What makes a great trade show giveaway item? No matter what branded merch you end up giving out at your event, it should meet two basic criteria:
- It should include your branding
- It should be something your attendees want or need
If you’re struggling to meet item #2, you may be missing out on an effective way to engage with your target audience. A giveaway item is an opportunity to make a lasting impression on your attendees, so if you can offer valuable and portable items there’s a much higher chance that they’ll remember your brand long after your event has ended.
Trade Show Giveaway
Here are a few unique yet functional giveaway items for your next event, separated out into categories. If you have difficulty deciding on which items will work the best, consider what type of items your attendees are looking for and what type of event you’re hosting. Once you know what your target audience is interested in and the sort of items that could potentially augment their event experience, you’ll have a much easier time picking your items.
Consumables
If you host an event centered on food and drink or your company specializes in a consumable product, consider giving away free samples or tastings. Alternatively, offering free, branded water bottles is a great option for any outdoor event where customers are looking for a way to beat the heat. Depending on the nature of your event, offering wine, beer, or spirits is a great way to draw in the 21+ crowd, but make sure your venue is on board with this and that you won’t be undercutting the beverage sales for your event before committing to this type of giveaway.
Apparel
This is a standard, go-to option for many brands- after all, nothing is more practical, brandable, or portable than apparel. Hats, t-shirts, hoodies, polo-shirts, tote bags, sunglasses and even custom branded socks are a great way to get your brand out there because it’s something your attendees can wear- even if it’s just to the gym. They’ll act as a real-life ambassador for your brand and will also be reminded of your organization every time they choose to wear your apparel.
Gadgets
If you’re looking for a more high-tech option, consider giving away free gadgets or electronics. Things like flash drives, keychain power banks, and charging cables are standard fare but are a great way to get your brand in front of a lot of people for relatively low cost. Standard items like charging cables are highly coveted, especially if your attendee is running out of battery life and happened to forget their phone charger (then again, why not consider renting a mobile charging station for your event?)
There’s plenty of other brandable tech out there these days such as Mr. Cardboard, the fold and play mobile solution, or the Trunk iPhone cable that cleverly doubles as a phone stand. Try thinking of an item that pairs well with your brand and searching for a way for that item to incorporate your branding.
Phone Accessories
We carry our phones with us everywhere we go, so why not take advantage of this to boost your brand visibility? Things like PopSockets,Smart Wallets that adhere to the back of phones, microfiber cloths, or car mounts are all great brandable items that have high-use potential. If you’re at an event promoting an app or your business ties into mobile phone use, these items will integrate nicely with your brand and will keep attendees aware of your business every time they use their phone.
Eco-Friendly Items
If your brand is focused on sustainability and going as green as possible, there are plenty of items mentioned above that have eco-friendly options. For example, rather than offering the standard plastic sunglasses with your branding, why not offer premium bamboo sunglasses instead with your logo etched into the side? Instead of giving away single-use water bottles, give away reusable aluminum or BPA-free water bottles that include your logo. There are plenty of eco-friendly options out there that won’t break the bank, so consider going green with your giveaway.
Did you know that our Social Vending Machine can help store and distribute almost any trade show giveaway item? With refrigerated and non-refrigerated options and room for up to 1,100 items, this customizable machine can handle anything from champagne bottles and chocolates to keychains and t-shirts. The vending machine collects your attendee’s information in exchange for your giveaway items, providing a fun experience and a keepsake while also giving you valuable information on your event guests. Simply decide what each item is worth (one water bottle for one email address, one PopSocket for an Instagram follow, etc.), load the machine, and you’re ready to go!
The social vending machine provides a simple way to manage your free promo items while giving your attendees an experience they won’t forget! If you’re looking to increasing your reach on social media while having an eye-catching, merch-vending machine at your next event, click here to learn more.
