Merchandise for exhibitions: exhibition materials and giveaways that people remember

Good trade show materials serve two purposes: getting people to stop at your stand and giving them something to take home afterwards. Roll-up banners and flags create visibility from a distance, stand clothing makes your team recognisable, and a well-chosen giveaway keeps your name in use long after the show ends. Here is a simple way to plan it all.

Visibility at your stand

First impressions are formed in seconds. A roll-up banner behind your stand and a beach flag by the entrance make you easy to find in a large hall or at an outdoor event. Our Roll-Up Banner and beach flags can be ordered from just 2 units with your own design.

Keep your message short: a logo, one sentence about what you do, and perhaps a QR code linking to a page created for the show.

Stand clothing that unites the team

Matching T-shirts or sweatshirts make it clear who visitors can talk to. Choose a style your team will want to wear afterwards too. An organic cotton T-shirt such as Creator 2.0 from Stanley/Stella is a reliable choice and can be printed or embroidered.

Giveaways that make it home

The best giveaway is something people will use every day. It is also the most sustainable choice, because it will not end up in the bin on the way out of the hall.

• Tote bags: Visitors collect brochures and samples throughout the day, so a tote bag gets used straight away. See our tote bags with logos, such as Odessa in GOTS-certified organic cotton.
• Writing instruments: A metal ballpoint pen lasts longer than a cheap plastic pen and feels like a more thoughtful choice.
• Notebooks: A notebook with your logo, for example from Moleskine, makes a good gift for your most promising conversations at the stand.

Consider offering two levels: a simple giveaway for everyone and a slightly better gift for visitors you have had a good conversation with.

Choose for your audience

A trade show for buyers has different requirements from a job fair or a consumer event. At an industry trade show, fewer, better giveaways often work best, because the aim is to be remembered by the right people. At a careers fair or an event for a broad audience, quantity matters, and a simple tote bag or ballpoint pen goes a long way. Also consider what visitors will have to carry around all day – light, flat products are more likely to be taken home than large, heavy ones.

Plan well ahead

Make a list of what you need to bring and work backwards from the show date. Printed materials and banners need proof approval, clothing must be ordered in the right sizes, and giveaways have minimum order quantities – between 25 and 100 units for many of our products. Contact us well in advance so we can confirm the lead time for your specific requirements.

To see how others have done it, read about merchandise for Folkemødet on Bornholm.

After the show

The show does not end when the stand is packed away. Follow up on your conversations within a few days, while they are still fresh in everyone's minds. If you used a QR code at the stand, you can see how many people visited the page. Keep any leftover giveaways and stand clothing for your next event, and note what worked to make the next show easier to plan. Choosing products without dates or campaign messages means they can be used again and again.

Quick trade show checklist

• Roll-up banner and flag with your logo and a short message.
• Matching stand clothing for the whole team.
• A giveaway for every visitor.
• A better gift for the most important conversations.
• Delivery date confirmed well ahead of the exhibition.

Ready for your next exhibition

Tell us which exhibition you’re attending, how many visitors you expect and what you’d like to achieve. We’ll then put together a proposal for exhibition materials and giveaways. Contact us for a no-obligation quote.