The ASI Show Chicago Posts Strong Attendance

Largest summer ad specialty tradeshow draws nearly 4,300 distributors – Education Day attendance jumps 7%

TREVOSE, PA – July 23, 2009 – The ASI Show announced today that its Chicago tradeshow posted strong attendance of nearly 4,300 distributors, with Education Day attracting nearly 900 distributors, up 7% from a year ago.

The ASI Show Chicago, at the McCormick Place Convention Center Tuesday, July 21, through Thursday, July 23, is the industry’s largest show of the summer, delivering more than twice as many distributors than any other Midwest show.

The show featured hundreds of leading suppliers, including 150 new to ASI Chicago and nearly all of the industry’s Top 40; more than 50 free education sessions, and two well-attended keynotes.

Last night, nearly 600 people attended a networking cocktail party and cruise around Lake Michigan on the Spirit of Chicago (cruise sponsored by SnugZ USA, asi/88060; Crystal Gardens Reception sponsored by Corvest: Adva-Lite, asi/32145; Toppers, asi/91530; and It’s All Greek To Me, asi/62960).

In addition, ASI announced the winners of the 2009 Counselor Awards, including the Person of the Year and International Person of the Year. The annual awards celebrate the brightest talent and business achievements in the advertising specialty industry.  Sponsors of the event included Anvil (asi/36350), Corvest, Crystal D (asi/47759) and Mars Direct (asi/68888).  

“ASI Chicago kicked off the second-half selling season in a really big way,” said Timothy M. Andrews, president and chief executive officer of ASI and president of ASI Show. “We’re thrilled with the way suppliers, distributors and decorators have risen to the challenge of a very difficult year, more determined than ever to grab market share and hit the ground running in 2010. We’re heading to Las Vegas next, for the ASI Holiday and Incentives Expo in September.”

Suppliers enjoyed steady traffic and met thousands of distributors during the two exhibition days.

“ASI Chicago has been phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal,” said Carol Constantino, CEO and president of Noteworthy (asi/74360). “We’ve been so incredibly busy. It’s been gangbusters. And as far as the distributors, they’re taking the time and talking to us. They’re asking questions, they’re looking for ideas and they’re really honing in on being able to help their end user and they’re coming to us for those kind of suggestions.”

“ASI Chicago has been an absolutely positive and phenomenal experience,” said Jack Abbate, customer and business solutions, Mars Direct. “I couldn’t expect more. We have distributors who are very interested in our product. They’re not just grabbing samples and catalogs – they’re asking questions.”

Distributors say ASI continues to deliver the proof-positive benefits they need most, at a time when every marketing dollar counts.

“The ASI Show Chicago has been great, as usual,” said Dave Regan, vice president of sales for The Vernon Company (asi/351700), which held a sales meeting at the show. “ASI puts on a fantastic show and they’re always great to us. I’ve done half of the show floor and have more ground to cover. All my expectations for Vernon’s meeting experience have been met.”

“ASI Chicago has been awesome,” said Rick Tomkovich, of Burlington Business Forms (asi/150408). “This is the third year I’ve attended and it’s one of the most enjoyable shows. I always take away new things for my distributorship. When we visit with the suppliers, we always find one or two unique items to take back to our clients.