What's in your show booth? Candy? Why?

Posted on October 27, 2008 by Dave J.

Long-time readers will know I hate candy bowls at trade shows. I mean, really, are you that lazy?

I saw a lot of candy bowls last week. Even really pretty bowls were filled with, tops, $5 in candy. And to the guy with a bowl filled to the brim with peanuts … what the heck?

A star is given away
Okay, after I spent thousands for booth space, I invested some more money in promos at the booth.

How about a nice squishy star stress-ball? I was completely floored by how popular those were.

The bright yellow color drew people over, and the tactile desire to squeeze them got them grabbing. Seth might say it was an opportunity to delight.

Even better, we marked some on the back, so folks might get a better item. Yes, that cost even more money. But it gave the sales reps a chance to engage visitors to see if they ‘won’.

And when the show got slow on Friday, the reps actually tried to see how many of the stars they could give away. Beats standing around chatting on a cell-phone?

Compare that to the guys with the candy-bowls who had to simply look up from their laptops and smile and passersby grabbing candy from their bowls. I say their bowls should have been filled with suckers. ;-)

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  • preacherman

    I love candy. Ouch. I don’t need it but love it and it doesn’t matter what it is either. My 3 sons are going to get alot of candy for daddy on Halloween. :-) I train them well. I might split it between me and them if they are good. :-)

  • preacherman

    I love candy. Ouch. I don’t need it but love it and it doesn’t matter what it is either. My 3 sons are going to get alot of candy for daddy on Halloween. :-) I train them well. I might split it between me and them if they are good. :-)

  • Leigh Anne Wallace

    My opinion is if you are going to brand your logo on something you should make it something useful that people will actually keep. We only exhibit at one show per year, so we try to go all out. This year we are “tailgating” at our booth. We are giving away beer (caution this is pricey since we have to go through the convention center) and koozies to go with them. The koozies are lime green to really grab attention. The show is next week so hopefully all will go well. If you are going to DreamForce next week, be sure to look for us (ReachForce).

  • Leigh Anne Wallace

    My opinion is if you are going to brand your logo on something you should make it something useful that people will actually keep. We only exhibit at one show per year, so we try to go all out. This year we are “tailgating” at our booth. We are giving away beer (caution this is pricey since we have to go through the convention center) and koozies to go with them. The koozies are lime green to really grab attention. The show is next week so hopefully all will go well. If you are going to DreamForce next week, be sure to look for us (ReachForce).

  • VBPOutSourcing

    I love free little trinkets. Candy does bring me over but the trinkets keep me there. I espically love the pens that are high tech for no reason,the best trinkets are onesthat start conversations!

  • VBPOutSourcing

    I love free little trinkets. Candy does bring me over but the trinkets keep me there. I espically love the pens that are high tech for no reason,the best trinkets are onesthat start conversations!

  • Francine Rattenbury

    I have seen bloody Mary’s used to draw people in and have them stay to listen. You need something that doesnt just grab attention but KEEPS their attention.

  • Francine Rattenbury

    I have seen bloody Mary’s used to draw people in and have them stay to listen. You need something that doesnt just grab attention but KEEPS their attention.

  • Dave J.

    Some of my nicest unexpected gifts were cans of beer at just the right time. I’d hate standing in line like a beggar for some, though.These days I don’t even grab pens unless they are very very cool.

  • Dave J.

    Some of my nicest unexpected gifts were cans of beer at just the right time. I’d hate standing in line like a beggar for some, though.These days I don’t even grab pens unless they are very very cool.