I know this sounds a little lame but it works!

A couple of years ago I had a consignment of wine glasses foisted on me by a fellow exhibitor who was simply looking to get rid of some samples they had.  I had my SUV and had the room so we loaded up; 8 cases later I had more wine glasses than I could break for the rest of my life.

One of the cases ended up staying in the SV for the next show and my assistant took it out and thinking they were a giveaway had them set out in the trade show display.

I scratched my head wondering what was going on when I turned up at the booth after an early morning meeting only to realize the mistake; except by then several of my neighbors were asking how they could get hold of one of these flute wine glasses – they were decorated with a frosted base and stem and by accident just looked all Christmas like.

A week later and I was exhibiting in Tucson together with 6 cases of surplus wine glasses; they all went after helping with attracting attendees to the booth.

A simple thing; discovered for me by complete mistake was that people like the lame stuff; throw them some Christmas fayre at the right time of year and they will be over your booth like bees to the honey.  The same principle applies for other holidays and with Thanksgiving around the corner, try a cook’s thermometer for testing the temperature of food or at Easter, try an Easter bunny for the kids or whatever you can find in keeping with the holiday theme.

I may be a Scrooge when it comes to Christmas and the holidays but not when I am exhibiting at a show; no matter what your own personal feelings, people like the seasonal gifts so keep yourself apprised of the seasons when you are planning your tradeshow calendar and putting in your promotional gift orders.