One of the most frequently asked questions our Houston trade show clients ask is, “What should my giveaway items be?” Promotional items are a staple of trade shows; attendees just expect them. But how can you be sure those items don’t go to waste? If you’ve ever attended a show as a non-exhibitor, you know what happens to many giveaway items: They go to your kids, they go in your junk drawer, and some even go in the trash. Now that you’re an exhibitor, you don’t want that to happen to your promotional items. Here’s how to make sure it doesn’t.
First, choose trade show giveaways that are useful – for like-minded adults, that is. A little squishy ball marketed as a “stress reliever” may have been popular 10 years ago, but it’s almost guaranteed to get handed to the kids now. Instead, choose something that everyone needs at the office: pens, magnets for file cabinets and notepads if your budget is small, or coffee mugs if you have a little more to spend. Many people don’t want to bring items from home into the office, so they appreciate when they pick up some items they can use from the trade show.
Also, it’s important to remember who your audience is. Almost 50% of trade show attendees are executives or upper management in their companies. They may appreciate higher end promotional items, so if you have more money to spend on your swag, it may be a good idea to do it. In addition to the aforementioned coffee mugs, some high end promotional items include t-shirts, baseball caps and towels. Choose an item that is conducive to your industry; you want your audience to connect the item to whatever it is you do.
Our Houston trade show experts know that with some thoughtful effort, you can get the right promotional items for your next trade show. Have fun choosing these items; it’s one of the best parts of trade show planning!
