Some promotional items and promotional products are perennial favorites. Others however, are cutting-edge brand new ideas to the market. Many more are new twists on old favorites. One of the most interesting and fun parts of a trade show event in any industry is scouring the stands to see what new gimmicks and promotional items are popular this year. Here’s what you’re likely to see at this year’s crop of trade shows.

Techie Toys

High tech is certainly big business, and that’s just as true in promotional items and promotional gifts as it is in any other market sector. Among the hottest promotional items this year are USB flash drives and other toys that make best use of the latest technology. Flash drives are among the most useful gadgets ever invented, and as the prices drop, they’re making more and more appearances as promotional items. Other popular tech-flavored promotional items and gifts include mobile phone holders and cradles, sim card readers, MP3 players and mobile phone kits with earpieces and battery chargers – all imprinted with your company’s name they are a sure fire way to increase your brand awareness.

The Old Standbys

Promotional pens are perennially popular, and they aren’t going to drop off the favorites list any time soon due mainly to their practicality and also vast ranging price points to suit all budgetary requirements. At any trade show event or conference, you can collect enough pens to keep you in ink for the next year. They range from inexpensive plastic stick pens to high end engraved metal writing instruments that are too cool to be called pens. Among the coolest are novelty and multi-function pens – one with a tape measure built into the barrel and one that features a pen on one side and a stylus on the other. How many times have you caught yourself trying to jot down a phone number with your Palm stylus? Right. Nifty gift, that one is.

Bags, Bags and More Bags

Trade shows and conferences almost always involve getting lots and lots of shwag, which means that bags are among the most welcome giveaway promotional items at a trade show. From printed plastic carrier bags to imprinted conference bags to the luxury rolling executive airport bag, promotional bags give you triple bang for your money. First, you impress the recipient. Then you get the eyeballs of those at the conference who see your bags all over the place emblazoned with your logo and marketing message. Finally, and in some ways best of all, they get carried home and used around town and the office to give your product even more visibility.

Toys!

Face it, most of us are just big kids at heart, and there’s no better way to win a kid’s heart than to give him or her a toy. Toy promotional items are one of the most fun categories of trade show and conference giveaways. Boomerangs and Frisbees, balloons, yo-yos and whistles bring out the kid in everyone. Print them with your promotional message and logo and watch the customers line up to take them home with them.