7 Ways to Use Promotional Products for Corporate Meetings and Events

By Michael Cornnell

Insights from an Event Planner

Event planner Julie Wong, president of The Event Concierge, answered a few questions about how her organization uses promotional products.

Promo Marketing: Have you used decorated products at your corporate destination events before?

Julie Wong: We work with corporate clients so we have ordered mugs, shirts, padfolios, etc.

PM: Would you consider yourself a light user of promotional products (“I might buy a few decorated mugs or crystal awards here and there”), heavy (“I like to go all out, getting everything from company T-shirts to monogrammed golf sets for a staff of 600”), or someplace in-between?

JW: I would say a light user, because most of our clients look at the budget, and those may be one of the items cut out, or if the client thinks the attendees don’t need any more “stuff.”

PM: When you do get promotional products, where do you like to buy them from and why?

JW: We have a good relationship with a local promotional product distributor who also screenprints. They are professional and reliable and they go above and beyond on researching what our clients are looking for.

PM: What is your favorite way to use promotional products, and why?

JW: My favorite way to use promotional products would be two-fold: a product/tool that is either used often or is used to simplify a task or my life. For example, I was given a simple jar opener by a real estate company years ago. I still have it now. I use it often to open difficult jars and it reminds me of the agent who gave it to me.

Secondly, the item does its job of promoting the company or person that has advertised on it. So many times, you forget who the item is promoting.

The corporate meeting. While it may always be something that makes employees cringe ("16 hours of forced teambuilding, yay!"), from a promotional products perspective, corporate meetings should always turn your sales-slump frown upside-down.

From T-shirts and jotters to electronics and photo-frames, there are tons of promotional products out there fit for meetings and events. Need a little help brainstorming? Check out the quick list below to get the ideas flowing.

1. Room Service
A small "welcome to the conference" package delivered to an attendee's room can be a great way to put them in the mood for a successful meeting. A few treats are a must, but don't forget to include some handy utility items as well. Breath mints, local maps, or hand sanitizer and other toiletries are all great choices for a gift bag.

2. Signage
Make sure your client knows that along with the standard promotional products, decorations and display items are within your offerings. Decorated balloons, displays and other signage can be a solid sales opportunity. Printing services for any necessary pamphlets or other meetings handouts is also a good option.

3. Utility is Key
Focus the purpose of your items on the activities planned for the meeting. Lots of notetaking? Try a journal. Outdoor team building? What about a water bottle with a carabineer clip? A few days of long conferences? How about some coffee or energy drinks?

4. Teambuilding and Memorabilia
If a meeting is going to emphasize teambuilding, it can be a great opportunity for you to provide products. The items can be as obvious as crystal awards to commemorate specific achievements, or a little more of an offbeat item such as some picture frames and gift cards for photo development.

5. Environmental Protection
Bad weather can disrupt even the most well-planned meetings, but there's a lot promotional products can do to offset the potential harm. Umbrellas and ponchos are always good if rain is on the way, sunscreen and fans can help if the heat is going to be too much, and even hooded sweatshirts or blankets are welcome if a conference hall or hotel is known for being especially cold.

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