APA - Where Personalization Pros Connect.

Call for Proposals | 2027 International Personalization Expo
2026-05-12 08:00 - 2026-07-27 23:30 (America/Chicago)
2027 APA Expo Call for Proposals

Submit a Proposal to Speak at the International Personalization Expo
Horseshoe Las Vegas | February 23–26, 2027
The Awards and Personalization Association (APA) is now accepting education proposals for the 2027 International Personalization Expo, taking place February 23–26, 2027 at the Horseshoe Las Vegas.
The APA Expo is the personalization industry’s must-attend event, bringing together retailers, suppliers, and vendors focused on small‑format personalization. The Call for Proposals invites industry professionals to share practical knowledge, real‑world experience, and proven techniques with a highly engaged audience.
Submit a Proposal
The deadline to submit a proposal is Monday, July 27.
Call for Proposals Overview
APA is seeking education sessions that focus on the “how‑to” of what personalization professionals do best. The 2027 Call for Proposals emphasizes actionable learning, skill‑building, and real‑world application.
Proposals may include:

Back‑to‑basics techniques and foundational skills
Practical shop applications and workflows
Software and equipment deep dives
Sales and business strategy sessions
Marketing approaches for personalization businesses
Emerging tools and technologies valued by today’s maker community and trophy shops

Sessions should provide attendees with insights they can apply immediately in their businesses.
Who Should Submit a Proposal
APA encourages proposals from professionals across the personalization and awards industry, including:

Retailers and shop owners
Suppliers and manufacturers
Industry vendors and service providers
Makers and customization specialists
Business, sales, marketing, and production leaders

Whether you are new to presenting or a returning APA Expo speaker, your perspective can help strengthen education and connection across the industry.
Session Levels and Focus
Proposals may be designed for:

Beginner audiences building core skills
Intermediate audiences looking to refine processes
Advanced audiences ready for deeper technical or strategic exploration

All sessions should prioritize:

Meaningful skill‑building
Practical, real‑world problem solving
Fostering connection and shared learning within the personalization industry

Submit Your Proposal
Education proposals for the 2027 APA Expo in Las Vegas are now open. If you have any questions, please contact Alisha Coplin, Education Manager, at acoplin@personalizationpros.org

Shopify Made Simple: How to Launch Your Store, Optimize Your Listings, and Customize Your Page
2026-06-04 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago)
Starting a Shopify store can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to figure out how to organize products, write listings that actually get found, and create a shopping experience that makes customers want to click “add to cart.”
In this practical, step-by-step webinar, Heather Bennett will walk you through the essentials of building a Shopify store that works for your handmade or creative business. You’ll learn how to set up your site, write product listings with strong seach engine optimization (SEO) so customers can find you, organize your store using collections and tags, and add customization options to make your products even more appealing.
Whether you’re just getting started or want to clean up and streamline your current store, this training will give you actionable strategies to help your Shopify site feel more organized, professional, and ready to sell.
By the end of this webinar, participants will:

Understand the key steps to setting up a Shopify store for a handmade or creative business
Learn how to write product listings using strong SEO so customers can find their products online
Discover how to use collections and tags to organize their store and improve the shopping experience
Learn how to add product customization options to increase perceived value and sales
Gain practical tips to streamline product listings and make their Shopify store easier to manage as it grows

Register Now

Basics of Editing Vector Paths in Adobe Illustrator
2026-07-23 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago)
Would you like to learn more about what’s under the hood in your vector files?
This webinar will teach you the fundamentals of Illustrator, and why it’s important to have a baseline understanding of how to make the paths do what you what.
We’ll cover how to create and manipulate vector paths and Bezier curves using such tools as the Pen tool, the Reshape tool, Shape Builder, how to convert anchor points, round corners, and manipulate point handles. We’ll also touch on the Appearance panel, when to work in Outline Mode, and how and when to expand shapes.
Register Now

Systems Before Square Footage: The Roadmap from Home Laser to a Profitable Storefront
2026-08-06 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago)
Many laser entrepreneurs dream of expanding into a storefront, but growth without the right systems can quickly turn excitement into overwhelm.
In this webinar, Cheyenne McPherson, founder of Paisley Co Design and the Laser Branding Collective, shares the real roadmap behind her transition from a home-based laser business to a profitable storefront.
Rather than focusing on equipment or space first, Cheyenne walks through the foundational systems that must be in place before expanding — from workflow and pricing to B2B partnerships and repeatable revenue streams. Attendees will gain practical insight into how to build structure before scaling so their business can grow sustainably and profitably.
During this session, attendees will learn:

The real cost of expanding too soon and why many laser businesses struggle after opening a storefront
How to build structure before you scale, including operational systems that support growth
How to move from one-off transactions to repeatable revenue, including B2B partnerships
How a physical location can become a strategic advantage, not just an added expense
How to know when your business is truly ready to expand

Register Now

2027 International Personalization Expo
2027-02-23 17:00 - 2027-02-26 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Horseshoe Las Vegas, 3645 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV, 89109, United States
2027 International Personalization Expo

Las Vegas | February 23–26, 2027
The 2027 International Personalization Expo is a must-attend event that brings together retailers, suppliers, and vendors from across the awards and personalization industry.
Held February 23–26, 2027 in Las Vegas, the Expo provides hands‑on education, face‑to‑face networking, and direct access to the products, equipment, and services shaping the future of personalization.
Whether you operate a small personalization shop or manage a growing multi‑location awards business, the Expo offers insights you can apply immediately to improve efficiency, quality, and profitability.

Why Attend the 2027 International Personalization Expo
The International Personalization Expo is built for business professionals who want to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.
Attendees benefit from:

Education sessions focused on real‑world application
Technical training and production‑focused learning
Business and marketing strategies tailored to personalization businesses
Direct access to suppliers, manufacturers, and industry vendors on the show floor
Networking with peers from across the United States and beyond

The combination of education, networking, and product discovery makes the Expo a must‑attend event for the personalization industry.

Education Designed for the Personalization Industry
Education at the 2027 International Personalization Expo focuses on practical strategies and proven techniques. Sessions are led by industry professionals who understand the challenges of running and growing a personalization business.
Topics may include:

Personalization production methods and workflows
Laser, UV, rotary, and print‑based processes
Shop operations and efficiency improvements
Sales, marketing, and customer engagement strategies
Technology trends impacting personalization businesses

Sessions are designed for business owners, managers, and production staff, offering value across experience levels.

Explore the Expo Hall in Las Vegas
The International Personalization Expo Hall is the centerpiece of the event, bringing together suppliers and vendors serving the awards and personalization industry.
In the Expo Hall, attendees can:

See equipment and materials in action
Compare solutions from leading industry suppliers
Discover new products and services
Connect directly with manufacturers and vendors

For many attendees, the Expo Hall is where education turns into informed purchasing decisions.

Networking Opportunities at APA Expo
Beyond sessions and exhibits, the 2027 International Personalization Expo offers multiple opportunities to connect with peers from across the industry.
From scheduled networking events to informal conversations throughout the week, the Expo creates a collaborative environment where professionals share ideas, experiences, and solutions.

Who Should Attend
The International Personalization Expo is ideal for:

Personalization and awards retailers
Makers getting started on their business
Equipment and material suppliers
Industry vendors and service providers
Business owners, managers, and operators
Sales, marketing, and production professionals

Plan Your Visit to Las Vegas
Additional details about registration, hotel accommodations, education schedules, and special events will be released leading up to the Expo.
The 2027 International Personalization Expo takes place February 23–26, 2027 in Las Vegas. We encourage attendees to plan early and check back for updates and key deadlines.
