With summer in full swing and fall event season just around the corner, there’s never been a better time to examine the wave of fresh promotional trends ready to make an impact. Whether you’re gearing up for an end-of-summer company shindig or looking ahead to your fall meetings, staying in tune with what’s capturing audiences’ attention right now can help you choose giveaways, attendee gifts, and branded experiences that genuinely resonate.
From clean, modern designs with thoughtful details to fun, throwback items, and wellness-inspired comforts, today’s promo trends are all about making things feel personal and memorable. In this blog, we’re sharing three trends we’re loving right now—and how you can use them to create more meaningful moments at your next event.
Trend 1: Multifunctional and Minimalist
Long gone are the days when a minimalist design means minimal features. The idea of “intelligent simplicity” embraces smart, intentional design for a final product that is streamlined yet versatile, durable yet lightweight, and prioritizes ease of use without compromising on style. It champions promos that attendees will integrate into their daily routines rather than being lost in a drawer of similar products or worse, left at the event. By choosing giveaways that combine aesthetic appeal with practical utility, you’ll offer items that make life a little easier, all while showcasing your brand’s thoughtful approach.
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Versatile Product Features: Smart design details like extra pockets in strategic places (like fanny packs with multiple, and intentional, compartments), lightweight yet durable materials that enhance comfort and adaptability, and versatile features that cater to multiple user preferences (like the adaptable sip-or-chug mouthpieces on trending drinkware brand Owala) help you merge form and function in one convenient package.
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Meaningful Design Inspiration: One of the best places to draw inspiration for what’s “in” is festival season. Keeping tabs on the merchandise trending at major gatherings like Lollapalooza or Coachella is a great way to incorporate popular colorways, materials, and product styles into your event. This year’s themes include minimalist designs (think retro college-style crew sweatshirts and embroidered baseball caps) and muted, natural palettes like grays, whites, and tans. Leaning into relevant cultural moments is another popular trend, with sports teams like Bay FC creating Karl the Fog-inspired merch (Karl being the local name given to the persistent fog that often blankets San Francisco). Tapping into these types of local cultural icons and weaving them into your giveaways helps create items that resonate deeply with attendees and can even evoke some community pride!
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Promos on the Move: Finding a giveaway that attendees will use every day means finding a giveaway that’s easy to use every day. It’s no coincidence that some of the most popular summer trends are on-the-go promos that merge style with smart functionality. Think modern bags featuringj trolley sleeves for easy travel, removable shoulder straps for flexible comfort, packing cubes or material upgrades for added durability, and calming color choices beyond the basic black. Find simple ways to incorporate the versatile product features trend, like integrated holders for your recipient’s favorite trending tumblers (like the viral Stanley Cup). This blending of popular minimalist styles with practical upgrades that simplify or elevate daily routines ensures your giveaways support attendees wherever their day takes them.
Trend 2: “Glimmers” of Joy
Did you know that almost half of all global consumers say they shop specifically from brands that spark emotions like joy? “Glimmers” are those small yet powerful moments that spark joy, comfort, or nostalgia, essentially, they’re the opposite of a trigger. In the world of promos, this translates to products that feel playful, uplifting, and emotionally resonant, creating memorable micro-experiences attendees will associate with your brand. Don’t be afraid to explore unexpected, even off-brand collaborations or weave in nostalgic details, as it’s these types of emotional touches that create lasting connections your attendees will remember long after the event ends.
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Emotional Design: Science shows that songs you listened to when you were 14 stick with you the longest and are the most nostalgic. Tap into this nostalgia with glimmers inspired by the emotional connections we form through touch, sight, and even smell. Think bright, shimmering aesthetics and vibrant pops of color that can energize any brand palette. Pair with nostalgic touches like “clear craze” see-through materials reminiscent of retro phones, game controllers, CD players, or speakers. And while you may not be able to plug your old iPod into these gifts to blast your teenage mixtape, these design elements tap into deep emotional resonance, creating promos that feel both joyful and unforgettable.
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Surprise and Delight: Some of the most memorable promos come from taking creative risks and stepping slightly outside your brand’s usual lane. Artist collaborations – like Takashi Murakami’s colorfully vibrant partnership with MLB – infuse branded merchandise with unexpected creativity and cultural relevance. Off-brand surprises, such as Aldi’s viral $10 tracksuit or Panda Express’s cozy sherpa hoodie drop, generate buzz precisely because they’re unexpected, sparking joy and social sharing. Even functional items can delight when given an imaginative twist, like spiral filament lanterns that channel the nostalgic warmth of Edison bulbs to elevate branded outdoor events. Embracing some tactful risks helps you create promos that attendees don’t just use they talk about, post about, and remember!
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Great Promos for the Great Outdoors: With 39% of consumers wanting to spend more time outdoors, promos that encourage and elevate these moments are sure to resonate with almost every demographic. Retro sports collections – featuring items like pickleball accessories, bottle slings, golf divot tools, colorful polos, and chino ballcaps with embroidery – tap into both nostalgia and the joy of being active outside. These giveaways aren’t just products; they’re invitations to step away from the every day and enjoy playful, mood-boosting moments in the sun.
Trend 3: Comfort and Care
Wellness continues to rank high for consumers, with 82% of U.S. shoppers considering it a top priority and dedicating a third of their discretionary income to it. But “wellness” is a broad concept, encompassing everything from better sleep and moments of mindfulness to outdoor time and overall comfort. This trend focuses on products that support intentional living and self-care, combining thoughtful design with practical, often intangible, benefits. Select promos that make attendees feel truly cared for, whether by encouraging more impactful downtime, encouraging healthy habits in a busy lifestyle, enhancing productivity, or adding small comforts that make daily life easier and more enjoyable.
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Better Promos, Better Sleep: A whopping 57% of consumers say they wish they could get more sleep, highlighting just how valuable rest-focused promos can be. Products like Bluetooth sleep masks with built-in white noise help attendees get quality rest while traveling, while LED sunrise alarm clocks support a more natural and refreshing wake-up routine. By offering sleep-supportive giveaways, you’re not just giving your recipients a product; you’re showing that your brand cares about their well-being and wants to help them feel their best every day.
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“Gateway” Promos: High-end hotel brands use merchandise as a gateway into their broader brand experience, creating touchpoints that extend the feeling of their stay. Event planners can harness the same approach by selecting giveaways that feel like a natural extension of the event itself. Room drops like LED mirrors with built-in phone holders for video calls or getting ready on the go, or FSC-certified bamboo and recycled plastic essential oil diffusers for sustainable aromatherapy are gifts your attendees can make immediate use of on-site and help cultivate that authentic VIP experience.
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Fidget to Focus: Research shows that small, quiet fidget tools can actually reduce anxiety and improve concentration by providing subtle sensory stimulation that keeps hands busy and minds engaged. If you’re looking to include some science-supported giveaways, multifunctional fidget pens are a perfect choice. These versatile gifts double as writing instruments while offering tactile features to help attendees stay focused during meetings, breakout sessions, or note-taking, all without drawing attention or disrupting the flow of your event.
Value on a Budget
Get Gifting!
This summer’s promotional trends ultimately emphasize simplicity, intentionality, and functionality. By aligning your event giveaways with these insights, you’re not just handing out branded products at an event; you’re creating meaningful experiences that deepen attendee connection to your meeting and brand, all while leaving a lasting impression. If you’re ready to integrate these trends into your upcoming events, be sure to explore our curated collection of on-trend product ideas for some inspiration on how to turn your next giveaway into something attendees will be excited to use, proud to share, and that keeps your brand top of mind long after the event ends!
