Industry view of the future

PSI got off to a successful start in the new promotional products year with an increase in both visitors and exhibitors. PSI director Petra Lassahn emphasises the positive response and the correct repositioning of promotional products, supported by the exceptional PSI partner network. Michael Köhler, managing director of event organiser RX Deutschland, sees PSI as a trade fair that focuses on authenticity, innovation and unity. The industry barometer shows that respondents consider price sensitivity among customers to be the biggest challenge, followed by high ancillary costs, competition and difficulties with delivery routes and logistics.

Marcus Sperber, managing partner of elasto, explains the challenge of finding qualified personnel, which leads to the automation and digitalisation of processes. Steven Baumgaertner, CEO of cyber-Wear, describes Germany as a bureaucracy monster and calls for fewer regulations and more entrepreneurial spirit from politicians.

Markus Herbrand, Member of the Bundestag and financial policy spokesman for the FDP parliamentary group, and Manfred Todtenhausen, Member of the Bundestag and member of the Economic Committee of the German Bundestag, discussed these topics during the PSI kick-off event and a business discussion. Herbrand understands the discontent, but points to progress such as the Bureaucracy Relief Act and relief of around six billion euros in the Growth Opportunities Act.

PSI responded to the challenges of its members at the trade fair with customised "education formats" on topics such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, plagiarism prevention, the EU Product Safety Regulation, the EU Toy Safety Regulation and the digital product passport. Petra Lassahn also announced the founding of the "PSI Sustainability Academy", which will offer exclusive masterclasses and workshops with international lectures for members.

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