Throngs of 4,900 Marketing Enthusiasts Converge in Chicago, Fueled by Energy and Passion
The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) recently concluded ASI Chicago 2025, the Midwest's largest promotional products trade show. Held from July 22-24 at McCormick Place Convention Center, the event attracted nearly 5,000 promotional professionals from all over the world.
The three-day event was filled with educational sessions, networking opportunities, and exciting appearances. One of the highlights was the launch of the ASI Learning Network, a free, on-demand education platform, designed to provide continuous learning and growth for the industry.
The 2025 Counselor Awards were presented at a celebratory ceremony, honouring industry trailblazers. Justin Zavadil, president of American Solutions for Business (ASB, asi/120075), was named Counselor Person of the Year. Other honourees included industry leaders who founded the 12 major distributor groups participating in ASI Chicago 2025, such as Ed Krug (Matrix Marketing Group), Bob Rowe (Sage Group), and Steve Driscoll (PALS Group).
Attendees had the opportunity to learn from experts in various subjects, with 26 expert-led classes offered during ASI Education Day. The Breakfast Brainstorm session encouraged collaborative problem-solving and provided a special preview of the 2025 State of the Industry report.
ASI Chicago 2025 also featured the show floor, where 75% of the Counselor Top 40 suppliers and 72 first-time exhibitors showcased their latest products and services. Notable exhibitors included HALO, AIM, and Deluxe/Safeguard.
The event included a variety of activities to engage attendees, such as the Canine Comfort Zone, where attendees played with dogs and donated to the Chicago-based Canine Therapy Corps. The ASI Gala at Punch Bowl Social offered bowling, karaoke, arcade games, dinner, and networking for hundreds of guests.
ASI Chicago 2025 also featured exciting appearances, such as Chicago Bears legend and Hall of Famer, Brian Urlacher. Urlacher shared branding insights and personal stories, and even tossed autographed footballs into the crowd. He praised branded golf items and personal branding, stating that they were essential for any successful business.
ESP+ demos at ASI Chicago 2025 showcased new features like real-time supplier visibility, inventory management, and custom presentation templates. ASI's sustainability efforts at the event included badge recycling stations, eco-friendly water bottles from PATHwater, and recyclable signage.
Timothy M. Andrews, ASI president and CEO, stated that the show was electric and the energy was palpable. Attendees appreciated the football aspect and the insights they could incorporate into their day-to-day business.
The ASI Show series continues in 2026 with ASI Orlando, ASI Fort Worth, and ASI Chicago. Registration is open for ASI Orlando 2026. With the success of ASI Chicago 2025, it is expected that the upcoming events will attract even more promotional professionals and industry trailblazers.
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