Registration Open

West building outside of Hall F2

7:45 AM - 5:00 PM

Keynote With Carolyn Strauss - "I Want THAT!" 5 Ways To Make You & Your Company Irresistible (Free coffee & tea)

Ballroom S100

8:30 AM - 9:45 AM

Sales and persuasion expert Carolyn Strauss knows how to make buyers desperately want the items she's selling. In fact, as a premier clothing designer on the Home Shopping Network, she sold over $160 million in merchandise to people who never actually expressed interest in making a purchase.

In this dynamic keynote, Strauss will share the 5 secrets she used to move HSN viewers from apathy to action, and how she built incredible rapport that kept them coming back to her company - and to her. You'll learn how tap into the part of the brain that makes decisions and how to light a fire inside your clients and prospects, ensuring that every pitch ends with them saying, “I want THAT!”

Free Coffee

ASI Booth 841

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Stop by for a cup of coffee

EXHIBIT FLOOR OPEN (Show Opening Celebration)

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Fun, Demos & Prizes (both days)

ASI Booth 841

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Swing by and explore business-driving tools with a product demo, then Spin to Win great business-building prizes, such as free promotional videos, a Lenovo laptop and more.

How To Win the Business of Fortune 500 Companies

Power Session - Booth 290

11:00 AM - 11:50 AM

Fortune 500 firms have countless promo product needs, typically spending $5 million to $25 million on promo every year. Engaging these iconic brands requires a strategic, personalized approach, including doing thorough research, building relationships, demonstrating value, and communicating effectively and creatively. (What's not required is owning a $100 million distributorship; small to midsize companies often successfully compete against larger distributorships.) In this session, you'll discover tactics to help you capture the Fortune 500's attention and land their business, and leave knowing:

• When to pursue or pass on RFPs
• How to find the promo buyers at huge firms
• What “maverick” spend means - and why you should want it
• How to expose a large distributorship's weaknesses
• The margins needed to win the bid
• Why a $10,000 order at 25% margin is better than a $2,000 order at 40%
• How to solve cash-flow challenges for large orders.

Packaging for Profit: Implement the Most Underused Trick in Your Toolbox

Power Session - Booth 290

12:00 PM - 12:50 PM

It's vital to differentiate yourself from the competition, and packaging is one of the easiest ways to do that. Packaging is an industry hot topic - in fact, it was named by ASI as the 2022 Promotional Product of the Year. Utilizing this often-overlooked tool in your marketing arsenal will help you stand out and close more sales. In this session, you'll hear real-life case histories, explore production dynamics, and learn how Millennial and Gen Z promo buyers are driving changes in traditional packaging.

Express Massages in Refresh & Recharge Lounge

Booth 1391

12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Indulge in a free massage by a licensed therapist while you charge your device.

Tools To Help You Sell More Merch

Power Session - Booth 290

1:00 PM - 1:50 PM

Whether you're new to promo or a longtime veteran, this session will help increase your sales by sharing essential tools you can use today. PCNA experts will delve into common industry terminology, materials and subcategories, and discuss what you need to know about bags, drinkware, stationery, apparel and other top product categories. Elevate your knowledge to expert status, and leave ready to pitch the industry's leading styles and latest merch trends to your clients.

Counselor 70th Anniversary Celebration

ASI Booth 841

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Stop by for a slice of cake and a fun photo opp to celebrate this awesome milestone!

Garrett Popcorn in Taste of Chicago

Booth 1295

1:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Enjoy a free sample of this world-famous snack.

Printing Industry 101: All About Print Products & Your Sales Opportunities

Power Session - Booth 290

2:00 PM - 2:50 PM

Print is a broad and profitable product category - in fact, it has annual revenue of $100 billion. Many of your current promo clients already use print to support their operations, create market awareness and sell products. In this session, you'll dive into the print industry and learn about the key players, profitable product opportunities, demand trends, production methods, and how you can add print to your promo business.

360-Degree Photos

Booth 897

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Take home a fun photo to remember the show.

Spotlight Yourself: Telling Your Story & Sharing Your Narrative

Power Session - Booth 290

3:00 PM - 3:50 PM

When every distributor has access to promo products, getting noticed by potential customers comes down to what you offer that no one else can: yourself. In this session you'll explore the crucial 3 Ws that form your marketing story: Who are you? What do you do? Why should anyone care? Plus, you'll expand into nailing down the “how” that creates your narrative- the real reasons buyers will want to work with you. You'll leave knowing:

• How to craft compelling marketing narratives, including through AI
• When to share your story vs. when your narrative is needed
• How to be instructional and intentional in your messages.

ASI Happy Hour

ASI Booth 841

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Join us for wine, beer or a soft drink near the end of the day ... just because!

Counselor Awards - Suggested Dress: Cocktail attire; suit jackets for men (INVITATION ONLY)

5:15 PM - 7:45 PM

This invitation-only event honors the Top 40 suppliers and distributors as well as outstanding individuals in the promo industry including the Person of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Distributor and Supplier Entrepreneurs of the Year, and many more.

ASI Gala at House of Blues - Dress Code: Casual (Ticket Required)

7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Make memories with your friends and colleagues at the ASI Gala at the famed House of Blues Chicago Music Hall. Located in the heart of Chicago's Marina City complex, the House of Blues combines music, art and cuisine into an immersive and unforgettable experience. Network with industry colleagues as you indulge in unique cocktails at the open bar and delicious Southern soul food (with a modern twist). Explore Southern Vernacular Art from over 150 artists, which covers the walls of every room, and don't forget to hit the dance floor for live music and karaoke with the most talented musicians around. Plus, you can capture the fun in our ASI Photo Booth. Be there for a night to remember!