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Friday
January 29, 2010 ASI Announces Dates for 2011 ShowsFiled under: ASI Shows, News About ASI There’s a reason smart seniors take advantage of early bird specials – they save major money. Today, we’re announcing super savings on ASI’s 2011 trade shows. I can’t promise free apple sauce, but there are bargains galore for early birds:
Our five industry trade shows take place in major markets across America. We based the dates and locations of shows on ASI member surveys and feedback from show attendees. As a result, timing and locations for Orlando, Dallas and Chicago shows will remain consistent with prior years, while the New York show moves to March and the San Diego Show moves to May. For complete show details, visit asishow.com. To read the press release, click here. As always, each ASI show sets the standard for industry shows and drives attendance by recruiting the best distributors. ASI distributor members receive benefits that make them VIPs, including: free admission, free education and keynotes, up to $100 toward a hotel room, discounted tickets to the gala celebration, prizes in the Passport to Winnings contest, free Catalog Courier service, free catalog shipping and daily networking opportunities. Let me know what you like best about ASI shows by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Monday
January 25, 2010 Strong Momentum for ESP Web and ESP OrdersFiled under: ASI Shows, Industry Initiatives, Member Benefits, News About ASI Everyone enjoys positive feedback, which is why I’m pleased to share some recent testimonials about ASI’s ESP Web and ESP Orders. Philip Myers, owner of Myers Printing (asi/278937), went so far as to call the upcoming new services “awesome.” For more comments, and to read the press release, click here. In development for almost a year, the new ESP Web runs on standard Internet browsers – including Explorer, Firefox and Apple’s Safari – for instant access anytime to products, supplier data, ESP Orders and customer information. ESP Orders is a total order management system, available with ESP Web, that allows distributors to create sales orders, purchase orders and invoices electronically and without rekeying any data. All order information is replicated automatically, dramatically improving efficiency and providing more time for selling. For a sneak-peek video of the revolutionary new ESP Web — which begins rolling out to all ESP users at the end of March — and ESP Orders, click here. And don’t forget to check out demonstrations of ESP Web and ESP Orders at all upcoming ASI Shows, including ASI Dallas (Monday, February 1, through Wednesday, February 3) and ASI San Diego (Wednesday, February 24, through Friday, February 26), in the training room at the ASI booth and in select “power session” rooms. If you were one of the 400 who participated in ESP sessions during education day during our first show of the year in Orlando, tell me what you thought by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Wednesday
January 6, 2010 Educating Buyers on Bumper Stickers – Orlando Sentinel and ASIFiled under: ASI Shows, Media Coverage, News About ASI How many bumper stickers do you have on your car? And do you think they’ve ever influenced your vote? Two Florida politicians interviewed by Counselor editor Andy Cohen at ASI Show Orlando endorsed the bumper sticker as a key promotional product for their campaigns. The interviews were posted today on an Orlando Sentinel blog. Click here to read the post and watch the two interviews. Rep. Kevin Ambler, who is running for the Florida Senate, told Andy his favorite promotional item is the tried-and-true bumper sticker – which he said his research shows accounts for about three to six votes for a candidate. Andy spoke to Ambler and Sen. Paula Dockery, who is running for governor, and both interviews are posted on the Orlando Sentinel‘s business blog along with information on the show. The paper has a circulation of over 206,000 in Central Florida. Let me know what bumper stickers are on your car by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Tuesday
January 5, 2010 ASI Orlando Energizes Industry for 2010Filed under: ASI Shows, News About ASI The ASI Show Orlando kicked off a brand new show season – and a new year – at what we all hope is a turning point in our industry. This show really had it all – a rousing inspirational speech by General Colin L. Powell before 900, a “Gala Celebration” at Universal Studios attended by more than 700, and a strong Education Day attendance of nearly 1,200. ASI Orlando, which ended Tuesday after three action-packed days, proved to be an interactive event that allowed thousands of distributors to find the newest products, catalogs and pricing for the start of the sales season. We believe the show positioned suppliers and distributors for a great recovery year in 2010. Here’s what a few of them they had to say: Margit Fawbush, marketing manager of Norwood Promotional Products: “This year has been excellent. The traffic is steady. Distributors are eager to start new projects and are coming in with very specific requests as to what they are looking for. We have found ASI Orlando very beneficial.” Scott Anderson, national sales manager of Leed’s: “All the metrics that we consider important for a show are being hit and traffic’s been good. We’re very pleased with The ASI Show Orlando.” Gary Tuchler, VP of the south region for Brown & Bigelow: “ASI Orlando is a great way to kick off the New Year. We can get everyone together, get them motivated and ready to go. There are lots of new ideas, lots of excitement and lots of energy on the show floor.” Dave Crofoot, CEO of Western Associates: “The ASI Show Orlando has been great. Our salespeople are excited and have found many new ideas on the show floor.” You can read the full press release by clicking here. And watch full video coverage of The ASI Show Orlando at asicentral.com, with several education sessions from the New Distributor Success Track, as well as ASI-TV coverage of the 2010 ASI Fashion Show. Don’t forget: It’s not too early to register for the ASI Show in Dallas, from Monday, February 1, through Wednesday, February 3, and the all-new ASI Show in San Diego, from Wednesday, February 24, through Friday, February 26, at asishow.com. Tell me about your Orlando experiences by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Tuesday
January 5, 2010 Hot Orlando Product Videos and Interview With General PowellFiled under: ASI Shows, Industry Initiatives, News About ASI The last day of ASI Show Orlando is upon us and by all accounts education day (more than 60 learning opportunities!) and networking have been above par. This morning, a packed house greeted General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), the former Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of State. Show-goers hung on the general’s every word during his keynote, “Leadership: Inspiration for Extraordinary Times.” A standing-room-only crowd of more than 900 distributors, suppliers and decorators cheered as the Bronx-born four-star general told stories of overcoming challenges to lead organizations of all sizes – from a few dozen people to millions – through stressful times that required change, development of new solutions to problems and seeing beyond today. He cautioned the audience to avoid looking back in rearview mirrors, advising that looking forward is the only way to succeed. Giving your “followers” – whether they’re colleagues, family members or customers – superior tools, products and support is the way to win in a difficult economic climate. To watch Counselor editor Andy Cohen’s interview with Gen. Powell, click here. And last night, we also enjoyed a really fun fashion show – ASI’s third march down the runway. For photos, click here. In addition, I’d like to share four “Tim’s Takes” videos, shot right after my “Hot Seat” interview with Mark Godsey, president of Gold Bond and this year’s just-named Supplier of the Year. Mark gave us the inside track on what his company is doing to thrive, his 2010 outlook, and Gold Bond’s focus on customers – the true VIPs. Straight from the Advantages New Product Showcase, hot products highlighted in the videos include: Pocket-sized hand sanitizer from Custom HBC (asi/47935), which won in the Health & Beauty Category at the Counselor Distributor Choice Awards. This handy item is huge seller right now in the flu season. A two-in-one pocket calculator and business card holder from Bullet (asi/42424), a Distributor Choice Awards finalist. I just love combo products and this is really innovative – and practical. The nitro tumbler from Gold Bond (asi/57653), which keeps ice up to 15 hours without melting. I tried it this week and it really does work. Tell me what you think is this year’s hottest product by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Monday
January 4, 2010 Counselor Distributor Choice Award Winners and “Tim’s Take” VideoFiled under: ASI Shows, Industry Initiatives, Members, News About ASI We’re having a terrific time at the first show of the year in Orlando, despite getting caught in the same cold snap hitting the rest of the nation. Last night, we warmed things up by honoring the industry’s best at the 2010 Counselor Distributor Choice Awards and presenting the Supplier of the Year award to Gold Bond (asi/57653). The awards recognize the most-valued ASI suppliers in 50 product categories, as determined by ASI Supplier Performance Ratings and votes cast by over 2,500 distributors (a record for the competition). Nearly 150 finalists were recognized and 51 suppliers were named winners at a really fun ceremony. For the list of winners and finalists, and to view some awesome photos, visit asicentral.com/dcawards. Also take a look at a new video we just posted called “Tim’s Take,” which offers my insight into the industry and the new year, based on an interview I did for ASI TV with Editor-in-Chief Melinda Ligos. As I say in the video, as we greet 2010 and the first trade show of the year – which is shaping up as a success – I’m bullish as ever. Please let me know your outlook for 2010 by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Thursday
November 12, 2009 Colin Powell Live Q+A TuesdayFiled under: ASI Shows, News About ASI If you’ve ever wanted to question a general, now’s your chance. General Colin L. Powell, USA (ret.), the former Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of State, is the featured guest on ASI’s Internet Radio show this coming Tuesday at 10:30 am EST, and he’s taking your questions about leadership. To listen and watch the live video of the show in the studio, go to asicentral.com/radio. To ask a leadership-related question, call 215-953-4979 at approximately 10:20 a.m. EST on Tuesday. If you already know what you want to ask, just email your question now to radio@asicentral.com. If you’ve never tuned in for the radio show, you’re in for a treat. Every Tuesday from 10:30-11 a.m., the five co-hosts of the ASI Internet Radio show inform, amuse and astonish, attracting an ever-widening audience of loyal listeners. The hosts – Melinda Ligos, Andy Cohen, Kathy Huston, Michele Bell and Joe (“The Joe Show”) Haley – offer a weekly round up of industry news, controversies, trends and topics. Tuesday’s show will be devoted exclusively to General Powell, your questions and the industry news. General Powell is also our keynote speaker Tuesday, January 5, at The ASI Show Orlando. He’ll discuss ways we can emulate the leadership skills needed to remain focused, take responsibility, work toward improving processes within our organizations and motivate our employees in challenging times. Seating for this extraordinary event will be limited and ASI members should register now for ASI Orlando at asishow.com to be guaranteed a seat. What question do you think most people will ask General Powell? Post a comment or email me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. |
