TREVOSE, Pa. — Advertising Specialty Institute, a media and marketing organization in the promotional products industry, announced the fall 2009 launch of the ASI Holiday Expo, the industry’s first and only national show focused on products for the important fall and holiday selling seasons.

The ASI Holiday Expo will be limited to no more than 400 booths, and suppliers invited to exhibit will be required to have four or more stars in the ASI Supplier Rating System or be nominated by distributors.

This is the first time in the history of the industry that a national show's exhibitor list has been limited based on ratings by distributors.

“As we celebrate the 10th year of the ASI Show in Las Vegas, we decided it was time to reflect on ways we could continue to provide an event that maximizes the return on investment suppliers and distributors expect,” said Timothy M. Andrews, president and chief executive of ASI and president of ASI Show. “We’ve been conducting research for nearly two years, and two things stand out: Suppliers now launch products year-round, not just once a year, and, second, distributors welcome the idea of an event that allows them to load up on fresh ideas and new products as they enter the vital fourth quarter – the largest quarter of the year in sales.”

Exhibits, education and hotel rooms for the Holiday Expo will be in a single facility, fostering a sense of community, networking, learning and selling. The event will feature educational opportunities based on three themes: wearables, stitches and the corporate gift conference.

“For the ASI Holiday Expo, which will replace the former ASI Show in Las Vegas, we’re also discussing a number of shows and seminars that might co-locate with us in Las Vegas,” Andrews said. “We’re evaluating those now and expect to make final decisions shortly.”

Dates at two venues are currently being negotiated and final dates for the Holiday Expo will be announced in the next several weeks.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Natural Products Association today announced a new partnership with Penton Media, Inc. aimed at expanding its annual trade show, Natural MarketPlace. Under the agreement, Penton will acquire certain assets related to the show from the Natural Products Association, and Penton's New Hope Natural Media Group will manage the show in partnership with the association, beginning in 2009. This year's 71st annual edition of Natural MarketPlace will take place July 17-19 in Las Vegas, Nev.

The show brings together retailers, suppliers, manufacturers and other industry leaders to discuss industry trends, explore business opportunities, and exchange information.

"We're excited about this new arrangement because it will keep our trade show growing stronger and let us get back to the work we do best: serving our members. This is a sign of a mature industry and reflects the trend in association trade show management these days, which is to bring in the professionals with the depth, breadth and experience to help a show reach its potential," said David Seckman, executive director and CEO of the Natural Products Association.

"We look forward to working with the NPA to make Natural MarketPlace even more successful for exhibitors and attendees," said Fred Linder, senior vice president of Penton Media.

"Another factor in this decision was how to keep membership dues at a minimum while keeping our quality of service at a premium, and a growing trade show is key to that equation. We're convinced that this arrangement will offer us the best return on our investment and give us the resources we need to keep the Natural Products Association as the industry leader," added Seckman.

ARLINGTON, Va. — CableLabs President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Richard R. Green will provide a keynote address at NXTcomm08 on June 19 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the communications industry exhibition and conferencing entity announced today. NXTcomm08, the one event delivering the ecosystem of network-enabled voice, video and data, will co-locate in Las Vegas with InfoComm08, the leading audiovisual business-to-business marketplace.

"We are delighted to have Dr. Richard Green of CableLabs on hand at NXTcomm08, NXTcomm Executive Director Wayne Crawford said. "There are few technologists within the cable industry as respected and knowledgeable as Dr. Green. We're looking forward to have him address NXTcomm08 and share his thoughts on competition and future issues facing cable companies and carriers, as seen from the perspective of CableLabs."

Other NXTcomm08 Keynotes include AT&T Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Randall L. Stephenson; Verizon President and Chief Operating Officer Denny Strigl; Sprint Nextel President and CEO Daniel Hesse, Survivor Producer Mark Burnett and Sun Microsystems Chairman and Co-Founder Scott McNealy.

NXTcomm08 is expected to draw communications professionals from dozens of countries and U.S. territories and will feature more than 500 companies and exhibits spanning 200,000 square feet, as well as 100 keynote addresses, sessions and conference events and coverage by over 450 press and analysts.

CHICAGO — SmithBucklin has been selected by the Window & Door Manufacturers Association as its full-service management company. WDMA is the preeminent trade association for the window, door and skylight industry. The association will relocate from Des Plaines, Ill., to SmithBucklin's Chicago office.

WDMA was founded in 1927 as the National Door Manufacturers Association. In 1998, the association became WDMA to reflect the inclusion of additional industry groups and products created by its members, as well as the increasing iversity of manufacturing materials. The association develops industry standards and test methods, certifies products to meet those standards, represents the industry before building code and regulatory bodies, conducts research and educational programs for members, and serves as an information clearinghouse for specifiers, architects, builders, contractors and consumers.

WDMA represents more than 145 U.S. and Canadian manufacturers and suppliers of windows and doors for the domestic and export markets. SmithBucklin's immediate priority will be to help WDMA manage its 12th Annual Technical Conference in Lincolnshire, Ill., May 12-15, 2008.