The best event gifts have longevity, cultivating an authentic emotional connection with your brand long after the event is over. To accomplish this, corporate gifts need to be thoughtful, useful and have high perceived value, says Lauren Melnick, customization solutions manager at Poppin, a provider of innovative work-lifestyle products. Melnick offers these insights for more meaningful corporate gifting at events:
Think immediate impact – If you give away items that can immediately be put to use, you start the “brand halo” effect ASAP, helping recipients associate your brand with the experience of the event. A notebook and pen are perfect for scribbling notes during talks, and a business card case is the ideal solution for networking events.
Choose quality – Beautiful customized products show that you take your brand seriously – and indicate to potential partners, clients and employees that they should take your brand seriously, too.
Can they carry it? – Most attendees travel to events, so big or heavy swag that’s difficult to bring home often gets left behind. Small treasures fit perfectly into suitcases and briefcases, and help ensure a long life for your gifts.
Remember relevance– If you’re a technology company, why give out lollipops or a tin of paper clips? Event giveaways should be relevant to both your company and your audience.
