Trinkets and Trash - Another Trade Show Obsession

Some time I wish the vendors who hand out all sorts of gifts also knows as "trinkets and trash" or chachke would look around to see what happens to it during the trade show. Take for instance an observation I made at the a security industry event this year. (Can be any industry trade show.) As you entered the main room, your badge is scanned and you are handed a well made shopping bag advertising one of the events sponsors and exhibitors. The bag is brightly colored to resemble the product packaging. In other words it was a bag made to look like the product box. Well think of how this can go wrong for you the sponsor?

Well into the first day of the event the cleaning staff began to collect the garbage from the strategically placed garbage cans and pour it into big dumpsters. The cleaning staff then pushes the ful dumpster through the venue to the exit. What do you think is the most notable feature sticking out of the garbage pile? You guessed it -- the brightly colored shopping bag printed to resemble the product box. I'm sure that was not the image the marketing team wanted. Many more were lying around the trade show floor or traded in (to the garbage) for a much sturdier cloth bag from a differnt vendor. Personally, I prefer the cloth bags. They can be reused at home for all sorts of purposes. My family gets lots of use out of them and of course helps to advertise the high tech product during the summer at the local swimming pool.

Anyone want a pen? There are cheap pens, good pens and really excellent pens given away at trade shows. I don't think I've personally bought a pen or for that matter a mouse pad, notepad, key chain, badge holder, cold drink cozy etc. in 20 years. In fact my entire "home" office is adorned with all those trinkets. Are they serving there desired purpose. Hell no! I just need a new mouse pad at home and a key chain to store the lawn mower keys.

Marketers think twice about what you give-away. Select a really decent pen, with some heft to it, with blue ink and your logo engraved, not printed on it (last much longer) and I'll visit your booth. I really don't need another paperclip magnetic holder, cheap notepad, use once and throw away calculator and so on. OK, I do like the self stick notes :-)

Next time we'll discuss the latest gimmick to draw visitors into your booth. The coffee bar.

Andy