At first glance, an exhibit hall seems like a treasure trove for prospecting. Yet, with all the distractions of the show and your competition vying for the attention of the attendees, interest-grabbers like unique trade show giveaways or promotional items can help draw booth traffic, create recall after the show, and provide contact information in a memorable way to prospects.

Yet, not all promotional items are worth your investment and some even may prove detrimental to your success. So how do you pick trade show giveaways that further your objectives without burdening your budget?

First, you need to define what you hope to achieve with your trade show giveaways, in addition to attracting people to your booth. You may see your promotional items as a way to increase awareness, introduce a new product line, provide helpful tips, or communicate your contact information in a unique way.

Then, based on your goals for your trade show giveaways, you need to find a promotional item that is unique, complementary to your product, and accurately reflects the image you need to portray. As you evaluate your options, consider the following: