Expo attendees at Monday’s keynote luncheon were highly entertained by author, comedian and world-class guitarist Mike Rayburn. But the true takeaway from the event was Rayburn’s talent as an inspirational thought leader.

Employing storytelling, humor and impromptu songs on his guitar, including the wild mix of a Led Zeppelin tune with Dr. Seuss’s Green Eggs and Ham lyrics and an original twist on Taylor Swift’s You Belong With Me, he kept his audience engaged while serving up a deeper message—to never be satisfied with ‘what is,’ to always ask ‘what if?’

On Monday afternoon, education attendees were treated to two back-to-back funny, high-energy speakers at The PPAI Expo’s Power Keynotes. Connie Podesta, author and expert on the psychology of sales, leadership, change, life balance and getting your act together, and Scott Stratten, president of UnMarketing, kept a packed audience enthralled and laughing as they delivered their own unique takes on connecting with each other.

David Goggins, retired U.S. Navy SEAL, former U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Control Party member and author of the newly published Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind And Defy The Odds, delivered an awe-inspiring keynote presentation on Tuesday at the PPAI Expo 2019’s opening general session on resilience and self-determination that culminated in a standing ovation.

“Never underestimate what you’re capable of in life,” Goggins says. “Motivation comes and goes. I just want to paint a picture of how little you need to succeed.”

Expo attendees gathered for a luncheon on Wednesday where PPAI President and CEO Paul Bellantone, CAE, provided updates and plans for the Association, afterwards opening the floor for a Q&A. The dialogue was an extension of topics discussed earlier in the week, including changes to the governance structure of the PPAI Board of Directors election process, strategic foresight and the new partnership between PPAI, SAGE and Promotional Products Professionals of Canada (PPPC). Bellantone was later joined onstage by Dale Denham, MAS+, chair of the PPAI Board of Directors, and Brittany David, MAS, incoming chair of the board.