PSI
PSI is a Düsseldorf-based membership network and trade show organizer for the European promotional products industry, serving suppliers, distributors, dealers, and agencies via the PSI Messe trade fair and digital sourcing tools.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1969
- HeadquartersDüsseldorf, Germany
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What PSI does
PSI (Promotional Product Service Institute) is a membership-based industry network and trade show organizer for the European promotional products (Werbemittel) sector, operating as a division of RX Deutschland GmbH within the RELX Group and headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany. Founded in 1969, PSI runs the European leading trade fair for the industry (PSI Messe, relocating to Koelnmesse in Cologne in 2027), alongside PSI Academy (education), PSI ON TOUR (regional events), and the supplier-hosted Welcome Home Tour series. The PSI Network portal integrates a suite of digital directory and content tools — PSI Product Finder, PSI Product Sourcing, PSI Distributor Finder, PSI Supplier Finder, PSI Media Guide, and the PSI Journal — to support members' daily sourcing and business intelligence needs, supplemented by the PSI Sustainability Awards and a PSI Jobbörse (job exchange).
PSI monetizes through tiered membership subscriptions (€660/year standard annual Professional membership; €25/month for consultants, dealers, and agencies; €50/month for suppliers, auto-renewing unless cancelled by end of March) and through exhibitor and participation fees at PSI Messe and ancillary events. Its primary customer segments are enterprise-level promotional product suppliers and manufacturers (exhibitors at PSI Messe and members of the network), mid-market distributors and dealers (members using sourcing tools), and SMB consultants and agencies. Operations are concentrated in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and broader Europe, supported by deep industry-association partnerships with GWW, BGA, ZAW, VÖW, FAMA, the Werbeland network (~260 specialist businesses), and Aka-Tex. Leadership consists of Managing Directors Rachel Travers, Michael Koehler, and Ivo Sklenitzka at the RX Deutschland level, with Petra Lassahn serving as Event Director for PSI and the related PromoTex Expo and viscom shows.
PSI firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PSI
- Legal name
- PSI – Promotional Product Service Institute, RX Deutschland GmbH
- Website
- https://psi-network.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1969
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- PSI is a Düsseldorf-based membership network and trade show organizer for the European promotional products industry, serving suppliers, distributors, dealers, and agencies via the PSI Messe trade fair and digital sourcing tools.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PSI industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Trade Show & Industry Network Services
- NAICS
- Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Exhibition & Trade Show Management (Conference-Adjacent) (THAHACAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sponsorship, Exhibitor & Partnership Management Services (THAHACAK), Training, Workshops & Certification Events (MPAGAGAJ)
Keywords
Where PSI is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Düsseldorf
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
PSI business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: PSI generates revenue through annual membership fees from suppliers and distributors in the promotional products industry. Membership provides access to networking tools, industry events, product finders, and industry knowledge resources.
- Trade Show & Events: The organization hosts the PSI Trade Show (European leading trade fair for promotional products), PSI Academy, and PSI ON TOUR events, generating revenue from exhibitor fees and event participation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Supplier Professional membership for manufacturers and suppliers |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual membership for suppliers and distributors |
| Subscription | Monthly | Professional membership for consultants, dealers, and agencies |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
PSI product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PSI operates a membership-based industry network and trade fair for the European promotional products sector, providing digital sourcing tools (Product Finder, Supplier Finder, Distributor Finder, Product Sourcing, Media Guide), the annual PSI Trade Show (European leading trade fair), educational programs (PSI Academy), regional events (PSI ON TOUR), and industry content (PSI Journal). Revenue is generated primarily through tiered membership subscriptions for suppliers and distributors, exhibitor and event participation fees, and digital tool access.
Product overview
PSI (Promotional Product Service Institute) operates as a membership network and trade fair organization for the European promotional products industry. The core offering is the PSI Network portal, which integrates a suite of digital tools — including the PSI Product Finder, Product Sourcing, Distributor Finder, Supplier Finder, Media Guide, and PSI Journal — alongside in-person events such as the PSI Messe (European premier trade fair), PSI Academy, PSI ON TOUR, and the Welcome Home Tour supplier events. PSI functions as a division of RX Deutschland GmbH under the RELX Group, providing membership-based access to industry networking, product sourcing tools, news/content publishing, and professional development for distributors, dealers, agencies, and suppliers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PSI Academy: Educational programs and professional development offerings for PSI members.
- PSI ON TOUR
- PSI Journal
Products and services
- PSI Network (Member Portal) The PSI Network web portal at psi-network.de serves as the central online home of the European promotional products industry, providing access to tools (Product Finder, Distributor Finder, Supplier Finder, Media Guide, Product Sourcing), news, events, and membership resources for suppliers, distributors, dealers, consultants, and agencies.
- PSI Trade Show (PSI Messe) The European leading trade fair for the promotional products industry, hosting exhibitors and visitors from across the sector; previously known as PSI Messe. PSI 2027 will be held at Koelnmesse in Cologne for the first time.
- PSI Product Finder
Companies that use PSI
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
PSI technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
PSI partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- RX Deutschland GmbH (RELX Group)corePSI is a division of RX Deutschland GmbH, which is part of the RELX Group. RX Deutschland organizes exhibitions and events including PSI, PromoTex Expo, and viscom.
- GWW (Gesamtverband der Werbeartikel-Wirtschaft e.V.)coreThe General Association of the Promotional Products Industry. GWW and PSI collaborate on industry initiatives including political participation calls and annual conferences.
- BGA (Bundesverband Großhandel, Außenhandel, Dienstleistungen)coreFederal Association of Wholesale, Foreign Trade, and Services. BGA collaborates with GWW and ZAW on industry policy initiatives.
- ZAW (Zentralverband der deutschen Werbewirtschaft)coreCentral Association of German Advertising Industry. ZAW participates in joint industry initiatives with GWW and BGA.
- VÖW (Verband Österreichischer Werbemittelhändler)minorAssociation of Austrian Promotional Product Dealers. VÖW held its 35th anniversary meeting in June 2026, celebrating with suppliers and members.
- WerbelandminorNetwork of approximately 260 specialist businesses in advertising, clothing, displays, signage, and promotional products across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Werbeland holds annual meetings and participates in industry events.
- Aka-Tex (Akademie für Textilveredlung)minorAcademy for Textile Finishing that partners with PSI, PromoTex Expo, and viscom for educational seminars on embroidery, textile printing, and textile expertise.
- Gunold GmbHminorEmbroidery specialist company that partners with Aka-Tex Academy for textile finishing seminars. Seminars are held at Gunold facilities in Stockstadt, Germany.
- FAMA (Fachverband Messen und Ausstellungen)minorGerman Trade Fair and Exhibition Association that advocates for trade fair conditions alongside AUMA and Reed Exhibitions.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
PSI competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Koelnmesse: Major German trade fair venue and organizer hosting 80+ events annually. Now the host venue for PSI 2027, Koelnmesse operates comparable industry-specific events (e.g., gamescom, ISM, Anuga) with similar exhibitor fees and attendee monetization models.
- Messe Frankfurt: One of Europe's largest trade fair organizers, operating flagship shows across consumer goods, textiles, and ambient entertainment. Comparable to PSI as a German-headquartered B2B exhibition business with membership-style industry engagement and digital platform tools.
- Messe Düsseldorf: Major Düsseldorf-headquartered German trade fair organizer (PSI's home city), hosting events such as drupa, K, MEDICA, and ProWein. Closely comparable on European B2B exhibition scale, industry vertical specialization, and member/exhibitor economics.
- NürnbergMesse: German trade fair organizer hosting 120+ events across consumer goods, outdoor/retail, and security verticals. Comparable in operating mid-sized specialized European industry exhibitions with similar exhibitor and attendee profiles to PSI.
- Messe München (Messe München GmbH): Major German trade fair organizer operating leading European shows including BAU, IFAT, and drinktec. Comparable as a German-headquartered B2B exhibition business with comparable vertical-focused event economics and digital ecosystem.
- PPAI (Promotional Products Association International): US-based trade association for the promotional products industry, operating PPAI Expo, education programs, and member services. Direct functional equivalent to PSI in North America with parallel membership, trade show, and industry publication business model.
- PromoTex Expo: Sister trade show within RX Deutschland's portfolio focused on textile decoration and promotional apparel. Operates on the same RELX/RX Deutschland platform as PSI and targets overlapping exhibitor and visitor bases, making it a directly comparable peer event.
- viscom (Reed Exhibitions Deutschland): European trade fair for visual communication, signage, and advertising technology, also organized by RX Deutschland. Comparable to PSI as a sibling RX Deutschland event serving overlapping advertising and promotional industry buyers and exhibitors.
Broad incumbents
- Reed Exhibitions (RX): Sister division under RELX Group and parent of RX Deutschland (PSI's direct parent). Operates a global portfolio of B2B trade shows across dozens of verticals, providing direct comparability on event economics, exhibitor acquisition, and network monetization strategies.
Others
- AUMA (Association of the German Trade Fair Industry): German trade fair industry association that advocates for the exhibitions sector alongside FAMA and Reed Exhibitions. PSI partners with FAMA, and AUMA represents the broader regulatory and industry framework PSI operates within.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
PSI social profiles
Digital presencePSI financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PSI leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
PSI funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PSI M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PSI
What does PSI do?
PSI operates a membership-based industry network and trade fair for the European promotional products sector, providing digital sourcing tools (Product Finder, Supplier Finder, Distributor Finder, Product Sourcing, Media Guide), the annual PSI Trade Show (European leading trade fair), educational programs (PSI Academy), regional events (PSI ON TOUR), and industry content (PSI Journal). Revenue is generated primarily through tiered membership subscriptions for suppliers and distributors, exhibitor and event participation fees, and digital tool access.
Is PSI a public or private company?
PSI is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was PSI founded?
PSI was founded in 1969. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is PSI based?
PSI is headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does PSI make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are trade Show & Events.
Who are PSI's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Koelnmesse, Messe Frankfurt, Messe Düsseldorf, NürnbergMesse, Messe München (Messe München GmbH), PPAI (Promotional Products Association International), PromoTex Expo and viscom (Reed Exhibitions Deutschland). Reed Exhibitions (RX) is listed as a broad incumbent. AUMA (Association of the German Trade Fair Industry) is listed as an others.
Does PSI have an API?
No public API is recorded for PSI.
What industry is PSI in?
PSI's product category is Trade Show & Industry Network Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAHACAF, Exhibition & Trade Show Management (Conference-Adjacent), with a secondary code of THAHACAK, Sponsorship, Exhibitor & Partnership Management Services. Its NAICS code is 56192 and its SIC code is 8600.