{"id":5630,"date":"2026-03-12T14:27:04","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T18:27:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/asicentral.com\/?p=5630"},"modified":"2026-03-12T15:37:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T19:37:38","slug":"asi-fort-worth-breaks-post-pandemic-distributor-attendance-record","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asicentral.com\/press-releases\/asi-fort-worth-breaks-post-pandemic-distributor-attendance-record\/","title":{"rendered":"ASI Fort Worth Breaks Post-Pandemic Distributor Attendance Record"},"content":{"rendered":"

FORT WORTH, TX \u2013 March 12, 2026<\/p>\n

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Distributors, suppliers and decorators gather at the Fort Worth Convention Center for education, networking and product discovery in the $3.9 billion Texas promo market<\/p>\n

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The Advertising Specialty Institute<\/a>\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0(ASI) delivered a high-energy ASI Fort Worth trade show<\/a>, where thousands of promotional products professionals gathered for three days of education, networking and product discovery, setting a post-pandemic record for distributor attendance at ASI\u2019s annual show.<\/p>\n

From Monday, March 9, through Wednesday, March 11, ASI hosted the largest promo products trade show in the Southwest, welcoming enthusiastic distributors and suppliers from across the region. Attendees packed the bustling show floor, connected at lively networking events and explored hundreds of exhibits featuring creative displays, vibrant booth designs and the latest products driving client campaigns in 2026.<\/p>\n

The Power of the Southern Promo Market<\/strong><\/p>\n

With more than 400 booths and a majority of the Counselor Top 40 suppliers \u2013 the largest promo suppliers in North America \u2013 exhibiting, the show attracted companies from 47 states and five countries. Attendees included 514 distributor and supplier companies from Texas alone, reflecting the state\u2019s powerhouse role in the industry.<\/p>\n

According to the ASI Media 2025 State and Regional Sales Report, the South is the largest region for promo products sales. As a membership organization serving the industry, ASI continues to support professionals across this leading revenue-producing market.<\/p>\n

\u201cFort Worth is exactly the kind of show that reminds you what makes this industry so special \u2013 the energy on the floor, the creativity in the booths and the conversations that turn into real business opportunities,\u201d said Timothy M. Andrews<\/a>, president and chief executive officer of ASI, the leading global resource for the $27.7 billion promotional products industry. \u201cOur members come here to learn, to connect and to discover new ideas that help them grow and this year\u2019s record-breaking, post-pandemic attendance shows just how strong the demand is for coming together in person. You could feel that excitement everywhere \u2013 from packed education sessions to a show floor buzzing with collaboration and innovation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Education Day Draws Strong Distributor Attendance<\/strong><\/p>\n

The event featured 50 exhibitors new to the Fort Worth show and strong representation from diverse businesses, including 71 female-owned and 98 minority-owned companies.<\/p>\n

Distributors also participated in six major group meetings, including iPROMOTEu (asi\/232119), Proforma (asi\/300094), WePromo (asi\/525901), HALO Branded Solutions (asi\/356000), The Vernon Company (asi\/351700) and AIM Smarter\/ACS (asi\/522700). UFG\/Fully Promoted (asi\/384000) again hosted its National Sales Meeting in Fort Worth with about 180 attendees.<\/p>\n

Education Day on Monday saw a marked increase in distributor attendance, with sessions designed to sharpen skills, spark new ideas and help companies grow sales in the year ahead.<\/p>\n

Danny Brown, owner of SportingU (asi\/332661), a screen-printing business based in Wayland, MI, brought four sales reps to the show, with everyone attending classes throughout Education Day on Monday. \u201cThe speakers were impressive \u2013 hands down, the best,\u201d Brown said, adding that the most valuable part of the show was meeting face-to-face with suppliers. \u201cWhen we walk the show floor it\u2019s not really about the products \u2013 it\u2019s about the suppliers. We want to get to know a company and we want great conversations one to one and that\u2019s what we got at Fort Worth.\u201d<\/p>\n

ASI Show Fort Worth Connects Distributors and Suppliers <\/strong><\/p>\n

For exhibitors, the steady flow of distributor conversations translated into meaningful connections.<\/p>\n

Joe Douglas, national sales manager for Utah-based SnugZ USA (asi\/88060), a longtime ASI member who has exhibited at numerous ASI shows, described the event as \u201ca massive success.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTuesday we were busy all day. I could\u2019ve used an extra person,\u201d Douglas said. He also enjoyed networking at the ASI Gala at Tannahill\u2019s Tavern & Music Hall, a western-style venue featuring live music, dancing and Tex-Mex cuisine. \u201cI met a lot of local distributors, which was fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n

Suppliers across the show floor reported strong distributor engagement and productive conversations.<\/p>\n

Wagner Ferino, CEO of Water Promotions (asi\/95395), specializing in custom-labeled bottled water in Deerfield Beach, FL, was exhibiting at his third Fort Worth show.<\/p>\n

\u201cI enjoy the conversations with distributors,\u201d Ferino said. \u201cThey give me their problems and I find solutions. It\u2019s helpful. This show is real good for us \u2013 I scanned 200 distributors the first day. Not bad!\u201d<\/p>\n

Distributors Build Relationships and Discover New Products <\/strong><\/p>\n

The show\u2019s value for distributors looking to sharpen their competitive edge was echoed by attendees throughout the event.<\/p>\n

Judy Meller, founder of Shreveport, LA-based E-Store (asi\/185061), one of 71 woman-owned companies that attended the show, said, \u201cASI is the best membership money can buy. It pays off over and over. Great ROI.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meller, who brought two reps to Fort Worth, said the education sessions alone delivered ideas she plans to implement immediately. \u201cI\u2019m always looking for that edge for clients. Fort Worth is highly worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Keynote Focuses on Branding and Business Growth<\/strong><\/p>\n

Beyond the product sourcing, attendees took advantage of ASI member perks like free professional headshots and hands-on help with ESP+, while networking events like Caffeinate & Collaborate and Mix & Mingle gatherings for groups including Women in Promo and Road Warriors created additional opportunities to build relationships.<\/p>\n

The event also featured a keynote from entrepreneur Nick Friedman, co-founder of College Hunks Hauling Junk and a Shark Tank<\/em> alum, who shared insights on building brand awareness, delivering exceptional customer service and scaling a business to more than 250 franchises and $300 million in annual sales.<\/p>\n

With energetic networking, creative inspiration and thousands of connections made, ASI Show Fort Worth once again reinforced its reputation as a must-attend event for distributors and suppliers looking to grow sales, discover new products and strengthen industry relationships in the year ahead.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s Next<\/strong><\/p>\n

The ASI Show series continues in 2026 and 2027 with:<\/p>\n