Innovation was key to the success of the debut ASI Show ConneX^™, an in-person event that blended the hosted-buyer concept with a product expo, with attendees enjoying productive, one-on-one meetings along with demos of the latest promotional products.

Over 3.5 days, ASI Show facilitated more than 2,000 individual meetings between suppliers and distributors – an industry first – with additional meetings taking place during networking activities and the product expo.

ConneX was held September 28-October 1 at the luxury Cosmopolitan resort on the famous Las Vegas Strip. During private meetings in individual suites, highly qualified suppliers leveraged ASI’s state-of-the-art technology to connect with top distributors who were a sales match based on markets sold, product interest and other data points.

Timothy M. Andrews, ASI president and chief executive officer, described ConneX as an unqualified success. “Going in, we didn’t know if the industry would embrace a new, one-of-a-kind concept in promo events, but the reviews are in and they’re spectacular. We’re already planning next year’s ConneX, further refining this winning formula, so mark your calendar for September 2022 and be sure to join us.”

A total of 175 industry professionals attended the hosted-buyer portion of the event, with more than 100 additional distributors pre-registered for the product expo held on the final day. The expo was open to any sized distributor in the promo industry.

Suppliers and distributors who attended the premiere cited the event’s unique matchmaking format and results-driven networking in their personal customer-satisfaction reviews. Jeffrey Brenner, director of special markets for Indigo Watch (asi/62560), summed it up for many, saying, “Great event! Strong meetings, great opportunities, realistic projects to bid and strong new relationships have been forged.”

Brandon Westmoreland, sales manager for National Banner Company (asi/73280), said, “I was really excited by this matchmaking meeting format because of my niche product line, which would benefit from a more selective and fine-tuned meeting schedule. Reviewing the event’s participants to set up meetings with those who offered me the most opportunity led to great conversations that have been highly productive to the point that the 18-minute meetings were just not long enough.”