Free PTO Swag To Get Your Hands on ASAP

The PTO Today Live expos are in the house! The crew here at PTO Today, along with tons of fundraising and A&E exhibitors, come to select cities for one day only to celebrate All Things PTO and PTA with groups like yours.

Whether you bring your whole PTO squad or fly solo, it’s your chance to share what’s worked (and what hasn’t) with other local leaders, listen while PTO Today experts dish about everything from parent involvement to fun runs, get the scoop on nitty-gritty topics like insurance, watch live arts & enrichment acts, and chat with fundraising vendors face-to-face.

Oh, and we’re not done yet—there’s also all the fun freebies you’ll get. And because we want you to be able to snag as much swag as you can, we’ll have a free tote bag waiting for you at check-in to stuff silly as you stroll the hall. Here are some of the hot items you’ll want to get your hands on.

PTO Today swag bag

Exactly how much free stuff fits in that tote bag, anyway? Well, we’re only half-kidding when we say you’re going to need a bag to carry your bag. So get ready to fill ’er up! Some PTO peeps have been known to bring their own pushcart or wagon—this is serious business.

Bags vary in color and size from year to year

Spirit Sticks for (literally) every occasion

The only problem you’ll have is deciding which Spirit Stick you love most! Good thing our friends at the Spirit Monkey booth don’t mind if you grab a few. The “school volunteer” and “super mom” ones go fast, so get there early. (Another good reason to arrive early: Spirit Monkey will be giving away a personal fan to the first 100 people who walk through the door. Cool!)

Play(ground) time

Been dreaming of a new (or renovated) playground, but don’t really know where to start? Luckily Landscape Structures will be on hand to hang out and chat about your dream project. some awesome playground-worthy swag, too—previous drawings have included everything from picnic blankets to fleece pullovers.

Chocolatey goodness

When the munchies strike, head on over to visit your chocolate-loving friends at World’s Finest Chocolate. You can spin the wheel to win a one-pound chocolate bar—and, of course, load your bag with all the samples your heart desires. Don’t worry, we know it’s “for the kids” (ha!).

Warm cookies

Need we say more? Because really, if you’re going to do a cookie fundraiser, someone has to test the goods first. This PTO gig can be tough sometimes.

A tablet so you can PTO on the go

While you don’t need to livestream an impromptu PTO meeting from the front seat of your minivan at pickup, keeping a Kindle Fire in your PTO go bag just might increase the odds of it actually happening. Enter to win one at the 99Pledges booth.

monkeybusinessimages/Thinkstock

Yankee Candle awesomeness

It's not uncommon to catch leaders at the Yankee Candle booth with their eyes closed, daydreaming as they breathe in the scents of beaches, flowers, and other heavenly concoctions. Register early to snag a gift certificate for a free medium classic jar candle ($25 value). And while you’re at the show, head to the Yankee Candle booth for your chance to win a bigger candle-related gift so you can keep living the dream long after the event.

“Volunteer” lanyard

Bedazzle your whole crew with colorful “Volunteer” lanyards, which conveniently hold a name tag, keys, or a whistle (perfect for field day). Plus, the bonus Spirit Stick provides a little pick-me-up when you need it most.

Deep intel on fun runs

OK, so technically it’s not “swag,” but we like to think that great ideas and useful tips are worth their weight in gold. Join us for an informative session about using social media to raise more money from your fun runs or any other type of -⁠athon you might do, sponsored and presented by an expert from Get Movin’ Fundraising.

Flash givaways (1-2 p.m.)

New this year, the PTO Today team will be doing some on-the-spot giveaways to PTO and PTA leaders as they roam the hall, surprising them with scented keychains, gift bags full of glow items, and other fun items. Stick around so you don’t miss out!

So many more freebies we can’t even list them all here

From edible sand art to bedazzled pet collars, you’ll find more PTO swag than you can imagine. With an average of 60 different fundraising and A&E exhibitors at every PTO Today Live expo location, you might want to consider road-tripping to every single show.

What are you waiting for? Check out a PTO Today Live expo near you—then save the date, round up your crew, clear out your trunk (you’re going to need that space!), and get ready to live the #ptolife. We hope to see you there!

Exhibitors and sample giveaways vary by location.