Tradeshows and conventions are prime opportunities to promote your brand, make connections, and leave a lasting impression on attendees. One of the best ways to stand out at events like these is with custom products that not only represent your brand but also offer value to visitors. Whether you’re attending an industry-specific event or a more general convention, the right custom products can draw people to your booth and keep your brand on their minds even when the event is over. Here’s a guide on the essential custom trade show giveaways to bring with you to your next event.
Product Ideas for Trade Show Giveaways
Giveaways are a tradeshow staple. Offering free products is a great way to attract attendees to your booth and leave them with something they can take home. Here are some must-have custom items:
1. Tote Bags
Custom tote bags are one of the most popular giveaway items at any convention. Not only are they practical for attendees to carry all the brochures and swag they collect throughout the day, but they also offer prime real estate for your logo. Choose a sturdy, stylish design that people will want to reuse long after the event, turning your tote into a mobile billboard for your brand. Keep in mind many of the other businesses at these events will also bring tote bags to give away, make sure that yours is high quality and ends up being the main tote that attendees use.
2. Stickers
Custom stickers are an easy and fun giveaway. They’re affordable, lightweight, and can be quickly handed out to everyone who stops by your booth. Stickers allow attendees to show off your brand on their laptops, water bottles, or wherever else they stick them, offering continual exposure even after the event. Plus, you can get creative with the designs to make them stand out!
While just putting your logo on a sticker can be beneficial, think outside of the box most of the time people are more likely to use stickers that are funny or resonate with them somehow. For example if you are at an outdoor themed convention / trade show make the theming of your sticker connected to that to make your sticker appeal to the attendee demographic.
3. Hats
Custom hats are a fantastic option for a giveaway item that offers real value. Whether it’s a classic baseball cap or a trendy hat design, a well-designed hat will be worn repeatedly, putting your logo on display. Hats appeal to a wide range of attendees and are especially useful at outdoor events or conventions held in sunny climates.
A hat style that is currently super popular for both its shape and affordability is the classic mesh back foam trucker hat! Utilize this style especially if you are at a tradeshow or convention with a younger more fashion forward demographic.
4. Sunglasses
Sunglasses are a crowd favorite, especially if the convention or trade show is in a sunny location or during warmer months. Custom sunglasses are practical, stylish, and offer excellent brand visibility. You can choose bold colors that match your brand and create a product people will use and talk about. Sunglasses are definitely something you should not cheap out on if your budget allows it; consider purchasing more durable glasses that can be worn for years to come.
5. Portable Chargers
In a tech-driven world, portable chargers are a huge hit at conventions. Most attendees are constantly using their phones for networking, social media, or navigating the event, and running out of battery can be a nightmare. A custom portable charger with your logo not only solves that problem but ensures your brand gets noticed every time they pull out their charger.
Consider precharging the portable chargers so that your branding can start to be seen immediately.
Decorations and Booth Setup
While giveaways are essential, the setup of your booth also plays a significant role in attracting visitors. The way your booth looks and operates can make all the difference in how people perceive your brand.
1. Consider Your Trade Show or Convention Theme
Before planning your giveaways and decorations, consider the type of trade show or convention you’re attending. Is it specific to a certain industry like tech, fashion, or food? Or is it a more general event where people from all walks of life attend? Understanding your audience will help you tailor your booth design, decorations, and product choices to fit the vibe of the event.
For industry-specific trade shows, choose products and decorations that resonate with the audience’s interests. At a tech convention, for example, focus on items like portable chargers or tech accessories, while a fashion trade show might be the perfect setting for custom hats and tote bags. Of course also consider your brand, what are you trying to push the most while you are at this event.
2. Tablecloths and Booth Displays
A branded tablecloth is a simple yet effective way to make your booth look professional and cohesive. A clean, eye-catching tablecloth featuring your logo ensures your booth looks polished and helps tie your overall display together and hides any flaws of your table. Don’t forget to bring any necessary booth or background displays to help grab attention from across the room. Custom backdrops with your brand’s message and colors make your booth stand out among the sea of competitors.
3. Games and Prizes
Want to engage attendees and make your booth more interactive? Consider incorporating games or contests where people can win prizes. Whether it’s a spin-the-wheel game, trivia, or a simple raffle, games give attendees a reason to stick around and engage with your brand. Offering a variety of prizes, from smaller items like stickers and sunglasses to larger prizes like custom hats or portable chargers, keeps things fun and exciting. This can also be a way to make people stay at your booth longer but can also make for a more fun way to win giveaway items.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to tradeshows and conventions, preparation is key. Offering useful, memorable custom products as giveaways and ensuring your booth is well-designed and engaging can significantly boost your brand’s visibility. Whether you’re handing out custom tote bags or running a fun game to win custom hats, the goal is to create a memorable experience for attendees that makes your brand stand out from the competition.
At Brand Aid, we can help you design and create all the custom products and booth displays you need to succeed at your next event.
