Top Trade Show Promo Items That Pack a Punch at Events
Trade shows offer a fantastic opportunity for businesses to showcase their products, connect with potential customers, and generate valuable leads. One key aspect of these events is the selection of trade show promo items to give away.
However, it’s no secret that many businesses fall into the trap of bringing generic items like pens, shirts, socks, and koozies.
Let’s highlight some unique, branded items that can help your business stand out from the crowd.
Capture the Curiosity of Trade Show Attendees
In a sea of pens and shirts, you must differentiate yourself by offering trade show promo items that are not overly done. The power of uniqueness lies in capturing the attention and curiosity of trade show attendees. By selecting unconventional trade show promo items, you create a memorable experience that can leave a lasting impression on potential customers.
What Promo Items Are Over-Used (Too Popular)?
Are you worried you might bring the wrong trade show promo item to your next event? Don’t want to show up with the same items as everyone else? No problem! We attend dozens of events yearly and keep a running list of all the items we see daily. Here are some of the most over-used promotional merchandise we see (i.e., what you should avoid at your next booth setup if you want to be different!)
Remember that while these are over-used, they are also very popular and trendy in some locations. If you want to join in on the latest trends, you can bring these items (just know that your neighboring booth or competitor might have the same items!)
- Koozies
- Coasters
- Magnets
- Keychains (multi-purpose keychains can help set these apart!)
- Pop-Its and Fidget Spinners
- Chapstick
- Socks (though if yours are unique, these can be a great giveaway!)
- Pens
- Basic plastic water bottles
- Regular (non-reusable) water bottles with custom labels
- Small reusable tote bags
- Free candy in a bowl
- Boring or plain business cards
- Basic trucker hats
- Lanyards
- Microfiber cloths (for cleaning tech items)
Top Tech Gadgets and Accessories
Technology plays a significant role in our lives, making tech gadgets and accessories highly sought-after promo items. Consider branded USB drives, wireless chargers, Bluetooth speakers, or smart home devices. These items are not only practical but also align with the modern and tech-savvy image of your business.
Tech Accessory Kit
You can add your multifamily branding to a tech accessory kit, the perfect giveaway item for prospective clients and customers! Within a small drawstring microfiber pouch are some items that pack a huge punch! This kit includes earbuds with a microphone, a silicone phone wallet with a stand, and a charge-it-up power bank. There’s no excuse for a low battery! Your brand name will go on one location on each item in one color. Anyone who uses this will automatically advertise your company!
Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Products
With increasing environmental awareness, eco-friendly promo items have gained significant popularity. Show your commitment to sustainability by offering reusable items like stainless steel water bottles, bamboo utensil sets, or eco-friendly tote bags. These items demonstrate your brand’s dedication to reducing waste and resonate with environmentally conscious attendees.
Goofy Group Grow Pot Eco-Planter With Basil Seeds
How adorable and unique are these eco-planters with basil seeds? Now, that is a trade show promo item that will leave you (and your customers or clients) smiling! This exclusive Goofy Group™ Grow Pot Eco-Planter With Basil Seeds includes a flower/plot planter with a goofy face on the side. It’s the perfect eco-friendly promo item, designed from renewable materials, including bamboo and corn fiber. Each set comes with a compressed soil wafer and basil seed packet.
Grow your business by adding your company slogan or trademark with imprinting. For example, if you are a real estate investment company, you can include the message “Grow your investments with ABC Company!” Future customers will remember you every time they water their new gift!
Functional and Practical Tools
Trade show attendees appreciate promo items that serve a purpose in their everyday lives. Consider offering functional tools like multitools, power banks, or portable phone stands. These items provide value beyond the trade show, increasing the likelihood of continued brand exposure and usage.
Water Resistant Carabiner Power Bank 2000
Are you looking for a trade show promo item that is a little more cost-effective? We’ve got you covered. This water-resistant carabiner power bank fits the bill (pun intended). If you love spending time outdoors and always have your phone with you, this power bank is perfect for you. Measuring 1.25″ x 1.25″ x 4.38″, this power bank has a 2000 mAh capacity using its UL-listed lithium-ion battery. Clip the bank to your backpack with the carabiner on the cap. With your custom logo printed on the front, this portable power bank is a great tech accessory for customers and clients who enjoy exploring outdoor places.
Unique Food and Beverage Items
Food and beverage items can be a delightful surprise for trade show attendees. Instead of generic mints or candy, think outside the box with branded gourmet snacks, artisan chocolates, or specialty coffee beans. These unique culinary delights create a memorable experience and foster positive associations with your brand.
Silicone Reusable Straw With Carrying Case
How fun are these reusable silicone straws? With Stanley cups trending like crazy right now, offering a flexible, silicone straw is the perfect solution for customers who don’t like the standard hard plastic straws that come with their cups. These straws even come with a carrying case with a custom imprint! Packaging includes the 10″ silicone straw folded inside a round plastic case. Give these away in your next trade show booth and see what a great impact it makes!
Interactive and Novelty Items
Interactive and novelty promo items are perfect for engaging attendees and creating buzz around your booth. Think about branded puzzles, fidget toys, or virtual reality viewers. These items capture attention, promote interactivity, and leave a lasting impression, making your booth an unforgettable experience.
Tangle Junior Puzzle
Being continually engaged with your customers is a definite plus of the Tangle Junior Puzzle! The custom puzzle transforms into endless shapes and is a great stress reliever. Multiple potential imprint areas make this item as unique as you are. This product can remain unimprinted, or you can pad print one or every ring. Helping your clients relieve everyday stress with this fun marketing tool means having your brand in their hands daily.
Unique Kitchen Items
Add a little flavor to your trade show promo items! In recent years, there has been a surge in the popularity of kitchen-related promo items. With people spending more time cooking, baking, and entertaining at home, unique kitchen items can make for fantastic trade show giveaways. Stand out from the crowd by offering branded kitchen accessories that are both practical and eye-catching.
- Wine Stoppers: Wine enthusiasts always appreciate a good wine stopper. Consider offering elegant and branded wine stoppers that preserve the flavor of their favorite wines and serve as a stylish addition to their kitchen or bar area.
- Pizza Cutters: Pizza lovers rejoice! Swap traditional promo items for custom-branded pizza cutters. These handy tools are useful for slicing through their favorite pies and offer a unique branding opportunity that will leave a lasting impression.
- Ice Packs or Ice Makers: Help trade show attendees keep their beverages cool with branded ice packs and ice makers. These compact and practical items can be used for chilling drinks on the go, making them a refreshing and highly useful promo item for summer trade shows or outdoor events.
- Utensil Sets: Elevate your promo game by offering unique utensil sets. Consider branded sets of bamboo cooking utensils, stainless steel barbecue toolkits, or eco-friendly silicone kitchen utensils. Home cooks and grill masters alike will appreciate these high-quality and durable sets.
- Cutting Boards: A branded cutting board can add style and functionality to any kitchen. Whether it’s a sleek bamboo cutting board or a flexible and space-saving silicone cutting mat, these items offer a versatile branding opportunity and showcase your commitment to quality.
- Kitchen Gadgets: Think beyond the ordinary and consider offering unique kitchen gadgets that make cooking and food preparation easier. Branded garlic presses, avocado slicers, citrus sprayers, or herb scissors are all examples of practical and attention-grabbing promo items that culinary enthusiasts will appreciate.
By incorporating these unique kitchen items into your trade show promo strategy, you can tap into the growing home cooking trend and create a memorable experience for attendees. These functional and visually appealing items reinforce your brand and provide trade show visitors with useful tools they will enjoy using daily.
Invest in Trade Show Promo Items That Leave a Lasting Impact
In the ever-evolving world of trade shows, staying ahead of the curve is crucial by selecting promo items. Ditch the generic pens, shirts, and socks and opt for unique, branded items that leave a lasting impact. By embracing trends such as tech gadgets, eco-friendly products, functional tools, unique food and beverage items, interactive novelties, and personalized items, you can captivate trade show attendees and make your brand stand out from the competition.
Remember, the key to success lies in offering something memorable, useful, and aligned with your brand’s values and identity.
Did you like any of the trade show promo items listed above? Interested in unique items for your next conference but unsure where to start? Want something else that is similar but at a different price point? We’ve got you covered! Contact us today to get the process started: (214) 761-1900 or email swag@criterionb.com
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