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Friday
September 18, 2009 More Hot Products from VegasFiled under: ASI Shows, Industry Initiatives, News About ASI, Using Ad Specialties The ASI Holiday & Incentives Expo in Las Vegas attracted distributors and decorators from 48 states and 12 countries, thanks to cool new products likes the ones featured in my latest hot products video:
Light-up cup, from Envision Marketing Group, a Counselor HOT Party sponsor (asi/52519). This sturdy acrylic cup comes in multiple colors and is a sure bet to brighten up any bash. Desk Dots, from Dynomighty Design (asi/51169). I use these on my desk to hold an astonishing array of items, from paper clips to a fat stack of business cards. They’re amazingly magnetic and make a really cool corporate gift. The Can Grip, New Digitally Printed Umbrella, from Windbrella (asi/97247). With its quick, 48-hour turnaround, this is a perfect product for family reunions and corporate events – your digital photos imprinted right on an umbrella. You can click here to watch the video. I’d love to hear about your experiences in Vegas, so post a comment or email me here. I’m also on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Wednesday
September 16, 2009 We’re Launching a San Diego ShowFiled under: ASI Shows, Community, Industry Initiatives, News About ASI While we’re here at the ASI Holiday & Incentives Expo, I’m announcing some big show news: ASI is launching a new ASI Show this February in sunny San Diego. You voted and we listened, which is why we’re adding this great West Coast location. After months of strategic review, including analyses of distributor and supplier locations, show attendance trends, penetration levels of show attendance and consultation with the show advisory board, San Diego stood out as the clear choice. We also kept in mind two things: we wanted to avoid interfering with PPAI Expo in January, and the SAAC show in Long Beach in August. Here are some very compelling — and perhaps surprising — fast facts about our industry in the San Diego area: — California has the largest single concentration of distributors of any state. — Half the distributor firms in California don’t currently send a salesperson to a show. — California has the largest single concentration of suppliers of any state, and a bit more than half don’t exhibit at a trade show. — California has the strongest annualized growth of any state, in terms of distributors and suppliers, over the past five years. All indications point to the business climate rebounding faster there, versus many other regions. I’m of course very excited about the new ASI Show San Diego and what we believe it will do to serve West Coast promotional products businesses better. I look forward to seeing you there, from Wednesday, February 24, through Friday, February 26, 2010. Education Day will be on Wednesday. Perfectly timed to kick-off the first quarter in Southern California, this show is the ideal platform for suppliers to showcase new products and services to thousands of distributors. Further, it joins a full schedule of ASI Shows, including national events in Orlando, Dallas, Las Vegas, New York and Chicago. To read the press release, click here. I’d love to hear your thoughts about our new show, so post a comment now or email me here. I’m also on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Tuesday
September 1, 2009 New office products discount program for ASI CanadaFiled under: Industry Initiatives, Member Benefits, News About ASI We’re very proud of our commitment to our Canadian So I’m delighted to announce another new member benefit that gives ASI Canada members substantial discounts on over 250,000 items through office superstore Grand & Toy. Unless you’ve spent time in Canada, you may not have heard of Grand & Toy, but ASI is proudly partnering with the 127-year-old company to offer this exclusive discount program. Here’s what you get:
Jay Ostrow is our executive director of distributor services for ASI Canada and he’s most pleased with the testimony offered by Grand & Toy customers attesting to the company’s service, reliability and competitive pricing. As Jay puts it, “This program delivers first-class service and provides savings instantly. It’s another huge plus for our members in Canada.” The office products discount program joins other member savings programs for ASI Canada, including discounts on UPS® small package and freight shipping, UPS customs and brokerage services, email marketing tools, digital artwork services and credit card processing. I urge you take advantage of as many savings programs as you can – they really add up and save your business time and money. To read more in the press release, click here. I’d love to know what your experience has been with this and other member benefits so post a comment now or email me here.
Monday
August 31, 2009 ASI Promotes Industry on MSNBCFiled under: Community, Industry Initiatives, Media Coverage, Members, News About ASI ASI publisher Rich Fairfield made like a TV star last week during a lively appearance on MSNBC’s “Your Business.” The hot topic was the proven value of using ad specialties to market your business at trade shows. As Rich and host J.J. Ramberg Click here to watch the video. They also advised companies to decide what they want to spend and to choose an item that truly reflects their business. Here are the products in the segment:
If you’re a distributor, I urge you to email the video link to your clients, so they can get more ideas for products that can help their marketing campaigns. I’d love to know what must-see products made a difference in your marketing at your last trade show so post a comment now or email me here.
Wednesday
August 19, 2009 Second virtual trade show a successFiled under: ASI Shows, Industry Initiatives, News About ASI Our second free online event just ended, and I’m happy to report we drew over 2,000 attendees – during the dog days of summer no less. More than 20 top suppliers exhibited, including Fields Manufacturing Inc. (asi/54100), Tri-Mountain Inc. (asi/92125) and Maple Ridge Farms Inc. (asi/68680). Distributors enjoyed online ASI Education sessions while all attendees networked and sold in real-time through interactive multimedia booths. Participants may have looked like avatars online, but the deal-making was as real as it gets. Our second show followed our first, held in May, and generated an equally enthusiastic response from attendees. Here’s a sampling of some comments from “real-time” chatters who posted their reactions throughout the day: “Wanted to let you know that I found the ASI virtual show helpful,” said Bob Roof, president of Business Partner of Polaris (asi/152973). “I look forward to hearing back from vendors that I have an interest in.” “Thank you for today’s show,” said Linda Richard, owner of K&B/Print City (asi/470621). “First time trying this. Found it very interesting and appreciate all the work and effort that went into doing something like this!” As you can see from the photos, ASI employees manned the computers in “tradeshow central,” solving issues, making suggestions and answering questions, acting pretty much like online tour guides to ensure everyone who attended enjoyed a fantastic virtual experience. Even if you couldn’t make it today, you can still access the show for a few months more, available on demand at www.asicentral.com/vts, beginning Monday, August 24. If you attended, I’d love to hear about your experiences, so please post a comment now or email me here.
Tuesday
August 18, 2009 General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.) Speaking at Orlando ShowFiled under: ASI Shows, Industry Initiatives, News About ASI We’re all fighting to advance our businesses during tumultuous times, which is why I’m so pleased General Colin Powell – a dedicated soldier and accomplished statesman – is joining us in Orlando for a must-see event certain to propel us stronger and smarter into 2010 and beyond. General Powell electrified a packed house with an incredibly moving Throughout his distinguished career, General Powell looked well beyond single battles to strategies that changed the playing field altogether. That’s exactly what we all need to do now: determine where we want to go and then make it happen by changing business models, leading sales and pushing growth. During his exclusive presentation – “Leadership: Inspiration for Extraordinary Times” – General Powell will discuss how each of us 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. Strategies for practicing true leadership and taking charge during times of great change will be covered and discussed. General Powell is, in my mind, one of the most admired leadership experts in America. He’s been a leader most of his life and has received numerous military, civilian and foreign state awards, including an honorary knighthood bestowed by H.M. Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. He’s also the best-selling author of My American Journey and remains active as founder of the Colin Powell Policy Center at the City College of New York (his alma mater). Seating for this extraordinary event will be limited and ASI members should register for ASI Orlando at www.asishow.com by September 30 to be guaranteed a seat. The ASI Show Orlando is the industry’s first national show of the year and largest event on the East Coast, is taking place on Sunday, January 3, through Tuesday, January 5, 2010. The schedule will feature a full day of ASI Education (January 3), followed by two exhibit days (January 4-5). General Powell’s keynote will be on Tuesday morning. General Powell’s topic will be timely, as distributors, suppliers and decorators aim to kick-off the New Year in a positive way. Let me know what you think of this announcement or the upcoming shows. Post a comment now or email me here.
Monday
August 17, 2009 ASI Presents Second Virtual Trade ShowFiled under: ASI Shows, Industry Initiatives, News About ASI Back by popular demand – the ASI Virtual Trade We heard your feedback following our inaugural show in May – which many attendees thought was very productive, educational and beneficial – and we’re hosting our second free online virtual trade show this Wednesday, August 19. The all-day event will feature more than 20 top suppliers, including Fields Manufacturing Inc. (asi/54100), Tri-Mountain Inc. (asi/92125) and Maple Ridge Farms Inc. (asi/68680). Distributors can participate in ASI Education sessions online, and distributors, suppliers and decorators can network and sell in real-time through interactive multimedia booths. Our first show in May attracted over 2,000 participants and averaged 1,300 visitors per booth. Attendees told us that the virtual experience was “awesome,” “easy to navigate” and “outstanding and innovative.” Margit Fawbush, marketing manager for Norwood Promotional Products, Inc. (asi/63110), said Norwood saw a big bump in norwood.com web traffic as a result of the links from their booth and described the show as “an excellent experience.” So we hustled to provide another smart opportunity for distributors, suppliers and decorators to connect, sell and build market share. This week’s show will have 11 new suppliers that weren’t at the first one. More information about the areas of the show are in the press release: click here. Registration for distributors for free. And when distributors register, they receive a free download of ASI’s new Distributor Success System – worth $299 – with tips and proven strategies to spur business. Attendees also have a chance to win over $17,000 in cash and prizes, just by visiting and interacting with suppliers in the Exhibit Hall. To register, click here. For more information, or to become an exhibitor, contact Dan Dienna, advertising director for catalogs and electronics, at ddienna@asicentral.com. I’d love to hear about your experiences with the virtual show, so post a comment now or email me here. |
and motivating speech at a 2007 show that pulled the entire crowd to its feet. I can’t wait to see how he inspires us in Orlando during such a critical time in our history. The former Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of State will be our keynote speaker Tuesday, January 5, 2010, at The ASI Show.
Show.