Neel Patel  August 20, 2024

How Many Promotional Products Do You Need for Trade Shows & Conventions?

Trade shows and conventions offer invaluable opportunities for businesses to connect with potential customers, partners, and industry peers. Distributing promotional products is one of the most effective ways to make a lasting impression at these events. But how many promotional products do you need? This comprehensive guide will help you determine the optimal number of items to bring to your next event, ensuring you maximize your impact without overspending.

Before you determine the number of custom promotional products to order, you must clarify your goals for the trade show. Are you primarily seeking to increase brand awareness, generate leads, or establish relationships with key industry players? Your objectives will influence the type and quantity of products you need.

For example, if your goal is to generate leads, you might prioritize high-quality items for a smaller, more targeted group of attendees. Conversely, if you’re looking to boost brand visibility, you might opt for a larger quantity of more cost-effective items to distribute widely.

With more in-person events coming up this year, is your business ready to get back out there? If so, it’s important to think about what kind of items you’ll give away to people who visit your booth. Planning how many promotional products to order for each event needs some extra thought. That’s why we’ve created this guide.

We invite you to keep reading to learn how to figure out the right amount of promotional products to order for your next trade show giveaway ideas, convention, or event.

Step One: Consider the Number of Attendees

When deciding on the best marketing materials to order, start by finding out how many people are expected to attend the event. The event organizers can usually give you a number based on past years. However, rely on something other than this number. Use it as a rough guide but remember that certain factors might change the actual turnout this year.

Step Two: Decide Your Goals for Swag

The number of promotional products your business needs for an event depends on your goals. If you’re simply giving away branded items with no strings attached, you’ll likely need a large quantity since people will be promoting your brand just by carrying them around.

However, if you’re asking attendees to sign up for a contact list, play a game, spin a wheel, or do something interactive, you probably won’t need as many products. In this case, you might choose to have a variety of different items instead of a large quantity of the same thing.

Step Three: Plan Your Booth Setup

Now, think about where your booth is located in the convention hall and how you want to set it up. If your booth is near the entrance or in a busy area, you’ll likely need more promotional items than if you were tucked away in the back.

Also, decide whether people can pick up items themselves like grab bags on a table, or if someone from your booth needs to hand them out. You’ll likely go through more items with the first option, so be prepared. And remember, a great custom trade show display can attract even more visitors to your booth.

Step Four: Match Your Printed Marketing Materials

Another important factor is how well your promotional items pair with your printed materials. For example, if you’re giving out custom calendars, do they match your business cards? Or if you have brochures, are you planning to grab attention with something bigger, like a coffee tumbler or a laptop bag? Make sure your items complement each other to leave a strong impression.

Step Five: Think About Future Events

The great thing about most promo items is that they don’t expire. So, even if you have extras, you can use them at future trade shows and conventions. When deciding how many items to order, don’t hesitate to buy in bulk to make a bigger impact.

Why buy in bulk? Not only does it help you make more impressions, but it also ensures you won’t run out of items. Plus, buying in bulk usually costs less per item, allowing you to spread the cost across multiple events throughout the year.

Step Six: Set Your Budget

Finally, your company needs to decide on a budget before ordering promotional products. Think about whether you can afford to give out bigger items like tech gadgets—things like Bluetooth speakers, phone chargers, or laptop bags. If that’s not within your budget, you can opt for smaller, everyday items like sticky notes, coffee mugs, pens, and custom notebooks. These are still useful and can make a great impression.

Don’t forget about packaging. How do you plan to package these items before giving them out? Will you need totes or plastic bags to create swag bags? Are you thinking about ordering these packaging items in bulk? It’s important to consider these details when planning your giveaways.

Do You Need Staff Items and Office Supplies?

When ordering for a convention or trade show giveaway ideas, it’s not just about the giveaways. Think about whether your staff needs branded items and office supplies too.

For instance, shirts with your company logo can give your team a professional look. Items like pens, notepads, and other supplies can also be useful for your team at the booth. These are important details to consider before placing your order.

Conclusion

Figuring out the right number of promotional products for trade shows and conventions is a mix of art and science. By thinking about your goals, knowing your audience, planning your budget, and using past data, you can make smart decisions that boost your event’s success. After the event, review your strategy to keep improving and make sure your promotional products always support your brand effectively.

Ready to take your event to the next level? Visit Optamark.com for expert help with all your promotional product needs.