You know—that free, branded stuff that they hand out to event attendees.
Swag might be a complimentary treat for attendees, but it's actually a significant industry. The promotional product sector is valued at a whopping $23 billion. Companies invest considerable sums to distribute freebies. Why do they do this? There are two main reasons.
Firstly, branding - When a company hands out 1,000 lanyards, they are essentially spreading 1,000 advertisements of their brand out into the world. It's difficult to measure the exact impact of swag on brand recognition, but the more individuals who display or use your branded merchandise, the more visibility your brand receives.
Secondly, goodwill - If you received a free shirt when visiting a friend's house, you'd likely be inclined to return when invited again. Providing people with complimentary items fosters goodwill to some extent. While it won't guarantee undying loyalty, it certainly leaves a positive impression. Failing to offer some swag at a conference you host or sponsor may not incite outrage among attendees, but it could tarnish your reputation bit by bit over time.
Thus, it's wiser to share some swag than to abstain altogether. The key question is what type of swag is most effective at a conference. Well, there's no definitive answer, but numerous excellent options exist. Here are 16 top conference swag ideas: Branded apparel, Screen cleaner, Extended free trials, Gift cards, Books, Water bottles, Portable coffee mugs, Bluetooth devices, Bags, Portable chargers, Notebooks, Snacks, Sunglasses, Popsockets, Toiletries, Industry-specific items.
Customized industry-related items guarantee that attendees will be interested in the swag. For instance, at an outdoor retailers' conference, a branded water filter could be a popular choice, while a event for beer brewers might benefit from giving out free hops. Get in touch to arrange a consultation and we can determine the ideal swag for your company.
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