Last week I was at a promotions conference In Las Vegas. Having never been to the conference I was looking forward to the speakers, networking and of course the gifts that you receive at a conference. This conference didn’t have an exhibit hall so most of the gifts or "chotchke" were in the conference bag that I received when I checked in.
Yes there were mints in there, an eight ball that you roll and will tell your mood, a wallet and a number of other promotion items that had company names on them.
The question is what do you like and what is a total waste of time?
For me, save your money I don’t want a highlighter, calculator or pen. Those items just don’t work for me! I like something a little more creative, something that catches my eye. Something that stands out a little more than others. Maybe a small travel game like connect four or a small picture frame that I could use in my office–something that has a company logo on it but is small enough so it doesn’t stand out.
- Are you a stress ball person?
- Do you want a stuffed animal with a bow and logo on it?
- Do you want some mints or M&M’s? Selfishly, I love candy so this also works for me but does it really promote the company?
- How about a flash drive? Does that work for you?
- What are your favorite gifts that you like to bring home to the kids?
I look forward to your comments and suggestions.
Greg D says:
I was at this same trade show the chotchkes were great!
However, I’d rather receive a stress ball or a flash drive.
If you plan on attending next year’s show, let me know and we’ll see if we can get something specially made for you…
Stephenie Gordon says:
i usually only keep the mints and if there is a bottle of water i am happy! I sometimes take pens home to collect dust in a junk drawer, everything usually gets left behind. I am trying to think what i grabbed out of the MRA bag. The laser pointer, and the travel clock, but that was it.
Heather says:
I really liked the USB laptop light from murray hill center – it’s something I can actually use. Also, ReRez had a nice little screwdriver set that is also handy. Unless something has a practical use and is not something I already have a ton of, I do toss it. I find a lot of the conferences I attend to be too overwhelming with what they put in the bag. I know that when I am in charge of our marketing for a show, I prefer to not put a giveaway in the bag if I know the show has a lot of sponsors doing so as well. I don’t find it to be an effective marketing tool. I prefer putting our chotchkes in bags for shows where they limit the number of giveaways in a bag. This way, we’re more likely to be noticed.
Josh says:
I always come home with stacks of little toys but never seem to use them or buy from those companies so when it comes to my own marketing budget, I rarely bother, despite the fact that I like them.
Am I missing the boat? I just think that unless its incredibly creative (ideas to go’s shower crayons) or you’re strictly a commodity its not worth it.
Larry Gulledge says:
The most effective give-away I ever used was one that was given after the show. I collected business cards. Then had the cards photo engraved and mounted on a walnut base. On the back of the walnut base I put a reproduction of my own business card that was printed on a thin sheet of sturdy paper with an adhesive backing that enabled it to adhere to the walnut base.
I sent the plaque along with a brief note describing the plaque as a paper weight. Obviously, this was only done with those that I felt offered potential as a customer and/or simply someone I wanted to develop a better relationship. Whenever I called on recipients the paperweight was always on their desk.
Merrill Dubrow says:
Larry,
That is really a cool idea – thanks for sharing.
Merrill
Steve Gentile says:
“trick or treat” i work with a non-profit on a personal level tutoring kids from single parent homes with school work – whatever stuff i don’t want/need is like candy to them – they dig it. and have done some imaginative things with things (the modified collection from them is far better than the original treat)
my best freebie and most memorable? a business card that was somehow slipped in my laptop bag – a business card for a transcriptionist that had simply her name, email, and the handwritten phrase “whisper sweet nothings in my ear 24/7″
i have given her all my work since that day. talk about ROI!
Malcolm says:
The best show chotchke is simply one that you can use… Period.
Giving away a stress ball is like giving a beer to an alcoholic. It implies that you have no control over your emotional state.
The best give-away I can remember came from Common Knowledge. They gave me a tiny 1 gb flash drive. Something we all need from time to time.
Since I am the one in charge of the give-aways for our little company, I try to be mindful of the recipient. In all fairness, I can’t copy Common Knowledge (that wouldn’t be fair), plus those things are big bucks!
You can’t be everything to everyone, but if you’re creative, you can be most things to most people.
It’s pretty darned cool when you have a conference attendee come up to you and tell you that your chotchke was the only one worth a crap in the bag… As Andy Rooney used to say “I like that!”