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ASI Show Chicago Brings Together Thousands of Promo Professionals for Hot Products and Networking Ahead of the Holiday Selling Season

TREVOSE, PA – July 8 2026

Three-day event features hundreds of top suppliers, AI education,

Red Lobster CEO Damola Adamolekun keynote and business-building opportunities

Promotional products distributors looking to strengthen mid-year and fourth-quarter sales, discover new products and build stronger supplier relationships will gather July 21-23 at McCormick Place Convention Center for ASI Show Chicago, the Midwest’s largest promotional products trade show.

Bringing together thousands of distributors, suppliers and industry leaders, the 27th annual ASI Chicago offers three days of product sourcing, networking, education and hands-on technology demonstrations designed to help distributors return to their businesses with fresh ideas in time for the critical holiday selling season.

“Business moves faster than ever and there’s no substitute for getting face-to-face with the people and products shaping what’s next,” said ASI CEO Ashish Mittal. “ASI Show Chicago brings together the industry’s brightest minds and most innovative suppliers in one place. It’s where relationships deepen, new ideas take shape and distributors discover practical strategies they can put to work immediately. I’m excited to attend my first ASI Show and experience the energy and collaboration that make this industry so special.”

Attendee surveys underscore the value of ASI Shows:

  • 98% reported ASI Shows are critical to product sourcing.
  • 99% found products and services that met clients’ immediate needs.
  • 96% discovered products or services that helped expand their markets.

Register and get full details at asishow.com. Among the highlights:

Tuesday, July 21 – Education Day

Before the Expo Hall opens, distributors can sharpen their competitive edge through more than 20 expert-led education sessions covering an array of business-building topics like “5 Hot Ways AI Can Help You Get More Clients,” as well as sessions on holiday gifting trends, modern marketing tactics, selling print, sustainability, product decoration and print on demand, sales strategies and more.

High points include:

  • ASI Co-Chair Matthew Cohn’s popular opening session on maximizing the ASI Show experience.
  • Lunch & Learn, where suppliers share product ideas and selling strategies while attendees enjoy lunch.
  • Tactics & Takeaways, featuring practical insights from the day’s education sessions.
  • The New Product Preview Reception, offering an exclusive first look at innovative products in a relaxed networking atmosphere with refreshments.

Wednesday, July 22 – Products, technology and networking

The Expo Hall opens with hundreds of leading suppliers showcasing the latest promotional products across every category, helping distributors source ideas for client campaigns and holiday programs.

The day also features:

  • Breakfast Boost, combining networking, wellness and collaborative problem-solving.
  • The New Product Showcase, where attendees can scan QR codes to instantly access product information and order through ESP+.
  • Personalized support sessions and hands-on Innovator Workshops demonstrating how to maximize ESP+.
  • Promo Pep Talks featuring quick, practical business insights.
  • Mix & Mingle networking sessions connecting women in promo, industry newcomers and other peer groups.
  • Complimentary professional headshots through the Mix & Model experience.

Wednesday evening concludes with the popular ASI Gala Cruise aboard the Spirit of Chicago, featuring dinner, entertainment and fireworks over the Chicago skyline.

Thursday, July 23 – Big ideas and business growth

The final day begins with keynote speaker Damola Adamolekun, the 37-year-old CEO leading Red Lobster’s turnaround following bankruptcy and more than $1 billion in debt. During a candid on-stage conversation with Mittal, Adamolekun will share leadership lessons on rebuilding brands, improving customer experience, leveraging social media and driving sustainable growth.

The final day of the Expo Hall gives distributors additional opportunities to discover products and meet new suppliers before heading home with fresh campaign ideas for the year’s busiest selling season.

Registration for ASI Chicago remains open at asishow.com. To continue midyear momentum, register to also visit the ASI Show Pavilion at PRINTING United Expo, September 23-25 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Expo is where distributors explore the growing connection between print and promo, meet providers from both industries and discover products and solutions to bring back to clients. The ASI Show® Pavilion features promo suppliers alongside print professionals, making it easy to discover new categories, ideas and business connections across both markets.

For more information on ASI Show, contact Andy Cohen at [email protected]. For exhibiting details, contact John Owens, ASI vice president of supplier sales at [email protected].

About ASI Show

The ASI Show Family of Events features ASI Show, fASIlitate and Power House, which foster business-building relationships among ASI distributor and supplier members. ASI Shows, the flagship series, are large-scale in-person convention center trade shows held in Orlando, Fort Worth and Chicago. The hosted-buyer events bring together the industry’s elite – top suppliers and highly qualified distributors – for three days of scheduled one-on-one meetings in select hotels across the country. Visit asishow.com for more information on the full event portfolio.