Trade shows? It's about free stuff; take it from a couple of pros

Personally I used to be all about promotional items, freebies, swag, schwag, etc. We've all been to movies or grand openings and received free t-shirts, pens, pencils, cups, hats, posters, etc. Though I am not an advocate any longer from a personal war chest standpoint, it's these precise items which help those working trade shows to lure prospective customers into their booth area.

Now, while we are at a show its all about who can collect the most schwag. But, when you return home you realize you have attained nothing more than a collection of stuff you won't use again unless you re-gift them come Christmas time. But I digress, it's really about the swag and how it works as a lure for the casual show attendee. If you have a few minutes the attached article gives a great overview of what these types of items can do for you and how they can separate you from the proverbial pack while presenting at a show!

The most important paragraph/sentence in this entire article is the last one. "And at the Home Show last month, I found a contractor for a remodeling project. I scored a nice free pen. He scored a $5,000 job.". It just goes to show you the importance of free stuff. This one job more than paid for the pens and a significant amount, if not all, of the monies invested to go to the show.