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How to make your brand stand out at trade shows

Here’s how to enhance your trade show strategy with merchandise and a booth design that keeps your brand front of mind.

  • 5th Feb 2025
  • Reading time Calculating...
  • Category Merch know-how, Top picks
How to make your brand stand out at trade shows

Trade shows are a great opportunity to showcase your brand while connecting with potential clients. With all those businesses competing for attention, you want to ensure your brand stands out. Branded merchandise plays a key role in achieving that. However, not all products hit the mark. Here’s how to enhance your trade show strategy with merchandise and a booth design that keeps your brand front of mind.

Summary

    • Give practical, quality branded merchandise that attendees will keep and use beyond the event.
    • Offer something different with creative, sustainable merchandise that reflects your brand personality and is eco-conscious.
    • Create a visually appealing, branded display to draw attention and connect with visitors.

  • Prioritise practicality

    The first rule of effective trade show merchandise is to offer items that attendees will actually use. Forget about basic products that end up in the bin. Focus on practical items that people will appreciate and use long after the event.

    Consider these options:

    When attendees use your merch time and again, your brand hangs around in their mind.

    Go for quality

    Well-made products reflect positively on your brand. They show that you value the people you engage with. Go for fewer, higher-quality items as opposed to an overflow of cheap products.

    For example:

    Investing in quality branded merch ensures your brand is associated with excellence.

    Be creative

    Many trade show giveaways have become predictable. Consider offering unique items that reflect your brand’s personality. They should also be tailored to your audience. Branded merch that’s a bit different makes your booth more engaging and memorable.

    Some creative ideas:

    The more distinctive your merch, the more likely it is to make a strong impression.

    Emphasise sustainability

    Sustainability is more than just a trend; it’s a priority for many consumers. Show your commitment to sustainability by not only offering environmentally friendly merchandise, but also showcasing sustainable practices throughout your booth.

    Sustainable ideas include:

    Choosing sustainable options demonstrates your values and resonates with environmentally conscious attendees.

    Design an eye-catching display

    Alongside your branded merch, your booth design is crucial to attracting attention at a trade show. Your booth should serve as an extension of your brand, offering a visually appealing and engaging experience. It should invite attendees to stop and explore.

    Consider these elements:

    • Teardrop flags that are clearly branded with bold colours to draw attention from across the venue.
    • Pull-up banners that highlight your business or solutions, positioned at your booth’s key entry points.
    • Media walls for vibrant backdrops featuring your logo, tagline or images, perfect for photo ops.
    • POS displays to showcase smaller product samples or branded merch in an organised way.
    • Branded apparel your event staff can wear for a unified brand presence (and so attendees can spot them).

    If your display is cohesive with your overall branding and merchandise strategy, you will create a lasting impact.

    Turning attention into connection

    Trade shows offer a terrific platform to connect with potential partners and clients. Standing out amongst the crowd requires a thoughtful approach. With the right strategy, your booth and branded merch will do more than attract attention; they’ll help you build meaningful connections that extend far beyond the event.

    Plan ahead to ensure you get what’s best for your brand, not just what’s left. Get in touch with us today for trade show merchandise that’s unforgettable.

    Trade shows are a great opportunity to showcase your brand while connecting with potential clients. With all those businesses competing for attention, you want to stand out. Here’s how to...

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