Hailey Shaffer, relationship manager at Lakeland, FL-based Madden Branded Goods (asi/259280), made the most of her first ASI Digital Expo.

Hopping from booth to booth, she connected with various suppliers and even ordered samples from Canadian supplier StickerYou (asi/89791). “Virtual events are definitely a different experience, but they allow so many more users access to the show,” Shaffer says. “I was able to interact on my own schedule.”

Shaffer was among the nearly 800 distributor attendees who participated in this week’s two-day ASI Digital Expo, which featured new products, strategies and networking opportunities. In addition to supplier presentations, there were also educational sessions on improving your local listings on Google and tips for better use of ESP, ASI’s database of products from around the promo industry.

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“I loved the enthusiasm and commitment of everybody,” says Sonja Mundy, promotional products sales rep at Charlottesville, VA-based T&N Printing (asi/341421). “It’s nice to know so many people are committed to making this a successful career.”

Among the new exhibitors at ASI Show was Chicago-based Richardson Seating Corp. (asi/82365), which manufactures restaurant chairs, custom bar stools and diner furniture. “We have worked long and hard scouring the world for our materials and have absolutely everything in stock,” says Ira Lichtenstein, co-owner of Richardson Seating. “With so many vendors having trouble taking orders, we thought people would be happy to hear that it’s business as usual for us with standard lead times.”

Belgium-based Verrue Consulting (dba Cup Keeper, asi/51083) aims to revolutionize the restaurant and bar industry with its innovative cup holder that can carry up to 20 drinks at one time. “I hope that some distributors will become believers in this cup holder, which is really unique for the U.S. market,” says Johan Verrue, owner of Verrue Consulting. “I hope to contribute a little bit to a more sustainable event sector since the cup holder is durable and recyclable.”

The Cup Keeper can carry up to 20 drinks at one time. (photo courtesy of Cup Keeper)

Even though Fort Collins, CO-based OtterBox (asi/75326) exhibited for the first time, the retail brand is no stranger to promo. Top 40 supplier Hit Promotional Products (asi/61125), Hixson, TN-based Gold Bond (asi/57653) and other suppliers have already carried the brand’s drinkware and coolers. In November, OtterBox will be releasing a golf kit featuring a sleeve of golf balls, a divot tool and five tees, all packaged in the company’s patented waterproof Drybox.

“OtterBox promotional products take the highly recognizable brand that our customers know and trust to protect their $1,000 devices and applies our history and knowledge to a premium line,” says David Baldwin, business development manager – promotional products at OtterBox.

The OtterBox golf kit is packaged in the company’s patented Drybox. (photo courtesy of OtterBox)

The kitting trend that’s risen out of the COVID-19 pandemic is what drew Prospex Promotions, Inc. (asi/80042) to the ASI Digital Expo. Since 2007, the Moultrie, GA-based supplier has specialized in kitting and fulfillment, delivering corporate gifts to its clients’ customers’ front doors. “We built our business on the boating, automobile and RV markets,” says John Norman, CEO and president of Prospex Promotions. “Those industries have been hit hard by lack of inventory, so now we’re seeing a more diverse group of clients.”

Just in time for the holiday season, the company is offering gift boxes with a variety of tumblers, cookies and coffee mugs. “Say a distributor has a client that wants gift boxes for employee onboarding, birthdays and thank yous,” Norman says. “We can set each of those up, and as their client needs them, we can fulfill those and drop ship directly to customer one at a time, if need be.”

Prospex Promotions offers a custom imprinted box with two 15-ounce Polar Camel mugs and cookies. (photo courtesy of Prospex Promotions)

San Francisco-based Marine Layer (asi/68730) also showcased its holiday gifts, such as its Corbet blanket and Corbet full zip jacket (both in navy heather), as well as its signature lined hoodie. “They are all super soft, sustainable items and most importantly, we have deep inventory in all of these styles,” says Andrew Graham, director at Marine Layer.

Marine Layer took its bestselling Afternoon Zip Hoodie and made it warmer by lining the inside with its signature, sustainable tee fabric. (photo courtesy of Marine Layer)

Meanwhile, Attleboro, MA-based Storm Duds (asi/89863) presented its assortment of outdoor products, like the Deluxe Curved Handle Umbrella, Deluxe Heavy Duty Rain Poncho and Storm Stream, which is built with Bluetooth technology. “Walk in the rain listening to music or podcasts or talk on the phone and have your calls announced with caller ID,” says Michelle DeMayo, national account manager at Storm Duds.

The Storm Stream allows you to listen to music or talk on the phone while walking in the rain. (photo courtesy of Storm Duds)

Fort Worth, TX-based iMARK (asi/35579) doubled down on the digital theme of the event, launching its virtual showroom. Visitors first see an iMARK storefront inside a virtual shopping mall, and once they click, they’re taken to a showroom with the company’s wide array of products. Clicking on each display allows you to zoom in on the goods and add to your cart.

“We created this because we know it’s been difficult for distributors to get in front of their clients during the pandemic,” says Bryan Irby, sales manager at iMARK. “So, we created a showroom that they can virtually walk their clients through to show them new ideas and products.”