In the world of marketing, promotional products offer an extremely effective way for brands to expand reach and awareness. But as useful as giveaway items can be, they aren’t one-size-fits-all. Certain types of branded freebies work far better than others based on the context they’ll be given away in.
Specifically for live or virtual events, some promotional products stand out as perennial favorites year after year. Before investing budget in large volumes of swag, it’s wise to consider why certain items tend to be fan favorites at conferences, trade shows, and more.
This article will explore the top products for event giveaways, why they work so well, and tips for customizing them flawlessly every time.
The Tried and True: Pens, Water Bottles, Notebooks and More
Some promotional items have enduring popularity because they fill a basic functional need while keeping the brand logo constantly visible. Rather than getting tossed aside, they earn a permanent place in recipients’ work bags, desks, and daily routines. Smart event marketers lean on classic giveaways like:
Pens: Affordable and infinitely useful, custom branded pens have universal appeal. They persist as the most distributed promotional item year after year for their versatility and value. Stylus pens add a modern twist.
Reusable Water Bottles: In the age of sustainability, reusable bottles make ideal branded giveaways. Attendees appreciate a vessel for staying hydrated post-event rather than a quick-to-be-tossed disposable bottle.
Notebooks and Notepads: Useful for jotting notes during sessions and beyond, a logo-branded notebook fits seamlessly into any attendee’s workflow. Their slim design makes them easy to stash in bags alongside other essentials.
Keychains and Luggage Tags: Frequent travel is often part of conference and trade show circuits. Lightweight, small branded items like custom keychains and luggage tags last for years while reminding owners who made their journeys possible.
Phone Wallets: Most people carry their smartphone everywhere, making phone wallets a guaranteed repeat branding opportunity long after the stage lights go down. Protecting devices from drops and scratches only adds to their appeal.
On Trend Giveaways Draw Eyes
While classic giveaways bring utility, on-trend swag choices make brands seem fresh, current, and dialed into popular tastes. Limited edition products feel special as people hunt to collect them event after event. When sourcing giveaways, keep an eye on trends taking hold globally and within your industry’s niche. Examples might include:
PopSockets phone grips: These expandable phone handles exploded from quirky upstart to sensation, and customized PopGrips still feel new and exciting as giveaways. New collections and designs keep the trend jumping.
Wireless chargers: As most devices shift to USB-C and wireless charging, branded charging pads meet an increasingly universal need. Attendees appreciate both the convenience and your tech-forward outlook.
Scented products: Consumer enthusiasm for self-care, aromatherapy, and scented everything shows no signs of slowing. Choose giveaways like custom lip balm, scented candles or soap, air fresheners for cars, and more to capture this trend.
Wearable tech: From smart watches to fitness trackers, a tidal wave of wearable gadgets offers chances to brand the next hot thing. Budget models bring the latest innovations to giveaway friendly price points.
RFID blocking accessories: Mobile payment technology and digital ID adoption raise valid privacy concerns that RFID blocking products ease. Peace of mind equals appreciation from privacy-valuing attendees.
Getting Creative with Giveaways Grabs Attention
Giveaways centered on creativity, customization, and moments of fun make an event and your brand unforgettable rather than forgettable. Sponsoring engaging activities on the show floor keeps your logo top of mind. Or offer DIY giveaway kits for attendees to proudly display their own flair. A few creative examples include:
Custom t-shirt or hat printing stations: Rather than giving shirts and hats as-is, provide blanks and onsite silk screening for customization. The memorable experience sticks out more than any mass produced item. Sponsor the materials, labor, or both.
Photo keepsake printers: Events present perfect moments for keepsake photos alongside new products, booth displays, or friends. Tiny mobile printers create branded magnets, stickers, badges and more by printing attendees’ smartphone pics on demand.
3D printing demo: Showcase this emerging technology by printing attendees’ selfies or social media profile images as 3D figurines onsite. The wow factor leads to lots of social shares about your innovation.
Ingredient mixing bars: Conference swag doesn’t have to mean manufactured products. Sponsor a hot chocolate, coffee, or cocktail bar where guests customize drinks to taste. Branded to-go cups remind them of the positive experience.
When selecting giveaway items, keep practicality, trends, and creative engagement opportunities top of mind. All serve unique but complementary goals as takeaways. Spreading budget across promo item types helps cover all branding needs at live or virtual gatherings.
Tips for Flawless Delivery and Reception
Once you’ve selected merch for giveaways calculated to thrill attendees, proper execution ensures impressions exceed expectations:
Choose items useful during the event: Pens, notepads, water bottles, chargers, luggage tags, and RFID wallets all ease frustrations during conferences and trade shows.
Consider gender neutral options: Unless events are gender specific, choose unisex giveaways to ensure applicability for all audiences.
Factor portability: Attendees prefer lightweight takeaways easy to pack alongside event materials and personal items. Bulky swag often gets abandoned.
Highlight sustainable goods: Increasingly, individuals and companies choose suppliers based on environmental values and ethical practices. Reflect these priorities in merch choices.
Use reliable suppliers: Shoddy materials reflect poorly compared to premium branded merchandise attendees recognize as special.
Allow enough lead time: Supply chain issues continue plaguing many industries. Build in padding to account for both production and delivery delays when working with new suppliers.
Capture contact data: Digital or printed signup forms help continually market to past event attendees who already know your brand from useful merchandise and experiences.
The most brilliant ideas mean little if giveaway execution misses the mark. Keeping promotional gifts on brand, on theme, useful and inclusive takes forethought. But perfectly targeted event swag pays dividends for years as recipients reuse items daily while remembering your brand.