Marketing Promo, Vehicles and Giveaways

At the last Young Professionals Discussion Circle our topic was about what associations are using for marketing promo, how are associations getting the word out about their meetings and events as well as what are some of the most memorable giveaways you have received.  

Here are the top takeaways from this meeting:

• Favorite Giveaways
• USB credit card - fits in your wallet like a credit card, but is a USB
• Coasters for your desk made of ceramic
• Slide pad for your phone - great for cars and desks
• Cooler used to welcome attendees or out of town guests (fill it with local goodies)
• Rubber band ball
• Magnets with logo, picture or coupon
• Chocolate 
• Web Key - you can load information on it and mail to attendees, when plugged in USB port it pulls up your conference page
• Brush buddy - cleans your key board

• Marketing Vehicles/Promo
•  Good to switch up sizes of materials
• Use many different mediums - snail mail, email, website, texts, etc.
• Segment market to get maximum attendees
• Use same brochure and alter for different audiences (i.e. membership, communications or meeting professionals) 

The group was divided if 'trade show trinkets' are worth it or not, but over all its the thought that counts.  Not to mention that really cool key board cleaner is a great conversation starter.  Attendees have come to expect trinkets at trade shows and meetings.  If you are going to go away with them, ease off slowly.  Change can be hard for some.  

Another idea is to stop give speakers a gift. If they are a paid speaker, you are paying them for a reason.  If they are a volunteer you could give them a certificate mentioning you made a donation on their behalf, send a thank you card, offer a cup of coffee or send them some chocolates upon their return.  

Helpful resources: 

1. Link Promo & Print
2. Arrow Printing
3. Dave Cowley Incentives