Making your booth stand out at tradeshows is very important.
It will help you catch the eye of visitors, attracting new leads and even business partners.
But how can you differentiate yourself from your competitors?
Easy! By offering unique trade show giveaways that visitors won’t be able to resist.
If you’re worried about the costs or choosing the wrong promotional products, we’re here to help.
Based on our clients’ top choices and feedback, we created a list of 20 cost-effective trade show swag ideas that will leave a lasting impression on visitors.
Table of Contents
20 Best Trade Show Giveaway Ideas
The Benefits of Trade Show and Promotional Giveaways
How To Pick the Right Swag for Your Trade Shows
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
20 Best Trade Show Giveaway Ideas
Check out our list of top marketing gift ideas that will make your booth a main attraction at your next trade shows.
1. Water bottles
Water bottles are day-to-day items people use to stay hydrated at the gym, at work, or at meetings, which makes them very practical and thoughtful corporate gifts.
One of our top-sellers is this single-wall borosilicate clear glass water bottle wrapped in a soft grip silicone sleeve that makes it very easy to handle.
Clients love its classic black design that is easily customizable and the accompanying bamboo screw-on lid.
Best for: Trade shows held during hot summer months because it shows visitors you truly care about their hydration and general well-being.
Where to get: SwagDrop
Pricing: $15 – $20
2. T-shirts
T-shirts will probably always be one of the most popular types of branded apparel.
These promotional products are great because they fit all budgets and they give you the freedom to get creative when it comes to personalization.
Still, if you want your recipients to wear them after the trade show, you should choose soft and comfortable t-shirts, like our BODIE Short Sleeve Tees.
These promo items are made out of a high-quality, insanely comfy fabric and come in twelve trendy colors.
Best for: Small brands that want to boost brand awareness and recognition, because when people wear them they become walking billboards.
So, you should offer them to trade show visitors and your brand representatives.
Tip: You can let your employees choose their t-shirt size on their own without having to worry about getting it right yourself.
Where to get: SwagDrop
Pricing: $14 – $20
3. Tumblers
Custom tumblers are cost-effective and eco-friendly giveaway items that people can take with them wherever they go, even while traveling for business or pleasure.
One of our trending products is this double-wall grade stainless steel vacuum tumbler with copper insulation.
Our clients say it makes a great travel promotional item because it can keep their favorite beverages hot for 8 hours or cold for 24 hours.
Best for: Brands that want to show they support environmental protection and that they value their clients’ well-being.
Where to get: SwagDrop
Pricing: $30 – $40
4. Tote bags
Tote bags are very practical and eco-friendly promotional items that you can use at your next trade shows.
For example, you can use our Cotton Twill Recycled Grocery Tote to create trade show swag bags as it’s big enough to hold all your other promo items.
On top of that, our clients love that it’s made out of 70%–80% recycled cotton and 20–30% recycled PET and has a very natural look.
Best for: Brands that want to encourage a more sustainable lifestyle and maximize brand awareness.
You can also use tote bags as job fair giveaways and put all the important reading materials inside them.
Where to get: SwagDrop
Pricing: $3 – $5
5. Hats
Custom hats of any kind, whether a fleece hat, a ballcap, or a knit beanie, are always welcome at trade expos.
They’re budget-friendly and practical and you can easily personalize them with your company name or logo.
For summer trade shows, we recommend going with this sporty unisex ball cap that both women and men can wear while running errands or traveling.
It has a wicking finish and UV protection, which make it very comfy and it also comes in 12 stylish colors.
Best for: Year-round trade shows because they help brands leave a lasting impression on visitors by showing they care for them.
Where to get: SwagDrop
Pricing: $9 – $13
6. Coffee mugs
Most people start their days with a cup of coffee or tea.
So, if you give them a custom mug they might end up using it daily at home or the office and be reminded of your brand.
Our top pick is the Santos Ceramic Mug due to its sleek body and natural clay bottom that give it character.
To make this drinkware memorable you should customize it with a fun quote or design together with your company name or logo.
Best for: Attracting visitors to your expo booth and sparking up conversations, particularly if you personalize your mugs with eye-catching designs.
Where to get: SwagDrop
Pricing: $4 – $6
7. Earbuds
Bluetooth earbuds are cool tech swag that show visitors that your brand is tech-savvy and wants to offer high-quality gifts.
What’s more, music is a well-known stress reliever, making earbuds a very thoughtful giveaway item.
Our clients recommend these Skullcandy wireless earbuds due to their impressive set of features, including 24 hours of playback time, fast charging, and an IP55 waterproof rating.
They also have a built-in microphone to answer calls while on the move and can be easily located through the Tile App.
Best for: Brands looking to impress big potential clients or business partners at trade shows, as these earbuds are a bit more pricey than other promo items on our list.
Where to get: SwagDrop
Pricing: Around $70
8. Power banks & portable chargers
Sometimes, people’s schedules can get so busy, they don’t have time to go back home or to the office to charge their devices.
A power bank or portable charger solves this problem and alleviates the stress that comes with low-battery cell phones.
Our Jolt 2,200 mAh Power Bank is a great option because it can charge any device with a micro-USB input.
On top of that, it’s very small and can easily fit in your bag or carry-on luggage.
Best for: Tech brands or any other brand looking for practical, high-quality trade show swag.
Where to get: SwagDrop
Pricing: $9 – $12
9. Bluetooth speakers
Branded Bluetooth speakers will amaze any prospect since they’re an out-of-the-box idea.
With our Fabric Clip Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker, recipients can listen to music at the pool, the park, or at their next house party and be reminded of your brand during all those pleasant moments.
This speaker also offers hands-free operation from a 10-meter (33-foot) distance, a carabiner for easy carrying, and can be submerged in water without damage.
Best for: Brands looking to wow big trade show prospects with high-quality promotional products.
Where to get: SwagDrop
Pricing: Around $40
10. Lip balm
Lip balms make meaningful wellness gifts, as trade show visitors can use them during chilly autumn breezes, dry winters, and even scorching summers.
We received really good feedback from our clients about this lip balm made in the USA from 95% organic ingredients, including beeswax and sunflower oil.
People love it because it’s small and can fit into their pockets and it’s also customizable with your company name.
Best for: Year-round trade shows and healthy gift baskets that will impress prospects.
Where to get: Contact us
Pricing: $2 – $4
11. Hand sanitizer
After the COVID-19 pandemic hit, hand sanitizers became an essential, everyday item, which means you can’t go wrong with this trade show giveaway.
We suggest you opt for the Bullet Clip-N-Go Hand Sanitizer because it’s very small and comes with a mini-carabiner that lets you attach it to your bag or pants.
What we find very practical is that it’s refillable, so your recipients can use it long-term.
Best for: Increasing brand awareness and showing trade show visitors you care about their health.
Where to get: Contact us
Pricing: $1 – $3
12. Stress balls
Everything from work projects and meetings to money and family issues causes stress.
Thus, stress balls are some of the best trade show giveaways because they show visitors you understand and want to help them.
If you want to make a bigger impact on trade expo visitors, our clients suggest opting for a fun stress reliever, like this basketball stress ball.
It’s made out of polyurethane, squeezable foam that is perfect for relieving tension at home or at the office.
Best for: Brands looking for a fun way to encourage prospects to unwind and leave a lasting impression on them.
Where to get: Contact us
Pricing: $2 – $4
13. Keychains
Since people take their keys with them wherever they go, a branded keychain is an effective way to promote your brand.
Still, to be sure the recipients will use your keychain, you should pick a practical one, like this bottle opener keychain.
Besides allowing your recipients to open their drinks wherever they are, this keychain comes in three eye-catching and fun colors.
Best for: Small brands looking for a very cost-effective way to increase brand awareness.
Where to get: Contact us
Pricing: $1 – $3
14. Phone stands
Are you looking for a more high-end piece of tech swag?
Then, a phone stand with quick charge capabilities is a great choice.
We recommend the Anker® PowerWave 10W Stand with Charger that lets you charge your phone wirelessly while also checking your emails.
This cool phone stand also features a MultiProtect safety system with foreign object detection, short circuit protection, temperature control, and more.
Best for: Leaving a lasting impression on important trade show attendees.
Where to get: Contact us
Pricing: $50 – $80
15. Backpacks
Branded backpacks can be used to carry your essentials at work, your gym equipment, your groceries, or your travel belongings.
So, there’s no denying their usefulness, which means recipients will use them after the trade show and inevitably promote your brand.
One of our clients’ favorites is this computer backpack made from 100% recycled PET that promotes sustainability.
But besides being eco-friendly, it’s also very practical because it features a 15″ laptop sleeve, as well as two zippered front pockets and a zippered main compartment that can hold all your other essentials.
Best for: You can add all reading materials and other promo items to the backpack and create a cool swag bag for your next trade show.
Where to get: SwagDrop
Pricing: $25 – $30
16. Branded notebooks
You should include branded notebooks or notepads and branded pens in every trade show swag bag as these are items that people use every day.
Whether they need to take notes at work or write a grocery list, they’ll think of your brand every time they use these promo items.
For instance, our clients frequently order this notebook, with its 51% wheat straw hardcover and 70 sheets of recycled paper, as a way to combine practicality with environmental sustainability.
On top of this, they also enjoy its natural, wheat straw color and matching pen.
Best for: Brands that want to generate leads with practical and memorable promotional products.
Where to get: SwagDrop
Pricing: $4 – $7
17. Games & puzzles
Games and puzzles can be great stress relievers and a lot of fun.
Thus, if you want to attract prospects to your trade show booth with one-of-a-kind swag, this is a great option.
If you’re worried about exceeding your budget, this Bicycle® Game Gift Set offers a very convenient solution.
The set includes a deck of recycled cards and a beautiful card holder with snap closure that you can personalize.
Best for: Small brands that want to make a big impact on visitors at their next tradeshow.
Where to get: Contact us
Pricing: $13 – $18
18. First aid kit
First aid kits may not sound fun, but they are extremely useful and make great promo items, particularly when they come in small packages.
We love this Trek First Aid Kit that comes in the form of a small flip-top waterproof floating container with a carabiner that you can attach to your bag or backpack.
Inside, you’ll find 2 adhesive bandages, 2 antiseptic wipes, 1 hand sanitizer packet, 2 SPF30 sunscreen packets, and 1 aloe after-sun care packet.
It’s cute, practical, and customizable, what more could you ask for?
Best for: Showing trade show prospects that your brand cares about their health.
Where to get: Contact us
Pricing: $4 – $6
19. RFID phone wallet
RFID phone wallets aim to protect your personal data from theft by various scanning devices, which makes them a thoughtful giveaway.
Our clients like this RFID phone wallet because they can easily place it on the back of their phones and store their cards, ID, and business cards in two large pockets.
In other words, recipients will no longer have to worry about misplacing these important items as they’ll all be in one place.
Best for: You can pick colorful phone wallets and use them as business card holders at your next trade show to catch the eye of visitors and then, offer them as giveaways.
Where to get: SwagDrop
Pricing: $3 – $5
20. Swag bags
We’ve already mentioned that you can use tote bags and backpacks to create unique swag bags.
But the question remains: what should you include in a trade show swag bag?
First, you can add any of the swag ideas we’ve already given you.
But you can also include some of the following:
- Branded lanyards with badge holders
- Stickers
- Small custom flashlights
- Branded key tags or luggage tags
- Various tech swag and accessories (e.g., webcam, microphone, screen cleaner spray with microfiber cloth, etc.)
- Branded mints
- Promotional candy and snacks
Since trade show visitors will likely spend a long time at the trade show, we suggest you always include a small snack in their swag bags, like this delicious cookie bag that comes in a branded pouch.
Best for: Every brand should offer trade expo visitors swag bags if they want to leave a lasting impression on them and generate leads.
Where to get: Contact us
Pricing: You set a budget depending on how many items you want to include.
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Now that we’ve given you enough inspiration for your next trade show, let’s see why you should invest in these giveaways.
The Benefits of Trade Show and Promotional Giveaways
If you’re new to the world of trade shows or own a small business with a limited budget, you’re probably wondering why you should invest time and money in promotional giveaways.
To answer your question, we did some research and asked some of our clients about it and came up with these key benefits:
- They attract visitors to your booth. Since most of your competitors will be attending the same trade shows as your brand, you need to attract visitors to your booth before you can show your products or services.
And since people love freebies, a booth that displays cool giveaways will immediately attract their attention.
- They generate leads. Once you attract people to your booth, you can spark a conversation with them based on the swag items being displayed.
Then, you can gradually start talking about your brand and products and exchange contact information with them.
- They leave a lasting impression. The more unusual, practical, or thoughtful your giveaways are, the more memorable your brand becomes for the recipients.
People will remember your brand every time they use your swag and, over time, this can build customer loyalty.
- They boost brand awareness. If you offer trade expo visitors practical swag, they’ll probably use it long after leaving the event.
For instance, they can use your branded tote bag when they go grocery shopping or the custom backpack on their next business trip.
Thus, they create exposure for your brand wherever they go.
Plus, if you surprise them with one-of-a-kind promo items, they’ll likely tell others about it as well.
Still, if you want to make the most out of these benefits, you need to pick the right swag.
Keep reading, to find out how you can do this.
How To Pick the Right Swag for Your Trade Shows
Here are some useful tips to help you pick the right swag:
- Define your swag merchandise objectives. For example, if your objective is to attract big prospects or business partners, you should invest a bit more and choose high-quality items.
On the other hand, some comfy and budget-friendly t-shirts will be enough if you simply want to boost brand awareness.
- Know your audience. Just because people like freebies, doesn’t mean they’ll use anything you give them.
You need to pick promo items that resonate with your audience demographics, needs, or interests.
For instance, if you’re targeting eco-conscious buyers, then you should pick sustainable swag and avoid plastic altogether, if possible.
- Create a budget. Since there’s no general rule as to how many promo items you should give away at trade shows, it’s up to you to decide.
But with so many cool and affordable products out there, you can easily get carried away.
Thus, our clients suggest you create a budget for each swag bag and each trade show before you start ordering the giveaways.
- Never compromise on quality. People are more likely to use and remember high-quality swag than items that break after one use.
Ultimately, it’s not just the gesture that counts but also the quality of that gesture.
- Always customize your giveaways. If you don’t, the items won’t be as effective in promoting your brand in any way and people might even forget where they got them from.
With these tips, you can’t go wrong, so it’s time to start ordering your trade expo swag.
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Get Your Customized Goodies Now
We’ve given you so many cost-effective trade show giveaway ideas, you no longer have to worry about exceeding your budget or making the wrong choice.
Just check out our SwagDrop collection and start ordering your swag today.
If there’s anything you can’t find or you need help building your trade show pack, we’re happy to assist, just contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the frequently asked questions you might still have:
What is a trade show giveaway?
A trade show giveaway is any promotional product that a business hands out for free to trade show visitors.
Trade show giveaways can include any branded item, such as custom coffee mugs, notebooks, T-shirts, etc.
Do trade show giveaways work?
Yes, trade show giveaways are very effective marketing tools. Some of their benefits include attracting visitors to your booth, generating leads, leaving a lasting impression, and boosting brand awareness.
How many promotional items should I order for a trade show?
There’s no general rule on how many promotional items you should offer at trade shows. It’s up to you to decide your budget and the number and type of giveaways you want to offer. Still, it’s good to know approximately how many people will attend the event to be able to estimate more effectively.
What promotional items are a bad idea for trade shows?
Try to avoid low-quality and very generic promotional items because recipients will likely never use them and they’ll end up in the trash.
Also, given that more and more people are becoming environmentally conscious, it’s wise to stay clear of single-use, plastic products and opt for sustainable items instead.
How can I improve traffic to my trade show booth?
A good way to improve booth traffic is to display cool, eye-catching giveaways that visitors won’t be able to resist.
You should also create a nice and cozy sitting area and offer some tasty snacks.
