Discover all the sessions and events to make the most of your ASI Show experience.
View/Print PDF of Schedule Download Education Handouts|
8 a.m. - |
||
|
8:30 - |
||
|
10 a.m. - |
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. EXPO HALL OPEN |
|
|
11 - |
11 - 11:50 a.m.
Booth #851
|
|
|
12 - |
||
|
1 - |
1 - 1:50 p.m.
Booth #851
|
|
|
2 - |
2 - 2:50 p.m.
Booth #851
|
|
|
7 - |
7 - 10 p.m.
|
|
|
8 a.m. - |
||
|
8:30 - |
||
|
10 a.m. - |
10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. EXPO HALL OPEN |
|
|
11 - |
11 - 11:50 a.m.
Booth #851
|
|
|
12 - |
12 - 12:50 p.m.
Booth #851
|
|
|
2:30 - |
||
Grow your business with information-packed sessions to help you stay ahead of the competition, connect with clients and close more deals.
These sessions will show you how to successfully market your business - and yourself. You'll learn to use social media tools to achieve your goals, and leave with strategies and tips to really stand out from the crowd.
Taught by decoration experts, these interactive sessions feature innovative heat press techniques, decorating machinery in action, and advice on choosing the best products and printing methods for your clients' campaigns.
In these sessions you'll dive into the latest version of ASI's ESP+ – the industry's largest, most accurate sourcing and marketing service – and see how AI can help grow your sales. Plus, you'll find out how you can enter the printing industry, and see the product trends that will drive Q4 and holiday gifting.
Take a break from the show floor and discover ways to improve your sales and social media skills, and dive into the latest version of ASI's ESP.
Take a break from the show floor and dive into the latest version of ASI's ESP, see how AI can help grow your sales, and learn how to make the best product recommendations for your buyers.

With so many great events taking place at the ASI Show, it can be a daunting task trying to fit everything in. As a new attendee, we know how important it is for you to get the most out of the time you have - but where do you start? Join ASI's Vice Chairman Matthew Cohn as he shares great tips for working the show more effectively, and hear about all the free services and amenities available to distributors/decorators while at an ASI Show.

Responding to RFPs doesn't have to be frustrating. Through real-world examples and interactive discussions, this session will explore how AI tools can streamline your process and help you respond faster, smarter and more strategically – even with limited resources. Whether you're just starting to use AI or looking to optimize your current tools, you'll walk away with a practical plan to modernize your RFP process, including how to:

Sustainability isn't an abstract concept – it's rooted in climate science and framed by global goals like the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals. It's also growing in importance every day, which means that even if you're a small distributorship, your clients are already starting to expect proof of sustainability from their promo partners. If you can't provide that, you risk losing deals and revenue.
This session will connect the dots between climate change, what sustainability really is and why it directly affects your sales pipeline. You'll learn about the sustainability “must haves” (certifications, GHG reporting, EcoVadis ratings), how to highlight even small actions you take that matter to buyers of all sizes, and how to position sustainability as a sales advantage.
During this event you'll enjoy lunch and conversation with your distributor peers, and see the latest products and trends from suppliers - plus, you'll learn the best ways to pitch them to your clients.
PLEASE NOTE: A ticket is required to guarantee your free lunch. 200 tickets are available. Pick up your ticket (1 per person) at the Education Desk starting at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, January 5. Ticket holders must arrive by 12:05 p.m.

Good employee communication is vital to the success of any company, and even more so in a family business. During this interactive session with senior therapist Dr. Steve Treat, you'll examine family dynamics as they pertain to running a business. You'll leave with insights and skills that can help family members of all ages get past their differences and lead to better communication, business practices and interpersonal relationships.

Join Katie Kailik, ASI's 2025 Supplier Salesperson of the Year, for an engaging and practical session on building trust-based relationships with your supplier network. Drawing from her proven success, she'll share actionable strategies to help you collaborate more effectively with supplier reps to become true partners in the sales process. You'll discover:

If you've ever wondered exactly what AI is – and how can it genuinely help you run your distributorship more efficiently – this session is for you! Cutting through all the hype and jargon, this session will break down the essential AI concepts you need to understand, and show you three powerful, free or low-cost tools that can automate key daily tasks, predict future trends and instantly clarify your business data. This is your practical, fear-free introduction to the future of small-business success.
During this interactive final session of the day, you'll hear from many of the ASI Show's speakers as they recap the most important takeaways from their sessions. Don't miss this chance to pick up some effective strategies you may have missed.
Don't miss this exclusive preview of NEW products that suppliers will highlight in their booths on both Exhibit Days. You'll enjoy free beer, wine and soft drinks while getting insider sales tips from suppliers.

The way people buy, trust and engage with businesses has changed more in the last five years than in the last 50. Big companies are still relying on volume and carefully polished slogans, but small firms are winning by being real, agile and relatable. In a world flooded with messaging and consumer skepticism, buyer behavior data proves that showcasing your authenticity is the new competitive edge. This session will reveal practical strategies to help you:

You know AI can help you write a blog post, but that's just the start! In this session, you'll go deeper and discover how to use AI to uncover hidden customer needs, automate competitive analysis, rapidly A/B test your entire sales pitch, and even build highly targeted ad campaigns – all without needing a large team or a marketing degree. Don't miss this chance to learn five strategies to grow your client list starting today.

Trying to serve every customer can halt your business growth. In this session, you'll learn how focusing on a specific niche can drive more revenue, deliver better clients and create faster momentum. You'll hear real strategies used by top distributors who scaled by going narrow, not wide, and leave knowing:

Your customers want more than pens and polos – they want to know that those products help support the planet. In this session, you'll get real info about climate change and sustainability, why they matter to your business, and how you can integrate sustainability into your brand without getting buried in extra work or costs. Plus, you'll discover simple, practical steps to weave sustainability into your brand story, choose better products and speak the language your clients expect. The result is a stronger brand, deeper trust and more closed deals.

Today's buyers crave authenticity over traditional advertising, and the old model of one-size-fits-all messaging is falling flat. This session will explore the Marketing Mosaic, a fresh approach that replaces the single-message mindset with a dynamic collection of micro-stories. These small strategic narratives reveal the real people, values and moments behind your brand – building trust, sparking connection and creating a lasting impression. You'll leave ready to:

Hats are one of the fastest-growing promotional products, and this session will demonstrate how you can capitalize on this expanding opportunity. You'll see popular styles, including trucker hats, snapbacks, dad hats and beanies, and learn how heat printing with retail-trending patches and emblems creates bold, on-brand designs that maximize visibility and impressions for your clients.

This session will explore ways you can tap into the growing demand for personalized promotional products like umbrellas, backpacks, tumblers and tech accessories. You'll see how high-quality transfers can be applied to non-traditional materials – often without needing a heat press – and learn how interchangeable heat press platens make decorating hard-to-print items easier than ever.

Small and one-off orders of decorated apparel have a reputation for taking too much time while delivering too little profit. But when you utilize print on demand, those orders can become a steady, profitable part of your business. In this session, you'll learn what the most successful distributors are doing to make small runs fast, clean and easy, and leave knowing how to:

Once you've mastered small orders, it's time to scale them. This session will dive into how forward-thinking distributors are turning one-off print jobs into fully managed, revenue-generating programs. You'll learn how to use on-demand technology and fulfillment solutions to connect e-commerce, decoration and distribution for repeatable success. From corporate-merchandise stores to influencer drops and event programs, you'll discover how automation and print-on-demand workflows can help you deliver faster, reduce waste and increase client loyalty – all with zero inventory risk.

Starting out as a promotional products distributor is an exciting time, and with a little help from our experts, it can be a seamless transition for your business. Learn all about the industry and the first steps to take to ensure your success, including establishing a business plan, targeting the correct markets, using the right tools and resources, continuing your industry education and so much more.


Trends reveal where consumer demand is headed, guiding how we connect branded products to people in meaningful ways. From shifting lifestyles and evolving values to emerging aesthetics and new product innovations, understanding trends helps turn insights into opportunities. In this session, you'll explore the major forces shaping the year ahead and see how to translate them into promo solutions that inspire buyers, excite end-users and drive sales success.
Sponsor
asi/78897

ESP+ is the industry's #1 business platform – and one of your most important sales assets. In this session, you'll see how to create impactful, polished client presentations that showcase products, customize pricing, tell a story and help close the deal faster.

Selling print doesn't have to be intimidating, but many promo distributors hesitate to recommend print-heavy products due to misconceptions surrounding cost, complexity and consistency. In this session, you'll debunk the myths and gain the knowledge and language you need to confidently present print solutions to clients. Plus, you'll hear case studies of distributors who grew their business by leaning into print and discover how sharing your knowledge can help you stand out in a crowded market.

This session will guide you through planning, negotiating and fulfilling orders, all within ESP+. You'll discover how the platform makes it easy to keep projects on track, improve collaboration and ensure accuracy across every transaction.
Kick-start the first Exhibit Day at this can't-miss networking event. You'll join fellow distributors in small-group brainstorming sessions designed to explore new ideas, share perspectives and spark innovative solutions. Mark your calendar for this dynamic blend of inspiration, collaboration and connection – plus a free breakfast!
First come, first served.
Sponsor
asi/68507

In this session, you'll discover how ESP+ Stores simplify the sales journey for your clients, strengthen buyer relationships, and open new opportunities for growth while making your workflow more efficient than ever before.

Are your social posts getting lost in the feed? In this actionable session, you'll discover the real-world strategies that helped PCNA transform its social presence into a powerful marketing tool. From time-saving content planning to finding the right platform mix and boosting engagement with minimal spend, you'll get expert insights to cut through the noise and connect with customers. You'll walk away with fresh ideas, sample post frameworks and practical tips you can immediately apply to grow your own business on social, no matter your team size or budget.
Sponsor
asi/78897

Too often, distributors mistake their daily point-of-contact for the person who holds the power to approve a deal. In this session, you'll learn how to tell when you're stuck too low in the organization, how to respectfully navigate upward and how to tailor your pitch to resonate with the real decision-makers. You'll leave ready to:

Allee Bruce is an editor at PRINTING United Alliance, where she leads content for Promo Impressions and contributes across the Alliance's portfolio of print-focused brands. With eight years in the printing industry, she has covered various segments, including apparel decoration, wide-format and promotional products.
Promo distributors may not print products themselves, but their reputation hinges on the quality and consistency of the print partners they choose. In this session, you'll learn how to build and maintain a strong, diversified printer network that supports your business goals and delivers exceptional results for your clients. From vetting suppliers to managing proofing and quality control, you'll hear practical insights to help you become a trusted print consultant and grow your sales without added overhead.
This invitation-only event honors 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, as well as recognizes the Top 40 suppliers and distributors.
Experience Ole Red Orlando, Blake Shelton's vibrant live-music venue at ICON Park. With Southern-inspired food, signature drinks and an authentic country atmosphere, it's the perfect spot for a lively, unforgettable night.
Reserve Ticket
Melissa McGhie Proctor is the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena. In this role, she oversees the day-to-day operations of the club's marketing, Hawks Studios creative agency, live experience and production, retail and brand merchandising, corporate social responsibility, brand communications, basketball programs, and entertainment industry relations teams. She also works closely with executive leadership to provide strategy for the organization and was the creator of the award-winning 2020-2021 MLK Nike City Edition uniform strategy.
Proctor joined the Hawks organization in June 2014 as Vice President of Brand Strategy. She previously worked at Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., holding positions in brand development and strategy for Turner Entertainment Networks (including TNT and TBS), Cartoon Network and Turner Media Group. Among her accomplishments, she was responsible for managing the naming and identity for the rebranding of Court TV as truTV, and leading corporate culture initiatives to foster employee engagement, collaboration and innovation.
Even though Proctor never played basketball, her childhood dream was to be the first female coach in the NBA. She became part of the NBA during high school as the first “team attendant”/ ball girl for the Miami Heat organization, and in later years, worked in the Heat's basketball operations division.
Over her career, her professional achievements have earned her accolades from a multitude of publications and organizations. She is also the author of the best-selling From Ball Girl to CMO, and she serves on multiple boards. A Miami native, Proctor currently resides in Atlanta.
Be in the room with award-winning marketer Melissa Proctor as she shares her journey and insights into developing world-class brands across entertainment and sports. The Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the NBA's Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena started her career as the first ball girl for the NBA's Miami Heat, and she's followed an unconventional, remarkable and successful path ever since.
Proctor will explore the essential elements of brand building and staying relevant, emphasizing the power of the F word: FOCUS. Through real-life examples and tactics for success, she'll present a unique framework for approaching your brand strategy. Whether you're creating a new brand or refining your existing one, you'll walk away inspired and equipped with practical steps to build a winning, authentic brand.

The ESP+ Presentation Tool is one of your strongest sales assets, if you know how to use it strategically. In this session you'll learn how to master product search, build curated Collections, and create polished AI-enhanced presentations to impress every client.

In this session, you'll discover how ESP+ Stores simplify the sales journey for your clients, strengthen buyer relationships, and open new opportunities for growth while making your workflow more efficient than ever before.
Step into the world of commercial printing and learn how you can grow your revenue and become even more invaluable to your clients. Selling print is the perfect opportunity to diversify and add balance to your promo business during market ups and downs.
You'll enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour and discover how DFS produces everything from checks and business cards to catalogs and signage. You'll also see some of the incredible custom capabilities they offer, so you can give your clients exactly the look they want. Plus, you'll get a sneak peek at an exciting, brand-new product made with a patented process that will be revealed at ASI Show Chicago!
All attendees will receive a "Big Opportunities" bag of gifts, samples, exclusive offers and more, plus free transportation and lunch. No open-toed shoes, please.
Meet in the Registration Lobby by 9:50 a.m. with your Show ID Badge. Tour attendance is limited and is strictly first come, first served. Add it to your registration here.
The best way to end your ASI Show experience is at the Closing Celebration, where you can collect new friends' business cards and relax before heading home. Enjoy beer, wine and other beverages while the DJ spins some tunes.
Exciting prizes will also be given away during the ASI Passport drawing.
While at ASI Shows, ASI distributor members can participate in the ASI Passport. Don't just scan the show floor - this is your opportunity to learn more about the participating ASI Passport exhibitor participants and their products, and your chance to win amazing prizes. When visiting each participating exhibitor, ask them their question provided on your ASI Passport, fill in the answer, get a sticker and add your information. Then, drop off your completed Passport at Registration and you could win one of a variety of exciting prizes! Winners are chosen at each ASI Show during the Closing Celebration.
Must be 18 or older to win.
Winner must be present to receive the prize.
Winner must be present to receive the prize.
Submit your questions here and we'll be in touch. Need assistance registering for an event? Speak to our Registration Specialists at (800) 546-3300 or asishowregistration@asicentral.com.
