TREVOSE, PA – September 16, 2009 – The Advertising Specialty Institute, the largest media and marketing organization serving the advertising specialty industry, announced the launch of the new ASI Show in San Diego in 2010 to serve the large California area marketplace.

ASI San Diego will include an ASI Education day on Wednesday, February 24, 2010, followed by two exhibit days on Thursday, February 25, and Friday, February 26.   The show will be in the San Diego Convention Center, with conveniently located hotels.

“We are pleased to launch a new industry show in California – the state with the single largest number of distributor and supplier firms in the nation,” said Timothy M. Andrews, president of The ASI Show and president and chief executive officer of ASI.  “And San Diego, a great business and tourism destination, was voted as a top choice by the ASI members we surveyed.”

“There are more than 5,000 member and non-member ASI distributor companies in Southern California alone, and about half of those in our network don’t send a single salesperson to a major trade show – yet,” said Andrews.  “The industry is under serving the California marketplace, which includes adjacent geographic areas as well, and we intend to build a vigorous event where distributors, suppliers and decorators can connect, learn more at industry education programs and do business.”

Timed to take place in the first quarter, The ASI Show in San Diego is the perfect platform for suppliers to showcase their new products and services to thousands of distributors in the early part of 2010.

“Admints and Zagabor is excited about this new industry event,” said Brett Hersh, president of Admints & Zagabor (asi/31516).  “We are looking forward to having a presence on the West Coast, especially in California, which is home to so many distributor firms.  The ASI Show will provide a strong venue for us to connect with clients and prospects.  What took so long?”

“Outstanding,” said Matt Bertram, president of Fields Manufacturing (asi/54100).  “With so many distributors in California, and so many who don’t attend trade shows, this is a wonderful opportunity for Fields to meet face-to-face with new distributors.  This is fantastic!”

“Great location, great timing, great announcement,” said Robert Hechler, president of Windbrella Products (asi/97247).  “ASI having a show in California is good for the industry.  As the largest region in the nation, ASI San Diego will deliver the perfect forum for ad specialty professionals to meet, share ideas and conduct business.  Windbrella is thrilled to be part of this new event and we look forward to connecting with distributors from the West Coast.”

Several Top 40 distributorships, including EmbroidMe (asi/384000), Proforma (asi/300094), iPROMOTEu (asi/232119) and Press-A-Print (asi/299086), are holding sales meetings at The ASI Show in San Diego, and they are joined by many distributors excited about the new location.

“Southern California is an important marketplace for Proforma,” said Greg Muzzillo, founder and Co-CEO, Proforma.  “We are excited about bringing together our members for a group meeting in a great location at an important time of the year.”

“The ASI Shows provide strong value for our affiliates, by offering both education and important suppliers in a fun atmosphere,” shared Ross Silverstein, president and CEO of iPROMOTEu.  “We look forward to being at The ASI Show San Diego.”

“We are excited to bring our franchise owners together in San Diego at a perfect time of year for a sales meeting,” said Mark Johnson, president of EmbroidMe.  “California is an important location for EmbroidMe.”

“Congratulations on the new show and venue,” shared Travis Young, president and CEO from Press-A-Print.  “Southern California is certainly one of Press-a-Print’s hotter spots for our operator base, and we’d welcome the opportunity to connect with our operators in San Diego.  We have a strong affiliation with ASI and feel the shows are a great resource for us.”

The new San Diego show joins a full schedule of ASI Shows across the country.       

To register for The ASI Show in San Diego, visit asishow.com.  Visit often, as exciting events and Keynote presenters will be announced soon.  Exhibit reservations are open, and suppliers can reserve space by downloading a 2010 Space Reservation Agreement, or by contacting Karen DiTomasso, at kditomasso@asicentral.com.   To read more about this announcement on Tim Andrews’ blog, click here.
  
About The ASI Show 
The ASI Show was created for active ASI member distributors and suppliers and attracts more distributors than any other industry shows — with 30,000 attendees.  Offering a full education conference, networking opportunities and a manageable one floor/one hall layout, The ASI Show provides a complete tradeshow experience.  In five host cities per year (Orlando, Dallas, New York, Chicago and Las Vegas), The ASI Show has experienced growing attendance since its inception in 1998, and is ideal for promotional product businesses searching for new ideas and new business relationships.  In January 2006, The ASI Show launched the ASI Advantages Roadshow, the industry’s premier traveling show, visiting over 70 cities throughout the country.  The ASI Advantages Roadshow brings top industry suppliers together with quality distributors and salespeople who traditionally do not attend larger industry shows.  Visit ASI and The ASI Show at asishow.com, and on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and the CEO’s blog.

Contact

Dawn Marie,
Executive director of corporate communications

Email industry news and press releases to Chris Ruvo, Digital News Director and Promogram Editor at cruvo@asicentral.com

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