The ASI Trade Show was held at the McCormick Place in Chicago on Tuesday – Thursday, July 12th – 14th.
The show began with an education day consisting of lectures on everything ranging from digital marketing to apparel decoration.
Tuesday also consisted of a free information session: How to Get the Most Out of Your Trade Show Experience, and ASI’s take on the popular game show Minute to Win It.
The show room floor, which held over 600 exhibitors, was open on Wednesday and Thursday to highlight the latest and greatest in ad specialties.
Over 1,750 distributors and representatives walked the trade show floor to network and see what’s new in the promotional products industry.
Wednesday morning, prior to the show’s opening, ASI hosted Sell to Win – Hot Markets! New Products!, an interactive game show style event. Here, the top promotional product purchasing industries were matched up with items found in various booths at the show. Contestants were challenged with crafting a sales pitch for the product to the designated industry with the chance to win a cash prize.
Wednesday also included free decoration education sessions including sublimation and embroidery, a cocktail reception, and the Counselor Awards.
On Thursday morning, ASI hosted political power couple, James Carville and Mary Matalin, for a keynote address. The married couple, who share vastly differing party views kept the audience alert with their back and forth banter discussing Clinton and Trump and what each if elected, would mean for the small businesses in attendance.
Thursday also included some additional decorating sessions, a breakfast reception for invited ASI certification holders, and a closing celebration.
ASI will hold the 2017 trade show at the same location on July 11th – 13th.
ASI also has trade shows in Orlando on January 18th – 20th, and Dallas on February 1st – 3rd.
What did you think of the show? Let us know in the comments below. You can also follow us on Instagram using the hashtag #hatswork.
