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Thursday
May 10, 2012 Bright Lights, Big City, Great ShowFiled under: ASI Shows, Members, News About ASI The ASI Show in New York City is a wrap. And after hearing from scores of the 2,300 distributors and 310 exhibitors who attended, I’m happy to report it was a definite success all around. The stats are impressive: The three-day show at the Javits attracted distributors from more than 1,150 firms from 38 states and 11 different countries, making the show as cosmopolitan as the Big Apple itself. There was non-stop action, from a packed show floor and all-day education to continuous demos of the upcoming ESP Websites and the incredible Counselor Awards. A definite highlight was a captivating keynote by Facebook marketing executive Randi Zuckerberg (pictured with me, at right), who offered a slate of practical business tips on how to use social media to increase brand recognition and expand market share. In addition to sharing her Top 10 social media trends, she advised distributors to engage as much as possible with anyone who connects with their company through networking sites because, as she put it, “Haters are an inch from loving you. They just want to be heard. Listen to them and they could become your most loyal customers.” Here’s what some participants had to say about the show: Peter Zeiger, from Geiger (asi/202900): “Having access to the newest products for the later part of the year is so important for our team. They have been able to talk with leading suppliers and find new ways to make more money.” Tommy Lee, from Logomark (asi/67866): “The traffic at ASI New York has been great. In fact, I’m wishing I brought some more people to work the booth.” Michael Leone, from Hit Promotional Products (asi/61125): “ASI New York has been terrific. We have been so busy. There are so many great distributors at this show.” Be sure to check out ASI’s home page at www.asicentral.com for all the highlights from New York, including news, videos and photos. Before we start getting ready for ASI Chicago, taking place July 17-19 and featuring a full day of education with leadership and negotiation guru Tony Robbins and an inspirational keynote by former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, there’s already some news on New York 2013. Next year’s show will be held in the bigger, brighter North Pavilion of the Javits Center and feature an expanded education program, fashion runway show and keynote by Buddy Valastro, star of TLC’s hit show “The Cake Boss.” To learn more about exhibiting or sponsorship opportunities, contact Karen DiTomasso, vice president of sales, at kditomasso@asicentral.com. If you were at the show, please let me know what you thought by emailing me or posting a comment. I’m always interested in your feedback.
Thursday
May 10, 2012 Honoring The 2012 Counselor Award WinnersFiled under: ASI Shows, Members, News About ASI If you Kevin Lyons-Tarr, president of 4imprint (asi/197045), was honored as Counselor magazine’s Person of the Year for, among many other things, growing his company 18% last year and more than 30% over the past four years. At a black-tie gala at Cipriani restaurant in Manhattan, we also unveiled this year’s Counselor’s Top 40. On the supplier side, Broder Bros. (asi/42090) takes over the top spot on the list, after an increase of more than 30% in sales last year. Click here to view the supplier Top 40 list. And, for distributors, Staples Promotional Products (asi/120601) remains the largest company in the industry, with BDA (asi/137616) and Proforma (asi/300094) rounding out the top three spots on the list. Click here to see the complete 2012 Top 40 distributor rankings. In addition, we also honored Ash City’s (asi/37143) Garry Hurvitz for International Person of the Year, Activate’s (asi/141964) Fred Parker for Distributor Entrepreneur of the Year, BamBams’ (asi/38228) Dan Taylor for Supplier Entrepreneur of the Year, Overture’s (asi/288473) Heather Sanderson for Distributor Woman of Distinction and Leed’s (asi/66887) Sharon Willochell for Supplier Woman of Distinction. Go to www.CounselorMag.com for pictures and videos from the Counselor Awards ceremony, and for more information on all of the award winners. Last night we also marked another very special occasion: the 50th anniversary of the Cohn family’s leadership of ASI. In addition to Norman Cohn, our amazing chairman of the board, and his lovely wife Suzanne, we were joined by the family members pictured with me at right. All in all, it was an incredible night.
Wednesday
May 9, 2012 Tweet This: ASI Hosts Randi ZuckerbergFiled under: ASI Shows, Community, Members, News About ASI We’re thrilled social media expert and entrepreneur Randi Zuckerberg is the keynote speaker at the ASI Show in NYC Thursday at 8:45 a.m. I’m sure she’ll help everyone in the audience better promote their business by tapping into every new social media tool available. Long known as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s sister, Randi’s really come into her own since leaving the company and forming her own enterprise, R to Z Media. Zuckerberg also recently signed as an executive producer for a new reality show about Silicon Valley entrepreneurs on Bravo. Zuckerberg, named No. 45 on the Hollywood Reporter’s list of “Digital Power Players,” will speak on “Social Change Through Social Media: How the Web Changes the Way We Live, Vote, Organize and Work.” I’m most interested in what she has to say about ways today’s politicians are using social media to garner votes. As you may have heard, Facebook is using its considerable power for good, launching a new initiative to get more organ donors registered in order to help the more than 114,000 people in the US waiting for lifesaving heart, kidney or liver transplants. Click here to see how Facebook is using its site to get out the word. Here in NY, a Port Jefferson distributor, Hal Kramer, of HDK Enterprises, Inc. (asi/216795), gave us a ton of info on his efforts on behalf of the NY Organ Donor’s Network, the second-largest of the nation’s 58 nonprofit, federally designated organ procurement organizations. His group is trying to get people to better understand the critical need for donated organs, eyes and tissues. One donor, he says, can save up to eight people, but on average, 18 people die every day for the want of an organ transplant. You can find out more at: www.nyhealth.gov/donatelife. Are you an organ donor? Let me know by posting a comment. And if you catch Randi’s keynote, please share the best tip you heard.
Friday
April 20, 2012 Earth FirstFiled under: Community, Industry Initiatives, Members, Using Ad Specialties I still have the $10 Earth Day T-shirt (my first ad specialty tee!) I helped sell in the quad in 1982 during my first fundraiser as secretary of the Society of Professional Journalists at Ball State University. I’m still involved in ad specialties and still concerned about doing all I can to help protect the Earth. Earth Day is celebrated worldwide on April 22, and more companies than ever before are using “green” giveaways to promote their commitment to the environment while advertising their brand, product or event. This year, in what’s become an annual Top 10 list of eco-friendly freebies from ASI®, the theme is products made from renewable resources like bamboo and using manufacturing processes that don’t harm the environment. It’s clear there’s no better way for a company to advertise its brand and its conscience all year long than with logoed giveaways that are biodegradable, all-natural or mercury-free. To see a Joe Show, photos and descriptions featured on this year’s Top 10 list, click here. ASI’s Top 10 Eco-Friendly Freebies: 1. Stone paper journal, from Yanlee Trading Co. (asi/98766). An eco-friendly alternative made from actual stone via a bleach-free process, making it recyclable, compostable, smudge-resistant, water-resistant and tear-proof. 2. Eco golf balls, from MVP Gift Bag (asi/68322). Made from recycled golf balls and packaged in boxes made from recycled paper. Comes with pre-addressed pouch so damaged balls can be returned, recycled and replaced by manufacturer. 3. Seeded paper, from Symphony Seed Paper (asi/74930). Honor Earth Day by planting flowers from seeds embedded in paper branded with company logo. 4. Wooden bead Karma bracelets (asi/78140) from Pinnacle Designs. Made from all-natural wood, easy to imprint. 5. Water bottle with carbon filter, from Ad-N-Art (asi/31518). BPA-free, squeezable water bottle with a carbon filter keeps 200 fewer water bottles from the landfill. Filter allows for turning public fountain or spigot water into clean drinking water. 6. Eco-tee, from Royal Apparel (asi/83731). Tee consists of 50% organic cotton and 50% polyester made from recycled water bottles. Imprinted with water-safe inks and made in the USA. 7. Bamboo serving utensils, from Bay State Specialty Co. (asi/38980). Bamboo grows upwards of 6 feet a day without fertilizers or pesticides. 8. Billboard bags, from Landes Inc. (asi/66230). Worried about your used vinyl billboards and banners clogging up landfills? Landes recycles them into attention-grabbing bags. 9. Dog training treats and pad balm, from Solar Advertising (asi/88148). Made from all-natural, organic materials. Tube is biodegradable. 10. Coco-Eco flip-flops, from Neet Feet (asi/73525). Made from recycled rubber and recycled coconut fibers, they’re great for promoting any company associated with the great outdoors. Let me know what Earth Day product is your current favorite or what your company is doing to promote Earth Day values by posting a comment or e-mailing me. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Monday
April 16, 2012 Media File: Big, Bigger, BestFiled under: ASI Shows, Members, News About ASI, Using Ad Specialties Sometimes, bigger is definitely better. Roller coasters, sales commissions, even juicy hamburgers – they’re all better bigger. To that list you can add 2012 Media File, the world’s largest promotional products catalog. This hardcover catalog is such an essential sales tool that we’ve already pre-sold 65% of all available copies. This year’s edition – incredibly, our 57th – contains thousands of products from hundreds of suppliers (including 49 new suppliers) in all price ranges, along with promotional planning guides and end-buyer case studies perfect to take along to your next sales call. Price and product indexes make it easy to choose products to suit any client’s budget. In addition, the 2012 Media File comes packed with ASI’s End Buyer Catalog Study facts to help prove the enduring ROI of ad specialties. But what really sets Media File apart are the products – everything from customized playing cards, colorful drinkware and cool USB flash drives to unique athletic souvenirs, awesome executive gifts, go-green items and even prize wheels, along with favorite campaign standards. It’s big, it’s undeniably beautiful and it’s selling fast. You can order yours online by clicking here. If you have any questions or want to discuss special offers, contact Dan Brown, ASI’s executive director of distributor services, at dbrown@asicentral.com or at 800-546-1365. And remember, selling through catalogs continues to be an effective marketing medium for distributors and suppliers. ASI studies show over 86% of active distributors declare catalogs to be important or even essential for generating sales. As we prepare to head to the Big Apple for our New York show, I want to share one last Tim’s Take video from San Diego. We shot this right after the Michael J. Fox keynote, which inspired an audience of about 500. I was particularly moved by his message of hope in the face of his Parkinson’s diagnosis, as my mom lived with the disease for over 35 years. If you haven’t already, please check out his foundation’s website and see the incredible things they’ve accomplished in their search for a cure. April, by the way, is Parkinson’s Awareness month. In California, I also checked out some fun products like a spinning dragonfly (at right) from Hit Promotional Products (asi/61125), colorful stress relievers from Target Line (asi/90640) and Rubik’s cubes from Prime Line (asi/79530). Click here to watch. And let me know what fun, funky ad specialty is your current favorite by posting a comment or e-mailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Tuesday
April 10, 2012 Lights, Camera, Ad SpecialtiesFiled under: ASI Shows, Media Coverage, Members, News About ASI Scores of reporters were drawn to ASI’s recent San Diego show, resulting in a ton of great press for the industry. One TV reporter called the show “the coolest convention of the year” thanks to the creativity and ingenuity on display. The TV reports and newspaper stories provided a strong showcase for the power of promotional products, along with terrific exposure for a number of companies, including BamBams (asi/38228), All-In-One (asi/34256), Pingline (asi/78137), Alight Promotional Products (asi/34194), Panther Vision (asi/75825), Outdoor Cap Co. (asi/75420), Yanlee Trading Co. (asi/98766), CleggPromo (asi/45450), PopOut Products (asi/68650) and A Plus Wine Designs (asi/30223). Reporters interviewed numerous people at the show, including Brett Gent of Openers Plus (asi/63073), Jeff Grippando of WorkflowOne (asi/333647) and Carl VanderSchuit of LiteFx (asi/67740). I hope they enjoyed their time in the media spotlight! ASI’s Dave Vagnoni was on hand to expertly guide the news crews through the trade show maze, show off products to the viewing audience and discuss the amazing ROI of our $18.5 billion industry – a number that really impressed the media. If you haven’t already, check out the coverage:
For all of ASI’s press coverage, visit our press page here. FYI, we hate the use of the word “swag” too but we can’t control what the press says – as hard as we try. Let me know what you think of the coverage by posting a comment or e-mailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Wednesday
April 4, 2012 Long Beach, Here We ComeFiled under: ASI Shows, Members, News About ASI We’re ending the ASI Show in San Diego after three strong days with a major announcement: We’re moving our West Coast show to Long Beach next year. The move was instigated in large part by ASI suppliers and distributors who wanted a more convenient and cost-effective venue. Of the 4,313 distributors we serve on the West Coast, 61% are located in the greater Los Angeles area. Central to three airports, the Long Beach Convention Center is easily accessible from all major thoroughfares. Lorenz Hassenstein, the new vice president and general manager of The ASI Show, did his due diligence and found attendees will be able to save $500 per person in Long Beach. Hotel rooms on average cost $50 less per night, and flights into Long Beach are 50% cheaper as compared to San Diego. The 2013 Long Beach show will feature the same great education and exhibits you expect from an ASI show, along with a full roster of networking and special events. The show opens Saturday, March 23, 2013 – so mark your calendars. Karen DiTomasso, vice president of sales for The ASI Show, says she expects the timing of the show – months away from other industry events taking place in the greater LA area – will result in a sellout. For more exhibition information on ASI Long Beach, visit www.asishow.com. Attendee registration will open this summer. The San Diego show ended on a high note with a keynote speech by actor and Parkinson’s activist Michael J. Fox. The standing-room-only event drew nearly 500 people who were really inspired by the remarkable personal lessons Fox shared about life with Parkinson’s disease. Calling on the old acting adage of “Don’t play the result,” the Family Ties and Back to the Future star urged people to live in the moment. “It’s about possibilities, and making sure you don’t shut those possibilities out because you’re blinded by what you think the future may hold. Life changes and you have to change with it,” he said. All told, the San Diego show attracted over 2,000 distributor attendees and 335 suppliers. The show earned great feedback from ASI members. Rick Greene from HALO Branded Solutions, asi/356000: “This is just a great show. In the first four rows I walked, I found two important apparel resources that I need for a huge project. Having access to the show floor is amazing.” Glenn Hersh from Admints and Zagabor, asi/31516: “We always look forward to the ASI shows because they give us a chance to interact with distributors and discuss specific projects.” There’s still more to come! The remaining two 2012 ASI shows are ASI New York (May 8-10) and ASI Chicago (July 17-19). ASI distributor and decorator members can register for free at www.asishow.com. To learn more about exhibiting or sponsorship opportunities, contact Karen at kditomasso@asicentral.com. And please let me know what you think of the move to Long Beach by e-mailing me or leaving a comment. |
