Trade shows are a goldmine for businesses looking to connect with potential customers and partners. They offer a captive audience eager to learn about new products and services. But if you’re stuck using the same old boring giveaways, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity.
Studies show that nearly half of all trade show attendees are drawn to booths offering swag and giveaways. That’s why it’s crucial to choose promotional items that are both unique and practical. After all, the goal is to create a lasting brand impression, not contribute to landfill waste.
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SHAMROCK’S VISUAL MARKETING & TRADESHOW VIRTUAL EVENT
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 I 2 PM
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Join Shamrock for a free virtual event to help you:
- Improve trade show engagement
- Discover the latest trends in visual marketing, giveaways, and promotions
- Make productive connections and convert more prospects at your next event
Tips for Choosing Winning Trade Show Giveaways
Know Your Audience: Tailor your giveaways to your target audience. Tech-savvy attendees will appreciate power banks or USB drives, while foodies might enjoy custom-branded kitchen gadgets.
Keep it Relevant: Choose items that align with your brand or industry. For instance, a fitness company could give away branded water bottles or yoga mats.
Make it Functional: People are more likely to hold onto giveaways they’ll use regularly. Think reusable water bottles, tote bags, or phone chargers.
Branded for Impact: Don’t forget the branding. While your logo should be prominently displayed, avoid sacrificing aesthetics for excessive logo placement.
Budget-conscious: There are plenty of affordable options to consider, like pens, notepads, or hand sanitizer, that people will reach for again and again—great for ongoing brand connections.
Quality Matters: Giveaways reflect your brand, so choose well-made items that won’t fall apart after one use.
Stand Out: Select a unique and memorable promo to help your brand stand out from other vendors at the trade show and make an impression on attendees.
Consider Sustainability: Display Wizard reports that 92% of businesses plan to be more sustainable when exhibiting at trade shows this year. So, shop for eco-friendly options that promote environmental awareness.
After establishing your budget, figuring out whom you’re targeting, and identifying what types of promotional items and swag best represent your industry and brand, it’s time to shop. We’ve done the legwork, rounding up the hottest trade show promo this year.
The Best Trade Show Giveaways 2024
Phone & tech accessories. With most of us regularly reaching for our phones at least 96 times per day, or once every ten minutes (Zippia), branded phone and tech accessories make a useful and practical giveaway. Trending items include the Pop Socket in vegan leather and spin profiles, the Rozie 5-in-1 multi-tool Tech Detail Kit—great for keeping your phone, tablet, keyboard, and ear pods squeaky clean—and wall-plug multi-charger.
More brandable, everyday, affordable tech essentials include phone chargers and power banks, microfiber cleaning cloths, and neoprene tech cord/cable cases to keep tech gear organized on the go.
Eco-responsible swag. According to a recent Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) study, 46% of buyers have a more favorable opinion of a brand if they receive environmentally friendly swag. So, knowing that your tradeshow giveaway reflects your brand, choose wisely. From reusable, recycled cotton twill tote bags and reusable straws to customized reusable water bottles or cups and recycled paper notebooks with your company logo: These practical, on-trend items are a great way to promote your brand and be eco-friendly at the same time.
Seek the unique. You might choose unexpected items, like luggage tags, playing cards, and collapsible travel bowls, to stand out among the sea of branded pens and lanyards. Go with a seasonal item like the poker chip ball marker or the popular Doodle Coloring Notebook. This versatile paper journal includes 40 white sheets, lined paper for notes, and coloring pages for doodling.
A final thought about trade show swag
Free brand swag and giveaways have become trade show essentials for most exhibitors. In other words, there’s a lot of competition out there. So, to make sure you connect and leave a lasting impression on attendees, consider the promotional items and giveaways you choose.
If you need help finding the ideal giveaway for your next trade show, don’t miss our free virtual event on September 18, 2024. REGISTER HERE. I hope to see you at the show!
