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Expert Advice On Promotional Products for Events

Discovering the secrets of swag

How do you choose promotional products for an event? What kind of swag is appropriate at a meeting? When it comes to swag – promotional products and freebies given out at events – meeting and event planners have seen it all, from cheap ballpoints to expensive digital devices, personally engraved. But it can be a challenge to find something unique, memorable and audience appropriate – all within budget.

Enter Paula Shapiro, an expert in the industry and the owner of ProCorp Images, a Denver, Colorado, and Kansas City, Missouri-based promotional products company that offers an astounding array of customizable items, including everything from those ubiquitous pens to MP3 players.

We recently had the opportunity to ask Paula a few questions about her business and got the inside scoop on swag and the promotional products industry.

  • First, please tell me a little bit about yourself and your company. How did you get into this business?
    I have an accounting/business background. At the encouragement of a few friends, I decided to switch gears and enter sales for the first time.

  • What sorts of products does ProCorp Images provide?
    My company is an industry distributor for about 6,000 vendors who offer about 600,000 different products. I can offer just about anything from gas grills to golf tees.

  • When is it appropriate to provide favors at an event?
    When the budget allows it. I think it's always a good idea to gift a tasteful item with an imprinted logo.

  • Do different products lend themselves better to different types of events?
    Of course. It's important to choose appropriate products. Appropriateness is predicated on the budget, the audience and the type of company. They all need to fit.

  • What are some of your most successful products? In your experience, what kinds of things do people really go crazy for?
    Most people really like techie items like USB drives, MP3 players, MP4 Players, USB computer lights.

  • What are the trends you're seeing for personalized products?
    There's been a big demand for eco-friendly products like recycled bags. Eco-friendly fabrics for apparel are entering the market too, but they're still a little too expensive. Not a big demand yet.

  • Can you think of an instance in which you helped someone choose products to go with the theme for their event? Do you recommend picking products that complement an event's tone or theme?
    I always choose products that are compatible with the client's event/theme. One of the most unique products I sold was an invitation to a local speaking engagement where former President Bill Clinton was the keynote speaker. The invitation was Clinton's voice [actually it was an impersonator] downloaded onto a classy, silver USB drive. The USB drive was placed inside a black leather box with a debossed presidential seal along with a beautiful pen and notepad. It was a WOW.

  • What is the most original or outrageous product you've seen?
    I've sold customized condoms. The size wasn't customized; the packaging was. In this case, size really doesn't matter.

  • What is your favorite product that your company provides?
    I love the plush blankets I sell as well as the customized books. I can get just about any published title and customize it for my clients. I think it's a very sophisticated gift.

For more information, or to order one of the products mentioned here, visit ProCorp Images' web site at www.logostuff.com.

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