Promotional Products for Conferences & Tradeshows
Promotional Conference Items & Custom Convention Gifts
What should I hand out at a conference? What should I hand out at a convention?
What promotional marketing collateral do attendees want to see? One of the most important things to remember is that you will not stand out if you hand out the same branded products as other exhibitors. Your promotional conference items are just one part of your exhibiting strategy, but they are one of the most important facets to consider because those handouts are one of the easiest ways to stay in front of your audience. Maybe it wasn’t the right timing for an attendee to pull the trigger at the time of the conference or convention, BUT they used your swag consistently, and you were the first call when it came time to decide because of that.
Promotional Products for Conferences & Tradeshows
Can an inexpensive swag item really make a difference?
What are trending conference and convention items? Have we ever received a phone call or inquiry years after we handed out an item? Absolutely. We have handed out so many useful items that it is not unique for us to receive a phone call or email that says, "We met at X Conference a few years back. We grabbed X product from your booth, and the timing just hasn’t been right, but we have been using that product frequently, so you have been top of mind."
Do we also email and call these customers who eventually reach out? Yes. They are integrated into our marketing outreach, but sometimes the only difference in the minds of our potential customers between Be Branded and Company B is that there’s a feeling of obligation to give Be Branded a try because they met us in person and we gave them something useful for free.
Recent examples of that:
One cutting board: Used daily for 18 months before this. Now, the customer has reached out asking if we could help with X, Y, and Z.
One pen: Yes, we know this goes against everything we say about pens, BUT this was a pen we had customized in the customer’s colors with their name and company name on it, making it unique and impactful.
One backpack cooler: Sent to a customer with their logo on it. Frequently used for family hikes, and they eventually reached out with a project.
As long as the products you hand out don’t get thrown in the trash, they will be working for you in the background.
Business Conference Giveaways
The variety of promotional marketing collateral for conferences is pretty endless. Working with a promotional product professional instead of choosing products completely on your own is important. The items selected should always be strategically chosen, considering budget, audience, quantity, and other relevant factors such as timeline and brand colors.
If you asked us what the best promotional handouts are right now, the answer would be different in 3 months or 6 months. Generalizing branded products is the exact reason why so many handouts end up directly in the trashcan. The obvious handout might be the same thing another 20 exhibitors are handing out. At Be Branded, we want to get to know your audience and brand. THEN we will help guide you through a selection of options and explain our reasoning for suggesting those items.
We offer tote bags, banners, padfolios, pens, folders, speaker gifts, lanyards, and all the traditional items you would expect from a promotional product company.
Trade Show Signage
What are the best trade show signage items I should purchase for my conference setup?
In past blogs, we’ve referenced this frequently, but there are a few musts for every setup:
Table Covers: These are essential, whether it’s a small conference or a large convention. A 6’ table cover is the most frequently purchased, followed by the 8’ size. The 4’ size is less common. Table covers come in many styles, including loose fit, fitted, stretch, and convertible with Velcro. Open-back covers are increasingly popular for storage and easy access to branded products under the table. You can even purchase table covers made of recycled materials. Always bring an iron or steamer to ensure your table cover looks professional and wrinkle-free.
Retractable Banners: Invest in a sturdy retractable banner with essential information and a scannable QR code. Don’t skimp on quality.
Additional Signage: Over time, add items like backdrops, a 10’ x 10’ tent, or tabletop signage as your budget allows.
Printed Promotional Items
How do I stand out with my branded products at a conference?
Something we frequently do when exhibiting at a conference is walking the entire floor to see what others are handing out and assess how unique our handouts are. We aim to be the only ones offering our specific products so that word spreads among attendees that they need to visit our booth.
Unique items always perform better than generic ones. Unique AND useful items come in first place. Unique AND useful items that resonate with your audience perform even better. The more thoughtful your strategy, the better your results. Your effort will not go unnoticed.
Trade Show Giveaways
At Be Branded, we have 3 suggests
Trick-or-Treat Items: These are inexpensive, useful items for all attendees but not gatekeeper items you track. Examples include chip clips, lip balm, grocery totes, cord organizers, phone stands, popper balls, and calendars. Avoid generic pens unless there’s a compelling reason.
Strategy Over Tradition: Don’t choose items just because "it’s always been done." Our approach helps maximize ROI and elevates your performance at conferences and conventions.
Utilize An Expert: We’ll show you how our knowledge and suggestions can help you stand out, offering a superior experience compared to what others in this space provide. We can help you select your medium-cost and higher-end items and how to go about handing them out.
Reach out for more ideas!