Event In A Box Ideas for Your Upcoming Event

With COVID-19 still impacting the US and the globe, events are probably going to look a little different for a while. Gone are the tradeshows that take days to walk! Gone are the team-building death drops where you trust your co-workers to catch you falling backwards (okay, those were terrifying even without COVID!). And gone are large, in-person conferences full of energy, collaboration, and idea sharing (not to mention hugs, handshakes, and passing out goodies). So now what? Enter the world of virtual and limited contact events, and all that comes with it!

Many event organizers have shifted their events to an online format, whether that be Zoom, Google Meeting, Go-to Meetings, etc. These platforms have provided a fairly user-friendly way to engage “attendees” and sometimes even do “breakout sessions” so attendees can hone in on the topics that most interest them. Others have decided to do limited-contact events with lots of social distancing and limited personal interaction.
Either way you go, an important (and often highly anticipated) part of any event is the SWAG! People love walking away with something to remember the event by, whether that’s a tshirt, drinkware, or something as simple as a sticker. But with this new environment of social distancing and hyper-awareness of germs, how do you facilitate that? Enter: EVENT IN A BOX!

Getting the coveted swag into your attendees’ hands can happen in two ways: for fully virtual events, drop-ship a swag kit full of goodies to each registered attendee (or a selected number of them) OR for limited contact in-person events, hand out the swag kits at the beginning or end of the event to limit the need for hand-to-hand contact. Either way, we’ve got you covered, and here are some great ideas!

PRE-DESIGNED SWAG KITS

One of the easiest options would be a pre-curated swag kit, either in a box, bag, or some other functional packaging. This will typically consist of a few pre-selected items and offer an opportunity to logo each, including the packaging. Who doesn’t love an event tshirt? With the Hanes® T-Shirt And Sunglasses Combo Set With Custom Box, you can get a logoed shirt and sunglasses, packaged neatly in a custom box.

T shirt & Sunglasses coordinate with a custom printed box for your event to hand out or direct mail.

Or how about setting your attendees up for a successful meeting with a Conference at Home Kit , which includes everything they’ll need for a virtual conference, including a tumbler, notebook set and wireless earbuds!

This kit offers a choice of colors to coordinate with your virtual event logo or sponsor colors

Ever thought of doing a virtual lunch and learn? This Throwback Lunch Kit would be the perfect way to send a theme-related gift to your attendees. It includes retro tin lunchbox, collapsible bowl, and utensil kit with a carabiner. And the best part? When folks do return to the office, they’ll have something to remember you by, as this functional set will get used over and over again!

This fun retro lunch box provides a fun kit for a virtual lunch and learn.

This is just a tiny sampling of all the different pre-made kits that are available. We can suggest other options based on your budget, theme, needs, etc. And if we can’t find a pre-curated kit that fits, we can always do a custom kit!

CUSTOM KITS

As the heading implies, we can create custom kits that are tailored specifically to exactly what you need. Some applications of this might be:

– Virtual or limited contact tradeshows where you offer each sponsor/exhibitor the chance to include an item

– Virtual company meeting where you want very specific items included that tie in with the meeting theme

– When the other curated kits just aren’t conveying your message

The most visual part of the custom kits is the packaging, and we have LOTS of options for that. You could do a stock bag, such as the Glacier Tote Bag and fill it with all of your goodies.

Tote bags are a useful way to package your event swag, sponsor materials and print items.

A totally custom box, complete with grid insert and paper fill is another option for a retail-inspired look. This is especially nice when you have vibrant or intricate logos that really speak to your brand recognition. These boxes can be decorated on just the outside, or for a really special look, we can also decorate the inside.

Custom printed boxes allow for creativity in your packaging

To really capture attention and increase the perceived value, add a custom print on the inside of the box.

They come in a variety of stock shapes and sizes, or we can offer a custom sized box. And of course, there’s always the option to do just a plain, stock box, which does help to cut down on cost for projects with a tighter budget.

HYBRID KIT

So what if there’s a stock kit you like, but there’s an item or two you’d like to add? Not to worry! We can always start with one of the pre-designed kits and add to it. Some modifications may have to be made if the packaging isn’t large enough to accommodate the additional items, but together we can find a solution that works! Visit our Event Page for more ideas.

Whatever your needs, we’re sure we can help! Give us a call or email us to get started.

866-247-4320 sales@barefootswag.com

http://www.barefootswag.com

Best Conference & Trade Show Giveaways

We have had a lot of previous blogs about giveaways for conventions and trade shows (such as here and here). Trends are constantly changing and where new swag ideas used to be introduced twice a year, we now have a constant stream of new products to put your logo on.

We are asked at least once a week what the top new swag is or what the best idea is for giveaways- but honestly, there is no one (or even two) right answers. It completely depends on your business, your brand, your target market, the event AND your budget. When you call or email for ideas, we will have questions- the more information you can give us, the better we can drill down to find the best item(s) for you to put your logo on that will give you the best ROI.

Keep in mind that if you are exhibiting where people will be traveling to get to you, the best items are going to be small and easy to pack into a carry on or useful while they are at the show or in that city. Snack food items, convention first aid kits and good quality lip balm are popular items that can be used at any convention, dropped into swag bags or handed out at trade show. A bowl full of branded mints on your table is always appreciated (especially by those that have to endure the “close talker” with halitosis) or tins of mints fit conveniently in a purse or pocket. Another favorite, especially for women’s conferences or during the winter, are mini tissue packets.

Choose a snack like this trail mix with your logo on a business card magnet affixed to the bag for added longevity of your message.

New swag items that are popular this year are reusable straws in either stainless steel or silicone. The imprint area tends to be very small on these unless you print on a case or bag, but they are perfect for any environmentally friendly message or event. Web cam covers are one of the top trade show giveaways this year for multiple reasons. They are small, inexpensive and help ensure safety & security- and your message is in full view every day. Flat multi tools are new this year and a unique items that works great for many industries. They come in a protective metal case that we imprint with your logo and a sturdy metal strap.

Multi tool with case and wire strap

Conferences and trade shows lend themselves to note taking (I refer back to notes I take at shows for up to a year). Notebooks and journals are a useful giveaway, especially with unique features. This notebook has a front pocket that can keep a cell phone, business cards, power bank handy. Spiral notebooks make note taking easy and adding a full color front page showing through the cover can feature your event logo as well as the schedule for easy access. Or ask us how to add a custom tip-in page in other notebooks that you can imprint with more information on your company or products or with a full schedule of event sessions. A favorite in the Barefoot Swag office are stone paper notebooks such as this one. Not only is it an eco-friendly option, the paper offers a really smooth writing experience- it is really incredible. The paper is also extremely resilient and functional – waterproof, tear resistant, and smudge resistant- great for the construction industry, outdoor events or uses and anything that needs swag that is more rugged and durable.

Tech items are always a huge hit. Power banks, charging cables, microfiber cleaning cloths,, USB drives and more. View a variety of tech related swag here.

For more ideas on trade show, convention or conference swag and giveaways, visit our website and check out our Top Convention & Trade Show Giveaways page. Or give us a call or email us and we will put together ideas based on your business, the event and your budget.

http://www.barefootswag.com sales@barefootswag.com

866-247-4320