ASI Awards

Requirements: The Counselor Awards are open to ASI-listed companies in good standing.

Methodology: Nominations are collected via an online survey, and honorees are selected based on the criteria listed each of the Counselor Awards categories.

Timeframe: The editorial department begins to call for nominations in early January. The award profiles are published in the State of the Industry issue of Counselor and presented at the ASI Show Chicago in July.

Deadline: Nomination deadline is February 14, 2025.

Counselor Awards Categories:
(click on any category to be directed to the nomination form)

Person of the Year: Presented to a trailblazer who has made a significant impact on the industry over the previous 12 months and whose influence will continue to increase in coming years.

International Person of the Year: Presented to an individual who has significantly contributed to increasing international business activity and relationships within the industry.

Entrepreneur of the Year (Distributor and Supplier): Presented to an industry practitioner who has exemplified the entrepreneurial spirit by achieving notable growth – via new products, creative marketing campaigns or acquisition.

Woman of Distinction: Presented to a woman who has made a positive mark in the industry through her business acumen, leadership abilities and mentoring.

Family Business of the Year (Distributor and Supplier): Presented to a growing company that has successfully transitioned to at least the second generation of business management.

Sustainability Advocate (Company) of the Year (Distributor and Supplier): Presented to a company that has made measurable strides in making a positive impact through its environmental initiatives, with metrics showing dedication and commitment to sustainable business practices (use of solar power, types of promo campaigns created for clients, etc.), eco-friendly products & packaging, and other green initiatives.

Bess Cohn Humanitarian Award: Presented to an individual who is committed to helping others through charitable measures or volunteerism.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Presented to an individual who has a strong passion for the promotional products profession and who has been an ongoing source of ideas, energy and encouragement of people in the business as well as newcomers to the industry.

Requirements: Counselor Top 40 is open to ASI-listed distributors and suppliers in good standing that have been members of ASI for at least one year. See detailed rules below.

Methodology: Company sales information is collected via an online survey. ASI asks for figures based on a minimum of $20 million in annual North American promo sales.

Timeframe: The editorial department begins the call for Counselor Top 40 info in early January. The list is published in the State of the Industry issue of Counselor and presented at the ASI Show Chicago in July.

Deadline: Friday, February 14, 2025.

Submit Company Information

Distributor Rules
1. Only those distributors that have been members of ASI for at least one year and are not a subsidiary of another ASI member company are eligible for ranking.
2. Report calendar or fiscal year sales total for 2024 shown in U.S. dollars. NOTE: Only U.S./Canada sales will qualify for ranking. However, in separate questions, we also ask for both global figures and total company sales.
3. Report only those sales of promotional products sold to clients for promotional, recognition or public relations (goodwill) purposes. The following should not be included in your submitted figure: print or electronic advertising (magazine, TV, newspaper, radio, websites for clients, etc.), outdoor advertising (billboards), travel and non-traditional products.
4. Using the same criteria as above, the 2024 sales figures of other promotional products distributors acquired by your company may be included in the total sales figures, provided that the acquisition was completed on or before January 15, 2025. Anything not completed prior to this date must be held for inclusion in next year’s Top 40.
5. Sales from other channels (e.g., retail) should not be included in your total reported sales volume and will not be considered for ranking.
6. If your promotional products company also functions as a supplier to other distributors, those sales cannot be included.

Supplier Rules
1. Only those suppliers that have been members of ASI for at least one year and are not a subsidiary of another company are eligible for ranking.
2. Report calendar or fiscal year sales total for 2024 (shown in U.S. dollars).
3. Report only those sales of promotional products to and/or through distributors or other promotional products suppliers. NOTE: Only U.S. and Canada sales will qualify for ranking. However, in separate questions, we also ask for both global figures and total company sales. All figures must be shown in U.S. dollars.
4. “Promotional products” includes any product you’ve sold, provided that you sold it to and/or through recognized, traditional promotional products or premium distributors/resellers. Do not include sales to buyers or through retailers/distributors in other industries.
5. Using the same criteria as above, the 2024 sales figures of other promotional products suppliers acquired by your company may be included in the total sales figures, provided the acquisition was completed on or before January 15, 2025. Anything not completed prior to this date must be held for inclusion in next year’s Top 40.