Professional Development Isn't Optional

If you want to grow and stay relevant, this is where it starts.

In the branded merchandise space, today is one of the most critical days, and not because there will be an announcement of the next mega-merger between suppliers. On January 12, 2026, you will have the most significant opportunity to grow your business for the next 12 months if you are in Las Vegas for the PPAI Expo for one simple fact: it’s Conference Day (formerly known as “Education Day").

While there will be educational opportunities throughout the week of Expo, Education Day is the largest gathering of industry thought leaders like Jenna Quaranta (JQ, for those in the know), Joelly Goodson, Kate Nash, and Bobby Lehew, to name a few. These people are subject-matter experts ready to share their wisdom with the entire promotional products community at no cost to attendees.

For those of you on the fence about embracing professional development as a lifestyle, here are three things to consider: Stay Relevant. Motivation. Expand Networks.

1. Relevancy. Change is rapid and rampant across every industry, which means anyone interested in remaining relevant needs to keep up – and not just learn a few TikTok skills here and there. With the pace of change increasing on a seemingly daily basis, it’s critical to stay on top of current and future trends, and that simply cannot be done in a vacuum. Any professional wishing to truly remain current must closely follow industry developments and seek to add depth to their knowledge base.

2. Motivation. As humans, we are conditioned to accept and embrace the known because it’s easy and comfortable. There’s a reason people sit in the same seats over and over during a day-long meeting, despite many breaks and opportunities to park their duffs elsewhere. Challenging your perspective by listening to divergent thoughts on digital marketing, understanding how to relate to different buyers, dipping your toes into the sometimes uncomfortable world of AI and automation, or learning how to create loyalty in an ever-evolving economy will encourage you to think – and sell – differently.

3. Networking. Like it or not, networking remains the best way to grow and solidify your career. Because of this, professional development is a far more effective way to meet industry thought leaders than staring at them vacantly across the bar at Eyecandy. As someone who speaks at many industry events, I relish it when someone comes up to me after a session and engages me. Another truth is that I learn just as much from them as they do from me, creating a robust network of giving.

With all the educational opportunities available, it boggles my mind why people don’t make professional development part of their career. The ONLY way to move forward is to continue to educate yourself at every opportunity. Embracing every educational opportunity will help you remain ahead of the competition in our constantly evolving industry. Pick a session or two now and commit to attending. By doing so, you'll not only benefit from new insights but also take a decisive step in advancing your career.

For anyone interested, I am also speaking today about overcoming the challenges of being a Solopreneur, titled “Solopreneur Circus: Branding, Tools, & Tactics.” It’s at 10:00 AM in Mandalay Bay D, and I’d love to see you there.

Whether you attend my session or choose others, please make room for professional development this week at PPAI Expo. But, more importantly, consider making professional development part of your career lifestyle. If you don’t, you risk being as relevant as a fidget spinner.