Have you ever noticed how some events generate a lot of buzz among guests? While you may have mastered orchestrating a well-executed event, it is possible you are overlooking some great opportunities to create excitement.
Top event planners know the key to unforgettable events is logoed promotional gifts before, during and after the big day. The following tips are sure to leave your guests talking about their experiences long after your event is over!
Pre-Event: Get attendees pumped!
Whether your event is being held for participants who opt to attend or employees who are required to participate, you'll have many factors to consider (besides budget) when selecting a pre-event gift.
Is everyone eager to attend the event? Build excitement by placing an imprinted countdown clock on their desks (after hours) reflecting the days remaining until the event kicks off.
Will people be traveling to a destination event? Consider gifts that are certain to be useful, such as luggage tags, a rolling duffel or a brightly colored luggage spotter handle wrap. If your event will be held overseas, a debossed leather passport holder will be much appreciated.
Local guidebooks, maps or coffee table books about the destination, accompanied by a bookmark or book light, will often excite attendees. Be sure to include a "romance" card or letter with the gift explaining why you've selected this product. You may even wish to allude to the additional promotional gifts that await participants once they reach the meeting site.
Will attendees bring their family to the out-of-town meeting or conference? If so, think about gifts for spouses and family, like playing cards, travel games, or disposable cameras.
At Event: Wow Them On Site
Avoid empty chairs at afternoon sessions! Remind your audience that you appreciate their involvement - especially when a lush golf course or sparkling pool is nearby - by periodically surprising them with thank-you gifts. Here are a few opportunities to earn some favorable remarks:
On arrival, present attendees with a welcome letter and product they can use during the event - like pens, padfolios, or notepads. Will guests be staying at a hotel? Arrange for "pillow gifts" to be waiting in their room - a toiletry kit, flip flops, sun visor, custom chocolates, mints or gum.
During an afternoon break, provide "wake-up" gifts of custom-imprinted snacks or water. At the final session of the event, distribute a gift the recipient will use back at the office to remind them of the program's key points. Desk clocks, calendars, organizers flash drives with your presentations on it.
And don't forget logoed attire! You may want to consider giving out random prize drawings of high-end gifts such as apparel. Present participants with a jacket or shirt decorated with your company logo and it's likely they'll proudly wear it on their way home (and for years to come).
Two caveats as you consider these take-home gifts:
1.) Make certain that your selections are not cumbersome; if they won't easily fit into a suitcase, chances are they'll be left behind.
2.) Don't give a gift that won't make it past airport security.
Post Event: Create A Lasting Impression
Let's assume your company conference is top notch and attendees depart with a clearer understanding of how your organization can help achieve their goals. Equally important, however, is how attendees feel about the event once they're back in the office.
A "thank you for your participation" letter, written by upper management, accompanied by a post-event survey and a promotional gift designed to commemorate the trip will send a strong message about employee appreciation. And if you want attendees to approach the next event with gusto, be sure you take advantage of the opportunity to remind them of the value of the unforgettable event.
How to Select Products
Selecting promotional gifts for attendees at your next event will be even more difficult than choosing a vacation memento for yourself. The reason? More than 600,000 promotional (imprintable) products are available in the marketplace. A thorough search will yield countless products appropriate for your audience.
It's critical to define your target audience, objective, and total budget before beginning the process of searching for promotional gifts. It's essential to know the total budget (not just per-piece), because there may be peripheral costs involved such shipping or assembling kits/gift baskets comprised of multiple products.
Once you're armed with this information, you can begin your search! If you need help, be sure to choose a promotional products distributor that has experience not only suggesting suitable products but in finding creative ways of packaging and presenting them.
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