Comments on: You Are Going To A Conference And Bringing Back A Number Of Things…Gifts Or Junk?

By: Malcolm

Malcolm — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:54:55 +0000

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!”

By: Steve Gentile

Steve Gentile — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 06:03:12 +0000

“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!

By: Merrill Dubrow

Merrill Dubrow — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:31:13 +0000

Larry,

That is really a cool idea - thanks for sharing.

Merrill

By: Larry Gulledge

Larry Gulledge — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:39:56 +0000

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.

By: Josh

Josh — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:59:07 +0000

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.

By: Heather

Heather — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:06:10 +0000

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.

By: Stephenie Gordon

Stephenie Gordon — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:04:40 +0000

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.

By: Greg D

Greg D — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:56:03 +0000

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…