If your business is in the midst of preparing for a new trade show, you will surely want to keep your booth packed with custom branded products as these provide your business an opportunity to connect with your audience and generate new leads. The key to having a successful exhibition is to provide products that will inspire action, create emotions and encourage loyalty for the brand. Ensure that your brand is being represented properly by taking the time to analyze whichproducts work best for you. Below are some ideas on how you can use promotional items to make the most out of your trade show!

Freebies

Personalized products are very much a part of the experience at this point, as everyone is expecting some free swag when they come out to these events.Keychains,pens andlanyards are inexpensive, and easy to transport, making them a great choice for getting your brand name out there. After greeting a potential customer, you can offer them the item along with a business card as a way of staying in touch.  Depending on your business you could give something more playful or industry-themed like abottle opener keychain orLED flashlight. Another idea is to give out brandedtote bags so visitors can put in any pamphlets or information they receive from other booths, thus allowing attendees to show off your logo as they walk around the trade show floor.

Get Social

The trade show is a great platform to meet with prospects and establish brand presence, however it can also be used as a vehicle to drive visitors to a digital space. While at the trade show, encourage customers to use social media and interact with you beyond the trade show floor. You can do this by asking them to check-in to the venue on Facebook, and Tweet at you using a specific hashtag.Tech related promotional products are great for this because you can print your business’s online platforms on the item, leaving recipients with a channel at which to contact you, long after the event has concluded.

Prizes

Looking for a fun, light hearted way to attract people to your booth? Try having a contest and a subsequent prize for the winner. It can be something as simple as asking visitors to drop in a business card into a draw, from which you will choose a random winner, or you can have a more structured game. The point is to create some buzz that will entice people to hear you out, creating an opening for you to deliver your brand message. Prizes should be custom branded with your logo and company name to remind individuals who gave them the item. High end promotional products work like a charm for this purpose. Eco-friendly bamboo products such ascutting boards, andflight paddles are trending and could score you additional recognition from attendees. Once it is all said and done, you will have gathered a number of new contacts, which you can add to your email list.

These are just some of the ways you can entice new customers, and attract prospects to your trade show booth. Think about incorporating promo products that make the experience interactive andmemorable, which will help you make the most out of your exhibition.  Ultimately the trade show should be used as a way to establish relationships that will transcend beyond the duration of the event.