People expect lots of promotional gifts at trade shows. After all, exhibitors are there to advertise, and promotional items are an effective way of keeping their brands in front of the public. However, with hundreds or thousands of exhibitors, you’ll need to capture people’s attention by using your imprinted items wisely.

One way to do this is to offer promotional items that people want and need. Customers will brush by stands that don’t offer anything interesting or useful. Here are some practical items that customers love and will continue to use.

1. Stress balls

Promotional stress balls are a perennial favorite. Customers are always drawn to original, interesting and even humorous shapes. They love to keep them on their desks at work. Some people use them for stress relief; others say playing with stress balls gets their creative juices flowing. Either way, people are always drawn to unique and industry-related stress balls.

2. Travel Mugs

People can’t seem to get enough travel mugs. Anyone who has ever sloshed coffee on the front of their shirt or knocked a beverage over on their desk can tell you how important it is to have a spill-proof lid. A stack of attractive travel mugs will always draw customers to a trade show stand.

3. Mouse Pads

Just about everyone who works in an office setting uses a mouse pad every day. There is something about a nice, new mouse pad that people can’t resist.

4. Desktop Helpers

There is no shortage of promotional pens and pencils at trade shows. One way you can set yourself apart is to provide two useful desktop items: pencil sharpeners and pen holders. Most people don’t have pencil sharpeners on their desks, and they waste a lot of time walking back and forth to the community pencil sharpener. They also need something to organize their pens besides the desk drawer. Useful items that solve problems like these will always attract customers.

5. Tote Bags

People love large bags, and trade show stands that offer them always seem to attract a crowd. Consider how much material people collect at trade shows. Large bags provide an immediate solution by helping them tote it all around. Bags with flat bottoms are even more popular. Customers can set the bag down without having it sag or collapse on itself, and the handles stay within easy reach. Displays of large, colorful promotional bags will always attract attention and will get people to your trade show stand.
 
By Dan Toombs