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Conference Survival Guide Series: 15 Promotional Products for Making an Impression


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Conferences are not for the weak. They are a full-on onslaught of people, booths, networking, and opportunities and you have to be on your game. And people attending them get a lot of stuff. The best way to help your company stand out from the crowd is to make unique, memorable custom promotional products that they’ll actually useat the conference and for years to come.

1 2.5″ x 2.5″ Square Business Cards ‑ 14 pt. Cardstock

custom business cards

The number one must have item for any conference is business cards. Making a connection is great, but if you find yourself hunting for a pen and a scrap of paper to scribble down your information, you are missing a chance at a great impression. Print some up for your booth, your team, and some for you to carry with you on the floor. We like these because of their unique square shape and thick cardstock paper.

2 1.8 oz. Clip‑N‑Go Hand Sanitizer

custom hand sanitizer

A strong handshake can make a solid first impression. The only trouble is, the more hands you shake, the more germs you come in contact with. Hand sanitizer is a great way to make sure you stay healthy and this one with a metal mini-carabiner can easily clip to a bag or belt loop for easy access. Be a hero and give these away to prospective clients. They’ll remember that you helped them stay healthy.

3 Slim Mint Cards

custom mints

Eating on the go, drinking coffee in a cab, running between appointments can make keeping your breath fresh a challenge. These slim mint cards are easy to slip in and out of a pocket and will keep you and your clients covered all day long.

4 Stand‑Up Pocket Mirror

custom mirror

Hair? In place. Teeth? Clear. Nose? All set. Help them make sure they’re picture perfect on-the-go with this little mirror with a cover that turns into a stand. It’s a great addition to any travel kit.

5 SPF15 Flavored Lip Balm

custom lip balm

Talking and traveling can really dry out your lips. Lip balm will make it into even the most discerning person’s bag, and with special features like SPF, UVA/UVB, and aloe vera, they’ll really feel like you pay attention to important details.

6 Jolt Power Bank

custom power bank

Power outlets can be hard to come by at a conference hotel or during any type of travel. It’s a great idea to always have an extra backup battery bank. With an aluminum case, this power bank is lightweight and easy to keep close at hand.

7 Crazy Long Cable

custom usb cable

Whether you’re powering up with a power bank or plugging into the wall, it is so much easier if you have a little extra rope. Everyone can use a crazy long charging cable, but they aren’t the easiest to come by. This one is especially great because it just extends any existing cable, so it will work with any device.

8 Expandable Tech Organizer

custom tech organizer

Conventions and travel mean toting a lot of tech. It’s tough to keep it all organized. This zippered pouch expands for extra storage, comes with two magnetic cord wraps and has lots of spots to keep cables, headphones, smartphones, and anything else they might need neat and tidy.

9 26 oz. Aluminum Water Bottle with Matching Carabiner

custom water bottle

Like your mom always said, “Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.” It’s essential to tote water wherever you go and this lightweight aluminum bottle will show off your company logo well. It is BPA free and has a matching carabiner which makes it easy to clip and go.

10 14 oz. Maui Two‑Tone Stainless Steel Tumbler

custom travel mug

Keep them running by giving them something to tote their coffee in. This tumbler comes in 12 colors, so you’re bound to find one that will go great with your logo.

11 KOOZIE ® Contrast 6 Can Lunch Cooler

custom lunch cooler

Good food can be hard to come by at a conference center. Make it possible for them to bring their lunch to the show or to work every day with this handy lunch cooler. Its extra front slip pocket and heat-sealed PEVA liner make it the perfect tote for any and every day.

12 Contrast Foldaway Shopper Tote

custom foldaway tote

Little shopper totes are great to toss in a bag to be able to carry home extra swag. This one has nice, long shoulder straps and a drawstring pouch, is made of kid-friendly materials, and comes in nine colors and two sizes.

13 Breakaway Lanyard with Metal Swivel Hook

Upgrade the everyday lanyard with one that has a breakaway neck clip and a detachable plastic clip and swivel hook that makes it ideal for tradeshows or employee badges. The extra wide strap is perfect to show off a logo and it comes in 14 colors and two sizes.

14 The North Face Connector Backpack

Northface custom backpack

The convention bag to end all convention bags, the North Face Connector Backpack can be just the ticket for those big fish clients. Boasting a name brand they love and your logo, it can carry all the gear plus it has a padded laptop sleeve and two mesh bottle pockets.

15 Wi-Fi Bluetooth Speaker with Amazon Alexa

custom bluetooth speaker with smartphone

And finally, a branded Bluetooth speaker for relaxing at the hotel at night. Give them something that will help them relax after a long day on their feet. This Amazon Alexa integrated device has up to four hours of playtime and can stream iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, TuneIn, and more.

Ultimately, you want to give them something surprising that they’ll want to use all the time and they’ll think of your company when they do.


Miellyn is the Director of Marketing Content at Custom Ink. Her work has spanned marketing for television networks like TLC and Travel, educational content for Smithsonian and National Geographic, marketing and story for indie video games, essays for publishers including Random House, The Telegraph, and Smart Pop Books, and stories for press outlets like VICE and VH1.

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