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Thursday
March 18, 2010 Register Now for 2010’s First Virtual Trade ShowFiled under: ASI Shows, Industry Initiatives, News About ASI This Tuesday, we launch our first virtual trade show of 2010. It’s free for distributors - and there’s still time to register by clicking here. The show, taking place from 10 a.m-3 p.m. EST, features virtual show booths, multimedia demos, digital catalogs, online sample requests, a complete passport program and more than $17,000 in prizes. The event has already attracted more than 20 top suppliers, including the Magnet Group (asi/68507), PrimeLine (asi/79530) and Snugz USA (asi/88060). Enjoy online ASI Education sessions while networking and selling in real-time through interactive multimedia booths. During the show, we’ll also launch the much-anticipated, revolutionary new ESP Web and ESP Orders services. ESP Web and ESP Orders will start rolling out to segments of ESP users Tuesday and a graduated rollout will continue throughout April. We held two virtual trade shows in 2009, and based on feedback, both qualified as successes. The shows are an ideal way for distributors and suppliers to connect, learn and sell without even leaving the office. At a time when we all could use innovative methods to be more efficient, these shows are perfect for reaching new prospects, grabbing market share and getting educated. A virtual show doesn’t replace face-to-face meetings you get at national shows (ASI New York is around the corner in May), but for some sales staff who can’t travel, virtual shows present prime selling opportunities. Even if you can’t attend Tuesday’s show, you’ll be able to access it on demand once it’s posted online. In addition, ASI will host three additional virtual trade shows on April 28, June 16 and September 22. Let me know your experiences with virtual trade shows by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Thursday
March 11, 2010 Texas Here We Come: Advantages Roadshow Continues 2010 TourFiled under: ASI Shows, Industry Initiatives, News About ASI There’s no sweeter phrase in business than “We’re number one” and that distinction belongs to ASI’s Advantages Roadshow. The industry’s most successful traveling show is just 5 weeks into its 16-week tour and has already attracted more than 3,000 distributors. Next week, the 2010 tour hits Texas: Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and Houston. Last year, the Texas portion of the tour drew 617 distributors and 73 supplier companies, giving exhibitors the opportunity to spend time with many more clients and prospects than they could by making traditional sales calls. It’s free for distributors to attend! Texas - home to the second largest number of distributors - is a lucky state for ASI. In February, ASI Show Dallas attracted distributors from 1,383 firms, along with about 500 suppliers. The show - the largest industry event in the Southwest - returns to Dallas next February 16-18, 2011, so mark your calendars. Each year, the Advantages Roadshow visits more than 70 cities throughout North America, including Canada, providing suppliers with an intimate, one-on-one environment to introduce products and services to quality distributors and decorators. And, three times a year, the show co-locates with the Stitches Roadshow. The two-for-one shows provide decorators with opportunities to meet equipment, software, supply and service providers face-to-face, see new wearables vendors, enjoy valuable education and network with other decorators. Let me know how the Advantages Roadshows have worked for you by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Friday
February 26, 2010 New Full-Color Catalog Imprinting - VideoFiled under: ASI Shows, Industry Initiatives, News About ASI, Using Ad Specialties “New” is the word of the week here at ASI Show San Diego. New show. New city. And a new full-color imprinting machine, featured for the first time at our catalog booth on the show floor. Click here for my interview with ASI’s Jack Flohr, catalogs marketing director, as we demonstrate how quick and easy it is to imprint full-color logos. Distributors tell us this popular new feature is already ratcheting up their sales. Every catalog you order can be imprinted and personalized with your logo and contact information in full-color any time throughout the year. Catalogs, which are great for either mailing or a leave-behind, are a perfect vehicle for distributors to promote their brand and increase traffic to their website. According to a recent ASI study of end-buyers, paper catalogs drive 93% of purchasing decisions — and 91% of the time recipients take action as a result of something they noticed in a paper catalog, with nearly half (49%) purchasing a product. Let me know how catalogs have boosted your sales by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Monday
February 22, 2010 LogoMall Has Actors Walking Across the ScreenFiled under: Industry Initiatives, Member Benefits, News About ASI
ASI’s LogoMall is reaching for the stars as well, using the latest in digital marketing - walking, talking onscreen personalities - to engage visitors and potential buyers. It works like this: Click on a LogoMall website and an actor of your choice actually walks out onto the screen, says hello and proceeds to guide you through the site, helping you find promotional products and ideas. The first time I saw it, one word popped into my mind: Cool. The videos - and there are plenty to choose from - are professionally produced by ASI affiliate RIVWorks Inc. They can also create custom video to further personalize your site. No matter what you choose, the end result is further reinforcement of your brand and higher sales conversions. To view an online demo, click here. The best part of this incredible new marketing tool is it’s easy. Instead of spending time and money making the videos yourself, we do it for you, leaving you more time for selling. As an added bonus, real-time analytics track each campaign to show you your video impressions and click-through rates to document leads. The interactive platform also records whether visitors are first-time or return, and then it delivers the right video instantly. Distributors with a LogoMall site can join the future of online marketing and subscribe to the new video service immediately, at special pricing for ASI members. Tell me what cutting-edge moves your company’s made recently by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Friday
February 5, 2010 Top 10 Sexiest Valentine’s Day Promotional ProductsFiled under: Industry Initiatives, News About ASI, Research, Using Ad Specialties What gifts hit your list on Valentine’s Day? Boxed candy and flowers? This year, think outside the box and check out ASI’s very first list of Top 10 Valentine’s Day Promotional Products. The romantic giveaways and business gifts on the list are sure to start a conversation - or a very interesting evening. There’s no doubt romance is a smokin’ hot market - a search for romantic giveaways in ASI’s database reveals marketers are in mad pursuit of everything from logoed condom packs to chocolate lips to help them launch Valentine’s-themed campaigns. There’s more - much, much more. The top 10 sexiest Valentine’s Day promo products for 2010 are:
For a video featuring some of the products, click here. For photos of each product and for more information about how to purchase, click here. Let me know what themed items you sell the most by posting a comment or emailing me here. Of course, I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. And have a very happy Valentine’s Day!
Wednesday
February 3, 2010 Hot Products and Cool Video from the Lone Star StateFiled under: ASI Shows, Industry Initiatives, News About ASI, Using Ad Specialties There’s lots of action on the show floor at a packed house in Dallas this week as we preview novel new products for 2010 while applauding some consistently reliable crowd pleasers. In honor of ASI Vice Chairman Matthew Cohn’s 40th birthday, which he celebrated in fitting style at ASI Show Dallas, we ordered a gorgeous, custom-made tapestry from Terry Town Promotional Wearables (asi/90913), imprinted with his photo. Click here to preview one of Terry Town’s 100% customizable items. In another Tim’s Take video, I recap my Hot Seat interview with Dan Townes, president and CEO of writing instrument supplier Shepenco/Shelbyville Pencil Company (asi/86850). Dan told us he feels good about 2010 and the investments he’s made in his fourth-generation, family-owned company, serving customers for an astonishing 77 years. Click here for the recap. With Super Bowl just days away, I’m really excited about the sports-related party products here at the show. Click here for a round-up of products, including:
As if that wasn’t enough, we also previewed some really funky products that just might light up your Valentine’s Day. Click here for ordering info and pics of these products, and more:
Finally, check out the Tim’s Take featuring a live report on the latest machinery and the newest embroidery and imprinting technology from Hirsch International, which had decorators like Trina Banner of Creative Designs in stitches. If you’re at the show, let me know what you think by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Monday
February 1, 2010 Super Bowl Means Super SalesFiled under: Industry Initiatives, Research, Using Ad Specialties For many Americans, Super Bowl Sunday is a day of ritual strictly observed in the Church of Sport. Everything - from the cold brew and hot wings to the commercials and halftime show - is integral to a decades-long tradition. Including the all-important game winning tee shirts. This year, when you’re getting ready to end your long Super Bowl day, think about companies like Pony Xpress Printing and Dunbrooke Apparel just starting theirs. They’ll hustle all night to make sure tens of thousands of tee shirts and jackets will be online or on store shelves for fans to snap up after the big game. Jeff Henderson, executive VP of Pony Xpress Printing (asi/297068), an officially licensed provider of Super Bowl XLIV apparel, says it’s all hands on deck with more than 50 staffers working split shifts to make strict overnight delivery deadlines. Dunbrooke COO Matt Gray says his company’s popular Super Bowl jackets are decorated on-demand and shipped within 72 hours directly to the fan, thanks to 12-hour nightshift crews that start work as soon as the final whistle blows. These powerhouse promotional items have a long shelf life, too, with companies ordering them throughout the season as employee gifts and client giveaways. For more details, read our press release by clicking here. Let me know which team your money’s on by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. |
