ASI Show Orlando, held from Jan. 5-7 at the Orange County Convention Center, welcomed attendees from almost every state and 15 countries to browse trends from 572 exhibitors, as well as attend professional development sessions and network.

ASI Show Orlando welcomed attendees from nearly all 50 states and 15 countries.

Here’s a rundown from the show.

Boost Sales With Sustainable Business Practices

Lindsay Hampson, president and founder of sustainability consultancy ThisRock, presented a session on Education Day on the importance of going green in the promo industry – distributors need to have their sustainability bona fides in place. That means documentation on suppliers and products, and distributors themselves should show that their operations are eco-forward as well. Distributors should also consider pursuing one of the many certifications now available, such as EcoVadis, to give their company a competitive edge.

Marketing Strategy as a ‘Mosaic’

Marketing isn’t a single tag line anymore, said Shawna Suckow of The Buyer Insider on Education Day – it’s a series of related, consistent stories that form a cohesive whole. That’s the “mosaic” format of today’s most successful marketing tactics. Distributors must be creative and authentic, said Suckow. In a crowded, noisy marketplace, real stories from real people garner the most attention, attracting and retaining loyal customers.

Demystifying AI To Win Clients & Stand Out

Sterling McKinley of Clarity AI Solutions hosted two AI sessions on Education Day, in which he reminded attendees that AI isn’t smart on its own – it needs clear direction and human input to deliver results. He showed how thoughtful prompting lets AI act as a sales assistant, analyze competitors and create targeted outreach, and emphasized that the technology isn’t a replacement for people; it’s a competitive advantage when used collaboratively, edited carefully and guided by real business context.

Driving Sales Success With Strong Supplier-Distributor Relationships

Katie Kailik, director of sales at Peerless Umbrella (asi/76730) and ASI Media’s 2025 Supplier Salesperson of the Year, told attendees during Education Day that shifting her mindset to view distributors as teammates, not clients, in large part led to her sales success. She emphasized that suppliers and distributors share the same end-buyer and benefit most from transparent, consultative partnerships built on collaboration and shared data, and she recommended asking better questions of each other to support mutual growth.

Distributors Project Overwhelming Sales Optimism for 2026

2025 certainly brought its share of ups and downs, but optimism was running high among attendees in Orlando. Real-time polling during the Education Day Wrap-Up session revealed that 93% of distributors expect an increase in sales this year, while nearly 60% currently offer print-on-demand services to clients and 88% believe AI will positively impact their business. Education Day speakers gave quick overviews on their sessions, underscoring that future success will come from working smarter, leveraging technology and concentrating on high-impact opportunities.

4 Promo Apparel & Headwear Trends From the Show Floor

On the busy show floor, more than 570 suppliers spotlighted a number of noteworthy trends for 2026, including fashion- and female-forward silhouettes, softer fabrics and muted color palettes, creative decoration techniques, and the continued dominance of rope caps. From boxy tees and plush fleeces to bold embellishments and customizable headwear, the message was clear: Buyers are willing to spend more for better style, comfort and quality.

4 Hard Goods Trends Set To Shape the Year Ahead

Suppliers also debuted new hard goods – editors noted a further leaning into the popular “quiet luxury” trend with subtle branding, experience-driven items that help create memories, the continued rise of mini-boat totes (taking their cue from the iconic Trader Joe’s bags), and an influx of new exhibitors with premium self-care and sustainable offerings. Together, the products reflect growing demand for quality, creativity and products designed for everyday use beyond the workplace.

4 Print Trends From Promo & Print Suppliers

Stand-out print trends on the show floor included detailed graphics, fast turns, low minimums and growing sustainability efforts. Suppliers featured photo-quality digital printing on packaging, bags and displays, along with textured and multimedia enhancements like UV effects and specialty stickers. Print-on-demand services are also gaining traction, while eco-friendly printed products underscored ongoing demand for sustainable solutions that combine visual impact with practicality.

Melissa Proctor Delivers Inspiring Keynote

To kick off Exhibit Day 2, keynoter Melissa Proctor, CMO of the Atlanta Hawks, shared a story of persistence that took her from becoming the Miami Heat’s first ball girl to leading the Hawks’ brand revival. After career setbacks, she helped rebuild the franchise by focusing on Atlanta’s multicultural identity and next-gen fans. Proctor emphasized that winning brands require focus, risk-taking and authenticity, prioritizing community, experience and identity to create lasting loyalty.

Close More Sales by Finding the Real Decision-Maker

In a Power Session on the show floor, Jason McCracken of Counselor Top 40 distributor Eagle Promotions (asi/185320) urged distributors to stop settling for points of contact and focus on reaching true decision-makers. He explained that decision-makers own the budget, risk and final approval, and advised that distributors do deep company research, including perusing 10-K filings, to identify them. McCracken emphasized patience and professionalism, encouraging persistence without undermining contacts, rushing deals or jeopardizing trust.

Build a Trusted Printer Network

A Power Session led by Allee Bruce of PRINTING United Alliance featured three print/promo distributors who offered their advice on building trusted printer networks. They highlighted how combining promo and print can drive growth and stressed the importance of maintaining multiple print partners. They also recommended testing new vendors with low-risk jobs, asking tough questions about capabilities and equipment, and building redundancies. Standardized workflows, ongoing evaluation and strong relationships, they said, help ensure quality, reliability and long-term success when meeting varied client needs.

Product Showcase Winners

In the Product Showcase outside the exhibit hall, attendees had the opportunity to vote on their favorite supplier products in six categories, including Most Unique, Most Fashion-Forward and Best in Technology. This showcase features all six winning products, plus tips on how to sell them.