How to Use Eco-Friendly Tactics to Increase Brand Recognition with Trade Show Giveaways

February 8, 2014

Shane Shirley

Shane Shirley is CMO for SBS Brands, a 90-year-old global brand leader focused on creating digital and print business solutions that offers traditional and eco-friendly customized promotional products to accelerate trade show marketing.

Create a Positive Impact on the Planet, Your Brand and Your Target Market

The takeaways you give out at a trade show may seem like a nice gesture to your customers and a token of your appreciation, but these items can speak volumes about your company as they increase your brand awareness and recognition. When you incorporate eco-friendly elements into your promotional items for marketing at trade shows, you can create a valuable product that will have a positive impact on the planet, your brand and your target market.

Reusable Promotional Items Offer an Amazing ROI

A reusable product is a great way to promote your brand because the durability of the item will allow your customers to use the product again and again. Each and every time your customers or prospects reach for your custom branded item, they will be reminded of your products or the services your company provides. Plus, when your customers or prospects use your product on the go, they will also spread your branding message to their friends, family and everyone else whose path they cross. This endorsement on behalf of your customers will help expand the reach of your brand.

Ultimately the lifespan of the reusable marketing product you select depends on how much your customers use the item, but after your initial investment the product will be reinforcing your brand and raising awareness of your brand for years to come without landing in the landfill.

Find the Product and Eco Qualities That Best Fit Your Brand

When working to select an eco-friendly trade show takeaway, there are many things to consider. You know your demographic, so keep them in mind when brainstorming your promotional product and select an item they will be likely to use and not toss in the trash.

Remember, the more your customers use your branded promo product the more exposure your company will receive, so choose wisely. Make your branded trade show takeaway eco-friendly by using materials that are sustainable or recycled: cotton, bamboo, jute and wood are examples of sustainable materials. Purchasing natural products that are biodegradable means they will safely breakdown when disposed of without harming the planet. When utilizing natural fibers research the growing methods employed; organic, chemical-free growing processes make an already green option even more eco-friendly.

If you opt for a reusable promo product made from recycled materials, there are the tried and true recycled options such as plastic and paper, but there are also a lot of recycled metal, glass and textile options. Recycled products are great as they an usually be tossed into the recycling bin at the end of their usefulness. Do your homework and find the material that aligns with your company’s green goals and is a good fit for your chosen promotional product.

Let Your Branded Eco-Friendly Marketing Product Promote Your Brand for You

Your customized eco-friendly promotional tool will market your brand by essentially turning yours customers into a mobile marketing force of useful and sustainable items. The words and images you have printed on your marketing product will give your customers a clear message about your brand, but a product constructed from eco-friendly materials will also drive home your brand’s eco goals while minimizing the environmental impact of your marketing campaign.

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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.