How Promotional Products Open Doors (and Deals)

Showing up to a sales event, tradeshow, or conference without a giveaway is like arriving at a party without a gift. It’s a missed opportunity to make a strong first impression and spark genuine conversations. A simple, thoughtful giveaway can break the ice, put your brand in someone's hand, and turn a quick interaction into a meaningful connection. The right promo item says you’re prepared, professional, and worth remembering.

Promotional products aren’t just “nice to have.” They’re powerful conversation starters. When you're trying to break the ice, few things work faster than offering a thoughtful, branded gift. It immediately signals that you came prepared, you value the interaction, and you’ve put some thought into the recipient's experience. Promotional products give other people long lasting impressions and you stay top of mind without having to do much. 

 

Small Gesture, Big Impact

Giving someone a well-chosen item, something useful, clever, or surprising, opens the door to authentic conversation. You’re no longer just another vendor; you're someone who came bearing value. That initial gesture helps turn strangers into leads, and leads into customers.

But not all promotional products are created equal. The more thought you put into what you're giving, the more likely it is to be appreciated, used, and remembered. A well-chosen item shows you understand your audience’s needs and adds real value to their experience.

 

 

Match the Item to the Moment

Where you are and who you're speaking to should shape what you hand out:

  • At a crowded tradeshow? Everyone’s juggling brochures, business cards, and samples. A custom-branded tote bag is a lifesaver, and your logo stays visible all day long.
  • At a full-day conference? Attendees are constantly checking phones, taking notes, and networking. A portable power bank ensures their devices stay charged, and keeps your brand in their hands when they need it most.
  • Hosting a meeting or breakout session? A high-quality notebook or stylish pen is more than practical, it shows you respect their time and attention.

 

Where you are and who you're speaking to should directly influence what kind of promotional product you give. Practical, situational items-like a tote bag at a crowded tradeshow, a power bank at a full-day conference, or a notebook at a breakout session-aren’t just convenient; they’re strategic. These products meet immediate needs, making them more likely to be appreciated, used, and remembered. Each one solves a real problem in the moment, while also putting your brand front and center. It’s not just about handing something out-it’s about handing out the right thing at the right time.

 

 

 

Beyond the Event

One of the biggest advantages of choosing the right promotional product is its potential for long-term use well beyond the sales event or conference. 

  • A durable tote bag can become a trusted companion for grocery runs, workouts, or daily errands.
  • A power bank might keep their phone charged during busy days at the office or on the go.
  • Even simple items like notebooks or pens often find a permanent spot on desks or in backpacks.

 

When your promotional product continues to serve a purpose long after the event, it keeps your brand visible and top of mind, turning a one-time interaction into an ongoing connection. This lasting value is what transforms giveaways from temporary freebies into powerful marketing tools.

But it’s not just about utility-it’s about relevance. When your item fits seamlessly into someone’s lifestyle, it quietly reinforces your brand in moments that matter. Every reused tote, every charged phone, every scribbled note becomes a small reminder of your company’s presence and thoughtfulness. That kind of everyday brand reinforcement is hard to buy with traditional advertising-and it’s exactly what well-chosen promo products deliver.

 

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

When a promotional product is functional and thoughtful, it doesn't get tossed into the bottom of a swag bag, it gets used again and again. Every time your item solves a problem or adds convenience, it reinforces your brand's presence and purpose. It becomes part of their daily routine, and that's where real brand loyalty begins.

So next time you're gearing up for a sales event, remember: Don’t show up empty-handed. Show up with intention. Bring something that sparks conversation, supports your story, and serves your audience.

It’s not just swag. It’s strategy.

Quote
{{qp_count}}
Shopping Cart
Interested in buying promotional products and have questions for us? Then the Quote Cart is perfect for you! Click the "Request Quote" button on any product page to start requesting your quote. Make sure to let us know any additional details in the questions section.
Loading Quote Items
You have not yet added any products to your cart yet. Time to start shopping! :)
If you have more than one ordering account, you may have created a shopping cart in a different account. You can toggle between your ordering accounts below:
Active Ordering Account:
Contact Us
(800) 338-7996
Contact Us Options
<< Back
Phone Numbers
(800) 338-7996 Toll Free
(615) 991-4000 Local Phone
Fax Numbers
(866) 323-8381 Fax
(615) 246-4198 Local Fax
Contact Us Form
<< Back
Physical / Mailing Address:
Executive Advertising
181 E. Main St.
Ste 4
Hendersonville, TN 37075
<< Back
Contact Us Form
First Name:*
Please provide a First Name.
Last Name:*
Please provide a Last Name.
Phone:
Email:*
Please provide a valid Email.
What can we help with?*
 Product
 Existing Order
 Other
What product are you inquiring about?
{{($select.selected.prd_name+ ' (#'+$select.selected.part_number+')')}}
+ {{viewed_product.prd_name+' (#'+viewed_product.prd_id+')'}}
What is your Order Number?*
{{contFrm.order.ord_grp_num}} {{contFrm.order.created_on | dateToISO | date:'MM/dd/yyyy'}}
{{contFrm.order.old_ordernumber}} {{contFrm.order.created_on | dateToISO | date:'MM/dd/yyyy'}}
+ 323455 ({{recentOrder.created_on | dateToISO | date:'MM/dd/yyyy' }})
323455 ({{orderproduct.created_on | dateToISO | date:'MM/dd/yyyy' }})
Load more orders
Please select an order.
to request help with an Order
Questions/Comments:*
Please provide Questions/Comments.
<< Back
Glossary
Production Time
A standard production time for each product is listed on each product page. Production times may vary depending on decoration methods, number of locations, and product type. Production time do not include shipping transit times or artwork proofing times. On each product page you can enter your shipping zip code and see how long it takes for your order to be produced and ship to your location. Rush production options may also be available.
Report a Problem
First Name:*
Please provide a First Name.
Last Name:*
Please provide a Last Name.
Phone:
Email:
Order #:
{{rpc.report_problem.order_item_no}}
How can we help you today?
{{$select.selected.order_problem_topic}}
{{aq_row.additional_question_title}}
This can be an exact number, or you may wish to inspect a small batch of your items and check for a percentage that is affected.
To help expedite the claim, and show consistency in the issues described, please include a couple group images showing multiple items (5-10 if possible) within the photos.
{{f.name}} x x Delete File
{{f.progress}}%
Please upload an image or video in one of the following formats: bmp, png, jpg, jpeg, gif, psd, ps, tiff, tif, ai, eps, svg, mp4, avi, mov, flv, wmv
Cancel
{{rpc.inprogress ? 'Sending...' : 'Submit Question'}}
Provide your Feedback
We've recently launched a new website, and we'd love to get your feedback! Let us know your thoughts on how we can improve your customer experience.
Give our new website a rating:

{{addedComment}}

Share your thoughts on our website:

Cancel
Send
Comment Sent. Thank you!
Click here to view our company's terms of sales.

This website uses cookies

We use cookies when you visit our website that can recognize, collect, and transmit information that is associated with you, but which does not personally identify you. Read our Privacy Policy.