost of Discounting - Recognize how low-margin selling erodes long-term profitability, weakens positioning, and creates unsustainable client expectations.
• Position Value Over Price - Learn strategies to communicate expertise, creativity, and consultative insight so clients see the value beyond the product itself.
• Adopt a Profit-First Sales Mindset - Develop the confidence and discipline to protect margins, walk away from unprofitable business, and focus on opportunities that sustain both the business and the families it supports.

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.

Wild Wednesday Webinar: " From Invisible to Influential: How to Build a Personal Brand That Attracts" (05/27/2026)

Wed, 27 May 2026 16:30:00 GMT

In today’s competitive promotional products industry, being good at what you do is no longer enough—you need to be known for it. Visibility drives opportunity. In this session, Kirby Hasseman introduces the TARGET Personal Branding Framework, a simple and practical system designed to help professionals move from being invisible in their industry to becoming influential voices their customers trust. Participants will learn how to define their ideal audience, attract the right people, expand their reach through consistent content, confidently ask for opportunities, and turn customers into enthusiastic brand ambassadors. This session focuses on practical steps that sales professionals, marketers, and industry leaders can immediately implement to grow their visibility, credibility, and business opportunities.

Learning Outcomes
- Define their ideal audience and craft messaging that resonates with the right customers instead of trying to reach everyone.
- Build a consistent personal brand presence using content and visibility strategies that increase reach and industry influence.
- Apply the TARGET framework to attract opportunities, confidently ask for business, and turn customers into enthusiastic brand advocates.

About the Presenter: Kirby Hasseman is the founder and CEO of Hasseman Marketing & Communications, a full-service branded merchandise and marketing agency based in Coshocton, Ohio. With over 20 years in the promotional products industry, Kirby has built a reputation for helping businesses use branded merch strategically—not just as giveaways, but as powerful tools for connection, loyalty, and growth.

Wild Wednesday Webinar: "Packaging Is Not the Box; It’s the Brand Experience, …It’s The Hidden Profit Lever, featuring Cliff Quicksell" (06/24/2026)

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Most salespeople view packaging as an afterthought, a simple container for the product. In reality, packaging is a powerful branding tool that elevates perception, enhances the client experience, and dramatically increases margins. In this session, Cliff Quicksell reveals how creative packaging transforms ordinary promotions into memorable brand experiences.

Three Learning Outcomes:
• Recognize Packaging as a Strategic Marketing Tool Understand how packaging influences brand perception, emotional engagement, and the overall customer experience.
• Identify New Revenue and Profit Opportunities Discover how adding creative packaging solutions can increase order value, differentiate proposals, and significantly improve margins.
• Position Packaging as a Value-Added Solution Learn how to confidently present packaging ideas that move the conversation away from price and toward brand impact and creativity.

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.

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.

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.