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Thursday
September 23, 2010

Log On, Tune In and Sell, Sell, Sell

Filed under: ASI Shows, Industry Initiatives, News About ASI

Our September Virtual Trade Show got off to a roaring start with 640 attendees logging on in the first hour alone. And they kept on coming. Each booth averaged 722 visitors and each distributor spent about 80 minutes enjoying the show.

There was a ton of networking, too. In five hours’ time, a whopping 5,000 one-to-one chats took place.

If you missed this week’s virtual event, you can access it now on-demand at www.asicentral.com/vts.

Who attended? A number of top exhibitors, including The Magnet Group (asi/68507), Tri-Mountain/Mountain Gear (asi/92125), Harry & David (asi/59710) and World Emblem (asi/98264).

Comments streamed in fast and furious:

  • So far so good …. Really enjoying my first virtual show.
  • I have been wanting to visit a trade show, but time has been limited. Thank you for hosting.
  • I like the fact that each booth has private chat – and I can come and go in my own time – from my desk – so I am not missing any sales.
  • Lots of great stuff. Great venue.
  • I was at the show since the beginning and found it very interesting and beneficial to me. Thanks again for this free trade show.
  • I hope you will continue the VTS. I learn so much each time I attend one.
  • It’s going well, very busy …. Great job … works amazing.

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.

Virtual events certainly won’t replace our bricks-and-mortar ASI Shows (Orlando is January 23-25) but in these busy times, they’re an added value. The next ASI Virtual Trade Show is Wednesday, January 5 from 10 a.m. -3 p.m. ET, so mark your calendar.

If you “attended,” let me know what you thought by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

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Monday
August 2, 2010

Michael J. Fox and Laura Bush Headlining in 2011

Filed under: ASI Shows, News About ASI

Like many of you, I grew up watching Michael J. Fox in “Family Ties” and the “Back to the Future” blockbusters. But he’s really earned my respect for the incredible work he’s done since his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease. Already, the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research has raised an astonishing $196 million.

I’ve followed his efforts closely because it’s an issue dear to my heart. My mother, who died in 2006 at 85, also had Parkinson’s. Like Fox, she never let it slow her determination. Optimism in the face of daunting odds is exactly why we chose Fox to inspire the crowd at our Orlando show this January.

If that wasn’t enough, former First Lady Laura Bush will speak at the ASI show in Dallas in February. And there’s more! ASI’s just-announced 2011 lineup includes comedian Wayne Brady (from “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”), NFL Super Bowl “Da Bears” great Mike Ditka – and a private bash at hip hop mogul Jay-Z’s Manhattan nightclub.

I’ve saved the best part for last: Every event is free.

We all took a hard hit the last two years, but with indications finally pointing to a recovery,we wanted to deliver an exceptional 2011 lineup to really re-energize everyone who attends our major shows across the U.S. Once again, we’re proving that ASI Shows are the destination for important suppliers, superior education, exciting keynotes and star-studded entertainment.

Here are details and registration links:

  • ASI Orlando: Michael J. Fox keynote, Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist, Tuesday, January 25 (co-sponsored by Evans Mfg., asi/52840, and Showdown Displays, asi/87188). Also, a brand-new gala at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the newest attraction at Universal Orlando, Monday, January 24. Click here to register.
  •  ASI Dallas: Former First Lady Laura W. Bush keynote, Life in the White House: Reflections from Mrs. Laura W. Bush, Friday, February 18 (Sponsored by Pepco Poms, asi/77280).  Click here to register.
  •  ASI New York: A private bash at hip hop mogul Jay-Z’s nightclub, the 40/40 Club Wednesday, March 23. And the industry’s biggest speed-networking session Thursday, March 24. Click here to register.
  •  ASI San Diego: Emmy award-winning comedian Wayne Brady performs Thursday, May 19.  Click here to register.
  •  ASI Chicago: Local celebrity and football coach Mike Ditka keynote, ACE: Attitude, Character and Enthusiasm, Thursday, July 21 (sponsored by BamBams, asi/38228). Click here to register.

 For more information, click here to read our press release.

Visit www.asishow.com for complete details and to make your hotel reservations. Discounted hotel rates are available through the official ASI show housing bureau, Travel Planners.

Let me know which events you’re planning to attend by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

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Friday
July 16, 2010

Cool Products From Hot Sponsors

Filed under: ASI Shows, Using Ad Specialties

How do you determine what’s hot? Counselor magazine editors tackle that question every year when devising their annual list of the hottest people, products and ideas in the ad specialties industry.

Luckily, our editors have a lot to choose from, given the high “cool factor” inherent in this business. At the HOT Party, held this week at the ASI Show in Chicago, we got a look at a number of innovative products, including several from our party sponsors.

For a look at the sponsors’ products, click here to watch my Tim’s Take video, which features:

  • Military distressed visor cap. From Otto International Inc. (asi/75350). A snappy-looking cap made of washed pigment and cotton twill with a matching fabric adjustable hook-and-loop closure.
  • Soft mesh-back cap. Also from Otto. Since it features a soft, low-fitting crown, this cap pulls down and looks really nice. And I love the pro stitching on the front.
  •  16 oz. glitterware pint glass. From Sabina (asi/84470). This is a terrific addition to any party. Our guests had great fun checking out the effect that liquid has on the inside mirrored finish.  
  • Personalized M&M tin. From MY M&M’S|Mars Direct (asi/68888). You can imprint anything on these candies, from faces to quirky sayings, which makes for a wonderful leave-behind, as we found out at the party.
  •  Full-color custom-labeled energy drinks. From BamBams (asi/38228). Perfect mixers for any event. Customizable and very cool.

 Let me know your favorite cool products by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

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Thursday
July 15, 2010

Chicago Rocks!

Filed under: ASI Shows, Members, News About ASI

We just ended our show in Chicago and I’m delighted to share the news that we attracted 4,100 distributors, representing 1,755 firms – the most since 2007.

The number of firms represents an increase over last year of 2.5% and is the second-highest number of unique firms that have ever attended ASI Chicago.

The show at the McCormick Place Convention Center featured 630 exhibitors – including 137 that didn’t appear last year.

To read more, please click here for our press release.

There’s good reason we love the Windy City – it delivers. The show launched 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 on Day One to the final reception on Day Two.

That means 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.

Today we featured Tom Searcy, nationally renowned author, master sales motivator, CEO and founder of Hunt Big Sales, who 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).

The best part is we received awesome feedback from participants. Here’s a sampling:

  • Danon Middleton, VP of sales for Harry & David (asi/59710), the well-known consumer brand, says the team selected ASI Chicago to make its inaugural appearance as an industry supplier.  “We’ve spent good, quality time with distributors,” she says. “And we’re excited about that.”
  • Leanne Finney from Leed’s (asi/66887): “ASI Chicago has been great. 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): “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): “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.” 
  • Houston Hale from HALO/Lee Wayne (asi/356000): “The ASI Show in Chicago is a good venue for all our regional people. It allows them to see products 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.”
  • Rachel Dawda from Promotional Products & Apparel (asi/301090): “This is my first big show and I love it. 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.”

It’s never too early to register for the ASI Holiday Preview Show in Las Vegas September 13-14.

Let me know if you enjoyed the show by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

 

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Thursday
July 15, 2010

School’s Out – But School Products Are In

Filed under: ASI Shows, Using Ad Specialties

It’s never too soon to stock up on Back to School items, and I got a terrific preview of fun products this week at ASI’s Chicago show.

Click here to watch my Tim’s Take sampling of the many products I discovered browsing a packed show floor. Here are just a few:

  1. Recycled paper pen. From Sweda LLC (asi/90305). It looks like a pencil but writes like a pen. Made of recycled paper with a large color eraser.
  2. Eco-cube. From Hit Promotional Products (asi/61125). Made of 100% vegetable-based material and biodegradable. It’s a cube – and memo holder, pen stand and paper clip dispenser.
  3. Scrubs notebook or hoodie notebook. From Gordon Sinclair (asi/57800). This is the coolest thing ever. An 80-page notebook with three front pockets with a cover that looks exactly like hospital scrubs. Perfect for doctors, nursing homes, medical staffs. It also comes as a hoodie (pictured) – which any student or educational market will love.
  4. Brown baggin’ it lunch bag. From Leed’s (asi/66887). It’s water-resistant, wipeable and fully insulated. Great for any educational or office market.

Let me know your favorite product from the show floor by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

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Thursday
July 15, 2010

We Like It HOT

Filed under: ASI Shows, News About ASI

It’s almost 90 degrees in Chicago, but we’re staying cool at the ASI Show, where we’re previewing thousands of innovative new products just in time for the second half of the selling season, and enjoying networking events like the Counselor HOT party.

To check out Wednesday night’s action, click here for all the photos and a complete list of the 41 people Counselor honored for shaking up the industry.

I’d also like to recognize the HOT Party sponsors – MY M&M’S|Mars Direct, BamBams, Sabina, Otto International Inc., Halo/Lee Wayne and Chulani Promotional Products Inc.

The HOT party at W Hotel-City Center followed the ASI Chicago Gala at the Hub 51 nightclub. At that party, we celebrated this great city, which, along with 26 miles of lakefront, boasts more than 200 theaters, nearly 200 art galleries and more than 7,300 restaurants. I’m working my way through them all, one by one.

At the gala, ASI TV really shook up the joint with a video dance contest. Next week, you can vote for your favorite dancers in the Counselor  PromoGram.

Our show at the McCormick Place, Chicago’s premier convention center, is the largest show of summer and the biggest event to visit the Midwest. No wonder. McCormick Place itself offers the largest amount of exhibition space in North America (2.2 million square feet). It seems everything in the great Midwest is big!

The show closes later today. If you attended, please let me know your favorite experience by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

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Wednesday
July 14, 2010

Straight from Chicago: Strategies for Success

Filed under: ASI Shows, Education, News About ASI

This morning I put Harris Cohen, president and CEO of All-In-One (asi/34256), on the Hot Seat to discuss a number of industry trends, including supplier inventory, investing in new products and “The Big Idea.”

To watch a Tim’s Take video filmed after the interview, click here.

Harris agrees with many distributors on the importance of maintaining a deep inventory and says now that the economy’s easing, there’s no excuse for empty shelves.  All-In-One, which helped introduce flash drives and USBs to the industry, is now immersed in  encrypting and full-color imprinting and personalization.

As Harris says, personalization takes any product to the next level.

I also got a chance today to interview ASI Show’s VP of sales, Karen DiTomasso, after her packed supplier panel, “Quick Strategies to Get Noticed & Generate More Quality Leads.”

Click here to watch.

Karen was joined on the panel by Josh Goodelman, VP of Liqui-Mark Corp. (asi/67675), Jim Moore, senior VP of sales and marketing at Molenaar (asi/71980) and Fran Ford, senior VP of J Charles Crystalworks Inc. (asi/62985).

These industry vets bring a combined 100 years of experience to the table.

The session – new for 2010 – provided suppliers with quick strategies for exhibiting, including these three nuggets:

  1. Plan, plan, plan. Don’t just buy exhibit space and think your job is done.
  2. Recruit and train knowledgeable, energetic staffers.
  3. Follow leads immediately. Don’t let a minute go to waste. Make your appointments right at the booth.

In addition to an array of educational offerings at every show, don’t forget ASI also offers dozens of online tutorials through ASI Education.

I’m off now to get ready for tonight’s Chicago Gala Celebration, followed by the Counselor HOT Party. Make sure to check back for loads of photos from these events tomorrow.

Let me know what you’ve learned so far at ASI Chicago, which ends Thursday, by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

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