In the #DESIGNtoCHANGE podcast hosted by Ruud Janssen, Drew Holmgreen, CEO of PPAI, shared his journey from Chief Experience Officer at MPI to leading the 120-year-old association representing the branded merchandise industry. Drew reflected on his transition, emphasizing the importance of impactful conversations in driving change and fostering creativity within the industry.
Drew recounted his first days at PPAI, including the PPAI Expo at Mandalay Bay, a flagship event with 16,000 attendees and net promoter scores of 60 for suppliers and 63 for distributors. The Expo serves as a vital connection point for the association's 15,000 member companies, showcasing innovative branded merchandise and fostering collaboration among suppliers, distributors, and business service providers.
Drawing on his MPI experience, Drew shared lessons from hosting the WEC event during COVID-19, which successfully blended in-person and virtual elements. He highlighted the importance of balancing financial sustainability with delivering exceptional experiences, a principle he applies at PPAI.
The discussion explored branded merchandise's role as a marketing channel, with Drew advocating for its inclusion in campaigns to create lasting emotional connections. He cited examples like Stella Artois' innovative merchandise and Promenade's sustainability efforts, emphasizing the industry's creativity. Branded merch, he noted, offers high ROI and longevity, with items like T-shirts having an average lifespan of seven years.
Drew addressed challenges facing the industry, including tariffs, inflation, and supply chain disruptions, which impact costs and sourcing. He highlighted PPAI's advocacy efforts and the launch of a new learning management system to support members. The association is also exploring AI's potential to enhance efficiency and innovation.
Looking ahead, Drew outlined his vision for PPAI, focusing on fostering a positive staff culture, enhancing member engagement, and repositioning branded merchandise as a vital marketing tool. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with organizations like MPI, AMA, and international associations to unify messaging and drive industry growth.
The session concluded with Drew's optimism for the future, highlighting the importance of creativity, resilience, and strategic planning in navigating challenges and advancing the branded merchandise industry.
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In the #DESIGNtoCHANGE podcast hosted by Ruud Janssen, Drew Holmgreen, CEO of PPAI, shared his journey from Chief Experience Officer at MPI to leading the 120-year-old association representing the branded merchandise industry. Drew reflected on his transition, emphasizing the importance of impactful conversations in driving change and fostering creativity within the industry.
Drew recounted his first days at PPAI, including the PPAI Expo at Mandalay Bay, a flagship event with 16,000 attendees and net promoter scores of 60 for suppliers and 63 for distributors. The Expo serves as a vital connection point for the association's 15,000 member companies, showcasing innovative branded merchandise and fostering collaboration among suppliers, distributors, and business service providers.
Drawing on his MPI experience, Drew shared lessons from hosting the WEC event during COVID-19, which successfully blended in-person and virtual elements. He highlighted the importance of balancing financial sustainability with delivering exceptional experiences, a principle he applies at PPAI.
The discussion explored branded merchandise's role as a marketing channel, with Drew advocating for its inclusion in campaigns to create lasting emotional connections. He cited examples like Stella Artois' innovative merchandise and Promenade's sustainability efforts, emphasizing the industry's creativity. Branded merch, he noted, offers high ROI and longevity, with items like T-shirts having an average lifespan of seven years.
Drew addressed challenges facing the industry, including tariffs, inflation, and supply chain disruptions, which impact costs and sourcing. He highlighted PPAI's advocacy efforts and the launch of a new learning management system to support members. The association is also exploring AI's potential to enhance efficiency and innovation.
Looking ahead, Drew outlined his vision for PPAI, focusing on fostering a positive staff culture, enhancing member engagement, and repositioning branded merchandise as a vital marketing tool. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with organizations like MPI, AMA, and international associations to unify messaging and drive industry growth.
The session concluded with Drew's optimism for the future, highlighting the importance of creativity, resilience, and strategic planning in navigating challenges and advancing the branded merchandise industry.
Weemin Ong & Genevieve Lim Marina Bay Sands #DESIGNtoCHANGE PODcast + Roel Frissen + Ruud Janssen
Event Design Collective PODcasts
39 minutes 11 seconds
2 months ago
Weemin Ong & Genevieve Lim Marina Bay Sands #DESIGNtoCHANGE PODcast + Roel Frissen + Ruud Janssen
This #DESIGNtoCHANGE Podcast, recorded live on 11 September 2025 in Melbourne, Australia and you can find the AI Recap of the contact, key takaways and idea cloud by Snapsight here: https://www.snapsight.com/live-channel/c78561ad-1c5f-47b9-992d-5e03bc95e1ea/e1be71ca-a1cb-4f34-8ecd-1d9e0efd487e/attendee?tab=takeaways . It is hosted by Ruud Janssen, Roel Frissen featuring Genevieve Lim, and Weemin Ong, executive leaders of Marina Bay Sands, explored the transformative power of conversations in shaping the future of event design. Marina Bay Sands' adoption of the Event Design Canvas (EDC) methodology was highlighted as a key driver of innovation and excellence in the global events industry. Central to this effort is the Marina Bay Sands Event Design LAB℠ , Asia's first dedicated space for applying the EDC methodology, fostering collaboration between clients and certified event designers to create impactful events.
Genevieve Lim and Weemin Ong shared insights into Marina Bay Sands' initiatives, including the EDC Young Professionals Program, which introduces event design principles to students in partnership with institutions like the Singapore Institute of Technology. The Event Design Certificate Level 3 program has trained nearly 100 team members as CED - Certified Event Designer across departments, including culinary, audiovisual, and operations, creating a unified culture of event design. The Rising Tides metaphor underscored their belief in collective industry growth through shared methodologies and collaboration.
Marina Bay Sands, hosting over 2,500 events annually and welcoming 1.4 million delegates, operates across 120,000 square meters of event space. Plans for the Integrated Resort 2 expansion, featuring luxury event spaces and a 15,000-seater arena, reflect its commitment to innovation and excellence. The recent showcase event, themed "Elevate," demonstrated Marina Bay Sands' philosophy of engaging not just clients but the "client of the client" to design meaningful outcomes.
The speakers emphasized the global reach of EDC training, with sessions held in cities like Sydney, San Francisco, Beijing, and Melbourne. They highlighted the importance of deep listening and understanding stakeholder needs, enabling Marina Bay Sands to remain at the forefront of the industry. The session celebrated the partnership between Marina Bay Sands and Design to Change, showcasing their shared mission to empower event professionals, foster innovation, and elevate the events industry through intentional design and collaboration.
Learn more about Marina Bay Sands Event Design LAB℠ here: https://www.marinabaysands.com/expo-and-convention/gallery/event-highlights/2023/12/elevating-experiences.html
Learn more about Event Design LAB℠ opportunities here: https://edco.global/event-design-lab/
You can find the AI Recap summary, key takaways and idea cloud by Snapsight of this episode here: https://www.snapsight.com/live-channel/c78561ad-1c5f-47b9-992d-5e03bc95e1ea/e1be71ca-a1cb-4f34-8ecd-1d9e0efd487e/attendee?tab=takeaways
And the Marina Bay Sands and Event Design Collective collaboration here: https://www.marinabaysands.com/expo-and-convention/gallery/event-highlights/2023/12/elevating-experiences.html
Event Design Collective PODcasts
In the #DESIGNtoCHANGE podcast hosted by Ruud Janssen, Drew Holmgreen, CEO of PPAI, shared his journey from Chief Experience Officer at MPI to leading the 120-year-old association representing the branded merchandise industry. Drew reflected on his transition, emphasizing the importance of impactful conversations in driving change and fostering creativity within the industry.
Drew recounted his first days at PPAI, including the PPAI Expo at Mandalay Bay, a flagship event with 16,000 attendees and net promoter scores of 60 for suppliers and 63 for distributors. The Expo serves as a vital connection point for the association's 15,000 member companies, showcasing innovative branded merchandise and fostering collaboration among suppliers, distributors, and business service providers.
Drawing on his MPI experience, Drew shared lessons from hosting the WEC event during COVID-19, which successfully blended in-person and virtual elements. He highlighted the importance of balancing financial sustainability with delivering exceptional experiences, a principle he applies at PPAI.
The discussion explored branded merchandise's role as a marketing channel, with Drew advocating for its inclusion in campaigns to create lasting emotional connections. He cited examples like Stella Artois' innovative merchandise and Promenade's sustainability efforts, emphasizing the industry's creativity. Branded merch, he noted, offers high ROI and longevity, with items like T-shirts having an average lifespan of seven years.
Drew addressed challenges facing the industry, including tariffs, inflation, and supply chain disruptions, which impact costs and sourcing. He highlighted PPAI's advocacy efforts and the launch of a new learning management system to support members. The association is also exploring AI's potential to enhance efficiency and innovation.
Looking ahead, Drew outlined his vision for PPAI, focusing on fostering a positive staff culture, enhancing member engagement, and repositioning branded merchandise as a vital marketing tool. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with organizations like MPI, AMA, and international associations to unify messaging and drive industry growth.
The session concluded with Drew's optimism for the future, highlighting the importance of creativity, resilience, and strategic planning in navigating challenges and advancing the branded merchandise industry.
