5 Questions to Ask Before Choosing Your Next Trade Show Giveaway

May 8, 2024

Michael Stausholm

Michael Stausholm is the Founder and CEO of SproutWorld, manufacturer of the patented plantable pencils and makeup liners. A Danish entrepreneur with a passion for combining sustainability and business, he founded SproutWorld in 2013.

Handing out logo plastic pens, USB thumb drives or cheaply produced key chains at trade shows and exhibitions is an outdated practice. Studies show that most giveaways are unwanted, thrown away and end up in landfills. In addition, nearly 50% of consumers feel more favorable about brands that gave them a promotional product if it was environmentally friendly.

That’s why the promotional product industry must continue its efforts to become more sustainable in 2024. Here are five of the most important questions you need to answer before purchasing your next company giveaway:

1. Are they useful?

This is the most important question to ask. Who is your target audience and in what context do they receive your gift? For example, if you’re at a conference with attendees from all over the world, don’t offer a big bottle of dessert wine, as most people travel only with carry-on luggage. Or, if the conference is held in Dubai, handing out an umbrella is not the most appropriate choice.  

2. What footprint do they leave?

Ask yourself how the product is made – from design to shipping. What will happen to the product when it’s no longer in use? Can it be recycled or upcycled? We know that 35 billion plastic ballpoint pens are produced globally on a yearly basis with most of them ending up in the trash when the ink has dried out. That’s a lot of plastic waste. Always consider a product’s after-life (or second life). 

3. Do you have any proof they’re sustainable?

Greenwashing is a very common practice, so you need evidence that the promotional products are as green and eco-friendly as they might claim. Making unsubstantiated claims no longer works and documentation backed up by verified data is essential. 

Is the company B Corp certified? Does it have valid certifications? Has a Life Cycle Assessment report been made on the product so you can see how much CO2 it emits when produced? Is the company a part of the Science Based Target initiative where it has set a goal on when to become Net Zero? Ask for documentation from your supplier. 

4. Do you rate price over quality?

Cost is an inevitable factor when deciding what merchandise to pick for your next event, but offering fewer products in exchange for better quality is worth a thought. A quality product that’s useful and ethically produced with no harmful toxins leaves a much better impression of your company than offering cheap-looking swag that breaks easily or are made by workers under poor and polluting conditions. What you give out as a company or brand reflects your values and standards. 

5. What type of feedback do you get from attendees after the event?

Make sure your giveaway stands out to a degree that you can use it as a conversation starter during or after the event. We have found that receiving a usable gift with a second life after use is something people like and remember, and the fact that it doesn’t create waste attracts attention because this isn’t typical when it comes to event swag. It’s always a good idea to ask for feedback post-event and then evaluate if something wasn’t as successful as you’d hoped. Why keep giving out the same merchandise at future events if it wasn’t received well the first time?

 

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Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.    Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.   The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.    MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.     MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.