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ASI Chicago 2023: Suppliers, Distributors Rave About High-Energy Show

Attendance was up 15% compared to 2022.

Suppliers and distributors alike were thrilled with the high energy and increased traffic at ASI Chicago.

“We ran out of samples in two hours because of how busy it was,” said Spencer Dunford, an account executive with Denik (asi/49264), which sells notebooks with a giveback initiative funding schools and educational efforts around the world. “It’s a good problem to have.”

Held at the McCormick Place convention center from July 25 to 27, ASI Chicago boasted 750 booths from close to 500 exhibitors, including nearly 90% of the Top 40 largest suppliers in the promotional products industry. Booth count was 20% higher than in 2022. Attendance was also up, with more than 5,000 supplier and distributor professionals on hand – a 15% year-over-year spike.

“It’s been fantastic – great traffic the whole way through, a super steady flow of people,” said Nikki Ahern, regional sales manager for Top 40 supplier Vantage Apparel (asi/93390). “It’s been a total win.”

Myra Gardner of Designs By Me chats with Lance Dunn

Myra Gardner of Designs By Me chats with Lance Dunn, president of AdCaptiol (asi/31260) on the show floor of ASI Chicago.

Distributors also got a lot of value out of the experience. Power 50 member Tracey Barton, director of promotional products at Top 40 distributor Deluxe/Safeguard (asi/316203), said ASI Chicago has always been one of her favorite trade shows, adding that 2023 didn’t disappoint.

“I love having that high energy level in the middle of the summer,” Barton said. “It gets your juices flowing.”

Nancy Reuscher of advoc8 (asi/156136) said she was happy to see “everybody out and about again.” The 20-year industry veteran added that one of her biggest takeaways from this year’s show was suppliers’ increased focus on sustainable materials and initiatives – something her clients have been clamoring for.

“It’s not just a green leaf,” Reuscher said of suppliers’ efforts. “They’re demonstrating the story behind the sustainability.”

A newbie to ASI shows, Matt Marnocha of Clarity Retail Services (asi/162366) in West Chester, OH, said it was a “fantastic experience,” and he loved finally putting a face to all of the suppliers he’s worked with over the last few months. There was a variety of fun promo to be found across the show floor, but Marnocha said one of his favorites was the suitcase-shaped sound system from Bassmaker Stereo (asi/38751).

Marnocha and other distributors also were wowed by the dynamic and informative classes on Education Day. Myra Gardner of Designs by Me (asi/528858), who has been in the promo business since the mid-aughts, noted that the classes should be a top priority for anyone new to the industry.

“The stuff is grand and the stuff is great, but the classes are more important than anything because they will really help you with your business,” Gardner said.

Here’s a recap of some of the classes and other highlights from ASI Chicago: