Today we announced the fall 2009 launch of the ASI Holiday Expo, the industry\u2019s first and only national show focused on products for the important fall and holiday selling seasons.<\/p>\n
The ASI Holiday Expo will be limited to no more than 400 booths, and suppliers invited to exhibit will be required to have four or more stars in the ASI Supplier Rating System or be nominated by distributors.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This is the first time in the history of the industry that a national show’s exhibitor list has been limited based on ratings by distributors.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve been conducting research for nearly two years, and two things stand out:\u00a0 Suppliers now launch products year-round, not just once a year, and, second, distributors welcome the idea of an event that allows them to load up on fresh ideas and new products as they enter the vital fourth quarter \u2013 the largest quarter of the year in sales.<\/p>\n
Exhibits, education and hotel rooms for the Holiday Expo will be in a single facility, fostering a sense of community, networking, learning and selling.<\/p>\n
In addition to the exhibits, the ASI Holiday Expo will feature dozens of educational courses around three themes:<\/p>\n
Wearables University<\/strong> will explain decorating methods, new trends in clothing styles and colors for the fall and spring seasons, and introduce new selling strategies for every type of wearables product.<\/p>\n Stitches<\/em> University<\/strong> attendees will learn the latest trends and techniques in embroidery, with business management courses for new and prospective embroidery professionals.<\/p>\n ASI Executive Gift Conference<\/strong> will focus on creating and executing corporate gift programs, evaluating fulfillment opportunities and will introduce holiday selling strategies.<\/p>\n The ASI Holiday Expo, which will replace the former ASI Show in Las Vegas and we\u2019re also discussing a number of shows and seminars that might co-locate with us in Las Vegas.\u00a0 We\u2019re evaluating those now and expect to make final decisions shortly.<\/p>\n Dates at two venues are currently being negotiated and final dates for the Holiday Expo will be announced in the next several weeks.\u00a0 To receive the dates as soon as they are announced, send an email to asiholidayexpo@asicentral.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n