Whilst virtual conferences and events are picking up in popularity the need for tangible items to tell your brand story and keep your organisation top of mind is more important than ever.
Whether you’re giving out merch in person or including it in an engagement pack a well-thought-out merch strategy with sustainability at its core is key to growing your brand and doing good for the planet.
Here are four easy actionable tips that you can apply next time you’re organising promotional merchandise for an event, trade show or conference;
Ditch The Date
This is an easy one to implement and can have a big impact.
If you want to make something people won’t want to wear after the event is over, simply print a date on it.
Many people won’t want to be seen wearing old-dated merch and even worse, you won’t be able to repurpose any leftover merch after the event is over.
When deciding on artwork for your event merchandise we highly recommend not including a date or even the event name unless it’s for a good reason.
Up-Cycle/Recycle After The Event
Upcycling is something neat that we’re seeing more and more brands consider.
Leftover signs, merchandise, clothing and collateral are all upcycling opportunities. Brainstorm with your team how you could use this material, whether it’s turning it into an art installation, new bags, fashion pieces or something else entirely.
If you’ve followed the above advice on ditching the date you could also utilise the leftover merch to gift to your best clients or even your team that couldn’t make it to the event.
Alternatively, look at donating them to a good cause or recycling them.
Choose Quality Over Quantity
Younger demographics are voting with their wallets choosing quality over quantity.
The mindset of getting the most number of items for as cheap as possible is dated and suboptimal.
The feedback we’ve had from brands of all sizes is that targeted products that have a purpose are what’s working best.
Consider having attendees opt-in to receiving merchandise and being selective about targeting the right recipients and having a good understanding of the attendees and your target audience.
Opt For Eco-Friendly Materials And Products That Can Be Coveted
Two easy tips for choosing something more sustainable is to look for items that are;
- Made from eco-friendly materials
- Practical items that have a long useful life and frequent use
Keeping these two things in mind guarantees you’re going to be more sustainable.
Summing Up
Small thoughtful steps next time you’re ordering promotional merchandise for an event can do wonders for reducing wastage and maximising your ROI.
Want some help choosing the perfect merch that attendees will love? Get in touch with us today to get started with your order.
Matt has spent over eight years in Australia’s promotional products industry. As part of the Promotion Products marketing team, he manages product catalogues and content, keeping brands up to date with what’s new and what works. A contributor to the APPA Magazine, Matt brings practical insight into how quality merch helps businesses stand out.