Give aways at trade fairs: Why they’re still indispensable 🎁

In a nutshell:  Despite digitalisation, good giveaways remain a powerful tool at trade fairs and events. They spark curiosity, break the ice during initial conversations and provide a natural opportunity to gather leads. However, for a giveaway to truly have this effect, it must be useful, high-quality and, ideally, sustainable. A ballpoint pen that ends up in the bin after two days benefits neither your brand nor the environment. 

Why giveaways still work in the digital age 

Digital channels have changed a great deal – but they cannot replace the moment when two people meet at a trade fair stand. This is exactly where good promotional items come in: 

🧐 They spark curiosity and draw visitors to your stand even before a word has been spoken. 

🧊 They create an initial point of contact – the famous ‘ice is broken’, without any sales pressure whatsoever. 

🤝 They provide the perfect opportunity to gather leads – a business card in exchange for a giveaway, a scan of the badge, a brief chat. 

💡 A well-chosen product remains part of everyday life – and so does your brand – long after the trade fair is over. 

Recent studies also show that this effect is real: a survey of young adults from Generation Z found that the perceived value of a promotional item increases measurably shortly after it is handed out – by up to 65 per cent in certain product categories. People who receive a giveaway are also more likely to recommend the brand to others, regardless of the actual quality of the product.

However, not every giveaway is worthwhile. 

However powerful this effect may be, it only occurs if the product actually reaches its intended audience. A run-of-the-mill ballpoint pen that ends up in the bin after two days is of no benefit to anyone: not to your brand, because the memory of it fades immediately, and not to the environment, because resources have been wasted on something disposable. It is precisely this difference between ‘just any promotional item’ and a well-thought-out giveaway that determines whether your trade fair appearance continues to have a positive impact weeks later. 

How to choose sustainable and effective promotional items 

🛠️ Useful rather than drawer-bound 

Products that are actually used in everyday life have the greatest impact – a promotional item that immediately disappears into a drawer doesn’t work for your brand. Ask yourself this with every choice: would I use this product myself? 

🇪🇺 Locally produced 

Short transport routes, fair production conditions and, in most cases, better material quality are all arguments in favour of promotional items produced in Europe or even locally. This not only reduces your giveaway’s carbon footprint, but also makes for a credible talking point when chatting with visitors at your stand. 

🎯 Relevant to your mission or your products 

A giveaway that reflects your brand values is far more memorable than just any old promotional item and comes across as authentic rather than contrived. The closer the connection to what your company stands for, the stronger the association that forms in visitors’ minds. 

🥇 Clean branding 

The logo and design must be executed to a high standard and in a cohesive manner – not simply printed on as a last-minute stopgap. A cleanly branded product signals quality and attention to detail, two qualities that subconsciously rub off on your company too. 

A well-thought-out giveaway is therefore far more than just a nice little gift – it’s a brand ambassador that continues to make an impact long after the event is over. 

We’ll take care of it for you 

At Sissi & Fiona, we handle the entire organisation of your giveaways: from selecting suitable, sustainable products and branding them, right through to delivery directly to your stand. 🌱 

Get in touch with us for your next event – we’ll take care of the rest. Fill in our contact form here or send an email to info@sissi-fiona.de.