Giveaways, freebies, swag-it's what makes the tradeshow world go around. The adult version of trick-or-treating, trade shows are rife with goodies to entice attendees into booths. So how do you ensure your giveaway actually makes you stand out? We asked two experts- Doug French, owner of Advantage Promotions in Seabrook, and Val Wilson, co-founder of Off The Wall Promotions in Bedford-what they see as the hot giveaways this year.
Items with LED lights, from hats with an LED light mounted on it to LED flashlights, French says.
Silicon slap watches. If someone comes up to your booth, you can slap one on them. They run $3 to $5, Wilson says.
Printing QR codes on promotional items, including T-shirts, can create buzz and drive traffic to a website or special offer, French says.
Items made from recycled materials (such as totes created from milk bottles). And Made in America products are seeing a resurgence, French says.
Tees made with scented inks put a different spin on a traditional giveaway, Wilson says. They can smell like apple pie or eucalyptus among other scents, she says.
Neoprene covers for iPads and laptops are a hot commodity and come in a variety of colors and prints, French says.
Colored wrist bands are not new, but Wilson recommends giving them away. And then if people are spotted wearing them on the expo floor, you can give them a higher-end item.
USB drives come in all kinds of fun shapes and sizes and are also practical, French says. You can preload them with a company presentation, or with presentation materials from speakers, he says.
A great bag will act like a magnet for your booth, Wilson says. Swing bags (a backpack with one strap) look more fashionable than cloth grocery bags.
Lanyards with bling, from rhinestones to LED lights are fun, according to Wilson.
Insulated water bottles keep clients hydrated although they are more expensive, French says. Wilson says they can come with other extras, including built-in straws or Brita filters.
Performance clothing is becoming more popular, French says.
A cloth for cleaning the screens of tablets and phones that comes with an adhesive to store on the item until it needs to be used is a new favorite, French says.
Cell phone stands, charging stations and foldable keyboards are red-hot, Wilson says.
Great giveaways can be pure fun. Wilson says bling rings-a ring with a logo and flashing LED lights on it-are eye catching and garner a lot of attention.
And some items to avoid? Pens, magnets and key chains.
So what's the weirdest giveaway French has seen? A woman's thong that can have an imprinted message. I thought, how many people are going to get that message? he says laughing.