Industry Kicks Off 2013 with High-Energy ASI Orlando

TREVOSE, PA – January 7, 2013 – The ASI Show™ in Orlando bolted into a new show season with a bigger, jam-packed show floor featuring 810 exhibitors – including 114 new to Orlando – a full slate of networking events, expanded education and new pavilions featuring hands-on decorating equipment demos.

Brown & Bigelow (asi/148500), The Vernon Company (asi/351700), AIA Corporation (asi/109480) and Geiger (asi/202900) were among 18 leading companies that kicked off their 2013 sales season at The ASI Show Orlando.

“We brought about 60 of our account executives here to ASI Orlando,” said Dale Limes of HALO Branded Solutions (asi/356000). “We look at ASI Orlando as a destination show – it’s a great venue, great location and very well organized. The show floor is super. All the suppliers that you need to see are here. Our people really benefit from the time they spend at The ASI Show.”

Held Saturday, January 5, through Monday, January 7 at the Orange County Convention Center, ASI Orlando delivered quality attendance, top-performing salespeople and energized attendees enjoying a first look at 2013’s hottest products. The Orlando show featured a 10% increase in supplier participation – including many Counselor^® Top 40 suppliers. Total distributor attendance was about 6,000 from 2,427 distributor firms.

“ASI Orlando has been a great show for us,” said Jason Buchanan, of Broder Bros. (asi/42090). “Traffic to our booth has been very steady, and we’re seeing a lot of quality distributors. Attendees have very specific questions about their 2013 projects and they’re always looking for what’s new and hot. So ASI Orlando is perfectly timed for us to show them exactly what they’re looking for.”

During a standing-room-only keynote on Monday, about 900 industry professionals gained valuable business advice from Forbes Media Chairman Steve Forbes. The event was co-sponsored by Pepco Poms (asi/77280) and Showdown Displays (asi/87188).

“No matter what job you have, you’re selling,” said Forbes. “See yourself as a consultant – ‘I’m here to help you. I’m doing well and so will you.’ That’s what the transaction exchange is all about.”

Tom Clayton of Taylor’s Printing and Office Supplier (asi/548319) said he listened to every word Forbes said. “I don’t think ASI could have picked a better speaker,” Clayton said. Patrick White, from Rustico (asi/84264), said Forbes offered excellent insights and a very optimistic view for 2013.

The three-day show – the first of the 2013 ASI Show season – featured the industry’s most innovative products, specialized pavilions (the Incentive, Decorator and the New to Orlando Pavilions), two networking receptions and a Gala Celebration at Universal CityWalk. In addition, the industry celebrated the 80th birthday of ASI^® Chairman Norman Cohn at a special party featuring an enormous fireworks display at the Walt Disney World Resort.

For 2013, ASI Orlando expanded its live ASI Education offerings to 63 sessions, including a new class for owners (sponsored by TargetLine, asi/90640) and a new Imprint It Track (sponsored by Bodek and Rhodes, asi/40788).

All education sessions were eligible for credits toward BASI™ (Bachelor of Advertising Specialty Information) and MASI™ (Master of Advertising Specialty Information) certification. Following a reception in their honor, 22 graduates of the ASI Certification Program were recognized in a pinning ceremony. To date, over 23,000 industry professionals have registered for classes necessary to obtain the industry certification.

“It’s clear from the high caliber of quality ASI suppliers on the show floor and the growing number of leading companies holding sales meetings that ASI Orlando has become the show of choice for industry pros on the go,” said Lorenz Hassenstein, general manager and vice president of The ASI Show. “There’s no better way to kick off a new year and a new show season than with the best education in the industry, a bigger, better show floor and superior networking events.”

“Attracting 114 new exhibitors to Orlando is the best possible proof of growing interest in the ASI Orlando show experience, which brings together top suppliers and engaged distributors eager to expand their product lines while learning everything there is to know about new and emerging markets,” added Timothy M. Andrews, president and chief executive officer of ASI

On Sunday, ASI honored 270 of the industry’s top-performing suppliers at the annual Counselor Distributor Choice Awards. The Magnet Group (asi/68507), the world’s largest magnet manufacturer, was selected as the 2013 Supplier of the Year, securing the industry’s most-valued supplier status across 59 categories. For more info and a complete list of winners, click here.

For complete coverage of the show, including blogs and videos, visit www.asicentral.com.

Upcoming 2013 ASI Shows are Dallas (February 6-8), Long Beach (March 22-24), New York (May 8-9) and Chicago (July 16-18). To learn more about exhibiting or sponsorship opportunities for 2013, contact Karen DiTomasso, vice president of sales, at kditomasso@asicentral.com.

About The ASI Show
The ASI Show was created for active ASI member distributors and suppliers, and attracts more distributors than any other industry show – with 20,000 attendees. Offering a full education conference, networking opportunities and a manageable one-floor/one-hall layout, The ASI Show provides a complete trade show experience. In five host cities per year (Orlando, Dallas, Long Beach, New York and Chicago), The ASI Show is ideal for advertising specialty businesses searching for new ideas and new business. Additionally, The ASI Show runs the Advantages Roadshow, the ad specialty industry’s most popular traveling show; the ASI Virtual Trade Show and fASIlitate™, ASI’s hosted buyer event.

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