1. Branded tote bag
This might not be the most imaginative gift, but in terms of practicality, you can’t really beat a tote bag. Visitors to exhibitions always pick up piles of leaflets, booklets and other exhibitors’ giveaways, and often forget to bring a bag. Totes are perfect because they’re hard-wearing, can be branded easily and, when worn over the shoulder, keep hands free.
2. Custom USB drives
Don’t overlook the usefulness of these little storage devices. People do still use them for carrying presentations and backing up data – and they can fit many gigabytes on them nowadays. USB drives can have branding on the outside, but can also come pre-loaded with some of your information, such as an e-brochure or a short video advertising your products or services.
3. Eco-friendly water bottles
Everyone carries a water bottle around with them, and they do get damaged and worn out. Why not give these out to visitors? If you go for a cool design and decent quality, it’s the sort of thing that will be used long after the conference has ended, serving as a constant reminder of their visit.
4. Branded notebooks
A notebook is a useful, tangible thing for visitors to take away with them. They’ll be used for taking notes not only at the event, but also in meetings and other business-related activities for a long time. You can really push the boat out here, opting for a well-known brand synonymous with quality notebooks, just to add a touch of class.
5. Pens and stationery sets
If you go home from a conference and you don’t have a branded pen with you, people will doubt you actually went. Whether given away on their own or accompanying a notebook, pens are always useful, and will find their way into offices, workshops and stores. And like notebooks, you can choose to go upmarket or low budget, depending on the image you want to portray.
6. Stress balls
There’s certainly something therapeutic about squishing these little balls with your fingers, but they can serve a marketing purpose too. You could simply have them branded up with your name. But how about making them represent the problem that your business solves, to drive home the message that your company can overcome it?
7. Travel mugs
Another object that can see plenty of use, a travel mug is a handy thing for guests to have when they’re walking around an event. It’ll keep tea and coffee warm and the lid stops spillages, so brand it up and it’ll become a mobile advert for your organisation.
8. T-shirts or hoodies
Your business might not be the height of fashion, but you can get your label into customers’ wardrobes by giving away printed T-shirts, hoodies or sweatshirts. People will wear them as layers or even when they’re doing sports or a spot of DIY – it all helps to keep your name out there. Remember to take a selection of sizes.
9. Plantable seed cards
Cards with embedded seeds can be planted and dozens of pretty flowers will spring up where it was left. It serves as a symbol of your eco credentials, and that’s an important factor in a lot of marketplaces.
10. Branded key rings
If you want to give them something they’ll always carry around with them – what better than a key ring? Every time they go into their house, car or garden shed, they’ll get a little reminder of your brand.
11. Insulated lunch bags or boxes
In these pressed times, people are taking packed lunches rather than hitting the local cafe at lunchtime. So why not give visitors something useful that they might not already have, like a bag or box to carry hot or cold food? With your branding, it’s an everyday ad that they’ll be glad they’ve got.
12. Coasters
Coasters protect surfaces from heat and coffee rings, so most businesses ask their staff to use them on their furniture. The branded coaster is another staple exhibition giveaway, but if you make them a little more tasteful than usual, people might actually take them home.
13. Phone screen cloths
With all the selfies, calls and snaps of products, phones can get a bit mucky on the exhibition floor. Give away a screen cloth and visitors will not only get a chance to return their screens to a pristine condition – you can get them printed to advertise your business too.
14. Packable rain ponchos
Even if the conference is indoors, visitors still have to leave, and the British weather being what it is, a packaway mac or poncho makes a perfect giveaway that could be used by your grateful guests.
15. Event survival kits
An event survival kit contains snacks, water, pens and other vital things to get visitors through the day. You can make them really look the part by adding camouflage or some humorous branding. It’s all a bit tongue-in-cheek, but it’s something people appreciate.
16. Desk toys
Mini-puzzles, executive toys, table golf … the list is endless. These are pointless items but do have a funny way of ending up on workers’ desks back in the office. It all helps to spread your name far and wide.
17. LED keychain lights
The torches on phones are notoriously fiddly and difficult to launch when you need them, like getting in the car or the front door at night. A little LED on a keychain is small and unobtrusive, but is a handy thing to have with your keys at all times.
18. Virtual reality viewers
If you have some sort of VR or AR display on your stand, you can make it more memorable by giving away VR viewers that visitors put their phones into. You can provide a link to your own VR product experience, but even without it, it’s a cool thing to give away.
19. Mini desk plants
Another way of showing off your green credentials is to give away little pot plants. Cacti are always popular, but there are plenty of small plants to choose from. It’s something people often like to have on their desks but always forget to buy, and if you brand the pots, you’ve given a cute ad with a happy association.
20. Scratch cards
Make up some scratch cards and give them away to gifts as a raffle or lottery. What prizes are is up to you, but it could be anything from software demos to experience days – it doesn’t have to be directly linked to the business.
21. Travel toiletry kits
People come from far and wide to attend conferences and exhibitions – why not make their travel a little more comfortable with a handy pack of travel hygiene essentials like shampoo, soap and a flannel?
22. Reusable metal straws
With plastic straws being phased out and paper ones turning to mush on contact with liquids, metal straws are a great reusable solution. Give them away with a straw cleaning brush and guests will have something they can use again and again. For an extra detail, you can have them engraved with your logo.
23. Mini Bluetooth speakers
These things have come right down in price, so you can give them away without breaking the bank. They don’t have to be Bose or B&O – just a simple speaker they can connect and listen to in the shed, workshop or bath is fine. You can get it made with some subtle branding so it will be used in the home and office without ruining the decor.
24. Stylus pens
These dual-function pens combine a regular pen with a stylus that can be used on touchscreens. It’s just one of those things that people will keep in their inside pocket and actually use from time to time. And of course, you can have your company logo or message on the side for a bit or marketing.
25. Cord organisers
Chargers, power cables, HDMI cables … they seem to multiply when your back is turned. Why not give away some cable organisers that keep all of the strands close together, neat and tidy. It’s a useful piece of swag that carries positive associations.
26. Mini jigsaw puzzles
Give away mini jigsaw puzzles for visitors to do on the train or back at the desk. It could end up with some simple branding, but you could spice things up a bit by incorporating a quiz or competition, where the jigsaw needs to be completed to gather clues. It’s engaging and fun, and a great way to get colleagues talking.
27. Compact mirrors
Like the travel toiletries, a mirror is something that’s handy to have in the bag, but is often forgotten. These can carry your branding in the corner, so they think of you every time they think about themselves.
28. Themed colouring books
Just for a bit of pure relaxation, why not give away mini colouring books and crayons or pens? Guests can chill out and colour in the images that are linked to your business, or they might even take them home for their kids to play with. Either way, it’s a positive message, and works well for industries where relaxation is key, such as holidays, spas or healthcare.
29. Umbrellas
Like the ponchos mentioned above, umbrellas are a great way to supply a practical gift, but this time they can carry your branding in big and bold. Every time it rains, your visitors will become walking advertisements for your product or service, so make sure they’re good quality ones – shoddy brollies don’t exactly convey the image you’re going for.
30. Baseball caps
And finally, when it’s not raining, it might well be sunny – so that’s a great opportunity to give away some branded baseball caps. These things are ubiquitous in the USA, but they’re not quite a staple of the UK exhibition scene just yet. Now is your chance to steal a march on the competition and give away some fashionable baseball caps or trucker caps with your branding tastefully emblazoned on the front.
A great stand is the perfect invitation
Of course, before you can get visitors close enough to shower them with gifts, they need to visit your stand. And that’s where Focal Exhibitions comes into the equation.
Whatever stage you’re at in the process, we can pick up your job and guide you to a memorable, effective exhibition stand that will tick all the boxes. So whether you need help with a concept, want a professional team to assist your design, or simply want a high quality stand built to your exact specifications, we’ve got years of experience and a finger on the pulse of the exhibition world.
Have a look at our portfolio to see what kinds of stands are possible when you work with the professionals. If you’re just looking for inspiration, our blog is full of great ideas and education for every aspect of stand design. Or if you’ve already made up your mind that you want to work with the finest exhibition stand company in the North West, please drop us a line so we can get started on your project.
