The ASI Show and PROMO EXPO teamed up to host the first-ever ASI Roadshow Plus in Ontario on June 18, including a Power Panel of six Canadian promotional products leaders.

The Power Panel at the first ASI Roadshow Plus event in Ontario. From left to right: Mark Graham, Rightsleeve; Chris Sinclair, Brand Blvd; Steve Pons, Staples Promotional Products Canada; moderator Neil Piitz, Differenciate Consulting; Janine Taylor, The  Next Trend Designs; Mark Freed, Genumark; and John Houlding, Cotton Candy (credit: Leslie Ashby)

More than 170 Canadian distributors attended the one-day event at the Montecassino Vaughan Event Centre, and enjoyed a keynote address from corporate social media trainer and personal branding specialist Cher Jones, tabletop exhibits from nearly 60 suppliers, a lunchtime Power Panel session and evening cocktails and networking.

Mark Freed, president & CEO of Top 40 distributor Genumark (asi/204588) in Toronto, was one of the Power Panel participants, and spoke to the assembled crowd about a variety of topics, including the tariff issue.

“Nobody enjoys the tariff challenge and potential price increases for our products,” he told ASI Canada after the event. “It’s still a large unknown particularly as it relates to Canada. Nevertheless, it’s something that we all need to deal with and fluid communication with suppliers, distributors and clients is paramount. I always enjoy hearing the perspective of leaders in our industry and picking up a few good free tips along the way!”

#ASIRoadshowPlus Networking lunch and Power Panel discussion with industry leaders! pic.twitter.com/XNcwfRnvNQ

— The ASI Show (@TheASIShow) June 18, 2019

Chris Sinclair, who also sat on the Panel, is the vice president of Brand Blvd (asi/145124) in St. Catharines, ON. He spoke on company culture, recruitment and distributor/supplier partnerships. “Every company has culture, whether they like it or not,” Sinclair told ASI Canada this week. “It’s what the employees say when management isn’t in the room, and too many companies let a few toxic individuals set the tone for culture. For us, it’s about making difficult decisions and having difficult conversations.”

On the topic of recruitment, Sinclair recommended that distributors establish relationships with local colleges and universities, and to offer internships and co-ops to find burgeoning talent. “We’re not looking for industry experience,” he said. “We want people who align with our core values and have a great work ethic.”

Michelle Merrifield, ASI Canada business consultant, co-moderated the panel with Neil Piitz of Differenciate Consulting. “It was an amazing group of industry leaders sharing their experiences, best practices and varied opinions on multiple hot topics, expertly moderated by Neil,” she told ASI Canada. “It was an experience that I’m proud to have played a role in putting together.”

Piitz was also satisfied with the outcome of the first-ever Power Panel. “This was about giving back to an industry that has been very good to all of us,” he told ASI Canada. “Mission accomplished!”