{"id":2018,"date":"2018-06-29T09:52:05","date_gmt":"2018-06-29T09:52:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/asi2.wpenginepowered.com\/uncategorized\/asis-industry-intern-program-increases-member-participation-by-89\/"},"modified":"2018-06-29T09:52:05","modified_gmt":"2018-06-29T09:52:05","slug":"asis-industry-intern-program-increases-member-participation-by-89","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asicentral.com\/press-releases\/asis-industry-intern-program-increases-member-participation-by-89\/","title":{"rendered":"ASI’s Industry Intern Program Increases Member Participation By 89%"},"content":{"rendered":"

Third annual program attracts 237 member companies and 288 interns<\/em><\/header>\n<\/article>\n

TREVOSE, PA \u2013 June 29, 2018 \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>The\u00a0<\/span>Advertising Specialty Institute<\/a><\/u>\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0(ASI) today announced its increasingly popular industry internship program continued its strong momentum, enjoying an 89% increase in the number of participating member companies, with 288 interns now working at 237 supplier and distributor companies for the summer.<\/p>\n

Overall, the number of participating interns grew 73% over last year. The number of participating supplier companies more than doubled from last year, with the number of distributor companies coming in at 84% over 2017.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe industry response to ASI\u2019s summer internship program has been fantastic,\u201d said Timothy M. Andrews, ASI\u2019s president and chief executive officer. \u201cIt proves what ASI has advocated all along \u2013 that introducing a new generation to the creativity and profitability of our industry is not just smart, it\u2019s essential for continued growth.\u201d<\/p>\n

ASI\u2019s third annual industry intern program is open to any member company in the $23.6 billion promotional products industry, providing free online training, access to ESP and a chance for interns to win a $1,000 scholarship.<\/p>\n

The interns are working at 27 supplier and 210 distributor companies, including returning companies Halo Branded Solutions (asi\/356000), Lion Circle (asi\/67620) and The Vernon Company (asi\/351700). Companies new to the program include DRI Duck Traders (asi\/50835), Proforma (asi\/116308) and SoBe Promos (asi\/245603).<\/p>\n

Hiring an intern helps companies gain brand advocates, get fresh ideas, enjoy an extra set of hands and create a talent pipeline for future hiring. It also helps the industry teach a new generation about promotional products.<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore the program, I didn\u2019t know that there was even an official name for custom branded products,\u201d said former intern Alex Anagnostaras, who worked for HGX, Inc. (asi\/ 2248860. \u201cNow, I understand the industry and the importance of promotional products within the marketing mix.\u201d<\/p>\n

New this year, ASI increased the number of online webinars offered during training and, in response to student feedback, added more classes on sales, marketing, graphic design and more. Interns can view the industry-centric webinars anytime and at their own pace. The free training helps alleviate concerns suppliers and distributors may have over not having enough time to devote to training newcomers to their company and the industry.<\/p>\n

ASI also expanded free ESP access until October 1 to accommodate West Coast interns who often return to college later than other students. ASI will also encourage greater social media interaction between interns across three main platforms: Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat (#PromoInternASI).<\/p>\n

In addition to training and ESP, each participating intern receives:<\/p>\n