Promotional giveaways complete the trade show experience. Attendees look forward to receiving them; brands are eager to connect through them.
To maximize your impact, it’s important to choose promotional products that drive traffic to your booth and are used and kept long after the event.
Top Trade Show Giveaways Consumers Will Keep and Use
Promotional items have a significant influence on the trade show floor. They help brands stand out, drive booth engagement, and turn passing attendees into engaged visitors.
A recent study found that “52% of attendees are more likely to enter an exhibit if they’re offering some kind of giveaway or freebie”. This aligns with findings shared by SellersCommerce, which note that “99% of people are willing to go out of their way to obtain a promotional product.”
If you’re looking for the best promotional items that they will want and use, these key takeaways from the 2023 Ad Impressions Study break down what’s trending, what lasts, and what leaves a lasting impression.
I. Drinkware
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Everyday utility and long-term practicality make branded drinkware consistently rank as one of the most effective trade show giveaways. In fact, “63% of consumers would keep and use promo drinkware for 1 year or longer.”
And their appeal starts on the trade show floor! These events can get busy and packed, which makes a free branded mug, water bottle, or tumbler useful for the thirsty crowd. As for long-term use, drinkware is something people use daily. They can take them to work, the gym, or keep them at home, giving your brand repeated exposure over time.
II. Apparel
Wearable giveaways like shirts, caps, outerwear, and bags have impressive staying power! They are useful, offer comfort and style, and practicality that could easily fit into people’s wardrobes and daily routines.
Research shows that consumers keep and wear promo apparel for years, lasting well beyond the trade show event:
- Outerwear (61%) and polos (62%) top the list, with most consumers using them for 1-2 years or longer
- Performance wear (59%) and caps (56%) also have strong retention, lasting over a year with most consumers
- Everyday items like T-shirts (47%) and bags (43%) stay in rotation for 2 years or more
When promo apparel has good design and great quality, people won’t just keep it, they’ll wear it out in public. Proudly. That’s long-term visibility for your brand from a single trade show giveaway!
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III. Calendars
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Calendars offer year-long value, with 62% of consumers keeping and using promo calendars for a year or more.
Their tangible appeal and practical use in homes, stores, offices, and even vehicles ensure they remain visible daily, helping users track appointments, organize schedules, and quickly reference dates.
The best part? Their consistent presence also makes them effective lead generators. When you give them away at trade shows, you’re putting your business information in constant view and always within reach.
IV. Umbrellas
They are appreciated and always in demand — whether for daily commutes, travel, and especially during surprise downpours. No wonder “54% of consumers say they would keep and use a promo umbrella for two years or longer”.
Thanks to their universal appeal, umbrellas are a smart choice for diverse trade show audiences, proving their long-term value and effectiveness as a brand investment.
When used, they function as walking billboards, offering high-impact exposure beyond the trade show floor.
Rain or shine, you can count on one thing: people love a good umbrella.
V. Tech Items
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Staying connected is non-negotiable in today’s digital world, which is why tech giveaways like power banks and USB drives are valuable promotional tools.
Their practicality ensures they are kept, used, and appreciated long after the event. And the numbers don’t lie — 51% of consumers say they’d keep a promo power bank for 2 years or more, and 44% would hang on to a branded USB drive for just as long.
These promotional tech favorites address everyday needs: power banks keep users charged on the go, while USB drives offer quick file sharing and portable data storage.
With broad appeal across all ages, industries, and lifestyles, tech items are sought-after trade show giveaways that can position your brand as practical and in tune with today’s modern needs.
VI. Desk Accessories and Writing Instruments
Some things never go out of style (or charm) — like a good pen or a cute notepad. Everyday desk and writing essentials, while affordable to produce, offer high utility and nonstop visibility in return, making them powerhouse promotional items.
Here’s the proof: 58% of consumers keep and use promo desk accessories for over a year, and 52% say the same for promotional writing instruments.
This constant presence and frequent touchpoints between the user and the promo swag, whether setting down coffee on a custom coaster or staying organized with a highlighter, create continuous impressions and brand reinforcement with minimal effort.
Rain or shine, you can count on one thing: people love a good umbrella.
VII. Eco-friendly Promo Items
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Today’s consumers care about the planet, that’s why giving away eco-friendly swag isn’t just a thoughtful gesture; it’s a strategic brand move.
Environmentally friendly giveaways stand out from the usual swag pile. Items made from recycled, sustainably sourced, or organic materials signal corporate responsibility, which can help drive eco-conscious attendees to your booth.
Here’s the impact: 46% of consumers feel more favorable toward brands that give them eco-friendly products.
When your audience uses an item that’s good for the environment, it creates a sense of pride and purpose. That emotional connection increases the chance they’ll keep and use your eco-friendly giveaway regularly.
VIII. Health Items
Handing out health-related giveaways at trade shows reflects a brand’s care and consideration for its audience. As consumers become more health-conscious, items like first aid kits, face masks, and hand sanitizers resonate with people’s growing priority towards wellness.
Since promotional health swag can be conveniently stored in bags, placed on work desks, or kept in cars, it puts your logo in constant view and leads to positive brand association.
“36% of consumers say they would keep and use a promo health item for a year or longer”
Final Thoughts
The most effective trade show giveaways take into account relevance, value, and a clear understanding of what today’s trade show attendees truly want and need.
By handing out the right custom swag, brands can turn every giveaway into a business opportunity that creates connections, builds loyalty, and delivers lasting impact.
