TREVOSE, PA – September 17, 2009 – The ASI Show announced that its Holiday & Incentives Expo, which previewed this week in Las Vegas, met with enthusiastic responses from distributors and suppliers eager to gather marketing and product ideas to help build momentum toward a strong close to 2009.

The only national trade show focused on products for the important fall and holiday selling seasons, the ASI Holiday & Incentives Expo took place at the Sands Expo Center from Tuesday, September 15 through Thursday, September 17.  

The event was specifically designed to feature hot, unique items for the holiday and gift-buying seasons, guaranteeing strong fourth-quarter sales for distributors, suppliers and decorators.  Suppliers exhibiting were qualified in advance and have earned at least four-stars in the ASI Supplier Ratings System. 

“We were delighted so many suppliers and distributors joined us in Vegas to gear up for the holiday selling season and make that critical year-end push,” said Timothy M. Andrews, president of The ASI Show and president and chief executive officer of ASI.  “Suppliers represented the crème de la crème of the industry and distributors were incredibly impressed with both the quality of suppliers and the number of great show specials being offered.”

Distributor and decorator attendance for the new show was about 1,500, from 48 states and 12 countries.  Education Day drew more than 500 distributors during the first day of the show.

Suppliers enjoyed steady traffic, myriad networking opportunities and exposure to quality distributors during the two exhibition days.

“The traffic has almost been too heavy,” shared Karen Cohen, vice president, All-In-One (asi/34256). “We’ve been having a hard time keeping up with the amount of distributors stopping by. Distributors are asking questions and wanting to learn about the product - there’s very little ‘scan and go.’ ”

“It has been great, it’s been action-packed,” said Bonni Sandy, executive vice president, Dard Products, (asi/48500).  “The distributors are incredibly serious and know the fourth quarter is going to pick up.  We’ve seen good quality distributors, including a lot of the Top 40.”

“The traffic has been very good,” said Larry Wilhelm, president, Custom HBC Corp. (asi/47934).  “The distributors stopping in to see us wanted to learn about the product.  We expected attendance to be mostly from the West Coast, however distributors are from all over the country.”

“I was surprised to see distributors from New York, Florida, Arkansas and some from Texas,” said Karen Mannino, regional sales manager, RS Owens & Company (asi/75530).  “We have had a very good show experience.  I’ve actually walked away with some projects and quotes to work on.”

“The ASI Holiday & Incentives Expo has been excellent,” said Steve Weisbaum, sales representative, Sweda Company (asi/90305).  “I think our company has actually set a record for selling the highest number of samples and kits of any other Southwest show that we’ve done. Distributors are really hungry for holiday, gift-giving ideas and we are thrilled to be here.”

Distributors say ASI delivered a year-end punch at a time when they need it most.

“The ASI Holiday & Incentives Expo has been terrific,” said Ross Silverstein, president and CEO, iPROMOTEu (asi/232119).  “This time of year is perfect for a show of this sort.  I’ve met with a number of suppliers that I don’t usually see and I definitely found many new products that I haven’t seen in the past.”

“It’s been absolutely wonderful, some of the best vendors are here,” said Caren Mikesh, owner, Caren Mikesh & Associates Promos (asi/271129).  “Having only suppliers with four or more stars in the ASI Supplier Ratings System is really great.  These are the companies who have good, quality products with good names behind them.”

“We had a great experience at the ASI Holiday & Incentives Expo,” shared Forrest Fairley, director of customer relations, Safeguard (asi/316203).  “I absolutely feel much more confident in the quality of the suppliers at this show, because they have to have four or more stars.  This show is perfect for Safeguard, because every supplier on the floor is a great supplier for us.”

Highlights of the expo included:

• Education Day - Featured the “New Distributor Success Clinic” and the “New Distributor Networking Lunch,” created for those new to the advertising specialty industry. 

• “Secrets from the Pros Keynote:  Cash in on the $45 Billion Incentive Market” - A panel of industry experts and executives discussing effective ways to grow sales of incentives that attracted an overflow crowd. 

• Gift Book Showcase – A new pavilion on the show floor that included proven holiday items featured in the 2009-2010 Gift Book. 

• ASI Internet Radio Show – The editorial team at ASI broadcasted live each exhibit day before the show with marketing and business tips.  Listen to the segments anytime, at asicentral.com/radio. 

• The Lion King – Attendees enjoyed discounted tickets to the award-winning musical at Mandalay Bay on Wednesday, brand-new to Las Vegas.

• Videos of Unique Products – Tim Andrews shares seven of his favorite product finds from the show floor in his video – watch it here.   

In addition, Counselor magazine hosted the “HOT Party” at Christian Audigier Nightclub in Treasure Island to celebrate the advertising specialty industry’s group of 40 hottest people and new products and business trends included in its second annual HOT issue.

The next ASI Show will kick-off the New Year in Orlando, from Sunday, January 3 through Tuesday, January 5, 2010, at the Orlando Convention Center; and distributors and suppliers can now register for the just-announced and all-new ASI Show in San Diego, from Wednesday, February 24 through Friday, February 26, 2010.

To see photos from Counselor magazine’s HOT party and learn who made the HOT people list, click here.  Distributors can register for The ASI Show in Orlando and the all-new ASI Show in San Diego, at asishow.com, and suppliers may exhibit by contacting Karen DiTomasso, at kditomasso@asicentral.com.

About ASI
Advertising Specialty Institute is the largest media and marketing organization serving the advertising specialty industry, with a membership of over 26,000 distributor firms (sellers) and supplier firms (manufacturers) of advertising specialties.  Supplier firms use ASI print and electronic resources to market products to over 22,000 ASI distributor firms.  Distributor firms use ASI print and electronic resources, which contain nearly every product in the industry from more than 3,500 reputable suppliers, to locate supplier firms and to market services to buyers.  ASI provides catalogs, information directories, newsletters, magazines, websites and databases, and offers e-commerce, marketing and selling tools.  Visit ASI at asicentral.com and on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and the CEO’s blog.

About The ASI Show
The ASI Show was created for ASI member distributors and suppliers and attracts more than 30,000 attendees annually.  Offering a full education conference, networking opportunities and a manageable one-floor layout, The ASI Show provides a complete trade show experience.  The ASI Show has experienced growing attendance since its inception in 1998, and hosts shows in five major cities (Orlando, Dallas, New York, Chicago and Las Vegas).  In January 2006, The ASI Show launched the Advantages Roadshow, a traveling show visiting over 70 top cities throughout the country.  In addition, the Stitches Roadshow brings embroidery professionals together with suppliers and is being conducted in six cities this year.  Visit The ASI Show at asishow.com and on Facebook and Twitter.    

Contact

Dawn Marie,
Executive director of corporate communications

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