Children find solace at ASI Fort Worth, according to Laura Bush, where they can learn and chase their aspirations.
The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) successfully moved its annual trade show from Dallas to Fort Worth, citing the city's walkable downtown, easy travel to nearby airports, hotel access, and affordability as key factors.
The decision was well-received by attendees, who appreciated the action on the show floor, the opportunity to meet with old friends and industry colleagues, and to discuss new products with suppliers. The ASI Fort Worth show attracted over 4,300 attendees and 433 exhibitors, with a notable increase in attendance at the Education Day.
The keynote speech at the inaugural ASI Show in Fort Worth was given by former First Lady Laura Bush and her daughter Jenna Hager. The keynote was attended by 700 business owners and entrepreneurs, who were treated to insights into the lives of the Bush family, their work in global healthcare, education reform, and supporting America's military.
Laura Bush and Jenna Hager shared their experiences living in the White House, working in politics, and writing books. Jenna Hager fondly remembered "Jenna and Henry" mousepads from a store in Crawford, TX. Laura Bush even pulled out a Laura Bush bobblehead she got after Barack Obama became president.
The move to Fort Worth also attracted several top distributor companies, including American Solutions for Business (ASB), HALO Branded Solutions, Proforma, Taylor Communications, Geiger, and many more. In total, 14 distributor companies chose Fort Worth to hold meetings, including top 100 companies.
Supplier Luca Bianconcini of Ted's Cigars expressed satisfaction with the high traffic and interest at their booth and the overall results. Carla Sisk of Colormix Graphics praised the accommodating convention center and the walkability of downtown Fort Worth, expressing eagerness to return for the next year's show. Distributor Denise Long of First Impression enjoyed the freshness and energy of Fort Worth, stating it was a great change from the Dallas shows.
The ASI Show Bash, held at Billy Bob's Texas, was a highlight of the event. With a full bar, buffet, live music, armadillo racing, line dancing, and a bull riding show, 600 people attended the lively event. Roger Staubach, a Dallas Cowboys great, gave a motivational breakfast at the ASI Show and threw three autographed footballs to distributors.
In 2017, Texas alone accounted for $2.95 billion in sales of promotional products, with the South leading the nation in total sales of logoed items. The ASI Fort Worth show proved to be a success, demonstrating the potential for continued growth in the promotional products industry in the region.
