TREVOSE, PA – May 15, 2009 - The Advantages Roadshow, managed by The ASI Show, announced today that preliminary numbers show 609 distributors and 40 supplier companies participated in the tour’s first Great Lakes week, part of the 18-week 2009 schedule.

The largest and best-attended traveling show in the advertising specialty industry consistently delivers more attendees than other traveling shows.  Over 11,000 distributors, suppliers and decorators attended the ASI Advantages Roadshows in 2008.  To date, 8,213 distributors have attended the first 12 weeks of Advantages Roadshows. 

Distributors in Syracuse, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Detroit spent time with leading suppliers introducing the latest advertising specialties. The Advantages Roadshow co-located with the Stitches Roadshow in Detroit, allowing attendees and exhibitors to experience two shows in one, providing decorators with opportunities to meet equipment, software, supply and service providers face-to-face, see new wearables vendors, enjoy valuable education and network with other decorators.

The impressive exhibitor list included:

• American Ad Bag, asi/35290 
• Ash City, asi/37127 
• Bodek & Rhodes, asi/40788 
• Custom HBC Corp., asi/47934
• Debco, asi/48885  
• Fields Manufacturing, asi/54100 
• Hotline Products, asi/61960 
• SanMar, asi/84863 
• Stouse, asi/89910 
• Target Industries, asi/90640 
• Virginia T’s Inc., asi/93917 

A total of 158 attendees also enjoyed free education designed to help them sell in any economic environment.  Sessions included “Getting Started in the Advertising Specialty Industry,” for new distributors who want to sell promotional products; the “Exhibitor Presents” session, featuring hot products; and the “Build Your Distributorship through Better Marketing” session, which provides expert marketing tips.   

All distributors are invited to attend the Advantages Roadshow for free, and can either register on-site with a business card or can pre-register on each city’s to receive exclusive exhibitor specials and show updates in advance.  Suppliers interested in exhibiting may contact Nick DiNicola, at ndinicola@asicentral.com, or their ASI Show rep, at 1-877-ASI-SHOW.

The Advantages Roadshow now moves on to visit Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Winnipeg, Canada June 8-12 (Canada West). The entire exhibitor list, which includes these respected industry suppliers: 

• AZX Sport, asi/30250 
• Aunt Beth’s Cookie Keepers, asi/37465 
• BIC Graphic USA, asi/40480 
• CFS Promotions for Now!, asi/42989 
• Custom HBC Corp., asi/47934 
• Hit Promotional Products, asi/61125 
• Marathon Mfg/Prestige Lines, asi/68707 
• Prime Resources, asi/79530 
• SanMar Canada, asi/84864 
• Windmill Canada, asi/97249 

“The Advantages Roadshow targets 130,000 industry distributor salespeople from more than 22,000 ASI distributor companies,” said Timothy M. Andrews, president of The ASI Show.  “Suppliers can easily meet hundreds of distributors each week and that’s more than they could meet through personal phone calls in the same amount of time.”  

Reactions from attendees have been positive.

“What I like best about Advantages Roadshows is its interactive environment, allowing us to really connect with attendees,” said supplier David Mercurio, of Finish Line Promo & Manufacturing, Inc. (asi/54287).  “I know we’ll see orders as a result of being here.  We can’t wait for future Roadshow weeks.”

“The best part of the Advantages Roadshow is how easy it is to do business,” said distributor Sarah S. Basta, of Tecnet in Syracuse, New York.  “I accomplish so much in so little time and with top tier suppliers.  I’ll definitely be back.”

For more information about the Advantages Roadshow and for the full 2009 schedule across 70 cities, click here.    

About the ASI Advantages Roadshow
The ASI Advantages Roadshow is the official traveling tradeshow of ASI, visiting over 70 top cities throughout North America every year.  The ASI Advantages Roadshow is the largest and best-attended traveling show in the advertising specialty industry, connecting more top industry suppliers with more quality distributors and salespeople than any other traveling show.  In 2009, the Advantages Roadshow is also co-locating with the Stitches Roadshow in six locations.  Visit www.advantagesroadshow.com.