Are Promotional Items at Tradeshows a Waste of Money?

I don’t want you to get the idea that I’m against the use of promotional items, I’ve used a lot of them myself over the years to promote products and services, to build awareness and to ethically bribe people to visit my exhibit area.

However, most companies have no rhyme or reason to their promotional items, they give them away to anyone who wants them and in some cases they force the item upon anyone who comes near their booth.

The time and money spent on promotional items of this nature could be better used in other aspects of their tradeshow marketing efforts. Here are some items that have been used effectively:

• Ceramic tiles with corporate message and key to a puzzle
• T-shirts
• Special 3D glasses
• Gift Baskets
• Newspapers with complimentary label from your company
• Gavels with messages
• Buttons
• Blank Checks

If you are going to use promotional items they should have a specific purpose and you should have a method for measuring their effectiveness.

Your promotional items have their greatest vaule when given to qualified prospects and deserving customers and not to Tradeshow Moochers.

From "How To Be A Tradeshow Superstar" by Michael T. Curtiss, CEO Thunderbird International Group

For additional information on how to be a more successful tradeshow exhibitor go to TradeshowMentors.com

Announcing Intersolar India 2010 - Solar Novus Today

Announcing Intersolar India 2010 Solar Novus Today Along with the trade fair, a high profile conference will take place with participation from Indian and international solar professionals The organizers of ... and more »

UBM Launches Informex Chemical Show Brand in Brazil - TSNN Trade Show News (blog)

TSNN Trade Show News (blog)

UBM Launches Informex Chemical Show Brand in Brazil TSNN Trade Show News (blog) UK-based United Business Media decided to take its Informex brand – a specialty chemical trade show for buyers and sellers of high-value ...

Rig Count at The Rally - MotorHome Magazine

Rig Count at The Rally MotorHome Magazine ... while 42 manufacturers and dealers showed OEM product nearby in the KEC, the same facility in which RVIA's annual National RV Trade Show is held. ... and more »

Marijuana gathering worries Pontiac police - Detroit Free Press

WHTC

Marijuana gathering worries Pontiac police Detroit Free Press This is publicly-traded company that has run other events around the country, holding a trade show for a legal product approved by the state's voters and ... Pontiac cops leery of Silverdome pot conventionThe Detroit News all 61 news articles »

Bike show blazes new trails at Deer Valley - Park Record

Bike show blazes new trails at Deer Valley Park Record For 10 years Camisasca directed the industry's main trade show, Interbike, held each September in Las Vegas. In recent years, manufacturers have wanted to ...