ASI Chicago Show Attracts Over 4,100 Distributors

Most distributor firms represented since 2007

TREVOSE, PA – July 15, 2010 – The Advertising Specialty Institute today announced its Chicago trade show kicked off the second half of the sales year with more than 4,100 distributors, representing 1,755 firms, the most since 2007.

The number of distributor firms represented was up 2.5% from last year and is the second-highest number of unique firms that have ever attended ASI Chicago.

The show, which just closed after three days at the McCormick Place Convention Center, featured 630 exhibitors – including 137 that didn’t appear last year – and offered more than 60 free education sessions, including 35 new to the program.  Education was sponsored by Fields Mfg. (asi/54100).

Wednesday’s Chicago Gala Celebration at the city’s ultra-hip HUB 51 attracted an enthusiastic crowd, followed later that night by a packed house at Counselor magazine’s third annual HOT Party at the W Hotel.  During the HOT Party, an exclusive list of the industry’s most innovative people, products and trends of 2010 was unveiled.

The party was sponsored by Chulani Promotional Products Inc. (asi/45100), MY M&Ms|Mars Direct (asi/68888), Sabina (asi/84470), Halo/Lee Wayne (asi/356000), BamBams (asi/38228) and Otto International Inc. (asi/75350).

“Once again, the Windy City delivered big in every possible way, launching the industry into the key second half of the selling season with dozens of free education sessions, informative speakers and a show floor that was busy from the opening Day One to the final reception Day Two,” said Timothy M. Andrews, president of The ASI Show and president and chief executive officer of ASI.  “Distributors and suppliers are more prepared than ever to head into the crucial holiday season armed with the latest products, fresh leads and new ideas.”

ASI Radio, which entertains and informs the industry every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. ET, celebrated its second anniversary during live daily broadcasts from the show floor.

Tom Searcy, nationally renowned author, master sales motivator, CEO and founder of Hunt Big Sales, delivered a high-energy keynote called “Your Biggest Deal Ever,” designed to help distributors land lucrative deals in highly competitive markets. The keynote was sponsored by Bullet (asi/42424).

Suppliers called Chicago a rousing success and said it was the perfect way to enter the second half of the selling season.

The team at Harry & David (asi/59710), the well-known consumer brand, selected ASI Chicago to make its inaugural appearance as an industry supplier.  Danon Middleton, VP of sales, said “Distributors are telling us, ‘I have a client that does this every year.’ They are being very specific, rather than just walking through saying, ‘Oh, this looks great’ and moving on. We’ve spent good, quality time with distributors. And we’re excited about that.”

“ASI Chicago has been great,” said Leanne Finney from Leed’s (asi/66887). “We are previewing our new holiday line at the show, and it’s been fantastic. There has been a lot of interest from distributors. This has been a really good show for Leed’s.”

Glen Hersh from Admints & Zagabor (asi/31516) added, “The show’s been great. A lot of traffic, a lot of high-quality people and great conversations. We’re really excited.”

Distributors also left Chicago in “go” mode for upcoming holiday sales.

Sadie Schlief from American Solutions for Business (asi/120075) said, “What a great show. We appreciate the opportunity to take advantage of great education, exhibits and stellar networking events. We all leave energized. Thank you, ASI.”

“The ASI Show in Chicago is a good venue for all our regional people,” said Houston Hale from HALO/Lee Wayne (asi/356000). “It allows them to see product that they might not have seen since the first of the year and to find items that are fresh and new to take them through the balance of 2010.”

“This is my first big show and I love it,” said Rachel Dawda from Promotional Products & Apparel (asi/301090). “I’ve met with a lot of new suppliers and found some exciting products for my clients. I’m leaving ASI Chicago with lots of new ideas.”

ASI Chicago is the largest industry summer show in the Midwest, consistently delivering twice as many distributors as any other show in the region.  It is produced in cooperation with PPAChicago, the regional industry association.