5 Custom-Printed Products to Help Companies Stand Out at Trade Shows and Conventions
In-person meetings are back! A 2023 AMEX GBT survey of over 500 meeting professionals found that 59% planned to hold most of their meetings and events in person in the next year. Looking ahead to 2025, we expect this trend to continue, with even more opportunities for face-to-face connections and impactful branding.
Given the enthusiasm around in-person events and meetings, now is the perfect time to focus on printed products. While digital displays can be eye-catching, conference and trade show attendees are looking for tangible products they can wear, interact with and take home.
Whether you’re working with planners looking to create a cohesive feel across an entire convention or event, or you’re supplying businesses on the tradeshow floor that need to stand out and get noticed with attractive handouts and memorable business cards, custom-printed products are essential tools for making a lasting impression.
Keep reading for a look at some of our highest-rated printed products and how they can help your customers get seen.
1. Lanyards
It’s easy to overlook the humble lanyard, but it’s more than a piece of string designed to hold your badge in place. By customizing lanyards with brand colors, incorporating logos, and adding key messaging, lanyards can contribute to a cohesive and professional look at trade shows, conventions and corporate events, and make sure your clients’ branding is visible from every angle.
Event planners may also use different lanyard colors as a quick shorthand for identifying attendee roles or access levels, making it easy to manage large crowds and ensure seamless event coordination.
2. Badges and Name Tags
Think outside the standard rectangle and offer your customers badges and name tags that pop. No matter the shape, size or design, if you can imagine it, we can probably help you create it. Creative customization with bold colors and designs or personalization can make attendees stand out, but you needn’t sacrifice function for form.
Options like dual-sided printing for schedules or QR codes linking to digital materials ensure they serve multiple purposes. And don’t forget the badge’s ultimate purpose: easy name recognition to aid networking and identification.
3. Wristbands
Multi-purpose wristbands make an excellent addition to any convention or trade show. RFID-embedded can be used for access control, allowing attendees to seamlessly enter specific areas, track event check-ins, or even make cashless payments. These tech-forward options enhance security and convenience for both event organizers and participants.
Or, opt for custom-printed wristbands, a fun, wearable branding opportunity to give away at your SWAG table.
4. Parking Passes
If attendees travel by car, they’ll need an easy way to park. Get ahead of the hassle by providing custom-printed parking passes for the event. These can be mailed out in advance or distributed at check-in, ensuring a smooth arrival experience.
Custom parking passes are not just functional; they’re also a prime branding opportunity. Whether it’s a sleek design featuring the company’s logo or an event-themed pass with important details, these passes keep your client’s branding front and center from the moment attendees arrive.
Attendees will appreciate the convenience, and your client’s professionalism will stand out from the start.
5. Business Cards
While it’s never been easier to swap and store information digitally, the business card remains a staple of trade shows and conferences. There’s something satisfying about holding that little card in your hand — and even more so when it is beautifully designed and printed on substantial stock.
Why are business cards a big deal? They’re your first (lasting) impression. Your clients may only have a few seconds to interact with a potential customer at a trade show. Handing them a unique, personalized card becomes a point of connection that lasts beyond the first impression.
Why Your Clients Need Customization
Customized, printed products remain an excellent way for your clients to promote their name and identity at in-person events like trade shows and conventions. You’re not handing out items into the void, as the statistics back up the efficacy of branded products:
- 84% of customers say that promotional gifts increase awareness of the advertised business. (BPMA report)
- 83% of respondents felt closer to companies who sent them corporate gifts. (Sendoso survey)
- 66% of consumers say they can name the brand printed on a product they’ve received in the past 12 months. (Source: PPAI report)
- 85% of people who are given a promotional gift will remember the marketer who gave it to them. (Source: ASI report)
But offering lackluster or generic products — even if they contain the company logo — may fail to leave a lasting impression. Instead, thoughtful customization, such as eco-friendly materials or a focus on high-quality craftsmanship, can elevate your clients’ branding.
About 54% of consumers feel more favorable about the advertiser who gave them a promo product when it’s made in the USA, and 46% of consumers have a more favorable opinion of an advertiser if the promo product they received was environmentally friendly, according to ASI report data.
By prioritizing unique, high-quality and sustainable printed products, your clients can leave a memorable impression at their next trade show, event or convection — whether they are behind a booth or hosting.
To see our catalog of fully customizable options for printed promotional items, reach out to our industry specialists at credentialexpress.com/contact.