Trade shows are a way for a company to increase public awareness, generate new prospects and generate more sales. When you are planning your trade show exhibit it sometimes helps to step back and look at your exhibit from the visitor’s perspective. To get a better idea about what your target audience is looking for you can visit other trade show exhibits and collect their giveaways and marketing material. This will give you an idea about your competitors and also might give you a new perspective on setting up an appealing display.

Trade show giveaways and promotional items are a great marketing tool. Your giveaways should support your marketing message and should be more than just inexpensive novelties. You want something that ties into your company’s products or services. For instance, if your company provides software solutions you could giveaway flash drives with your slogan, logo and contact information. If your business is food related you could hand out miniature booklets on healthy recipes or potholders. No matter what your company provides as far as services or products you will get more value out of a promotional gift that ties into your company’s message.

Your promotion products should be of good quality and offer value to your visitor, such as thermal cups, calendars, or calculators. This way your company’s message will live on long after the trade show is over. They should also reflect your company’s message or services.

Giveaways and promotional products are a very effect marketing tool and should be part of your trade show marketing strategy and not just an afterthought if the budget allows for it. Using these tips will also put you ahead of your competitors who dispense novelties that will probably get tossed away or broken before the show is over.