Advertising Specialties and Promotional Items are defined as "Items imprinted with a company's logo or advertising message that are given to people in an effort to promote a business".
In no certain order, here are 5 of the top Trade Show Promotional Items:
1. T-shirts and Hats
Everybody loves t-shirts and hats. This will also turn everybody into a walking billboard for your company. When bought in large quantities shirts and hats can be quite affordable.
2. Imprinted Pens
These are incredibly popular for a reason: They Work. Everybody needs and uses pens almost every day. There is large variety of pens available in various price ranges. DO NOT get the cheapest pen you can find, it will make you look cheap. It might skip, not start when writing, leak on your customer's clothes, they won't last long or other things that will reflect badly on your business. BIC is probably the largest selling brand of pen in the world, and for a good reason, they are a good quality pen. Their most common pens, the BIC Clic Stic and BIC Round Stic, are very economically priced and are worth the extra dime or nickel they cost above the cheapest pens out there. We use several higher end pens for customers that buy something from our website. Giving your customers a HIGH QUALITY imprinted pen with your logo will create "good will" between them and you, and more importantly, keep your name visible to them. Some custom imprinted pens use Cross refill cartridges that can really extend the life of your advertising message.
3. Magnets
Magnets are another everyday item that everyone needs and uses. I bet your refrigerator is covered in magnets right now. Probably one from the local pizza place, other restaurants, realtors, plumbers, the local sports team's schedule, one with a calendar. All the companies that gave them to you are getting FREE advertising. Wouldn't you like to get some free advertising also?
4. Food and Drink Items
Everybody needs a little drink or snack during a big trade show. Bottled water is very popular these days and can be a great attraction for your booth. Cookies, candy, peanuts, mints are all things that can be put in a promotional item with your name on it. How many times have you walked around a trade show trying to find out where the popcorn smell is coming from? I bet there was a company name on the bag or cup they were serving the popcorn in. They may even be handing out microwave popcorn bags with their name imprinted on them for you to take home and pop.
5. Coffee Cups and Travel Mugs
These are becoming more and more popular as people seem to be spending more time in their vehicles stuck in traffic. Every vehicle these days comes with drink holders, usually even for the back seat passengers as well. These also come in a variety of quality and price ranges. If you buy something so cheap that even you wouldn't keep or use it, don't expect your customers to use it either. A high quality cup or mug can be kept and used for years, and advertise your business for a long time. Sometimes they are also converted into pen or supply holders right on somebody's desk.
