Comments Off
Thursday
April 14, 2011 ASI Needs Dynamic SpeakersFiled under: ASI Shows, Guest Blog, Member Benefits, Members, News About ASI How’d you like to join the ranks of dynamo speakers like Michael J. Fox, Laura W. Bush and Mike Ditka? Well, now’s your chance. All you need to do is qualify to become an ASI Show speaker. Right now, the ASI Education team is looking for top-notch industry educators who can deliver compelling presentations on the most effective tools and techniques used in business today. Click here to connect with us. ASI is serious about education. In 2010 alone, 4,600 distributors took more than 16,000 live education courses at ASI trade shows, making ASI the largest educator in the $17 billion ad specialty industry. Each year, ASI commits $1.3 million to educate its members, and we’re really proud to be able to offer industry professionals free, up-to-the-minute live and online education In 2010, in response to lots of member requests, we launched the ASI Certification program, which recognizes industry professionals with Bachelor of Advertising Specialty Information (BASI) and Master of Advertising Specialty Information (MASI) certificates, the industry equivalent of a bachelor’s or master’s degree. These certifications are awarded to industry professionals who have demonstrated their commitment to service and continuing education. To date, 6,700 industry professionals have registered for classes needed to obtain an ASI certification. And, participating in the certification program is free, user-friendly and hassle-free for our members. We track all of the live and online ASI Education courses that members take automatically via our Online Learning Center (www.asicentral.com/onlinelearning), so they can easily access their transcript and remaining course requirements. If you want to help educate the advertising specialty industry, ASI is where it’s at. We’d love to learn more about you and your expertise. Click here to tell us about yourself. You never know where it will lead you. If you have any other questions, email me at nrollender@asicentral.com. – Nicole Rollender
Thursday
March 24, 2011 NYC Show Ends on High NoteFiled under: ASI Shows, Community, Members, News About ASI, Using Ad Specialties ASI just wrapped its New York City trade show and I’m pleased to announce an increase in distributor firms of 4% over last year. Like an army of dedicated mail carriers, 2,400 distributors from 16 countries braved unseasonably cold weather and surprising spring sleet and slush to head to the Javits Center this week. One of my favorite events was Thursday’s speed-networking session – the industry’s biggest. Click here for my Tim’s Take on the session and an interview with ASI’s professional development manager, Dana Reaume (pictured below). How many of you hate getting your photo taken because it never looks professional enough? We hear you, which is why we set up the ASI Social Networking Booth, where a professional photographer will take your photo for use on all your social media sites. Perfect for your Facebook page. So far, nearly 500 members have taken advantage of this free service. If you missed it at the New York show, don’t worry. We’ll be in San Diego, May 18-20, and in Chicago, July 19-21. I promise you, it’s a snap. Click here to take a look. The New York show is always one of my favorites because I worked in the city for so many years and it always feels like going home. I love seeing old friends and checking out all the innovative new products. This year, we saw thousands of items showcased by 350 suppliers, including more than 100 exhibitors who weren’t in New York last year. We got tons of positive feedback from suppliers and distributors who were excited by steady traffic during the two exhibition days. Jeremy Rich from Debco (asi/48885) heard great things about the 75 new products his company exhibited and Lindsay Mortensen from SnugZ USA (asi/88060) described the show as a good mix of quality and quantity. Distributor Gary Goodhart from AIA Corporation (asi/109480) said they bring sales reps in from all over. “They really benefit from the great education,” he said, “meeting with suppliers and seeing everything that’s new for the year.” Let me know what kind of show experience you had and if you have any suggestions for next year by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Thursday
March 10, 2011 Virtually a SnapFiled under: ASI Shows, Members, News About ASI Our March Virtual Trade Show attracted 1,700 attendees, no doubt drawn by the ease of networking from the comfort of home or office. We did get one “complaint,” but it’s one we’d gladly hear again: a supplier reporting “too many leads to handle.” This show distinguished itself by logging more visitors per booth than previous shows, for an average of 837. Altogether, visitors stayed an average of 72 minutes, conducted 1,776 one-to-one chats and viewed nearly 3,000 documents and 900 webcasts – efficiently and effortlessly. If you missed this week’s virtual event, you can access it now on-demand. If you did not register for Wednesday’s show, check here first. If you did register, log on here. Who attended? A number of top exhibitors, including:
We always love feedback and comments. Sharon Brill of Raelyn Marketing Promotions called the virtual event “your best ever.” Samantha Tyrrell of Paradox Crafts, a first-time visitor, said she liked the format because at brick-and-mortar shows, “It’s hard to not feel like you’re taking a sales rep from others when you have a lot to ask. This was much easier.” Brenda Metcalf of Salt 1 to1 Inc. also commented on the in-depth talks she was able to have with suppliers and thanked our crew for their help in getting her team up and running. ASI’s virtual shows always feature top suppliers, virtual show booths, multimedia demos, digital catalogs, online sample requests, a complete passport program and thousands of dollars in prizes. We know the all-day, online events are effective because exhibiting suppliers experience an average 24% increase in ESP searches the day after each show. And, you can attend education classes that are applied to your BASI or MASI certification right from the show floor. While virtual events won’t replace in-person shows (New York City is March 22-24) but you can’t beat the ease and value. This was our seventh virtual show and we expect to host three more in 2011. The next one is April 19, so mark your calendar. If you were at the show, tell me your experience – and offer any suggestions for improvement – by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Monday
February 28, 2011 ASI Makes Some NoiseFiled under: ASI Shows, ASICentral, Media Coverage, Members, News About ASI, Using Ad Specialties In an ongoing effort to increase awareness of the ad specialty industry, ASI has stepped up its public relations initiatives. Those efforts really paid off during our recent show in Dallas, where we scored unprecedented TV coverage. Former first lady Laura Bush – who spoke at the show and during the ASI Women’s Summit – generated a ton of news coverage, including a lengthy feature in The Dallas Morning News and more TV coverage than any other single ASI event to date. Click here to watch segments from Fox, NBC and CBS. Click here to listen to a KRLD radio clip. In addition, ASI and Laura Bush received mention on more than 278 online sites and publications, for a total potential circulation of 41 million. And Promo Man, the new “face” of the industry, piqued the interest of the city’s ABC affiliate, which broadcast from the convention center floor to showcase a number of products. Click here to watch. Featured suppliers in the segments include Clique Here Inc. (asi/4535) and their scented tees, Limb Gear (asi/67554) with iHoodies, Golden Pacific (asi/55549) and the solar powered briefcase, Cruzin Cooler (asi/47747) and their ride on cooler and Think Geek (asi/91123) with electric guitar shirts. In each case the important keywords “advertising specialty” received prominent mention. When’s the last time your company was on TV? Did the mention generate any new business? Let me know by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Tuesday
February 22, 2011 Sell Laughs, Close DealsFiled under: ASI Shows, News About ASI Want to close more sales? Take a tip from improv extraordinaire Wayne Brady. He advised our ASI Radio audience the best way to close a sale is to turn potential clients into fans with a little bravado and touch of humor. “What we do on stage is sell the audience on our comedy,” Brady told listeners Tuesday during an interview to advance his upcoming performance at the ASI trade show in San Diego, Thursday, May 19. Click here to register for tickets to his exclusive West Coast performance. “For salespeople, the best thing is to have fun,” Brady said. “If you’re very stiff and uncommunicative you’ll never get anywhere. Make a fan and make a sale.” To listen to the interview in its entirety, click here. If you’re planning on attending his show in San Diego, get your best improv ideas ready. And plan to have a great time. Brady promises to deliver. Here are edited excerpts from the Wayne Brady interview: Q: How do you prepare for big shows? Do you have any rituals? A: I show up and I’m ready to roll. Improv is not something you can sit in your room and practice. It’s just a skill. I do deal with pre-show nerves. Even after 20 some years in the business I still get butterflies. But as soon as I step on stage, I’m great. Q: Who inspired you in comedy or performance? A: I’m not a stand-up guy. I’m sketch comedy. I like “Saturday Night Live,” the old Carol Burnett show. The early variety show performers could do it all. They were a triple threat. People like Carol Burnett, Danny Kaye, Bill Cosby. My mom didn’t allow me to watch much TV—usually it was PBS or the old Carol Burnett shows in black-and-white. Now I realize that was my early education. Q: What’s on your iPod? A: Jazmine Sullivan, the Grammy’s Best New Artist Esperanza Spalding, Colbie Caillat and an old-school hip-hop compilation from 1986-89, when it was about partying and not getting capped in the ass. Q: How did you put your own stamp on the game show “Let’s Make A Deal?” A: I didn’t want to be a typical game show host. I looked at it as a role, a challenge. I wanted it to be fun so I figured I’d just do what I do. This version has a lot of improv in it, a lot of characters who interact with the audience. We have songs. It’s more like the big Spanish variety shows. Q: When did you realize you wanted to be a comedian? A: At 16, I fell into it at school. I was in the ROTC program for two years and my family was military and I figured that’s what I’m going to do. One day I filled in for a buddy in drama class. I had one line. It was amazing. All the kids were making each other laugh and something in me responded. It was that fast. Two weeks later I was doing my first play. Later, I was doing TV, movies, jingles, cruise ships. I never did comedy on TV before “Whose Line is it Anyway?” I was spotted in a comedy club and it changed my life. Q: How do you deal with curve balls thrown from the audience? A: There’s really not such a thing as a suggestion that’s too tough. But some are just stupid and I can’t do anything with it, like “Hey, do a song about my” – insert word about his junk. No, dude. Q: What’s your favorite promotional product? A: The best one was a car. I got use of a car for six months – a Cadillac SUV. The downside was I spent a bajillion dollars on gas. “Let’s Make a Deal” is getting ready to do a bunch of stuff. Wayne Brady jeans, Wayne Brady doors for your house. If you heard the show, let me know what you thought by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Monday
February 21, 2011 Got a Question for Wayne Brady?Filed under: ASI Shows, News About ASI Upcoming ASI headliner Wayne Brady is a showbiz rarity. This cat can do it all: dance, sing and act on TV, film and stage. Tuesday morning, he’s bringing it to ASI Radio for an interview that promises to be one of our most entertaining. If you have a question for Brady, send it now to radio@asicentral.com and we might read it on the air – or ask you to call in and ask it yourself. Tune in Tuesday to listen to the interview and Q&A online at www.asicentral.com/radio. Our interview with the comedian advances Wayne Brady’s performance at the ASI Show in San Diego on Thursday, May 19. Click here to register for tickets to his exclusive West Coast performance. If you’re wondering, “Where did I see this guy anyway?” you probably caught his Emmy Award-winning improv on ABC’s “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” In addition, Brady has guest starred on “30 Rock,” “How I Met Your Mother” and “Everybody Hates Chris.” You may have also seen the multitalented performer during his hit run in Vegas. In its review, the LA Times said, “What makes Brady’s show so special is that he has somehow found a sweet spot by managing to successfully mix old school Vegas entertainment hip without sacrificing any new Vegas cool in the process. He may be the first performer to pull this off.” So tune in Tuesday for our interview. I’m sure it’ll brighten your morning. And for a change of pace, check out the interviews ASI Vice Chairman Matthew Cohn conducted from our bash at Eddie Deen’s ranch and hear testimonials from ASI distributors and suppliers about the Dallas show. Click here to watch. Be sure to let me know what you think of Wayne Brady by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Friday
February 18, 2011 Dallas Show Sets RecordFiled under: ASI Shows, Community, Members, News About ASI I’m very pleased to share the news that our Dallas show attracted nearly 3,600 distributors, an increase of 8.6% from last year, representing 1,545 distributor firms, up 10.5% – and a new record. In addition to education and 500 exhibitors, the three-day event featured a keynote by first lady Laura W. Bush, who addressed nearly 600, a record keynote attendance. Mrs. Bush also hosted an intimate cocktail and lunch reception during the 2nd Annual ASI Women’s Summit. From among 30 finalists, the summit included the first-ever “Top Women to Watch in the Advertising Specialty Industry” Awards ceremony. In this pic, Mrs. Bush graciously poses with some of the women in attendance. We got lots of great feedback from the show. Kristina Fredericks from Moderne Glass (asi/71920) said the traffic was strong. “We’ve received a lot of great leads and sample requests and are putting together a number of programs. It’s been a fabulous show and we’re very pleased.” Lori Bauer from Norwood BIC Graphic (asi/40480) agreed. “Distributors are excited for the new sales year. We are seeing lots of order opportunities and business is already coming in. ASI Dallas was the perfect event to launch our latest promotion for Norwood Bags and Drinkware.” Mark Gammon from The Vernon Company (asi/351700) called the show “terrific” and said, “It’s the perfect way to kick off the new year – by seeing our preferred suppliers and discussing our clients’ needs with them.” Michael Hartney from That First Impression LLC (asi/343536) summed it all up when he said, “I’m leaving with great sales ideas.” Without a doubt, our 2011 show momentum indicates no sign of stopping as we forge ahead to the ASI Show in New York City in Tuesday, March 22, through Wednesday, March 24. Let me know your thoughts by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
|
