Everyone loves free stuff, but when it comes to event giveaways, the right promotional products do more than just delight attendees—they create lasting brand recognition. Whether at a conference, trade show, or corporate gathering, high-quality, practical items ensure your brand stays top of mind long after the event ends.
As events evolve with virtual and hybrid formats, promo strategies must adapt. Digital swag like e-gift cards and exclusive online experiences keep remote attendees engaged, while premium, sustainable giveaways add value for in-person participants.
In this blog, you’ll discover the best promotional products for event management, how to choose the right ones, and strategies to maximize their impact.
- Promotional products enhance brand recognition – High-quality and practical giveaways ensure a brand stays top of mind long after an event.
- Adapting to event formats is crucial – With virtual and hybrid events, digital swag and premium sustainable giveaways help engage both remote and in-person attendees.
- Choosing the right promotional items matters – Items should align with the audience’s interests, reflect brand identity, and offer long-term usefulness, especially eco-friendly options.
Top 9 promotional items for event management companies
Now, let’s go straight into the top promotional items that event planners can use to boost brand visibility and engagement. These items not only leave a lasting impression but also ensure your brand stays top of mind long after the event is over.
Here are the most effective promotional products that can help elevate your next event:
Customized tote bags
Branded lanyards & badges
Personalized notebooks & pens
Custom water bottles
Tech gadgets
Promotional apparel
Eco-friendly promotional products
Event-specific giveaways
Desk accessories
Customized tote bags
Tote bags are one of the most versatile promotional items. Whether it’s a corporate conference, trade show, or music festival, attendees appreciate a stylish, durable bag to carry materials, brochures, and giveaways. These tote bags often become everyday items, which increases brand exposure in public places, workplaces, and shopping areas.
Research shows 73% of consumers own and frequently use promotional bags, making them a powerful advertising tool. Unlike disposable plastic bags, eco-friendly tote bags, like those made of canvas, are aligned with sustainability trends and appeal to eco-conscious consumers.
Pro Tip: Choose recycled fabric or cotton canvas bags with reinforced stitching for extra durability. Make your design eye-catching and include your logo to make it more desirable.
Branded lanyards & badges
Lanyards and badges are essential at every event for entry, identification, and VIP access. These items are worn throughout the event, which means your brand gets constant visibility. Whether for conference speakers, exhibitors, or corporate attendees, lanyards help identify individuals while also promoting your brand.
Unlike disposable passes, custom lanyards with high-quality branding can be reused at multiple events, increasing their promotional value. They are especially useful for B2B conferences, trade expos, and networking summits where professional identification is key.
Pro Tip: Go for woven or sublimated lanyards with detachable ID holders for maximum functionality.
Read more: Do Promotional Products Work?
Personalized notebooks & pens
Notebooks and pens are some of the most popular corporate giveaways, especially at professional events like business conferences and industry summits. Attendees often use these items to take notes during speeches or panel discussions, making them a highly effective promotional tool.
Studies show 89% of consumers own promotional writing instruments, and notebooks are kept for months or even years. A well-branded notebook serves as a long-term advertisement, reinforcing brand recognition every time it’s used.
Pro Tip: Choose leather-bound or eco-friendly notebooks paired with a stylish branded pen for a more premium look.
Custom water bottles
Custom water bottles promote hydration and eco-friendly habits. Reusable water bottles have become a staple in event marketing, especially as plastic reduction efforts increase.
People use water bottles at offices, gyms, and while traveling, ensuring your brand stays visible. Since attendees like durable and stylish drinkware, a well-designed bottle with your company’s logo and tagline can be a long-lasting promotional tool.
Pro Tip: Invest in stainless steel or BPA-free plastic bottles with spill-proof lids for better usability.
Tech gadgets
Tech accessories like USB drives, power banks, and phone stands offer excellent brand recall due to their high usefulness. Power banks are especially important at events where people need their devices for networking, note-taking, or live streaming.
Branded USB drives are also a great option for sharing digital brochures, presentations, or product catalogs, making them ideal for exhibitors and B2B events.
Pro Tip: Offer wireless charging pads or multi-port USB hubs as premium giveaways for VIP attendees.
Read more: How to Use Promotional Products Effectively?
Promotional apparel
Branded t-shirts, hats, and jackets serve as walking advertisements, boosting brand visibility whenever they’re worn. Studies show 58% of consumers keep promotional clothing for over two years, providing extended exposure.
Event staff uniforms also help create a professional brand image, while limited-edition merchandise can add exclusivity and excitement for attendees.
Pro Tip: Choose soft, high-quality fabrics and modern designs to make promotional apparel more appealing.
Eco-friendly promotional products
As sustainability becomes more important in event planning, eco-friendly promotional items appeal to environmentally aware attendees. Products like bamboo pens, recycled notebooks, and reusable straws show your company cares about social responsibility.
Many companies now prefer biodegradable and plastic-free alternatives, which can improve brand perception and appeal to eco-conscious consumers.
Pro Tip: Include a small message about the environmental impact of your eco-friendly products.
Event-specific giveaways
Small giveaways, like mini hand sanitizers, stress balls, and sunglasses, may seem insignificant, but they provide practical value to attendees. Branded hand sanitizers, for example, are now essential at events, while items like sunglasses help encourage social media engagement through attendee selfies.
Pro Tip: Offer seasonal giveaways, such as branded lip balm in winter or cooling towels in summer, to make the products more useful.
Desk accessories
Desk accessories like branded mousepads, pens, notepads, and desk organizers make great promotional products. These items are used daily in offices, which means they continue to promote your brand long after the event ends.
Customized desk accessories ensure that your logo is seen regularly in a work environment, increasing brand recall over time. This is especially useful for business-to-business (B2B) events where your target audience is likely to use these products in their professional spaces.
Pro Tip: Choose sleek, modern designs for your desk accessories to make them desirable and practical for long-term use.
How do you choose the best promotional products for your event?
Picking the right promotional products can make a big difference in how your brand is remembered. To ensure your giveaways leave a lasting impression, keep these key factors in mind:
- Who is your audience? Choose items that match the interests and needs of your attendees so they will actually use and appreciate them.
- Does it reflect your brand? Promotional products should represent your brand’s identity and values. High-quality, thoughtful giveaways create a stronger connection.
- Is it useful? Items that people use daily, like tech gadgets, water bottles, and notebooks, offer long-term brand visibility.
- Is it environmentally friendly? Sustainable products show that your brand cares about the environment, making a positive impact on your audience and the planet.
Conclusion
At Print to Brand, we help businesses make a lasting impression with high-quality, customized promotional products.
Whether you need branded apparel, practical giveaways, or eco-friendly options, our team can guide you in selecting the perfect items for your event. With a focus on creativity and quality, we ensure your brand stands out and stays memorable long after the event is over. Let us help you turn every giveaway into a powerful branding opportunity.
