Top Trade Show Giveaways for 2025 & Virtual Trade Show Ideas
updated
December 19, 2024
Whether your organization is attending an in-person trade show, a virtual one, or a hybrid of the two, it’s time to check out the hottest giveaways for 2025. Pick up some of this clever branded merchandise to stand out from competitors, engage event attendees, reach new clients, and grow your business.
Best Trade Show Giveaway Ideas for 2025
Trade shows are a great way to connect and network with customers, prospects, partners, and others important to your industry.
Promotional products trends have come a long way in the past few years, and there are dozens of exciting new options for businesses like yours. Don’t worry, though - we’ll get you up to speed on the hottest tradeshow giveaways for 2025. Let’s dive in.
Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Giveaway Items
Today, customers are seeking out eco-friendly products like never before. According to a recent Business of Sustainability Index report, 64% of Americans are willing to pay more for sustainable products and enjoy working with companies that offer them. That makes green promotional gifts the best trade show giveaways for 2025. If you’re heading to an expo or convention, you can harness this demand for eco products and use it for your benefit.
Eco giveaways are an excellent way for companies to show their commitment to corporate responsibility and the environment. If you’re not sure which green merch to invest in, we have a few recommendations.
The Gardena Bamboo Stylus Pen is an excellent choice for eco-conscious attendees, combining sustainability with functionality. For a stylish and durable option, the Izzy Tote Bag made from natural jute with a cotton front pocket is perfect for carrying essentials and showcasing your logo prominently. If you're looking for an eco-friendly note-taking option, the Harvest Fruit Fiber Pocket Notebook made from recycled fruit fibers is a unique and sustainable giveaway. The FSC Bamboo Sticky Note Dispenser with Phone Holder is a multifunctional desk accessory that will keep your brand on their desk and in their minds.
For a practical and portable option that chips away at the need for disposable plastic supplies, the On-the-Go Reusable Utensil Kit includes a fork, spoon, and collapsible straw, all housed in a convenient tin case.
Hot Brand Name Giveaways
Pairing your logo with brand-name items helps you convey a message of quality and value. People will want to keep and use them for months, and they’ll think of your company every time they do.
BIC is a well-known and classic brand in the office supply space, but one member of its line has achieved modern viral success recently, garnering it brand new fans. The newly popular BIC Intensity Clic Gel Pen offers smooth writing with a comfortable grip, making it a daily essential that keeps your brand in hand.
Keep your attendees' drinks cool with the Collapsible Koozie Can Kooler BritePix, which folds flat for easy storage and transport. The PopGrip for MagSafe Round is a magnetic phone grip that attaches securely to MagSafe-compatible cases, providing a convenient stand and grip.
Some of the best trade show swag ideas are small and handy. Personalize Chap Ice® SPF Lip Balm to create a budget friendly giveaway that can be used right away, at the event, and in the weeks to follow. For a sweet treat, the Wrapped Ghirardelli Square offers individually wrapped premium chocolate squares that are sure to delight.
Everyone gives away t-shirts. Stand out by offering one they’ll actually want wear, like the Bella + Canvas™Modern Fit T-Shirt and imprinting it with a high impact design.
Beyond Stress Balls – The Latest in Stress Reliever Swag
The stress relievers category has expanded far beyond just classic round stress balls. Today, people love everything from fidget toys and putty to coloring books.
If you’re looking for these popular and on-trend giveaway items, we recommend our Cloud Putty or Crinkle Grip Pen. These giveaway items have been runaway hits in the retail sphere, put them to work for your brand strategy. These fun items for youngsters and grownups alike will help your prospects and clients relax and unwind while also keeping your brand top of mind for them.
The Molecool Stress Ball provides a dynamic sensory experience with colorful, soft balls inside that replicate molecular structure, perfect for stress relief, and the Slo-Release Serenity Squishy™ is a truly addictive chill out tool. The Stress Pop Phone Holder is a phone leash worn on the wrist that keeps mobile devices hands free, while providing soft silicone pop bubbles to fidget with.
Fully Custom & Full-Color Branded Merchandise
Full-color graphics are eye-catching and perfect for helping your brand stand out among other brands. These items give you plenty of space to showcase your logo, messaging, or other brand images. Crestline’s graphics team can help you bring your vision to life for a truly custom product.
If you’re looking for stunning graphics and photo quality imprinting, we recommend our Custom Knit Jacquard Socks, 7" Nail File with EVA Pouch, Removable Waterproof Sticker Sheet, or our Sublimated Non-Woven Grocery Tote Bag. We also offer 3/4" Sublimated Full Color Lanyards to get your design seen across the event hall. Get in on a craze when you create your own fully custom puffy-look 3D Custom Molded Clog Shoe Charms. Kids, college students, and service and health industry professionals love to decorate their Crocs with these endlessly versatile giveaways, so you can be sure that your swag will be the hit of your event. The optional full color backer card can tell the rest of your brand story and include contact and website information to close the sales loop.
Health and Wellness Giveaway Products
Precautions around health and safety are important at well-attended events. These wellness giveaways will help your business prospects associate you with good health and thoughtfulness.
To help your clients stay healthy and safe, customize and give away our 1 oz Sanitizer with Silicone Carabiner or 3.5ml Sanitizer and Pen Combo.
Made in the U.S.A. Giveaway Products
As you gear up for your next trade show, invest in company giveaways that support domestic business. These reliable, budget-friendly options help you avoid supply chain holdups and get products to your would-be clients as quickly as possible.
If you’re looking for domestically-made swag, we love to recommend the 17 oz Chameleon Cup that changes color when filled with cold beverages, Travel ID Tag, or the 4” Handi-Clip is perfect for keeping chips and other snacks fresh.
The Cappy is a versatile bottle opener that fits over most bottle caps, making it a fun and functional giveaway.
Here are a few of our other home-grown favorites:
Virtual Trade Show Giveaway Ideas
Some event organizers have turned their attention to virtual expositions. With the proper preparation, these events can be a huge success and draw in large audiences eager for new products, services, and business partners all in the comfort of their homes. Often, virtual or hybrid events allow people who otherwise not have been able to attend in person to participate in your event.
If you’re throwing a virtual trade show, you have a few great options for giveaway items:
Branded Incentive Gifts
When it comes to a virtual expo, a great way to draw in early registration is by giving incentive gifts like customized 30 oz Bronx Stainless Travel Mugs with Carrying Handle or Bluetooth speakers. Virtual trade show ideas like this are a sure-fire way to increase attendance.
If you're an exhibitor, arrange to sponsor these gifts and have them printed with your logo, a line about your offering that cuts through the noise, your web domain, and your contact information.
If you want your incentive gifts to be effective, pick something good! Think brand names and coveted tech items. Here are a few ideas:
Delivering high-quality sound in a sleek package with colored LED lights, the Echo Clear Body Speaker is a an instant party. The Casely Grippy Magnetic Phone Mount for MagSafe provides a secure hold and doubles as a stand, making it a practical accessory.
An eco-friendly journal made from apple peels, the ApPeel® Organic Notebook is both unique and sustainable. Including a luxury notebook, pen, and sticky notes with motivational messages, the YouAreAwesome 3-Piece Gift Set is a thoughtful gift. The fun to open Sip and Step Gift Set includes a water bottle and a pair of socks, perfect for staying hydrated and comfortable during virtual meetings.
Personalized Gift Boxes & Kits
Gift boxes are easy to mail and a simple solution to getting something delivered to your attendees’ doorsteps either before or after the event. To get these boxes to your attendees faster, check out our game-changing drop ship services.
If you want to send out personalized gift boxes or kits, we recommend the Snack & Learn Meeting in a Box, which pairs some delicious snacks with your choice of your brand literature, so it’s both delicious and informational. Bonus – it comes in a fully customizable ready-to-mail box.
Customized Work from Home & Tech Items
If you’re throwing a virtual trade show, offer giveaways that attendees can use during the virtual conference and then long after. The Desktop Phone Stand, and Clip on Ring Light will help attendees look good on camera while the affordable and easy to mail Protective Webcam Cover protects their privacy.
The Absorbent Stone Coaster Round keeps your recipients surfaces dry and protected, while the Terratone Powerbank Wireless Charger provides convenient charging on the go. The Colorwav Soundbar delivers powerful audio in a compact design, making it a standout tech giveaway. Ideal for charging multiple devices simultaneously, the 4-Port USB Charging Block is compact and efficient. Customizable in full color, the Carbon Fiber Pickle Ball Paddle Set is perfect for unwinding between meetings and presentations.
Engage With Contests & Prizes
Keep engagement high throughout the virtual exposition with games or contests where winners receive high-end prizes. You can even display these items as part of your online trade show booth design to remind attendees to participate. These items have low minimums – as low as one or two!
Our favorite giveaway items for this category include the Zoom Kit, which consists of a PowerStand that allows users to wirelessly charge any device with built-in Qi or with an external Qi receiver, and a phone and ring light stand made with anti-slip silicone feet that also rotates up to 90°, folds flat 90° and features an extendable arm that adjusts to multiple heights to reduce screen glare.
We also like to recommend the Renew rPET Computer Backpack that’s made with recycled materials, or the Hydrobump™ Waterproof Speaker.
Printed Follow-Up & Thank You Gifts
Send thank you gifts to your new contacts after the virtual expo ends. These gifts will remind attendees to check back in on products and services. You can also include a flyer with any final sales pitch or promotional offers to seal the deal. Choose styles like these that are flat and easy to mail:
Make Your Booth One to Remember
Whether you’re attending an in-person tradeshow or a virtual event, investing in on-trend customized giveaway items is a great way to make your event truly unforgettable.
Planning on more than one giveaway item for your event? Consider pairing your up-to-the-minute pick with a tried-and-true trade show giveaway option that has rep for delighting our customers as well as conference attendees:
Cool Clip – Heavy Duty Magnetic Clip – Large
“We, and our trade show participants, love the chip clips.” – Tara, LA
“We ordered the Forrest Green magnetic clips to use as giveaways for trade shows and advertising. The clips are very nice and reasonably priced.” – Allen, MO
Aluminum Beverage Wrench™
“The aluminum beverage wrench is a great product at an even better price! Our company is very happy to have these as light trade show giveaways and something extra to send out in orders.” – Simon
USA Made Lip Balm
“It was a big hit at our trade show and the quality was really good! I have previous experiences where the lip balms were very grainy feeling, and these were nice and creamy feeling!” – Maya, NJ
