What Makes a Good Event Giveaway (and Why Most Get Binned)

Events, exhibitions and open days are expensive. Stand space, staffing, travel and time all add up – yet many promotional giveaways fail at the final hurdle: they don’t make it past the venue doors.

Choosing the right giveaway isn’t about giving away more – it’s about giving away better.

The real test of an event giveaway

A good giveaway should pass one simple test:

Would someone choose to keep this if it didn’t have a logo on it?

If the answer is no, it’s unlikely to deliver any lasting brand value.

Items that are awkward to carry, feel flimsy or lack a clear use are often discarded before the event even ends.

Practicality wins every time

The most successful event giveaways tend to share three traits:

• They’re easy to carry

• They have an obvious, everyday use

• They don’t feel disposable

Bags, drinkware, tech accessories and well-made stationery consistently outperform novelty items because they integrate naturally into everyday life.

Visibility matters – but subtlety matters more

There’s a difference between being visible and being intrusive. Subtle, well-placed branding is more likely to be retained and used than oversized logos that dominate the product.

A giveaway that people are happy to use publicly gives your brand exposure far beyond the event itself.

Planning makes the difference

Event giveaways work best when they’re chosen with context in mind:

• Who is attending?

• What problem does the item solve?

• How long do you want the brand exposure to last?

Answering those questions upfront usually leads to better decisions — and better results.