PRESS RELEASES
5,000 Promo Industry Pros Enjoy Bigger Show Floor, More Booths at ASI Chicago
Distributors and decorators gained valuable connections and fresh ideas to impress customers
"ASI delivered a comprehensive, nonstop show experience featuring the hottest product trends, packed networking parties, a karaoke-fueled Gala at the renowned House of Blues and milestone celebrations” - ASI CEO Timothy M. Andrews
ASI Chicago, the largest promotional products trade show in the Midwest, delivered education, excitement and expert sales advice to nearly 5,000 professionals in the $26.1 billion promotional products industry during a high-energy three-day event at the largest convention center in North America.
The grand finale of the industry’s major show season featured top products, continuous networking and strategies to help distributors sharpen their selling skills and make new business contacts. A bigger show floor with more booths gave attendees numerous opportunities to collaborate with their supplier partners and brainstorm new campaigns for the all-important Q3 and Q4 holiday sales season.
The national show attracted nearly all of the industry’s Top 40 suppliers, like alphabroder (asi/34063), Hit Promotional Products (asi/61125), HPG (asi/61966), Koozie Group (asi/40480), PCNA (asi/66887) and SanMar (asi/84863).
“For its 25th Chicago show, ASI delivered a comprehensive, nonstop show experience featuring the hottest product trends, packed networking parties, a karaoke-fueled Gala at the renowned House of Blues and milestone celebrations,” said Timothy M. Andrews, president and chief executive officer of ASI, the largest technology, marketing and information provider in the promo industry.
ASI Chicago attracted 466 exhibitors, including 110 new to Chicago, with 42 suppliers showcasing products in the New Product Preview Reception – the highest number of supplier presenters ever.
“ASI Chicago was extra amazing for us,” said Mike Empey, of Soardist Solutions (asi/88083). “Our factory tour attracted a bunch of distributors who got the chance to learn about how we do production in the U.S. and exhibit day one was phenomenal with lots of great conversations, quotes and sales. Plus, the show gives us a chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones. It’s been a blast!”
The show took place Tuesday, July 23, through Thursday, July 25, at McCormick Place Convention Center. Overall attendance included companies from 47 states and 14 countries, including numerous members from the global promo community, like ASI’s PromoAlliance partners, PSI’s Petra Lassahn and Sourcing City’s (asi/25000) Jason Grenham, along with suppliers and distributors from the EU and UK promo markets and representatives from the Turkish Promo Association.
The show also drew 326 women- and 155 minority-owned companies. Of total attending supplier, distributor and decorator companies, 234 joined ASI in the last year.
Two keynote speakers delivered worthwhile sales advice to rapt audiences. Entrepreneur and bestselling author Ramon Ray guided distributors on expertly reaching and interacting with prospects and clients using LinkedIn, smartphones and DMs while maintaining authenticity and empathy – “staying human in a digital world,” as he put it.
In her keynote, sales and persuasion expert Carolyn Strauss, who sold over $160 million in merchandise on the Home Shopping Network, told an attentive audience, “The number one thing that makes something irresistible is the energy and emotion behind it.”
Distributors raved about the valuable education, after-hours excitement and quality of suppliers. “This was my first time attending ASI Chicago and it was an absolutely fabulous show,” said Maury Green, of Garrett Printing & Promotional Products (asi/201985). “I saw tons of products that will help and grow our business, got great samples and ideas, and I can’t wait to get home to share them with my customers.”
“The conversations we’re having with people and the number of new products we’re discovering have made this show top-notch,” said Lori Donovan, of Rockwood Litho (asi/310430). “The keynote speaker Carolyn Straus taught us how important it was to be authentic and personal, and to keep it fun to make that important connection.”
Suppliers shared equally enthusiastic testimonials. Andrew Monteyne, of All-County Apparel (asi/789747), exhibiting at his first ASI Chicago show said, “Our show experience has been super positive. We had so many meaningful conversations that we know will transpire into business. The whole exhibiting process was easy and seamless, and we can’t wait to do more shows with ASI.”
During the show, promo sellers looking to add print sales to their services took advantage of a comprehensive way to learn with the debut of “Printing Industry 101: All About Print Products & Your Sales Opportunities,” education designed to enable distributors to tap into the $100 billion print market, a category already embraced by many promo clients.
ASI will offer print classes at each of its three large trade shows, part of its new partnership with PRINTING United Alliance, the largest nonprofit association in the print and graphic arts world, aimed at driving growth for ASI distributors, suppliers and decorators.
After hours, happy crowds networked at the ASI Gala at House of Blues Chicago music hall, dancing to live music, singing karaoke and enjoying southern soul food.
During a festive evening celebration, ASI announced the honorees of the 2024 Counselor Awards, with CJ Schmidt, CEO of Hit Promotional Products (asi/61125), named Counselor Person of the Year. Florence Mosnier, general manager of International Partnership for Premiums and Gifts, a global cooperative of leading promo products companies spanning 35 countries, was named Counselor International Person of the Year.
The show also included a celebration of the 70th anniversary of ASI’s award-winning Counselor magazine, the voice of the industry.
ASI’s Chicago show came on the heels of equally successful large trade shows in Orlando and Fort Worth, with dates for the 2025 shows already available:
- Registration is open for ASI Orlando, Orange County Convention Center, January 4-6, 2025
- ASI Fort Worth, Fort Worth Convention Center, March 29-31, 2025
- ASI Chicago, McCormick Place Convention Center, July 22-24, 2025
Visit asishow.com for more info.
For information on ASI Show, please contact Andy Cohen, senior vice president of events, media and marketing services, at acohen@asicentral.com. For info on exhibiting at 2025 ASI Shows, contact Meghan DeFrancesco at mdefrancesco@asicentral.com. Check asishow.com for the latest updates and schedules on all ASI shows and events.
