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March 08, 2024

ASI Fort Worth 2024: Hot Trends and New Products

Drinkware innovations and compelling Made-in-the-USA options were among the top finds from the show floor.

By  C.J. Mittica

Though the smallest in square footage of ASI’s three major trade shows, the ASI Show Fort Worth attracts a unique mix of suppliers specific to the tastes of the Southern region – and thus offers attendees a chance to see suppliers and products that they might not see elsewhere. This year’s show, which ran from March 4-6, was chockful of trends and eye-catching products that distributors would do well to keep an eye on. The ASI Media team combed the show floor and spotted these top promo products trends.

Evolving Drinkware

The number-two selling category in the promo industry got quite the glow-up in the past decade – first with YETI and now with Stanley. And while a flash poll on Education Day revealed that distributors believe Stanley’s mega-popularity is starting to wane, it’s clear that the category has no shortage of innovators and brands eager to continue to carry the torch.

animal character drink tumbler

Adorable animal and character faces make the Asobu Bestie from AdNArt (asi/31518) a family-friendly hit.

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AdNArt (asi/31518) manufacturers the Asobu line and was showcasing a slate of unique products. Its forthcoming Aspen bottle, for example, has a ceramic lining instead of the current default choice of stainless steel. “There’s no metal taste,” said Justin Lackman, national sales manager. “That’s a game-changer in drinkware.” The ceramic lining is also odorless and the bottle is dishwasher-safe with a lifetime warranty.

Meanwhile, the Canadian company’s “Bestie” features one of 10 personality-filled character heads on the top of the bottle – perfect for automotive companies selling to families along with healthcare and tech companies. (Custom heads – think the Geico lizard – are also available.) Other unique products include the Dog Bowl Bottle, which has a detachable base for pets to drink out of, and the new Duplex tumbler, a 22-oz. travel tumbler with a detachable can cooler in the base. “A lot of our products have dual functionality,” Lackman said.

Silipint (asi/87306) has added handles to its signature silicone drinkware, creating silhouettes that are right at home with the most popular tumblers and drinkware on the market. The handled options include the Indianapolis company’s 32-oz. Humbler, a 28.-oz beer stein and a 16-oz. coffee mug. Todd Spang, president of Silipint, pointed out that the company’s drinkware is made from sand and has a lot of eco bona fides, and are dishwasher-, microwave-, oven- and freezer-safe.

silicone drinkware

New silicone drinkware from Silipint (asi/87306) now has handles, including the 32-oz. Humbler and 28-oz. beer stein.

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Meanwhile, Diamondback Branding (asi/49546) has made its name with branded drinkware, and was expanding on that reputation with YETI and Simple Modern tumblers with straws and handles that take after a certain popular drinkware style. Unique products like 4- and 6-oz. stackable YETI cups, perfect for espresso and coffee, were among the dozens of drinkware styles that the Austin, TX-based company was showing off.

Land of the Free, Home of the Made-in-the-USA

Domestic suppliers smartly played to the Texas crowd and came to the show en masse – and proved that there are many compelling American-made options for those willing to seek it out.

Scott Thackston, vice president of marketing and product development with Caro-Line (asi/44020), says the company’s Swag-Wag pet triangles have been a major hit. “We’re seeing a lot of growth because it’s a local, regional product,” he said, mentioning insurers, builders and pet-friendly breweries as some top buyers. The triangles feature snaps that come undone if they ever become tangled, and can be decorated in one of four ways, including the company’s proprietary “Duplex” technique which dyes and prints the triangle on both sides. Thackston said 90% of the Greenville, SC-based company’s products are Made in the USA, which gives the supplier the flexibility to meet demand and be price-competitive. “We can compete,” says Thackston, “because of the shipping, time and the freight with what things now cost.”

athletic socks

Athletic socks from Sock Club (asi/88072) are a great choice for WFH.

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Sock Club (asi/88072) designs its socks in Austin and manufactures the vast majority of its products in North Carolina, and while distributors don’t always seek out the supplier just because of its USA-made status, it’s still a major plus. “The difference [vs. overseas competitors] is that we’re faster,” said Mallory Haines, field marketing manager. The supplier said its retro athletic socks are catching on with distributors and buyers, fueled by nostalgia and a desire for comfort. “People are looking to a more work-from-home style,” said Kara Boatner, corporate strategist.

knit sweater and scarf on mannequin

Heartland Manufacturing (asi/60296) owns its New York facility and makes a variety of knit-in textiles.

True to its name, Heartland Manufacturing (asi/60296) makes high-quality textiles out of its 80,000-square-foot Long Island facility. The supplier was showing off knit-in products with a rich, old-school feel, including blankets, sweaters and scarves. Sales Manager Daniel Marini says the company’s standards are exacting. “If there’s one mis-stitch,” he says, “we take the item out of production.”

Raising the Bar on Quality

With “Quiet Luxury” a looming trend and retail brands abounding in the industry, there’s a push for higher-quality goods and craftsmanship that shines through the products companies sell.

Holland Bar Stool (asi/61409) produces a variety of custom bar stools in addition to pub tables, clocks and branded bar games. As a 30-year-old furniture company, the Michigan-based supplier is bringing its expertise to bear through stools that have a solid welded base and high-grade vinyl tops that look and wear better. “We’re trying to be a little bit different than what’s been in the industry before,” said General Manager Terry Burns.

plush blankets and bedding

Plush blankets and stylish bags were among the many bamboo products being shown by Cozy Earth (asi/46816).

Cozy Earth (asi/46816) manufactures its goods out of bamboo, and offers a range of luxurious items from throw blankets to bathrobes to hoodies and joggers. Bamboo’s soft hand and natural cooling properties has high-end appeal. Director of Wholesale Logan Christensen remarked that it removes “thermometer leg” – the phenomenon when you get too hot under the covers and must stick your leg out. The robes and PJs are a hit for employee anniversaries and resorts, and Christensen mentioned that the Bluffdale, UT-based company has participated in high-profile events like pop-up stores as fundraisers for the charities of San Francisco 49ers greats Steve Young and Jerry Rice.

Finding New Companies & Products

What’s a trade show without the thrill of discovery of new companies and products?

Newer to the industry, REDI (asi/81087) started when co-founder David Baillargeon’s kid fell and scraped his knee at the park. With nothing in his car to help, he went searching on Google and Amazon to find a kit that would help in a pinch, and was left underwhelmed. “I thought there needs to be an ultimate car kit that has every item someone might want,” he said.

car kit

The Roadie is one of two car kits from REDI (asi/81087) fully equipped with items everyone needs.

The Carrollton, TX-based company surveyed consumers about their most-desired items and has come out with two kits. The Essentials Bag features items like lip balm, tissues, a lint roller and a compact hairbrush and mirror, and is decorated with a heat transfer. Meanwhile, the Roadie is geared toward survival and first aid and includes a wide blend of tools, first aid and medication – 110 items in total, many of which can be refilled by scanning a QR code. The bag can be decorated with a rugged Velcro patch.

Scooch (asi/85822) was in the promo industry a few years ago with the Wingback – a pop out cell phone stand and grip – but the branding capabilities were subtle and didn’t resonate. CEO John Stagge said the company was able to perfect a new printing technique that made the branding bigger and bolder directly on the case, and rejoined the industry this year. The Wingback works as a grip, stand and car mount – even sitting directly in car vents without the use of a magnetic mount. Stagge recalls how on Oct. 6 a simple video demoing the product went viral on TikTok (4.6 million views) and the Noblesville, IN-based company couldn’t ship the products fast enough. “I’ve sold a lot of stuff in my life,” Stagge said. “That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever experienced.”

Mt. Everest journal

The new lay-flat Everest journal from Chameleon Like (asi/44558) can be decorated with a full-color cover.

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Chameleon Like (asi/44558) debuted this year the new Everest lay-flat journal, which features bold full-color printing on its hard cover. The supplier also featured its newer B Line journal collection, which has covers made from sugarcane and bamboo and a slim profile of 30 sheets – perfect for conference attendees who rarely fill the pages of larger notebooks. The Gilroy, CA-based company manufactures in the USA and last year became a B Corp. According to General Manager Camila Linaweaver, products like the B Line journals show “you can be sustainable, but still also be budget-friendly.”

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