D – At the second edition after the COVID-induced intermission, the PSI Show is still on the upswing: 567 exhibitors (2023: 463) from 29 nations took part in the show from January 9-11, at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre and the show boasted a full-house. The fact that several renowned importers like Giving Europe, midocean, PF Concept or XD Design as well as specialists such as Jung since 1828, Klio, Mahlwerk or Prodir were present again with in some cases elaborate stands after not exhibiting last year, confirmed the recently challenged event’s status as being “Europe’s leading show for the promotional products business” and the “place-to-be” for the entire industry.
On the visitor side, many famous promotional products agencies from all over Europe attended the event as well as delegations for instance from the American organisations, the ASI and the PPAI. The growth in the attendance figure was not however able to match that of the exhibitors. The organisers from RX Germany counted 11,003 visitors from 69 countries, which corresponded to just under 5% more than in 2023, when 10,509 visitors attended the season’s opening event in Düsseldorf. The number of exhibitors increased on the other hand by an incredible 22.5%. Many of the exhibitors were satisfied with the quantity and quality of the discussions. Whereby the expectations were much higher than last year, which is why the resumé of the show was less euphoric at a few of the stands.
In spite of difficult framework conditions in unstable times and the threat of a recession, the industry is proving to be resilient which meant the mood was optimistic and the presence reflected the positive fiscal year 2023 that many of the suppliers and distributors had experienced: Professional and concentrating on the essentials. The stand designs of many large (or medium-sized) suppliers were high-class and striking, although many of the visitors registered a clear difference between Hall 10 which accommodated many huge stands and Hall 9, where among others the Newcomer Area and the rather small zone of the partner country, the Netherlands, were located. But beautiful stands could be discovered here too, such as the newly created Stabilo stand. And the smaller uniform stands of the first-time exhibitors and young companies also attracted many visitors because of their perpetual hunger for fresh ideas.
The show has long since adopted the character of a networking and information platform, which was once again underscored by the supporting programme. For example, the PSI Lecture Programme offered in-depth knowledge transfer on themes like cyber security and legislation, through to packaging design. And there was a special highlight in store for the visitors in Hall 10: the MoPA, Museum of Promotional Articles. The director of cyber-Wear, Steven Baumgaertner, and his team had collected over 200 exhibits that paid tribute to the promotional product and underlined its history – as well as its future.
With its professional appearance, the PSI Show is predestined to carry out genre marketing and lobby work for haptic advertising. On the third day of the show upon the invitation of promotional products distributors, industry customers were allowed to visit the event. An offer which several promotional products distributors, especially from the region in and around Düsseldorf, gladly accepted. The MoP and fiscal speaker of the liberal party FDP, Markus Herbrand, attended the Opening Ceremony and Press Conference on the first day of the show again and he also took part in a panel discussion with the PSI Director, Petra Lassahn; Steven Baumgaertner and elasto CEO, Marcus Sperber.
The PSI will “continue to engage in a discussion and exchange with politicians,” Lassahn subsequently promised. For instance at the PSI 2025, which is taking place in Düsseldorf once again from January 7-9, 2025.
A detailed follow-up report will be printed in the next issue of eppi magazine, No. 151 (February 21, 2024).
// Mischa Delbrouck
