Green Strides at Imaging USA 

It’s always been PPA’s goal to put on an incredible photography conference for you, with all the things you love, while keeping costs low.
In 2024 we rolled out our new Green Initiative, PPA Cares, with the goal of making Imaging USA a more sustainable, environmentally conscious photo conference. With this exciting new initiative, we tackled food waste, energy usage, and created new opportunities to reduce, reuse and recycle. 

We’re excited to share more about the impact of PPA Cares at our 2025 show and give a special thank you to Lockton Affinity, our proud PPA Cares sponsor, for their generous support.

Here's a quick recap from the 2024 conference and how PPA Cares made a positive impact!

Embracing Sustainable Signage, Merch, & Reducing Waste 

To put on a photography conference, a lot of material is required, especially on the expo floor! At the Imaging USA 2024 show, a remarkable 95% of the carpet used at the event was preserved and returned for reuse and an additional 75% of the carpets from the expo's aisles and booths were returned to our inventory, to be used at future events. 

One of the most significant changes made last year was reducing one-time use signage and opting in for digital signage whenever possible. Our choice to switch to Eco Board signage was a big part of this change. Eco Board is a hugely more sustainable material than previous signage materials we used, and we also didn’t have to sacrifice quality!

Over 50% of our signs at our 2024 show were printed on recycled eco board. We also increased our use of digital signs more than ever before, significantly cutting down on physical waste and making big strides towards our new goals. 
We’re also excited to share that in 2025, our show bag, which is free to attendees, will be produced using 50% recycled materials! 

Hosting at a Green Venue

PPA is excited to be hosting Imaging USA 2025 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, which is a LEED certified venue. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is one of the world’s most widely used green building rating systems and it sets a standard that’s recognized globally for its efficiency and sustainability. 

Another way PPA Cares is working to reduce our carbon footprint is by selecting Imaging USA locations that prioritize accessibility for attendees—whether by plane or within driving distance—while also considering proximity to key opportunities in the host city.

We know Imaging USA might not be geographically closer for everyone this year, but we’re making every effort to bring the conference within reach of as many people as possible. Location is also important for our vendors who truck items in. Dallas is a great location as our two largest vendors have warehouses in Texas.

Reducing Food Waste

PPA will be working with the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention center to reduce waste and donate excess food during the conference. Whenever possible, local food sources and vendors will be used, and excess food will be disposed of safely using ORCA, an organic waste management system that responsibly disposes of food waste. 

Reusable Water Bottles for a Cause

Just like our 2024 show in Louisville, PPA will be offering reusable branded water bottles for sale at the 2025 show! The Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center also has refill stations in the Vineyard Tower where you can fill up your water bottle, so you can stay hydrated! 

There will also be refill stations inside the ballrooms for accessibility to refill.

Keep an eye out for the PPA Cares booth at the show and stay tuned for more details on where to find and purchase PPA Cares merchandise.

Recycling for Attendees & Vendors Made Easy

In Dallas we will be using new badge paper that will not require a plastic cover! For our badge stock paper, the paper we will be using is obtained from FSC certified forests.

Keep an eye out for recycling bins around the Gaylord Texan during the conference—it's an easy way for attendees to help reduce waste.

PPA is giving vendors at the photography expo the chance to recycle and donate items like furniture, props, signage, and more at the end of the show. At the end of our show, Shepard will be donating exhibitor furniture and other items to GRACE Grapevine. GRACE is a nonprofit relief agency in Grapevine, Texas, that provides food, clothing, financial assistance, and other vital necessities to people who are struggling with a limited income or recent emergency.

PPA is excited to see these items repurposed in a thoughtful way.

Continuing the Work

Melissa Thompson, our Director of Events, shared her excitement about the progress made in 2024: 

“Providing sustainable efforts for Imaging USA is something that PPA is proud to continue to support. During our Louisville event in 2024, we offered attendees and exhibitors the opportunity to participate through various outlets which led to great results and establishing a baseline to move forward with this important initiative. Our aim is to continue to source venues and locations for future Imaging USA events with sustainability in mind, along with the additional efforts PPA will continue to offer through PPA Cares."

PPA Cares Mission Statement 

As we continue to build on our green initiatives, PPA remains committed to integrating sustainability into every aspect of our events and operations. Our mission reflects this dedication:

“At PPA, our mission is to integrate sustainable practices into our business strategy, driving economic growth while protecting the environment through our membership, industry, and initiatives that promote responsible storytelling.”

All in all, strides are being made toward sustainability, and that’s cause for celebration. Stay tuned for more updates close to the conference on ways to participate, and the new PPA merch we will have for purchase!