PSI

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.

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

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

• Promotional products trade show
• Industry membership network
• Trade fair organization
• Business networking services
• B2B event management

Headquarters

HQ city

Düsseldorf

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core 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

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RX Deutschland GmbH (RELX Group)coreOthersPSI 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.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal Association of Wholesale, Foreign Trade, and Services. BGA collaborates with GWW and ZAW on industry policy initiatives.
• ZAW (Zentralverband der deutschen Werbewirtschaft)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentral Association of German Advertising Industry. ZAW participates in joint industry initiatives with GWW and BGA.
• VÖW (Verband Österreichischer Werbemittelhändler)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation of Austrian Promotional Product Dealers. VÖW held its 35th anniversary meeting in June 2026, celebrating with suppliers and members.
• WerbelandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNetwork 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)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAcademy for Textile Finishing that partners with PSI, PromoTex Expo, and viscom for educational seminars on embroidery, textile printing, and textile expertise.
• Gunold GmbHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEmbroidery 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)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman 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

Direct 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

• Facebookfacebook.com/psimesse
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/psi-messe

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PSI