Our 2025 Meetings & Events Industry Forecast highlighted the shifts in attendee demand heading into the new year and how these changes impact event planners’ priorities.  From rethinking small details to overhauling more extensive strategies, planners are finding new ways to align every aspect of their events with these evolving goals.  The world of promotional products is no exception, and this year, sourcing giveaways for events is poised to be driven by innovation, purpose, and a heightened focus on creating meaningful connections.  For event planners, these shifts represent an incredible opportunity to reimagine giveaways as not just powerful branding tools but as a way to cultivate deeper engagement and a lasting impact on their attendees.  Below, we’ll explore how to begin aligning your promotional products with these emerging new trends and how to start using your giveaways to elevate your event’s appeal, enhance attendee satisfaction, and reinforce your brand’s values.  Let’s dive in!

Aligning Promos with Event Priorities
In our 2025 forecast, we explored which event trends planners think are the most important to planning successful meetings.  Let's take a look at how promotional items can be used to amplify the benefits of these priorities, as well as well ideas to help get you started:

Experiential Learning:  Experiential learning is becoming a central focus for 2025 and is poised to significantly enhance the attendee experience and value in meetings this year.  This type of learning encourages active participation through workshops, group problem-solving, and interactive breakout sessions.  To complement these hands-on experiences, promotional products should serve as both practical tools during the learning and memorable keepsakes after the event.

Promo Ideas

• Branded Notebooks or Journals: Perfect for jotting down workshop notes or brainstorming ideas.
  
  
• Interactive Kits: Build-it-yourself desk accessories or DIY craft sets provide a creative outlet and a lasting memento.  Assembling these types of gifts also makes excellent “teamwork” style engagement catalysts.
  
  Custom Dry-Erase Boards: Ideal for brainstorming and collaborative work during the event, as well as a handy tool attendees can take home to their own companies for further collaboration.  The best part?  Simple solutions like dry-erase decals can turn any surface into a fun and interactive tool for some added versatility.
  
  
• USB Flash Drives or QR Code Cards: Preloaded with workshop resources, these ensure attendees leave with actionable takeaways.

Immersive Events: Immersive experiences captivate audiences by engaging multiple senses and creating unforgettable moments.  Promotional products can enhance these events by reinforcing the sensory and interactive elements of your event offerings.

Promo Ideas

• Branded VR Headsets:  Give your events modern flair and inject a little tech into your offerings with VR!  Enable attendees to explore immersive tech demos while keeping your event logo front and center.  These make great prize offerings or higher-end gifts your attendees can take home to share.
  

• Sensory Kits:  Lean into the idea of multi-sensory engagement by including giveaway items like scented candles or essential oils for aromatherapy in your designated wellness zones or tactile stress balls and fidget toys to evoke emotional connections.  These are fantastic options to keep your attendees engaged after your event has ended.
  

• Custom AR Markers: These link to interactive event content, blending the physical and digital worlds.
  

• Branded Bluetooth Headphones or Earbuds: Perfect for silent experiences, such as guided meditations or private listening stations.
  

  

  

  
  

  

Networking Opportunities: Networking remains a core goal for many event attendees and a driving force behind choosing which events to attend. You can entice prospective guests and facilitate meaningful connections by leveraging promotional items that encourage or streamline networking opportunities at your meetings.

Promo Ideas

• Custom Badge Holders: Great for identifying people on the floor; consider including built-in business card slots to make networking seamless.
  
  
• Branded Conversation Starter Cards: Break the ice with fun and engaging prompts.
  
  
• QR Code Keychains or RFID Wristbands: Link directly to attendees’ LinkedIn profiles or digital portfolios for effortless connection.
  

Micro Events: Smaller, localized events offer opportunities for more personalized and impactful experiences.  Aligning high-quality, high-use potential promotional products with these intimate settings ensures attendees feel valued and engaged.

Promo Ideas

• Locally Sourced or Artisanal Items: Handmade candles or small-batch coffee add a personal touch while recognizing and supporting local businesses.
  
  
• Branded Picnic Sets: Perfect for outdoor gatherings and allow guests to create and enjoy their own memorable moments while keeping your brand top of mind during these shared experiences.
  
  Customizable Mini Event Kits: Opt for promos tailored to your event’s offerings and activities, such as yoga mats for guided classes or knife sets for interactive cooking classes.  In this blog, Differentiating Your Small Event, we explore some content ideas to make your micro event really stand out!
  

Gamification:  Gamification injects fun and interactivity into events, boosting engagement and encouraging participation. Promotional products can play a pivotal role in rewarding and motivating attendees.

Promo Ideas

• Branded Scratch-Off Cards: An affordable, simple, and fun entry point to gamifying your event.  Custom scratch-offs can include prizes or QR codes linking to event-specific content, sponsors, coupons for local businesses, and more.
  
  
• Custom Tokens, Badges, or Pins: Another cost-effective solution to reward participants for completing activities, creating a sense of achievement.  This type of promo has additional value when used across multiple events as it creates a “collectible” angle to attending your meetings.
  
  
• Branded Games or Puzzles: Let your attendees keep the games going long after your event with branded fun they can take home.  Tie these to the event theme (like Legos for a “building a better future” event) for a unique and memorable giveaway.
  
  
• Event-Specific Leaderboards: Utilize AI to aggregate your on-site gamification efforts to create a leaderboard for your contests.  Offer branded trophies or prizes for top performers to encourage a little friendly competition.
  
  
  

Budget-Friendly, High-Value Solutions
While recent surveys do show that the majority of planners are anticipating bigger budgets in 2025 than in years past, navigating the rising cost of goods continues to be a concern for the industry at large.  As such, the demand for cost-effective giveaways that don’t compromise on quality or utility will be a key consideration when planners are sourcing their swag bag inclusions.  Attendees value items that are practical and long-lasting, making versatile tech accessories or high-use gifts—such as specialized drinkware or bags—ideal choices. These options offer everyday functionality, helping event planners maximize their marketing impact and budget.  To maximize value, focus on multifunctional products that attendees will use daily, like a reusable coffee tumbler with a built-in straw or a compact tech organizer.  These high-value solutions not only deliver long-lasting impact but are also easy to align with any other priorities your brand may be pursuing, like networking opportunities or sustainability.  By prioritizing thoughtful, durable items, planners can ensure their giveaways leave a positive and lasting impression—without breaking the bank.

Purpose Driven Products
Just as we saw in 2024, consumer preferences continue to emphasize the importance of brands that prioritize social and environmental impact, support charitable causes, and offer B Corp-certified products. For event planners, this growing trend provides a valuable opportunity to deepen connections with attendees by incorporating giveaways that reflect these values.  Purpose-driven items can enhance the attendee experience while building brand loyalty through shared ideals.

To create a meaningful impact, consider offering practical giveaways from socially conscious brands that attendees can immediately use on-site—such as reusable drinkware accompanied by water refill stations. For more insights on how these types of giveaways can elevate your brand and events, explore our  Brands With Initiatives blog!

Name Brand Giveaways
Similar to partnering with brands with social media, co-branding with trusted retail names is a powerful way to enhance the credibility and appeal of your event's giveaways.  Leveraging well-known brands like CamelBak, Moleskine, Nike, North Face, Patagonia, and more can elevate your event's image and help build trust with attendees.  These recognizable brands bring known quality and value, making them an ideal choice for giveaways that leave a lasting impression on your recipients.  While big-name brands can create a significant impact, it’s crucial to choose partners that align with your event’s core values—whether it’s innovation, premium quality, or sustainability. This thoughtful alignment ensures your giveaways not only resonate with your audience but also strengthen and reinforce your event’s messaging.

Products That Enhance Shared Experiences
With the growing emphasis on immersion and networking at events, promos that foster community and connection are taking center stage.  Items like branded team apparel (matching hats, t-shirts, or wristbands), fun photo booth props, or wearable tech with augmented reality (AR) capabilities that unlock event-specific interactive content are great ways to put your promos to work in cultivating a more immersive event atmosphere.  Don’t forget your hybrid attendees, either!  Consider sending virtual entertainment kits full of the tools guests need to join in on the fun at home.  These kits can include things like the tools to attend virtual cocktail-making classes or materials for trivia alongside their on-site counterparts.  These products not only add value by way of your branded gift but also serve as touchpoints for fostering collaboration and camaraderie, whether attendees are gathered in person or participating virtually.  

Influencer-Driven Promotions
It’s likely no surprise that in our digital age, technology is changing how we market our events and our brands.  Social media, in particular, is a great way to create buzz before, during, and after the event, and the power of influencers continues to grow as an effective way to market and elevate promos.  Through storytelling and authentic engagement, influencers excel at showcasing products in real-life contexts.  Whether it’s unboxing videos, curated giveaway collections, or exclusive event sponsorships that align with their personal brand, event planners can amplify the reach and perceived value of their giveaways by partnering with influencers.   Of course, influencer-driven promotions might not be a great fit for all industries.  The key to success lies in choosing influencers who resonate with your target audience and collaborating on campaigns highlighting the practical, innovative, or sustainable aspects of your promotional items. Whether a branded water bottle featured in a fitness influencer’s daily routine or a do-it-all tote with modern tech integration in a travel blogger’s packing tips, these partnerships can transform simple giveaways into coveted must-haves while reinforcing your event’s message.

Let’s Get Gifting!
As we navigate the evolving landscape of events in 2025, promotional products remain a powerful tool for driving engagement, reinforcing values, and creating memorable experiences.  By aligning your giveaways with attendee and company priorities—whether through shared experiences, sustainability, or budget-friendly solutions—event planners can transform simple items into meaningful connections for their recipients.  The key lies in embracing innovation, purpose, and creativity to ensure every product tells a story and not just aligns with but enhances your event's overall message.  Need some help getting started or want to learn more about what products can help with your goals in the upcoming event season?  Contact us, and together, we can create a giveaway that is guaranteed to have a lasting impression on attendees long after the event has ended.

Related Resources:
2025 Meetings and Events Forecast - Explore the top trends shaping the meetings and events industry in 2025!  From personalized attendee experiences and cutting-edge AI tools to immersive learning and green practices, discover how to leverage innovation and data to create memorable, impactful events.

How to Shop: Tech - Tech giveaways remain among the most sought-after promotional items due to their practicality and frequent use.  This blog provides a comprehensive guide to selecting modern, functional, and unique tech gifts that integrate seamlessly into recipients' lives while enhancing brand visibility.

How to Shop: Drinkware - Discover how the right drinkware can turn your event giveaway into a lasting brand connection your recipients will be reaching for day after day.  This blog offers ideas, strategies, and considerations when it comes to the various styles, materials, and creative features to keep your branded drinkware gift the one being reached for time and again!

How to Shop: Bags -  Boost your brand visibility with up to 6,000 unique impressions with promotional bags!  Learn what to look for when it comes to finding the perfect bag for your branded giveaway.  This blog is full of tips and tricks to help you seamlessly navigate the endless styles, materials, and features available, from totes to backpacks and everything in between.

How to Shop: Awards - Learn how to celebrate your team’s resilience and achievements and explore modern award options like customizable 3D-printed designs, unique materials, and outside-the-box solutions to ensure your recognition aligns with your values, style, and budget!

How to Shop: Notebooks - With the growing demand for immersion and experiential learning, stationery is a great way to inject some branded interactivity into your events.  Discover how to elevate your next event giveaway with stylish and functional notebooks and journals that your attendees can make immediate use of on-site, as well as a branded memento to use back at the office! 

How to Shop: Pens - Dive into the versatile world of writing tools with tips on navigating the various styles, materials, and features it offers!  Check out branded options that cater to every budget and purpose—from cost-effective giveaways to premium executive gifts—while offering customization options and unique materials for lasting impact.

Promo Decoration Methods - Breaking down the differences between promo imprint methods and featuring tips to make your branding stand out with eye-catching and durable designs, this is the ultimate guide to decoration methods for promotional products.  Uncover everything you need to know when it comes to designing your perfect promo and ensure the finished product completely matches your vision.