Showdown Displays Interview with Amy Krieger - Universal

Showdown Displays: A Strategic Opportunity for Distributors Seeking Reliable, High-Margin Growth

In today’s competitive promotional products landscape, distributors are looking for stable, repeatable categories that generate consistent revenue without unnecessary complexity. Display and signage products fit that description exceptionally well—and yet they remain underutilized by many distributors.

To better understand this opportunity, Universal Unilink spoke with Amy Krieger, Strategic Account Manager at Showdown Displays. With decades of experience on both the distributor and supplier sides, Amy shared valuable insights into why displays remain one of the most dependable profit categories available today and how distributors can capitalize on growing demand.

A Supplier With Deep Distributor Insight

Amy’s background sets Showdown Displays apart. She entered the print and promotional products industry in 1999, later operating her own distributorship for nearly 20 years.
Her experience spans:

Trade show displays
Branded signage
Table throws
Badges and accessories
Office and marketing essentials
Custom fulfillment

Because she has managed real client expectations, budgets, deadlines, and artwork challenges, Amy understands the operational pressures distributors face every day.

That perspective directly informs Showdown’s customer experience philosophy.

“Our job is to support distributors. We understand what it’s like on the front lines,” Amy noted.

Showdown’s record reinforces that statement. The company has earned its fourth Global Customer Service Award and maintains a long-standing reputation for accuracy, responsiveness, and distributor-centric support.

The Display Market Is Far Larger Than Most Distributors Realize

Many distributors think of displays as “trade show products.” However, industry research confirms that only about 30% of display sales are tied to trade shows.

The remaining 70% are found in:

Higher education
Retail environments
Corporate offices
Healthcare
Manufacturing
Financial institutions
Outdoor events
Municipalities and public services
Hospitality and travel
Restaurants and food service

If you simply observe your surroundings—lobbies, sidewalks, shopping centers, campuses, retail counters—you’ll see portable signage and promotional displays in constant use. These are not one-time purchases. They wear out, become outdated, and require regular replacement.

For distributors, that means repeat orders and recurring revenue.

Proven Entry Points for Distributors Expanding Into Displays

Distributors do not need deep technical knowledge to begin selling displays effectively. Amy recommends starting with foundational products that clients already understand:

Table throws
Retractable banners
Flags
Printed banners
Event kits

These items are essential across nearly every industry and represent low-risk, consistent selling opportunities. As clients gain confidence, distributors can expand into more specialized or large-format solutions.

A Website Designed for Distributor Success

Showdown Displays provides one of the most comprehensive online platforms in the category. Several tools stand out as especially valuable for Universal Unilink members:

1. Preferred Pricing Access

Once logged in, distributors can see all preferred pricing instantly—simplifying quoting and order preparation.

2. Additional Savings for Online Orders

Orders placed online automatically receive an extra 2% discount, creating built-in margin advantages.

3. Professional-Grade Marketing Resources

Distributors can access customizable materials including:

Product flyers
Industry-specific sales sheets
Seasonal and event-based guides
Literature for targeted vertical markets

These can be used directly with clients, making selling significantly easier.

4. Distributor-Branded Websites

Showdown allows distributors to create unbranded or custom-branded display websites. Clients can browse products, review specifications, and build wish lists—without accessing supplier information.

5. Virtual Showroom

The interactive virtual showroom is a powerful presentation tool, allowing clients to visualize display environments and explore product types in a clean, professional format.

A Growing Portfolio Beyond Traditional Displays

Following the integration of AAA Innovations, Showdown has expanded into experiential and event-oriented products that open additional revenue avenues for distributors, including:

Branded wagons
Outdoor and leisure furniture
Cornhole sets
Putting greens
Coolers
Event support gear

These items perform well in higher education, corporate gifting, and employee engagement programs. Wagons, for example, have become a preferred gift item on university campuses and within corporate wellness programs.

Expert Support in Every Region

Showdown maintains a national team of regional experts who offer hands-on assistance for distributors. These specialists can:

Join client meetings
Recommend product solutions
Suggest sector-specific bundles
Provide pricing and quoting support
Assist with project planning

For distributors new to the category, this support dramatically shortens the learning curve.

Key Products That Stand Out in Today’s Market

Amy highlighted two product categories gaining strong traction:

1. Tower Tiles

A modular, durable display system built from printed tiles that can be rearranged or expanded.
Ideal for:

School systems
Corporate lobbies
Retail displays
Seasonal promotions
Special events

Front and back graphics can differ with no extra setup costs, adding flexibility.

2. The Steal Umbrella

A compact, robust umbrella engineered to withstand tough weather conditions. It includes the Rain Alerts app, providing users with practical utility and brand visibility. Umbrellas remain one of the strongest ROI promotional products due to their long lifespan and daily use.

Additional standout items include:

The Spotlight umbrella (internal LED lighting)
Inverted umbrellas for vehicle-friendly use
Lightweight, portable display systems for outdoor events

SEG Glow: The High-Impact Display for Maximum Visibility

One of Showdown’s most visually compelling solutions is the SEG Glow light-box display. LED illumination enhances brand presence, making it ideal for:

Trade shows
Retail entrances
Campus events
Recruitment fairs
Corporate functions

Showdown’s battery-powered options eliminate electrical hurdles and expand deployment flexibility.

Why Showdown Displays Belongs in Every Distributor’s Product Strategy

For Universal Unilink members seeking dependable, year-round revenue opportunities, Showdown Displays presents a strategic advantage. When distributors pair Showdown’s product depth with their award-winning service model, the result is a reliable and scalable profit center.

Showdown offers:

Comprehensive display and signage solutions
Strong support across all major vertical markets
Exceptional customer service and project support
Robust marketing tools designed for distributor use
Innovative, expanding product lines
Online tools that simplify quoting, ordering, and presenting

For distributors committed to growing their business with proven, high-margin categories, Showdown Displays represents one of the most valuable partners in the industry.