PSI Academy - PSI launches a new event format for the promotional products industry
Published on 25.04.2025
Location: Gürzenich/Cologne on September 11, 2025
With the PSI Academy, PSI is launching a versatile industry get-together that makes
companies fit for business and competition. Education, awards and networking are
the pillars of this new PSI format.
A new, independent industry get-together under the umbrella of the PSI Institute – that’s the PSI Academy, which will bring the promotional products industry together for a second time in the year to complement PSI. The annual event is an exciting combination of education and networking event as well as the industry highlight PSI Academy Awards, which will take place annually at different locations in Europe. By involving the European promotional products associations, the industry will also continue to grow together internationally.
The PSI Academy sees itself as a platform that not only gives suppliers and distributors a stage, but also involves associations, industrial and commercial customers and politicians. This addresses all those groups that are active in the promotional products business or are relevant to the industry. The new format can broaden horizons, clarify positions and promote cooperation. The PSI Academy supports the promotional products industry with a unique, up-to-date and concentrated transfer of knowledge and, together with the organizer of the Green Product Award as a partner, creates transparent and communicable competitive advantages all around sustainability.
The individual areas of the PSI Academy:
PSI Academy Conference: Cutting-edge presentations, discussions and workshops on the topic of sustainability as well as marketing-relevant topics and issues affecting the industry. Online webinars will take up and deepen relevant topics throughout the year.
PSI Academy Certification: Will be introduced as a certification standard for the promotional products industry from 2026. A points-based participation system will enable PSI Academy participants to measure the progress of their performance and qualifications and thus secure competitive advantages.
PSI Academy Awards: The new industry award will recognize particularly sustainable products, companies and newcomers in the promotional products industry. The PSI Academy Awards will go beyond the previous PSI Sustainability Awards in terms of content and standards, for example by documenting developments and progress and honoring. In this respect, the new format is designed as an incentive and inspiration for the entire promotional products industry.
PSI Academy Expo: The exhibition of the winners and nominated products and campaigns showcases the creativity and innovative expertise of the companies: A presentation of practice cases for insiders and a business card with which the promotional products industry can introduce itself to politicians, associations and sponsors.
PSI Academy Night: The gala evening of the PSI Academy, which rounds off the event in a festive way and brings award winners and nominees on stage.
PSI Academy Awards 2025: Submissions now open
PSI – the European network of the promotional products industry – is sending a strong signal for sustainability in the industry: With the PSI Academy Awards, PSI honors outstanding sustainable promotional products and concepts. Suppliers, distributors and creative minds in the industry are invited to submit their innovative products and initiatives. The submission period starts immediately.
The PSI Academy Awards, a successor format to the former Sustainability Awards, recognize outstanding achievements and best practices in the European promotional products industry and underline the growing importance of innovation and sustainability in a changing market. In close connection with the goals of the European Green New Deal, which aims to achieve a climate-neutral transformation of the EU economy by 2050, PSI honors companies that set an example through pioneering approaches in the areas of circular economy, resource conservation and social responsibility.
“With the PSI Academy Awards, we want to make outstanding commitment visible and promote sustainable innovations. Our goal is to strengthen responsible action in the promotional products industry and set new standards,” explains PSI Director Petra Lassahn. A high-caliber, neutral jury of industry experts and sustainability specialists will evaluate the submissions according to established, transparent criteria.
Categories of the PSI Academy Awards 2025:
1. Best advertising media from suppliers in the following categories:
• Clothing and textiles
• Electronics and multimedia
• Lifestyle & accessories
• School and office supplies
• Bags, luggage and travel
2. Best advertising media campaign by a retailer
3. In addition, the awards Company of the Year for retailers and industrial and commercial customers and Newcomer of the Year for retailers will be presented.
Submissions and conditions of participation:
Companies from all over Europe – regardless of sector or size – are invited to submit their
projects and innovations for one or more categories. The deadline for submissions is June 30, 2025. You can find more information on the conditions of participation and the submission process at www.psi-academy.com/de/awards.
Award ceremony:
The award ceremony will take place on September 11, 2025 at the Gürzenich in Cologne. The PSI Academy gala evening will serve as a festive setting.
Contact:
PSI Academy Awards:
Nils Bader, Direktor Green Product Awards
Telefon: +49 30 35527221
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