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February 07, 2019

8 Inspiring Innovations & Trends From the ASI Show Fort Worth

Cutting edge advancements included a multi-function sweatshirt that doubles as a backpack and “NFC” technology embedded in logos.

By  Christopher Ruvo

Innovation, energy and excitement permeated the exhibit hall at the ASI Show Fort Worth, held Feb. 4 to 6th. Thousands of promotional products distributors converged on the Texas city’s downtown convention center to engage with suppliers on the latest trends, product advancements and marketing ideas they can use to bolster business. Here are videos, insights and images of some standouts we found:

Quikflip Sweatshirts Star In the Show

Rener Gracie isn’t just an entrepreneur; he’s a force of nature. A well-known jiu-jitsu master, Gracie brings the energy of the Energizer Bunny and the zeal of an evangelist to Quikflip Apparel (asi/89364), the ingenious brand of fashion-forward, multi-functional, supremely practical sweatshirts he invented. It’s not an exaggeration to say the line of zip-up hoodies, pullover hoodies, crewnecks and waterproof jackets was the talk of the show floor – something backed up by the fact that an ASI Facebook video on the product tallied about 7,600 views and 64 shares in a couple days. Why all the buzz? Because each of Gracie’s wearables can be easily converted into an adjustable drawstring backpack in seconds. Check out Gracie demoing the product in the video below, and you’ll see why Fort Worth was humming with talk of this creative Californian’s apparel.

Spector Brings Near-Field Communication Technology To Promo

For much of the show, Spector & Co.’s (asi/88660) booth was more crowded than a hotel lobby Starbucks at 7:30 a.m. Droves of distributors were keen to learn more about how the Canada-headquartered supplier is making innovative use of Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology. Here’s the dish: Spector can build small NFC chips into logoed badges (on items like backpacks) and branded epoxy domes (on products like journals) that, when scanned by a smartphone, deliver the end-user’s device to a particular website. While the URL remains the same, the end-client can update the page content as often as they’d like. Just think of the applications! For instance, a real estate brokerage can direct scanners to a page of its listings, while a university can point people to an admissions page or an online bookstore with logoed gear. Spector’s Paul Tomiuk explains in this video: 

Ivory Headwear Ups The Game For Cap Embroidery

From seven-panel camp hats with removable patch logos to structured-crown, slight-curved-bill mesh-back trucker caps, Ivory Headwear (asi/62972) definitely delivers the goods when it comes to on-trend hats. But what helps the Portland, OR-based supplier really stand out is its dynamic digitizing and embroidery capabilities. The in-house design and stich operation has spearheaded unique offerings like Ivory’s “landscape embroidery,” in which cap logos feature vividly colored depictions of skylines, landscapes and the like, all trimmed with 3D embroidery that makes the designs pop. The look can be excellent for end-clients that range from resorts, golf courses and schools, to outdoor guide companies, environmentally-focused nonprofits and tourist bureaus. Ivory’s Jake Lutton explains:

C-Thru Hits A Hole-In-One With Its Transparent Club Grips

Having recently come under new ownership, C-Thru Golf Grips (asi/47825) is launching a reinvigorated marketing push on its signature product – and the effort was capturing the attention of distributors at the ASI Show Fort Worth. The grip features a patented see-through polymer that provides an extra-tacky feel that helps golfers get a firmer, more tactile hold. What’s especially cool for promo pros, however, is that the grip can feature a wide array of branded designs. C-Thru’s Ernie Olivares explains:

Ugly Christmas Sweaters Now At No Minimums

The market spoke. Fred Hajjar and his team at Ugly Christmas Sweater Inc. (asi/92460) listened. The Michigan-based firm has combined a proprietary fabric and sublimation printing to offer those wildly popular “ugly” holiday sweaters at no-minimums, with no set-up charges. New for 2019, the innovation came as a result of strong demand for small-quantity orders and one-offs. The development is likely to help Hajjar and co. expand the already impressive list of end-clients that have purchased their sweaters, which includes Twitter, Pepsi, Dell, Ellen DeGeneres and 5-Hour Energy.

Raining Rose Rocked Creative Booth Marketing

Cue the Ghostbusters theme song, for the “Germbusters” are here! The Germbusters was a creative booth marketing concept from Raining Rose (asi/80489) that scored full marks for creativity. Raining Rose pros Heather Mangold and Kelli Denes dressed up as Ghostbusters, but called themselves “Germbusters” in a bid to help hype a new line of brandable sanitizers from the Iowa-based supplier. The costumes and unique angle, with its direct tie-in to a product, helped spread the word in a way that was fun and highly engaging. Both suppliers and distributors alike should take the Raining Rose example as motivation to develop clever booth marketing concepts of their own.

 

Custom Chia Pets Capture A Quirky-Cool Aesthetic

Ever dreamed of having a Chia Pet modeled after you? Well, now you can! Joseph Enterprises Inc. (asi/63556) was at the ASI Show Fort Worth to tell distributors how it can create custom Chia Pets with branded terracotta bases – an offering that potentially works for end-clients that range from insurance companies, banks and sports teams, to any organization that wants to go “green” in its marketing message. Representative Peter Georgii said the price point is around $15 per unit when you order 1,000.

Peppered Fleece Trends Up In Apparel

“Peppered fleece” styles like the ones below from J.America (asi/62977) are on the rise in end-buyer markets that range from corporate stores to colleges and hospitality. The cotton-dominant blend, softhand “natural” feel, and subtle styling will help make the look a winner in 2019 on mid-layers, sweatshirts and the like.