Buyer's guide
Branded merchandise for events and trade shows: a planning checklist
How to choose booth giveaways, volunteer apparel and sponsor kits that people keep, and what to confirm before you order.
Updated September 30, 2026
Start from the goal
A giveaway at a busy booth has one job: start a conversation and leave something that brings the visitor back to you later. Pick items that are useful after the event, and that carry your website or a QR code, not just a logo.
Checklist before you order
- Event date, and the date the items must arrive (ship to your office, not the venue, unless the venue confirms it accepts deliveries)
- Expected attendance, and how many items you'll hand out per hour of the show
- Volunteer and staff apparel sizes, collected early
- Your logo in vector format (AI, EPS, PDF or SVG)
- Any sponsor-kit requirements from the organiser
Items people keep
- Tote bags and backpacks
- Insulated drinkware
- Quality notebooks
- Phone and laptop accessories
- Caps and toques in season