All things are not created equal in the eyes of promotional conference gifts. Gifts that seem like they will be a hit flop horribly, while an almost insignificant promo gift gives branding and business returns better than anyone's wildest dreams. It's not just wild chance that things work out this way – it all depends on your business promotional gift strategy.

Most of the time, the best gifts aren't the most expensive, or the flashiest. In fact, it's often the bigger conference gifts that can backfire the easiest. By keeping your business promotional gifts simple, you can both save money on your budget and have more effective branding.

Considering the thousands upon thousands of promo conference gifts out there, it can be hard to really pinpoint what works without spending millions in testing. A good rule of thumb is to keep it simple and useful. You want a business gift that clearly shows your logo and/or business name without being obnoxious, and you want something that can preferably stay around the computer.

You might wonder why that is. The computer desk is the front line for most offices. You will find that most people stay at their computers for a good portion of the work day, so things that are universally useful around, in, or on the computer desk are sure fire bets to branding success.

Here are a few ideas for you to run with:

Coffee mugs – It's a simple fact that most people depend on their daily caffeine intake to keep them going. Coffee mugs give you a nice, big area for you to put your logo on, as well as being something that will likely either stick around in the office or the break room. Either way, you are reinforcing your brand image.

Pens – Sure, everyone does branded pens, but everyone also loses tons of pens, so another will be a welcome addition to the desk, for however long it stays there. Of course, you can always get fancy and get very high end pens, but the plain printed ballpoints are often rather effective.

USB Flash Drives – These are on the higher end of the promo business gift game, but like pens, these small drives are often rather easy to lose, and having more is always welcome. There is a decent sized area for branding, and if you include a lanyard with the drive, that's a large place to plaster your logo on.

Mouse Pads – A business promotional gift that is sure to end up on the computer desk, with a giant area for logos and information, along with the lower possibility of it being lost or misplaced. What more could you ask for ?

Remember to keep it simple, practical, and effective. While there is a time and a place for the bigger, flashier promo conference gifts, basic desk accessories will always make themselves worth the while. Don't discount these small promotional gifts before trying them – your clients and employees will thank you down the road.