What is a trade show giveaway?  A clever trinket used to suffice when trying to attract a potential client to your trade show booth or to keep a longtime customer from going elsewhere. Times have definitely changed!

New customers now expect to be “wowed” by giveaways or company promotional products. They expect nothing less than miraculous toys that amaze or very useful promotional gifts they can put to work in their everyday lives. From promotional pens, laser pens and stainless steel coffee mugs to premium headwear and brief cases, prospective customers want you to put your money and ingenuity to work to impress them.

At some trade shows, no expense is spared. Gourmet offerings that put Wolfgang Puck or Emeril to shame are becoming more commonplace. Some companies even offer complete BBQ sets as giveaways.

Whether or not you offer your new customer or existing clients top notch metal executive personalized pens, specialty T-Shirts or folding athletic chairs, the bar has been raised. If you want to convert or keep your current customers, you have to be inventive.

Another advantage you can employ to gain more market share through giving away promotional products is to make sure you stay current with technology. Most people already have 5 mouse pads but they may not have a stainless steel coffee mug or an LCD lighted promotional pen that allows one to write in the dark cabin of an airplane without turning on the light and disturbing everyone.

The bottom line is: When considering the types of trade show giveaways and promotional products to offer your potential or current customers, the key point is quality and ingenuity. The higher the quality the more dedicated customer you will receive in return. Customers know when you cut corners on giveaways. You don’t want them thinking you will also cut corners in the products or services you give them. To gain their loyalty, you must show you want only the best for them; both in the gifts you give and the services or products your company provides. You certainly don’t want them walking over to your competition based the quality of your promotional products.