Dynamic launch into the new year for PSI 2015

Organisers of the largest European trade show for the promotional products industry, PSI 2015, are feeling positive after the show experienced a 2% increase in exhibitors, with nearly all the top international companies in attendance for the first time in two years.

The 873 exhibitors helped to define the show's look and feel across the four exhibition halls. Adding an equally impactful breath of fresh air were the PSI newcomers and the new special areas, including the CATWALK inside the TEXTILE AREA, which provided a fashionable stage for promotional products.

With a total of 873 exhibitors (prior year 852 – plus 2.4%) from 38 nations and 16,290 visitors (prior year 16,234 – plus 0.3%), PSI cemented its status as Europe’s most important industry meeting place. Major “returners”, including international market leaders such as PF Concept, Mid Oceans Brands, MACMA, SENATOR, Klio-Eterna Schreibgeräte, New Wave and Promodoro Fashion, as well as nearly 100 new “shooting stars”, served as unmistakable beacons for the new momentum that’s propelling the international promotional products market forward. PSI Director, Michael Freter, commented as the three-day exhibition came to a close: "The PSI Show puts a human face on the market and gives a voice to the industry. This year’s PSI underscored that point in an impressive way."

Also underscoring this trend is the representative PSI Industry Barometer, which is used to gauge the sector’s mood throughout the year. The analysis showed that more than half (51%) of the altogether 736 surveyed promotional products suppliers and distributors considered last year’s business trajectory as “trending upwards”, with one in three companies (30%) expecting at least stable development and only 19% noting declining business performance.

What’s more, the outlook remains positive for 2015. Some 61% of companies expect further increases this year, while only 9% fear sales declines, and the remainder anticipate a steady economic trajectory. “This”, said Michael Freter, “reinforces a trend, namely that, after some difficult years recently, the mood change we started noticing at last year’s PSI is further picking up speed, including internationally.”

The PSI FIRST Club and PSI Campaign of the Year highlighted the innovative and fresh new promotional product designs coming on to the market. Regardless of whether it’s a trendy canvas bag with an organic solar cell integrated into the “skin” that serves as a charging device, or an acoustic amplifier made from mouth-blown glass, the sky’s the limit for the ingenuity and creativity of the promotional products industry.

The issue of sustainability was also hot on the topics list at this year's show. Sustainability is an issue that’s front and centre in the contemporary promotional products industry. Nearly 60% of suppliers consider sustainability a topic of utmost importance, according to the PSI Industry Barometer. “The promotional products sector knows how to deliver sustainability. What’s missing right now is a common standard and a road map to navigate the jungle of certificates”, said Michael Freter. Against this backdrop, PSI will invite submissions for the first-ever PSI Sustainability Award, which from now on will recognise companies, products and campaigns in a total of eight categories.

The 54th PSI will take place in Düsseldorf from 13 to 15 January 2016.

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