Charles Janosick sees huge opportunity for his distributorship in 2025 with end-clients whose companies generate billions in revenue.

Naturally, the owner of Proforma Executive Business Services (asi/490199), an affiliate of Counselor Top 40 distributor Proforma (asi/300094), is keen to make the most of the big sales potential. And that’s why, in part, he started the year off by attending the ASI Show Orlando 2025.

The show, held over the weekend of January 4-6, provided Janosick and members of his team, including a new office manager, with a strong platform from which to launch into the new year.

Promo pros streamed into the show floor at the opening of exhibits of ASI Orlando 2025, ready to jumpstart their 2025.

“It’s been a great show,” Janosick said. “The weekend scheduling allowed us more time to talk with vendors. There was a good flow to things, not rushed. We were able to have quality time with suppliers, and that’s going to be helpful as our business year gets going.”

Janosick was among the approximately 4,000 distributors, suppliers and thought leaders who attended the three-day ASI Orlando – the largest East Coast show in the $26.1 billion promotional products industry and the merch sector’s first trade show of 2025.

In addition to suppliers exhibiting the newest and hottest products in a spectrum of apparel and hard good categories, ASI Orlando featured a full slate of professional development sessions, a riveting keynote from trial lawyer turned entrepreneur Stephanie Stuckey, social fun like the ASI Gala at Topgolf and ample networking opportunities, including the New Product Preview Reception, as well as Lunch and Learn sessions where suppliers and distributors met for collaboration

Ryan Hutchinson, ASI’s chief technology officer, and John Young, director of software engineering at ASI, discuss the launch of ESP+ Stores at ASI Orlando.

Attendees also got a firsthand look at the just-unveiled ESP+ Stores, which allow for the creation of fully branded, customized online stores in just five clicks. Distributors were buzzing at the integration with the powerful ESP+ platform.

“ASI Orlando is where our industry kicks off the year with energy and excitement,” said Timothy M. Andrews, president and chief executive officer of ASI. “This show underscores our commitment to helping suppliers and distributors succeed with new tools, strategies and a strong sense of unity. I’m proud of the opportunities and new partnerships generated here that will drive success throughout 2025.”

‘Time for Quality Conversations’

Distributors and suppliers reported no shortage of positive experiences at ASI Orlando.

Brenda Purdue, owner Auburndale, FL-based distributorship Five Eleven Market (asi/194731), enjoyed the professional development speakers and meeting with suppliers on the show floor – both of which helped expand her knowledge of smart strategies and emerging trends upon which her firm can capitalize. She found new products, and even identified additional quality suppliers she and her team can add to their sourcing network.

“You have to keep learning,” Purdue said. “In this industry, if you’re current, you’re behind. You always have to keep looking forward to stay ahead.” Her ASI Orlando experience is helping to power that effort.

Meanwhile, ASI Orlando was a family affair for Martha Adams and Mollie Adams of SunDoctor (asi/339926), the family’s distributorship in Mobile, AL. The mother-and-daughter pair found new products that they believe will be strong sellers in a particular niche SunDoctor specializes in – namely, branded merch tied to Mardi Gras celebrations.

“It’s a nice chance to see so many new products at once and to socialize with others in the industry,” said Martha, who’s been attending ASI Orlando for more than a decade. “My husband (also a SunDoctor principal) loves the inspirational speakers. They pump him up, so to speak, for the new year.”

Siva Kandaswamy, founder and CEO of supplier Sparkpolo (asi/88427), said that talks he had with distributors at ASI Orlando have helped bolster the belief that 2025 will be a strong year for the business.

Suppliers said ASI Orlando was time well spent, too.

Sparkpolo (asi/88427), a Buford, GA-based supplier that develops custom patterns for polo shirts based on a brand’s logo, colors and other inputs, has been in the promo space for about a year. ASI Orlando proved fruitful because it provided a platform for valuable, reconnective conversations with distributors who already know the firm, as well as an opportunity to show distributors unfamiliar with Sparkpolo what the company can do, said Siva Kandaswamy, founder and CEO of Sparkpolo.

“There was time to have quality conversations.” Patricia Olson, Showdown Displays (asi/87188), on ASI Orlando

“We were able to talk with clients about business opportunities that have them excited for 2025 and how we might be able to help,” Kandaswamy said. “Hearing what’s ahead has us excited, too. It’s going to be a strong year.”

Meanwhile, Patricia Olson, director of marketing and creative at Counselor Top 40 supplier Showdown Displays (asi/87188), shared that the Minnesota-headquartered firm’s booth was steadily busy. Distributors were especially interested in new products Showdown Displays was spotlighting, including modular displays. “It was a good pace of distributors stopping by; we were never overwhelmed,” Olson said. “There was time to have quality conversations.”