Event gifts they’ll use throughout the year

Originally posted by 4imprint

Offline events play an important role for organizations in many industries—from technology to healthcare to entertainment. Nearly 76% of event organizers believe that offline gatherings will become increasingly important to the success of their organization in the coming years. Regardless of the industry, when companies gather at conferences, trade shows, and other events, they want to stand out. One way to attract attention is through the creative use of event giveaways.

The first step is to identify promotional products that people not only want but are most likely to use. Research from the International Promotional Products Association shows that 49% of people keep promotional products for more than five years. The most common reason they do so is that the product is useful. With this in mind, we explored promotional products for events that recipients would keep returning to.

Celebration Drinkware

Treat event giveaways as souvenirs. Nearly 40% of people said they keep promotional items because it reminds them of an event or experience.

If your event is centered around dinner or socializing, offer attendees a first drink in a pint glass, which doubles as a keepsake. Or hand out stemless flutes during toasts.

For warm-weather gatherings, including outdoor trade shows and conferences, a water bottle with the event’s logo is a practical souvenir that becomes a frequently carried item. These handy giveaways keep recipients hydrated and create memories. When the weather turns cold, offer a cup of hot cocoa or tea to passersby. Offer a thank you to potential clients or attendees who stop by with a high-end item, such as a vacuum-insulated mug.

The coats they like to wear

Research from the Advertising Professionals Association shows that 61% of people keep and wear a promotional jacket for at least two years. This is great news considering a jacket or cardigan can generate approximately 7,856 impressions over its lifespan.

Give away lightweight jackets as a thank you gift for a larger purchase at a promotion. Or offer fleece pullovers as silent auction items or raffle prizes at your next party.

Show your appreciation when an employee gets a promotion or achieves a significant accomplishment. Host an all-staff event and give them a branded packable jacket to recognize their dedication to the company through thick and thin.

Event organizers say the top priority is to increase attendee engagement. Use promotional products thoughtfully to promote interaction at events. Trade show vendors can add competitive activities to their booths, such as darts, basketball hoops or hoop games. Offer fleece jackets or vests as top prizes and let attendees play.

Carry-on bag

More than 80% of event organizers say that of all marketing channels, offline events have the greatest impact. People often travel for these gatherings—especially trade shows and conferences—which means the event gifts you distribute may span cities, provinces, or even further.

Tote bags can help them take their merchandise home while also increasing brand awareness wherever they go. Sponsor gift bags at an event or hand them out at your booth in exchange for contact information. Attendees can sling them over their shoulders and show them off for the rest of the day. Or boost interactivity at your booth by posting a code on your social media accounts before the event. Anyone who visits your booth and speaks the code will receive a branded tote bag.

Make the event more fun by putting colorful stickers on the back of name tags or on the inside pages of the program or agenda. During the event, hold a few surprise draws with prizes corresponding to the color of the stickers. The lucky winner can choose a crossbody bag or messenger bag.

Headwear to complement your event

Hats with logos are a great way to get your brand noticed. On average, a hat gets over 3,300 impressions over its lifespan. Bonus – many hats and baseball caps come in one size fits all, increasing the chances they’ll be worn over and over again.

Include bucket hats in gift baskets as part of a fundraising raffle. Give out knitted beanies as a reward to trade show attendees who sign up for your newsletter or share their contact information. Or give out trucker hats to people who visit your booth at an outdoor event. Encourage them to share a photo of themselves wearing the hat on social media and tag your brand. Enter anyone who does so into a raffle for a gift card or discount on a future purchase.

Points that resonate

A successful seminar, conference or gala leaves lasting memories. And a great way to evoke those memories is through practical souvenirs. Strategic use of event souvenirs can benefit all participants. Recipients get a practical product they love, resulting in repeated impressions of your brand.

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